Michael Phelps Invited to Join Doyle Brunson at Asian Poker Tour
Ten-time World Series of Poker gold bracelet-winner Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson, scheduled to participate in a major poker tournament in Macau, China, next week, may not be the only golden boy at the tourney. Swimmer Michael Phelps, who just won eight gold medals at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, has been invited too.
The tournament is a stop on the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and will take place at a Macau casino.
In an open letter to Phelps that was widely publicized on the Internet, Jeff Mann of the APT invited the scrawny poker-loving Olympian from Baltimore, Maryland, USA, to trade in his swimsuit and pair of goggles for a suited pair at the card table.
The letter reads:
"Dear Michael: First of all, congratulations on your eight gold medals and world record-breaking feats-what a supreme sporting achievement and I hope superstardom treats you well. However, I write this open letter to you to say that I am in a position to add weight to the argument that you should be crowned history's ultimate sportsman.
"I noticed recently that you have told your local newspaper that you were a big fan of poker and look forward to playing again. By a strange twist of fate, I represent the Asian Poker Tour and we are running Asia's largest ever guaranteed tournament NEXT WEEK in Macau. It starts on the 27th and runs until the 31st and guarantees a prize pool of $1,500,000 and a first prize of $500,000. This is the biggest prize pool ever offered in Asia! While you are already in China, why don't you give it a go? It would be our pleasure to fly you in, organize your accommodation and buy you in to the tournament!
"Some have said you are a ‘human dolphin' but we're keen to know if history's greatest swimmer is really a fish. You may have feet that can reach angles others cannot to give you the ultimate swimming technique, but just you wait until you've got sharks like Vegas poker legend Doyle Brunson chasing you. We'll see how fast you really are then when they smell blood-get some flippers on those size 14's!
"Don't bring your goggles, bring a pair of sunglasses-dive in at the deep end and we would love it if you showed us your hand. You've almost certainly got more chance of making good money from our $1,500,000 prize pool than securing any commercial deals! Your homecoming to a delirious country can wait.
"Go all-in Michael! We'll even get some special one-on-one lessons for you from poker's greatest players. If it makes you happier, we'll even bring in Mark Spitz too and you can play heads-up! Some have campaigned for poker to become an Olympic sport. The fact that you are a ‘human dolphin' doesn't mean you will necessary get a gold medal for Texas hold ‘em! In all seriousness, come join us, you may as well while you are there! We'll definitely show you a good time and would be honored with your presence. Get the closing ceremony over and done with first though! Best wishes, Jeff Mann, Asian Poker Tour."
So what are the chances that Phelps actually would show up at the tournament?
About the same chance of Doyle Brunson running in an Olympic marathon (Brunson walks with a crutch).
The Phelps invite is simpy a publicity stunt intended to give some much-needed attention to the APT-and it worked.
If the flacks in the APT, such as Mann, really thought Phelps might attend their event, they would've done better homework.
First of all, Phelps wasn't "already in China" as the letter claims.
After competing in Beijing he flew to London, England, to particiapte in a handover ceremony-London will host the 2012 Olympics.
He would've had to fly all the way back to China again to play poker.
Second, Mark Spitz is the last person you want around Phelps.
Spitz has been publicly blasting everyone connected to the Olympics-from the U.S. team to NBC-for failing to fly him to China free so he could watch Phelps break his (Spitz's) record of seven gold medals won in an Olympics.
Why bring a hothead on board?
And third, if Mann and his co-horts really believe that Phelps has, "more chance of making good money from our $1,500,000 prize pool than securing any commercial deals," then the flacks at the APT have been inhaling fumes from lead-laden poker chips.
Phelps was already making $3 million a year in commercial endorsements before his eight gold medal performance in China.
Now it is said he will make $30 million a year commercially.
The Asian Poker Tour would be thrilled to make half that much.
Be sure to check out Doyle's Room for the best online poker bonuses available today and top cash tournaments (including the Bounty Hunter tournaments). Go Here to Visit the Poker Room
---
Thomas Somach, www.pokerhelper.com
