Tag Archives: Macau Poker Cup

Macau Poker Cup Championship at the Grand Lisboa

By ken | Published October 11, 2011

PokerStars Team Asia Pro, Raymond Wu PokerStars Team Asia Pro, Celina Lin PokerStars Team Asia Pro, Bryan Huang

It is around this time of year when all eyes in the world of poker in Asia turn to the Grand Lisboa Poker Room for the grand finale of the Macau Poker Cup series hosted by PokerStars Macau. I just arrived from Hong Kong, in time to cover the Main Event which starts with Day 1A tomorrow, and concluding through the weekend. MPC regulars and newcomers from around the region are expected to join the expected field of 250+ players along with Team Asia Pro Players: Raymond Wu, Celina Lin, Bryan Huang and new team member Vivian Im.

At the end of the tournament, I’ll head home to HK to continue what has been a crazy but exciting October – photographing two weddings before dropping back in Macau at the end of the month to cover Legend 6.

Oh yeah, I also turned 30 last week =)

Posted in poker | Also tagged event, Legend Fighting Championship, poker 1 Comment

Macau Poker Cup February 2011, Macau Millions this weekend

By ken | Published April 9, 2011

poker chips on the table at the Macau Poker Cup February 2011

I just arrived at the Grand Lisboa Poker Room to shoot the weekend of Macau Millions for PokerStars. I am picking up photography coverage at Day 1G and into Day 2. I was happy to hear that the event has broken through the 1000-player mark, which was not surprising news – just further indication that players in the region love their poker.

Here are some player photos from the Macau Poker Cup in February 2011.

Celina Lin, lovely as usual
poker chip shuffling on hand Celina Lin at the Macau Poker Cup February 2011
Bryan Huang in his zone
Bryan Huang at the Macau Poker Cup February 2011

Posted in events, poker | Also tagged Grand Lisboa, macau, Macau Millions, poker, Pokerstars Leave a comment

Macau Poker Cup Championship this week

By ken | Published November 2, 2010

Asian male poker player wearing sunglasses in the Macau Poker Cup Championship September 2010 Asian female poker player wearing sunglasses in the Macau Poker Cup Championship September 2010

I’ll be heading over this week to the Grand Lisboa to shoot the Macau Poker Cup Championship (MPCC) hosted by PokerStars Macau. I’ll be displaying player portraits on display screens at the front of the tournament poker room, so if you are in town come check it out or drop by to say hi.

Posted in events, poker | Also tagged macau, MPCC, Pokerstars Leave a comment

Macau Poker Cup, July 2010 at Casino Grand Lisboa

By ken | Published July 16, 2010

photo of a reflection overhead view of the PokerStars poker room at the Casino Grand Lisboa

Last week PokerStars Macau held its most successful Macau Poker Cup event to date at the Grand Lisboa poker room. The big story of the event was Japan’s Kenichi Takarabe, the last man standing in the Red Dragon main event. Takarabe overtook Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang of Singapore, who held the chip lead for most of the tournament.

Despite attending several poker events, I still have not managed to pick up the poker addiction. But even as a spectator I could not help but to appreciate the sheer passion for the game shared by all the players. Even the PokerStars Macau team (for the ‘regulars’ of the poker room, you would’ve at some point met Fred, Dom, Danny, and Roberto among others) run the tournament with a professionalism and love for the game that is truly admirable.

Among the players, the friendly competition and mutual respect for each other’s game were awesome to observe. The scene in the room actually reminded me a little bit of the photographer community – just a bunch of people doing what they love.

A spectator watches over the tournament action
photo of a poker fan in the audience of the Macau Poker Cup

Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin taking down a pot
photo of Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin going all-in and taking down the pot

Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang’s most loyal fan
photo of Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang's girlfriend watching him play poker

Red Dragon main event final table: Kenichi Takarabe (Japan) vs. Bryan Huang (Singapore)
photo of Bryan Huang at the Macau Poker Cup Red Dragon main event final table in July 2010

photo of Kenichi Takarabe winning final hand of the MPC Red Dragon main event

photo of Kenichi Takarabe celebrating winning final hand of the MPC Red Dragon main event with Japanese fans

Posted in events, poker | Also tagged Bryan Huang, casino, Celina Lin, events, Grand Lisboa, Kenichi Takarabe, macau, MPC, photography, photoshoot, poker, Pokerstars 1 Comment

Macau Poker Cup Championship

By ken | Published December 30, 2009

After shooting the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) in Macau a few months ago, I was asked for the Macau Poker Cup Championship at the Grand Lisboa earlier this month. The tournament was not without its fair share of dramatic twists and turns. But one thing was for sure – these dudes love their poker. And so do I. Or, at least I’m starting to like it. I got pretty excited about playing poker after I got back to HK and proceeded to lose all $250K on my zynga poker account on my iPhone. So I won’t be going pro anytime soon.

This was also my first assignment that I was able to shoot with the new Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR2. For the gear heads out there, it is delicious.