American college student Brett Parise has beaten 254 players to take home the title of the inaugural event, held in Manila, Philippines, of the Asia Pacific Poker Tour, just under US$180,000 and a seat for the APPT Grand Final in Sydney.

Brett, a 22-year-old Californian student, qualified for the tournament for free on PokerStars.net, winning his tournament entry, flights and accommodation. Currently studying Political Science in California, today Brett graduated from online poker amateur to world-class Poker Star.

“It’s so exciting to become the APPT’s first ever champion, especially as I won the trip and my seat in the Manila APPT event from a free tournament online at PokerStars,” commented PokerStars.net APPT Manila champion Brett Parise.