APPT Manila Main Event Sets New Record Prize Pool Of PHP 91M; Keiju Utsu Tops Day 1C

The 15th Edition of the Asia Pacific Poker set a new Main Event record with a staggering prize pool of PHP 91,071,360 (~USD 1,575,790). Over the three starting flights, the event drew an impressive 1,304 entries with Day 1C alone attracting the largest crowd of 707 entries.

Coming Day 2, 191 players out of the 239 returnees will claim a piece of the pot. The minimum prize is PHP 130,000 while way up top is a head-turning PHP 15,000,000 champion’s purse plus a package worth PHP 200,000 to the APPT Championships for the top two spots.

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APPT Manila Main Event

The 2024 APPT Manila has been ongoing since July 24 at the breath-taking Cove Manila at Okada in the Philippines. The flagship tournament kicked off on August 1 with three starting flights scheduled.

Dates: August 1-5, 2024
Buy in: PHP 80,000 (~USD 1,360)
Guarantee: PHP 55,000,000 (~USD 936,530)
Entries: 1,304
Prize pool: PHP 91,071,360 (~USD 1,575,790)
ITM: 191 places

Flight A: 243 entries / 42 survivors
Flight B: 354 entries / 56 survivors
Flight C: 707 entries / 141 survivors
Day 2 qualifiers: 239 players

Day 2: Sunday, August 4
Final Day: Monday, August 5

Day 1C Review

Day 1C pulled everyone out of the woodwork for a turnout of 707 entries with 141 advancing to the next round. At the top of the list was Japan’s Keiji Utsu with 80 bb entering Day 2. Utsu kicked off his day delivering one of the early knockouts, burning Ken Okada’s pocket Kings on the river with Ace-King. However it wasn’t an easy day for Utsu who midway through was in danger of elimination until his nut flush draw connected.

Another strong flight finisher was Korea’s young gun Hyeonho Shin. This fierce contender emerged into the live scene last year and has been a force to reckon with. Shin will return with 69 bb.

Representing Vietnam were some of nation’s best making the cut: Ngoc Anh Cao, Quang Huy Nguyen, and Trung Quan Nguyen. 

Among the local aces, Mike Takayama and Marc Rivera bagged up healthy stacks, while Chase Cokaliong and Emmanuel Segismundo were higher up the chip rung. One to watch for is Takayama who is the hottest running player at the series with six final table finishes of which four were runner-ups.

Billiards GOAT Efren “Bata” Reyes was also seen at the tables, however he failed to advance. Same as well for APPT Main Event champions Yuanning Wu (defending champion) and Lai Xin Hua (2022), both players were nowhere to be found at the end of regulation.

The APPT Main Event resumes on Saturday, August 3. Players will first race to the money then for a spot at the final table.

Day 2 – CHIP COUNTS

Read up on the action via the SMP LIVE UPDATES

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