The Asian Poker Tour has not been around that long in relation to some of the other poker events that gain international recognition, but by the same token it has also been very successful in the relatively short amount of time that it has been around. Now, the APT has once again gained international headlines by inviting Michael Phelps, the world famous Olympic swimmer from the United States, to one of their tournaments.

This will actually be the second year in a row that the APT invited Michael Phelps to the APT Macau tournament that is taking place in the city of the same name. It is expected to take place from August 12th to August 23rd and will be a great opportunity for just about anyone that wants to play. Phelps did not come to the tournament last year, but there are hopes on the part of APT Macau officials that he will come this year since people connected to Phelps mentioned his interest in that particular event.

This is just the latest in a long string of marketing moves by poker organizations around the world to get better recognition for their game of choice. In fact, it is almost certainly something that will gain the attention of the world’s media if Phelps does indeed show up for the APT Macau event. In fact, his recent press troubles revolving mostly around being caught smoking marijuana might be the main reason that Phelps has yet to accept the invitation.

If he does accept, one can expect him to take a seat at the APT Macau alongside people that he has either watched on television or met before. For that reason, the APT Macau experience might be just what the doctor ordered in order to rehabilitate the public image that Michael Phelps can currently bring to the table.

In any case, Phelps is just one of many celebrities in the public limelight right now that play poker in one way or another. Even the President of the United States Barack Obama has been known to play the game from time to time. The invite was also extended to the President, although that was probably just wishful thinking on the part of APT Macau officials.