Steve O’Dwyer has never been shy about sharing his views on the poker industry. While currently competing at the Asian Poker Tour (APT) Championship in Taipei, the high roller legend directed pointed criticism at Western professionals. His argument is simple: players cannot complain about the state of modern tournament structures if they refuse to support the few major events that actually offer what they ask for.
The American pro suggests that despite constant online grievances regarding “rake traps” and unlimited re-entry formats, many top players are noticeably absent from Taipei. Instead, they have flocked to conflicting events in the Caribbean, ignoring a prestigious Main Event that features the rare and coveted freezeout format.
The Hypocrisy of the ‘Freezeout’ Demand
For years, the high stakes community has voiced frustration over the proliferation of unlimited re-entry tournaments. The argument is that these formats favor players with infinite bankrolls and diminish the prestige of a tournament life. The APT Championship Main Event in Taipei directly addressed this by offering a high-stakes, pure freezeout structure with a massive prize pool.
Yet, as O’Dwyer noted in an interview during the series, the turnout from Western pros has been lackluster compared to the volume of complaints seen on social media.
“I am kind of disappointed that there are not more Western, English-speaking players here,” O’Dwyer said. “You see people complaining so often on Twitter. They say ‘Everything is eight re-entries now, it is bullshit.’ Then these guys at the APT take a big shot and run a huge freezeout, and all those same people I see complaining on Twitter all the time? None of them are here.”
The disconnect between online discourse and actual attendance is stark. While the APT event offers substantial value and a classic tournament structure, many regulars have chosen to grind familiar circuits in the Bahamas instead.
“There is no real excuse why people are going to go play some bullshit rake trap in the Bahamas over this,” O’Dwyer added.
Finding the Spiritual Successor to Macau
This trip represents a significant milestone for O’Dwyer. It is his first time playing a full APT Main Event schedule. His decision to travel to Taiwan is rooted in his support for the tour’s new ownership group, which includes notable high stakes pro Michael Soyza.
For veteran players, the Asian circuit has left a void since the disappearance of major events in Macau. O’Dwyer believes the revamped APT is finally filling that gap.
“I have been waiting for a spiritual successor to the Asia Championship of Poker in Macau, which we have been missing out on for years,” O’Dwyer explained. “That always used to be one of my favorite events, and this is kind of the successor to that.”
He noted that for the past 15 years, scheduling conflicts with the European Poker Tour (EPT) often made Asian stops impossible. However, the vision Soyza and his team have brought to the APT convinced O’Dwyer to change his annual routine.
Prioritizing Value Over Tradition
The decision to attend the APT Championship meant breaking long-standing habits. O’Dwyer confirmed he is “Bahamas-retired” and will not be attending WSOP Paradise. More surprisingly, he is skipping EPT Prague, a staple on his winter calendar, to remain in Asia for a post-series vacation with his wife.
O’Dwyer dismissed concerns that Taipei is a difficult destination for English speakers. He described the city as highly accessible, affordable, and welcoming to Western travelers.
“It is not like this is Siberia,” he joked. “It is easy to get to. It is a very Western-friendly city, almost everybody speaks English, and it is really cheap.”
By prioritizing the APT, O’Dwyer is voting with his buy-ins. He is supporting an operator that is willing to take risks on player-friendly formats. The record-breaking numbers at the APT Championship suggest the local market is thriving, even if some Western pros missed the boat on one of the year’s significant value spots.
