It's hard to imagine a time when the Macau Poker Cup (MPC) was just a 3-day series with 30-something players in the Red Dragon main event but that's exactly how it all started in 2008.
Then, this past January, the milestone MPC20 ran a 12-day series with record poker festival totals of 3,443 players and HKD $21,443,285 (~USD $2.8m) in prize money. 995 players put up HKD $11,000 for a chance to slay the Red Dragon; and, the popular regional series introduced the HKD $6,000 Baby Dragon event and the 50K High Roller.
As we approach the August 1 start date for MPC21, let's take a look at the most ambitious iteration of the Macau Poker Cup series yet.
Biggest Schedule Ever
The super-sized 17-day schedule is the first thing that jumps off the page when you look at the full schedule here.
Whether you want to make the most of your poker getaway or only have time during the weekends, the extra days are a good thing.
SLYDE
Winning the MPC Main Event means taking home the coveted Red Dragon trophy; something in the vicinity of HKD $2 million in prize money; and, a 2014 ACOP package which includes a HKD $100,000 Main Event entry plus hotel.
As if that wasn't enough, luxury Swiss watch brand Slyde has recently been named the 'Official Watch Sponsor of PokerStars LIVE Macau' for the remainder of the 2014 season - meaning the Red Dragon champion will be presented with a Slyde 'Titanium' design watch that has a retail value of CNY 52,800 (approximately USD $8,480).
High Roller
Big buyin events in Macau keep going up and up and so the High Roller event has increased to HK $80,000 with the option for 1 re-entry.
The fine organizers at PokerStars LIVE Macau haven't forgotten the everyman though. There is a 2-stage satellite that gives you a chance to play in the high stakes tourney for as little as HKD $2,400.
It's easy to see this event crushing the previous MPC High Roller record of HKD $2,872,170 in prize money.
SAME SAME
But don't let the big schedule, big sponsorship, or big buyins fool you into thinking the Macau Poker Cup has completely turned itself upside down.
At the heart of it all, MPC21 is still the same great regional series with tournaments for everyone. A large proportion of the events range from HKD $2,000 to HKD $20,000 meaning there's something for everyone
The 2k Deepstack NLH and 6k Baby Dragon events kickoff the opening weekend and come with HKD $200,000 and HKD $1 million prize pool guarantees respectively.