Beijing’s superstar and 13 times Olympic gold medalist, Michael Phelps, has openly declared that he is a big fan of poker and that he was looking forward to playing again Now the Asian Poker Tour (APT) organizers have written him a letter inviting him to play in the APT event starting next week in Macau.

The second leg of the Asian Poker Tour will kick off on August 27th at the Galaxy StarWorld Hotel and Casino Resort and guarantees a prize pool of $1,500,000 and the biggest first prize in Asia with no less than $500,000.

Many professional poker players have already committed to participate in the  $5300 ($5000+$300) main event including Doyle Brunson, Todd Brunson, J.C Tran, John Juanda, Kenny Tran, Nam Le, Quinn Do, Steve Sung and APT Manila champion David Saab.

There will also be a few hundred players who have qualified through online satellites at several online poker sites including PartyPoker.com, Titan Poker, BodogLife Poker, JBetPoker, Virgin Poker and Poker Trillion.

Dear Michael:

“First of all, congratulations on your eight gold medals and world record breaking feats – what a supreme sporting achievement and I hope superstardom treats you well. However, I write this open letter to you to say that I am in a position to add weight to the argument that you should be crowned history's ultimate sportsman.

I noticed recently that you have told your local newspaper that you were a big fan of poker and look forward to playing again. By a strange twist of fate, I represent the Asian Poker Tour and we are running Asia's largest ever guaranteed tournament next week in Macau. It starts on the 27th and runs until the 31st and guarantees a prize pool of $1,500,000 and a first prize of $500,000. This is the biggest prize pool ever offered in Asia! While you are already in China, why don't you give it a go? It would be our pleasure to fly you in, organize your accommodation and buy-you in to the tournament!

Some have said you are a 'human dolphin' but we're keen to know if history's greatest swimmer is really a fish. You may have feet that can reach angles others cannot to give you the ultimate swimming technique but just you wait until you've got sharks like Vegas poker legend Doyle Brunson chasing you. We'll see how fast you really are then when they smell blood - get some flippers on those size 14's!

Don't bring your goggles, bring a pair of sunglasses – dive in at the deep end and we would love it if you showed us your hand. You've almost certainly got more chance of making good money from our $1,500,000 prize pool than securing any commercial deals! Your homecoming to a delirious country can wait.

Go all-in Michael! We'll even get some special one-on-one lessons for you from poker's greatest players. If it makes you happier we'll even bring in Mark Spitz too and you can play heads-up! Some have campaigned for poker to become an Olympic sport. The fact that you are a 'human dolphin' doesn't mean you will necessary get a gold medal for Texas Hold'em!

In all seriousness, come join us, you may as well while you are there! We'll definitely show you a good time and would be honored with your presence. Get the closing ceremony over and done with first though!”

PartyPoker.com