The opening day of the historic first event on the PokerStars.net Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) has wrapped up. Australian David Saab is the chip leader after day one of the first APPT event, held at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in the Philippines capital of Manila.

Saab, the reigning Australian Heads-up champions, became the first player to break the 100,000-chip barrier and finished just above the same count. Others prominently placed at the end of the day’s play included Swede Roger Spets (103,000), Korea’s Junhee Yea (70,000), Canadian Dan Idema (65,000) and former world pool champion Alex Paguluyan (55,000).

The initial aims of the APPT were achieved with a field of 255 players signing up for tournament, creating a prize pool of just under $600,000 and a first prize of $179,755. At the end of the day’s play, just 72 players were still in the running.

The previous biggest prize offered in a Philippines poker tournament was one-million pesos, which equates to about $21,500.

The event has attracted players from more than 30 different nations including healthy numbers from the host country and other Asian nations - a great sign for the future of the game in this region.

The field included a trio from Team PokerStars - 2005 WSOP champion Joe Hachem, Daniel Negreanu and Vanessa Rousso. However, all three were eliminated on day one.

Play recommences at 2pm local time tomorrow, and continues until the final table is decided.

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