Gus Hansen at Betfair Asian Poker event

SINGAPORE – (PRESS RELEASE) -- One of the world's best poker players, Gus Hansen, will challenge for the Betfair Asian Poker Tour's inaugural event in Singapore.

Hansen will represent Full Tilt Poker's stable of famous professional players at the $5,000 buy-in event which takes place November 12-17.

Betfair expects a prize pool in excess of $1m for the event, where Hansen will come up against Betfair Poker pros Ben 'milkybarkid' Grundy, Thomas 'buzzer' Bhil and Swedish sensation Bengt Sonnert.

He can also expect to take on some of Asia's finest players, including Europe's number one player in 2005, Singapore-born Willie Tann.

"I look forward to taking on some of Asia's best players, who I know to be challenging opponents because they are so aggressive, rather like me," Hansen said. "The Betfair Asian Poker Tour is Asia's first major poker tournament so I am very excited to be going."

The Betfair Asian Poker Tour is the result of a unique legal gazette from the Singapore government which Betfair attained in partnership with respected local company Capital Events. Poker has traditionally been illegal in Singapore.

"This project is breaking new ground. That is something we strive to do across the Betfair brand," said Head of Poker Ben Fried.

Hansen added, "This event is proof that poker is becoming truly international and is here to stay."