After a resounding success in 2007, the Asian Poker Classic will be back in 2008, and it hopes to attract a bigger field than last year.

The APC was the richest poker tournament ever staged in India when it was held for the very first time, in Goa, in March 2007. Now it has been confirmed that the event will return to Goa in March 2008 – venue to be announced.

At the inaugural tourney more than 140 players turned out from more than a dozen countries around the world, all vying for their share of the $1 million prize pot. In the end, an unknown named Carl Hostrup from Denmark took the crown, beating off a host of pros such as Willie Tann, Mel Judah and Surinder Sunar to claim the $320,000 first prize.

The unique atmosphere of the APC and magnificent prize money on offer – the total pot will likely swell further in 2008 – mean the field should be bigger and better than ever. A host of top pros are expected to attend again, with keen amateurs and online qualifiers joining the big names at the tables.

“We are extremely excited about coming back in 2008. The inaugural APC was a huge success so of course the planning started right after to produce a bigger, better and even more luxurious poker tournament in India.

"Asian Poker Classic is no doubt poised to be one of the biggest tournaments in the region,” said, Imran Hassan, Director of Operations for the Asian Poker Classic.