Though the Poker arena is
mostly dominated by male
players, another woman,
nicknamed Poker Diva due to
her flair for style, proved the
whole world that she can take
down whoever she likes in the
name of Poker.

Everybody knows that women
must make unusual efforts to
succeed in a gaming community
of mostly males. It seems that
women are judged differently to
show that they can really handle
the game.

Liz Lieu having well versed in
Poker has proven everyone that she is a fierce lioness who is always ready to kill the best of the best whether it be male or otherwise. Being a reputable cash game player, not to mention her growing resume of tournament finishes, she has mastered the environment that she’s destined to overcome.

Though she has Viatnamese roots, her family moved to the United States just a year after she was born. Lieu was raised in Colorado while her folks worked hard to give her and her sister the best life possible. Even though her parents were strict about good education, Lieu showed no sign of interest in doing daily homework.

At an early age, Lieu was already fond of playing cards, specifically Chinese Poker. By the time her 18th birthday came, she had already mastered playing cards and had begun running her own home game. Being a businesswoman at heart, Lieu and her friend built a game in Colorado focusing on Hold’em and Pai Gow. This marked the beginning of her rewarding journey within the realm of high states Poker.

An unfortunate tragedy struck her family around the time when she was harnessing her Poker potential. Lieu’s father suffered from heart attack. Thinking that this is a personal challenge, she decided to give up everything and focus more on playing cards so she can help her family pass the struggle they were facing.

Lieu went to Las Vegas and took her bankroll at higher level. She started making progress and eventually started playing $200-400 and beyond. Just like most Poker success stories, Lieu had to go through a number of hurdles. She got involved in personal relationships that lost her bankroll and had to start over again. It was a good thing that she had the support of her bestfriend, John Phan a professional player, who guided her so she could regain her strength. Listening to his advice, and having found a new motivation and determination to play, she began to own thePoker scene again.

Her strength to not give up and instead continue what she had started defines Lieu’s character. Continuously rising through the upper levels of the cash game world, many had suggested that she add tournaments to her growing repertoire. She entered her first major event at the 2005 WSOP and cashed three times, which included one final table giving her a 5th place and a pay day of $168,000, in the $1500 no limit Hold’em event.

Along with her other achievements, Lieu has many interests and projects. Inspired by people such as Barry Greenstein, Lieu, together with John Phan, built and led a foundation to help the poor in Vietnam. They regularly travel home bringing rice and food supplies to villages, children’s orphanages, elderly homes and about 60 different temples.

PokerStars, the largest Online Poker
site has finally opened PokerStars
Macau, Macau’s first live Poker Room.

According to reports, PokerStars
Macau has a 250-person capacity and is
located in the luxurious surroundings of
Grand Waldo Hotel and Casino in
Cotai strip.

PokerStars Macau will also offer cash games, and boast of a pretty nice weekly tournament schedule for players from Macau, Hong Kong, China and the rest of the world.

This new Poker Room opened with a mission to raise money for the victims of the recent earthquake in Western China.

With a minimum of HKD $2000 donation the Red Cross Society of China, Poker community can contribute to the relief effort to help the millions of people affected by the disaster.

Reports said that PokerStars provided at least HKD $150,000 in prizes for this event, including the following:

• 3 x HKD $25,000 APPT Macau main event entries
• 4 x HKD $10,000 Macau Cup Red Dragon event entries
• 5 x HKD $4,000 Macau Cup Blue Dragon event entries
• 15 x HKD $1,000 Macau Cup Deep Stack event entries

The charity event was the first event of the “Macau Poker Cup” – a series of Poker Tournament scheduled during the May 23-25 weekend, including a $1,000 HKD buy-in Deep-Stack event, the $10,000 buy-in Red Dragon event and the first of many satellites to the Asia Pacific Poker Tour.

Poker enthusiasts were reportedly had the chance to win seats via
a few online satellites and freerolls on PokerStars available at the PokerStars tournament lobby.

The Asia Pacific Poker Tour’s is currently working out its full schedule for its second season and the only thing that is for sure as of the moment is that it will kick-off at the Grand Waldo Casino with the September 1-6 APPT Macau Main Event, a $25,000 HKD buy-in No Limit Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament with a guarantee of $10,000,000 HKD.

Operating under the Chinese “one country two systems” formula, Macau has been said to be transformed into the “Las Vegas of the East”. Like Hong Kong, Macau has its own government, passports, visas, postal system and currency; the city’s atmosphere is also a heady blend of colonial Europe, the Far East, and the glamour of the Sunset Strip.

Corporate and social groups have the opportunity to hire an exclusive private room within the PokerStars Macau Poker Room for special functions. Bookings will initially be available Thursday to Sunday and can incorporate a Poker Tournament, specialized tuition, a Team PokerStars Pro representative and a variety of accommodation and/or food and beverage packages to suit.

Should there be any questions about PokerStars Macau, email macau@pokerstars.com or call the Poker Room direct on +853 801 8201.