APT Finale Macau reaches Final 8 of the Main Event

The APT Finale Macau 2016 has been running for one week at the Casino Lisboa with the HKD11,000 buy-in Main Event reaching the Final 8 late last night. The highlight event attracted a total of 273 entries, the highest recorded turnout for an APT Main Event this year. The prize pool amounted to HKD2,620,800 with the eventual winner guaranteed to take home the HKD647,300 first place money.

Here’s a look at the Final 8 players:

Lu Yunye – China – 4,390,000

China’s Lu Yunye leads the Final 8 with a massive stack of 4,390,000, well out of reach of the closest player in the lineup. Yunye is no stranger to running deep in tournaments with his biggest live score earned at the Red Dragon last year. Yunye recently placed 3rd in the Macau Poker Cup HKD27,000 entry fee No Limit Hold’em event and is already adding another big cash to his 2016 accomplishments.

SJ Kim – Korea – 2,720,000

Korea’s SJ Kim claimed the second spot with 2,720,000 in chips. Kim is one of the most well-known players in the APT circuit, having been a regular for several years. Kim is a highly decorated player, and has won an impressive eight APT side events trophies this year. He is looking to capture his first APT Main Event title. Kim’s deepest APT Main Event run was a 4th place finish in October 2015 at the APT Asian Series Manila where he also earned his biggest live score.

Xi Xiang Luo – China – 1,905,000

China’s poker pro Xi Xiang Luo is next on the chip count with 1,905,000. Luo currently leads the Asia GPI rankings. He is a well-travelled poker pro, playing various tournaments around the world. He earned his biggest live payout early this year at the Macau Poker Cup 24 High Roller event taking home US$196,552. He followed it up with a 5th place finish at the APPT 10 Macau HKD100,000 buy-in High Roller event in May for a US$98,760 profit.

Yifan Zheng – China – 1,775,000

China’s Yifan Zheng is another decorated player with many deep runs and cashes earned since his poker career began. Back in October 2013, he placed 3rd at the ACOP Main Event and shipped in US$255,338 for his largest career winnings. Zheng won the Macau Millions back in January for a US$117,390 profit. He enters the APT Main Event with a healthy 1,775,000 in chips.

Yuan Hang Zhong – China – 880,000

Another Chinese player is in the lineup, Yuan Hang Zhong with 880,000 in chips. Zhong hasn’t recorded many live achievements but winning this one will surely boost his live ratings.

Praveen Dwarkanath – India – 660,000

India’s Praveen Dwarkanath hasn’t really been seen at many live tournament tables in Asia but his appearance at the Final 8 may just change all that in the coming future. Dwarkanath’s latest posting show him having won an event in Las Vegas earlier this year which only means, he can go the distance despite his less experience in the live scene.

Big Tiger – Germany – 660,000

Germany’s Big Tiger joins the Final 8 with the same stack as Praveen Dwarkanath. Back in September, Big Tiger won the APT Philippines III High Rollers event and earned his second biggest live score of US$16,230. His first big takedown was at the Spring Masters in April 2015 held at his home country. He earned US$26,553.

Xie Wei Jian – China – 640,000

China’s Xie Wei Jian enters the Main Event with the shortest stack of 640,000. He has only posted a couple of cashes in his live career but both were earned this year. In May, he ran deep at the APPT 10 Macau Main Event, finishing in 6th place and taking home US$53,167.

Final 8 action resumes tomorrow, Wednesday December 14, 2016. Stay tuned to somuchpoker. We will have a recap for you as soon as it concludes.

Article by Triccia David