Mike Kim (Michael Kim) is a professional poker player and the founder of the Asian Poker Federation and MK Global Management Solutions Inc., a gaming service provider based in Metro Manila, Philippines.
Biography edit
Kim started his career as an online poker player in 2003 while studying mechanical engineering at the University of Illinois,[1] then started playing full-time once he started earning enough money from it. Kim established the first poker room in South Korea and launched a poker room in Macau at the Starworld Hotel.[2][3]
In the Philippines, he opened and operated Solaire Poker Room at the Solaire Resort and Casino, Manila. Kim also opened LT Poker in Okada Manila.[4][5] He later partnered with the online poker company PokerStars, at City of Dreams Manila.[6]
In early 2016, Kim opened Mike's Room in Manila.[7] The venue received a total of 1,403 entries for Kim's Millionaire Maker tournament.[citation needed]
Kim brought the Asian Poker Tour, the Asia Pacific Poker Tour, and the World Poker Tour to the Philippines.[6]
In 2018, Kim expanded his business into Europe together with business partners Jori Falkstedt and Miikka Saloseutu.[8]
Poker events edit
At the 2009 PokerStars APPT Macau, Kim finished 2nd, winning $384,999. He finished 22nd in the 2013 PokerStars APPT Seoul and earned 4,750,000 KRW. At the 2015 PokerStars APPT Season 9 Manila, Kim finished 15th and earned 274,400 PHP.[9][10] Kim finished 5th in the 2013 WSOP Circuit River Rock Main Event, with $64,979 in payouts.[11] Kim won the main event of the PokerStars LIVE Manila Megastack 2 in 2015.[12]
References edit
- ^ Kaiser, Rob (2004-10-03). "Players place bets on poker as career". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
- ^ "StarWorld Hotel". www.starworldmacau.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
- ^ Verifer (2018-11-07). "Asian Poker Federation & Verifer Partnership". Verifer. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ David, Tricia (25 February 2018). "Mike Kim to open LT Poker in Okada Manila on March 2". Somuchpoker. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Blaschke, Ben (17 August 2015). "Poker's thriller in Manila". World Gaming Magazine.
- ^ a b Prieto-Valdes, Tessa (14 September 2014). "Celebrating the big five-one with feasting and poker | Inquirer Lifestyle". Lifestyle Inquirer. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Hartwell, Louis (29 April 2016). "New Poker Room in Manila opened by Mike Kim". Somuchpoker. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Verifer (2018-11-07). "Asian Poker Federation & Verifer Partnership". Verifer. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
- ^ "Mike Kim | Poker Players | PokerNews". www.pokernews.com. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
- ^ "Mike Kim | JJT546 | United States | The Official Global Poker Index – GPI Rankings". Retrieved 2019-01-13.
- ^ "Lincoln Milne wins WSOP Circuit River Rock Main Event". Online Poker News. 2013-11-08. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
- ^ David, Triccia (29 March 2015). "Manila Megastack 2: Mike Kim Wins Main Event". PokerStars. Retrieved 2023-11-01.