HUIXIAN

TWO young Singaporeans have outplayed over 300 other players to make it to the final 10 in the first international poker tournament to be held here.

Building contractor Neil Yong, 26, and day trader Ang Pang Leng, 31, relative greenhorns to the game, played aggressively yesterday, impressing the crowd that gathered around their table at the Betfair Asian Poker Tour being held here.

Mr Yong, taking part in his first tournament, said he was 'nervous and a bit desperate', but played his hand with apparent calm while plugged into his iPod.

Mr Ang, for whom this is his third major tournament this year, is confidently eyeing the top prize of US$451,000 (S$707,000).

At 11pm, they had already won US$17,500 each, more than the US$5,000 each paid to get into the race. The longer they stay in the running, the more their winnings will grow.

'I'm already in the money, but there's the cash cow,' said Mr Ang, referring to the top prize.

Tournament director Thomas Kremser said he was happy to see Singaporeans make it this far. ''Asian players are fearless and aggressive, and they deserve to be there.''