83 Guangdong Ltd Asia Millions, about HK$613,000, to the Macau Daily Readers Charity Fund. One difference between running a high-stakes poker tournament and a VIP room is that there is no credit to players. “Players bring the money. We need to have all the money in the cage before we can run the tournament. The person who wins receives the cheque immediately,” says Ms Wong. She says poker is attractive to VIP patrons because it is a game that includes a component of skill. Baccarat is purely a game of chance. Poker gives customers a sense of satisfaction and achievement. “They can actually demonstrate skill, how intelligent they are.” The nature of the game also entices high rollers, Ms Wong says. “Baccarat is a game where clients make and lose big money in a very short period of time. It is like a rollercoaster. Poker is a bit different. You will have ups and downs for an extended period, but it is the one who persists the most, the most patient, most skilful that will be the final winner.”
Guangdong Group organised the Guangdong Ltd Asia Millions at City of Dreams last month in partnership with poker powerhouse PokerStars Macau
JULY 2013