Chan: Saipan can host top level poker tourney

Johnny Chan gestures during a visit at the Best Sunshine Live yesterday.
(Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Ten-time World Series of Poker winner Johnny Chan believes Saipan has a shot at hosting top level poker tournaments in the future.

“Anything is possible if you will build a strong foundation,” said Chan, who is on island for a vacation after getting an invite from Best Sunshine International.

“You build and they will come,” said Chan, adding that he would encourage his friends to come here not only to play, but also to enjoy the beauty of the island.

Chan, who was inducted to the Poker Hall of Fame in 2002, explained that for poker players and other visitors to come to Saipan, there has to be shops, restaurants, resorts, and other facilities that will lure them in.

“I believe Best Sunshine is building a casino resort so that’s a good start. One step at a time and in three to five years, you’re going to see the results with more people coming in, the economy growing, and the people here getting more job opportunities,” said Chan, who is among the most successful players in the World Series of Poker, having topped the prestigious event in 1985, 1987,1988, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2005.

Chan arrived on Saipan last Monday and was impressed with what he saw, especially the beautiful beaches on the island.

“The island reminds me of Hawaii and Virgin Islands. There are a lot of water activities and scenic views and I am sure a lot of people will be happy to visit here. I never imagined this island to be that pretty,” said Chan, who had been around the U.S., Australia, Macau, Hong Kong, England, and Paris playing poker.

“Who knows, I may have the Johnny Chan Poker Classic here or maybe an Asian tournament,” said Chan, who got the nickname “The Orient Express” after beating 13 of the 16 players in the America’s Cup of Poker in Las Vegas in 1982 in a little more than 30 minutes.

The 58-year-old player was originally from Guangzhou, China before his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1968 and to Houston five years later. It is in Houston where he learned to play poker with the customers of their family-owned restaurant and some friends. He was also into American football and athletics while growing up in Houston and now plays bowling and billiards besides joining poker tournaments.

“It takes a lot of experience, practice, guts, and bluffing to play and win poker,” said Chan whose success and expertise in poker tournaments around the world earned him cameo roles in various movies and appearances in TV series and allowed him to write an instructional book.