APPT National

China's Chen Zhen never relinquished the chip lead en route to capturing the APPT National title, besting a field of 398 entries and outlasting South Africa's Jonathan Chetty in the final duel.

"The South African (Chetty) played good," Chen said of his opponent. "Unfortunately for him, I had queens when he shoved with Ace Nine so I won the game."

Chen won the top prize of PhP4,080,000 (~US$70,600) and it represents his cash in these proceedings.

Carrying a stack of 3,150,000 into the finale wasn't deemed as a major advantage for the Chinese national.

"I didn't see my chip lead as a big advantage," Chen explained. "That's because the ones in second and third had stacks too close to mine and I didn't have a good position at the table so I chose to play tight (as opposed to) my aggressiveness and competitiveness in the first two days."

Chen claims that the turning point was he stacked Taiwanese national Tao Wei Chang at the early portion of the Final Table.

"The turning point was when I went up against (Chang) when he had queens and I had aces and won that pot of over five million," he says. "That kept my advantage on the table and when it became six handed, I began playing more aggressively to apply more ICM pressure."

Chen was satisfied with how he made it all the way to the pinnacle.

"I liked my performance in the game, but I also got lucky," he shares. "Thanks also to the APPT for organizing this and thanks to everyone--from the staff to the dealers even the media for all your work."

His journey in the APPT has not yet concluded as he has already qualified for the

APPT Manila Championship Day 2.

"Right after we ended Day 2 (of the APPT National), I jumped into Flight A and made it Day 2 of the (APPT Manila) Championship."

APPT National in Review

Dates: October 21-24, 2024

Buy in: PHP 60,000 (~US$ 1,038)

Guarantee: PhP 15,000,000 (~US$ 262,000)

Total Prize Pool: PhP20,847,240 (~US$358,815)

Entries: 398 (206 unique)

ITM: 60 players

By the numbers

Flight A (October 21): 63 entries, 10 qualified

Flight B (October 22): 192 entries, 29 qualified

Flight C - Turbo (October 22): 143 entries, 22 qualified

Day 2 (October 23): 60 players (all ITM)

Day 3 (October 24): Final Table (9)

Final Table Results

Hand #128: Chen Zhen is first to act and makes a raise to 280,000 but Jonathan Chetty goes over the top for a 3-bet shove that is instantly called by Chen.

Chetty tables A♣ 9♠ while Chen shows Q♠ Q♥ .

The runout goes: 4♠ 5♠ 8♣ 5♣ 2♠ to give the win and the title to Chen.

Hand #126: Chen Zhen is first to act and raises but gets no call from Jonathan Chetty.

Hand #127: Chetty gives Chen a walk.

Hand #125: Jonathan Chetty completes his SB as Chen Zhen pumps it up to 425,000 from the BB. The South African makes the call, in position.

The flop comes K♣ 7♠ 7♣. Chen CBets to 300,000 but Chetty re-pops it to 800,000. Chen calls. The turn is the T♥ and this time both check. The river is the 6♦ . Both players also opt to check.

Chetty shows A♥ 8♦ while Chen wins the pot with A♠ J♠ as his kicker plays.

The separation is slowly becoming evident.

Hand #119: Jonathan Chetty of South Africa completes his SB but chip eader Chen Zhen from China raises his BB and Chetty cannot call.

Hand #120: Another unraised pot ensues with Chetty in position this time.

The flop comes T♥ 5♦ 9♦ as both check. The turn is the Q♣ and again the two combatants refuse to engage. The river is the 4♥ as it once again goes check-check.

Chetty shows 8♣ 6♠ while Chen has 7♠ 4♣ . The player from China rivers the win.

Hand #121: Chetty is UTG/SB/D and raises to 300,000 but this time Chen makes the call on the BB. The flop is A♠ 2♥ 4♠ as Chen checks. Chetty CBets 600,000 and Chen folds. That's only the third pot taken down by the South Africa in the Heads Up battle.

Hand #122: Chen is first to act and raises. Chetty folds.

Hand #123: Chetty raises UTG and Chen surrenders his BB.

Hand #124: Chen raises UTG and gets a 3-bet shove by Chetty in return. Chen folds.

Hand #118: In the first unraised of Heads Up, Chen Zhen completes his SB while Jonathan Chetty checks his option in the BB.

The flop is 8♦ 7♠ 2♠ . Chetty checks as Chen bets 125,000. This time, Chetty calls. The turn is the 4♣ and now, but players check. The river is the Q♣ and once again both check.

Chetty turns over T♦ 6♥ for a missed gutshot straight draw while Chen shows K♣ 2♦ for bottom pair on the flop that held until the end.

Hand #116: Chen Zhen riases from the D/SB but this time Jonathan Chetty defends his BB.

The flop is K♦ 7♣ J♥ as Chen bets 250,000. Chetty doesn't continue in the hand.

Hand #117: Chen gets a walk.

Chetty has only won one pot in Heads Up thus far.

Hand #112: Chen Zhen steals Jonathan Chetty's BB

Hand #113: Chen gets a walk.

Hand #114: Chen completes his SB but Chetty raises and Chen folds.

Hand #115: Chen gets another walk.

Hand #111: Jonathan Chetty completes the SB/D and chip leader Chen Zhen checks his BB option.

The flop comes 2♦ 3♥ J♣ as Chen donks for 125,000. Chetty folds.

The player from China has drawn first blood.

Hand #110: Folded to him on the SB, South Africa's Jonathan Chetty open shoves but gets a snap call from Joris Michl of the Netherlands on the BB. Michl is at risk after shipping his remaining 2,420,000 into the pot.

Chetty shows 6♦ 6♠ while Michl is flipping for his tournament life with A♣ K♠ .

The flop is safe for Chetty as it goes 3♦ 7♦ 2♣ . However, the A♠ comes out on the turn to give Michl the lead and an good opportunity for a double up. But the 6♥ arrives on the river, giving Chetty a set and the bad beat eliminates Michl in the third place.

Heads up between Chetty and chip leader Chen Zhen of China is about to ensue with both players now guaranteed PhP2,540,000 (~US$43,950) with the eventual champion taking down PhP4,080,000 (~US$70,600).

Hand #108: Joris Michl competes his SB but gets raised to 320,000 by chip leader Chen Zhen in the BB. Michl folds.

Hand #109: Chen raises from the SB and steals the ante and the BB of Jonathan Chetty.

In another unraised pot, Jonathan Chetty is in the SB up against Joris Michl in the BB.

The flop is 7♣ 2♠ 9♦ . Chetty leads out for 180,000 and gets the call from Michl. The turn is the Q♠ as Chetty once again unloads for 275,000. Michl tanks but folds.

Hand #106: Chip leader Chen Zhen of China completes his SB and Jonathan Chetty of South Africa checks his BB option.

The flop is 6♦ Q♦ K♦ as Chen fires 120,000 and gets called by Chetty. The turn is the 8♠ and this time Chen makes it 400,000 to go. Suddenly Chetty announces that he is all-in. Chen tanks awhile but folds.

Hand #101: Chip leader Chen Zhen from China raises from UTG/D to 240,000 and gets no callers.

Hand #102: Joris Michl of the Netherlands completes his SB while Chen in the BB checks his option.

The flop comes Q♦ 3♠ 3♦ as both players check. The turn is the J♠ and Michl bets 125,000 and gets no call from Chen.

Hand #103: Chen raises to 300,000 from the SB but gets 3-bet all-in by Jonathan Chetty of South Africa. Chen folds.

Hand #104: Michl gets a walk.

Hand #105: Chetty raises to 250,000 UTG/D and gets 3-bet to 850,000 by Chen. The South African native folds.

Hand #100: Chip leader Chen Zhen completes his SB but gets greeted with a shove from South African Jonathan Chetty. Chen folds.

Hand #99: Joris Michl completes his SB and chip leader Chen Zhen checks his BB option to see a flop of A♠ 7♠ 8♥ . Both check. The turn is the 3♣ and once again they check. The river is the 6♠ and it still goes check-check.

Michl shows Q♦ J♥ while Chen takes the pot with K♠ T♦ .

Hand #97: Chip leader Chen Zhen raises from the SB and makes Jonathan Chetty fold his BB.

Hand #98: Joris Michl gets a walk.

South Africa's Jonathan Chetty raises from UTG/D and gets a BB defense from chip leader Chen Zhen of China.

The flop comes 2♠ 3♥ T♥ as both players check. The turn is the 9♠ and this time, Chen bets 325,000. Chetty opts to fold.

Hand #88: Jonathan Chetty gets awarded a walk.

Hand #89: Chip leader Chen Zhen raises to 200,000 from UTG/D and gets a BB defense from Joris Michl.

The flop is 6♣ 2♦ 7♦ as Michl checks. Chen continues for 175,000 and Michl folds.

Hand #90: Chen gets a walk

Hand #91: Michl raises to 200,000 from UTG/D but Chetty 3-bets to 1,000,000 from the BB. Michl does not continue in the hand.

Hand #92: Chen steals Michl's BB.

Hand #93: Chen gets a walk.

Hand #94: The action is unraised between the blinds of Chen (SB) and Chetty (BB).

The flop is K♠ 5♥ J♦ as Chen leads out for 100,000. Chetty folds.

Hand #95: Michl gets a walk.

Hand #87: Raising from UTG/D, South Africa's Jonathan Chetty gets calls from the blinds in Joris Michl in the SB and chip leader Chen Zhen.

The second family pot in the Final Table sees a flop of 4♣ 6♣ 2♠ . All players check. The turn is the 7♥ This time Michl leads out for 250,000. However, Chen raises it to 750,000. Chetty folds and Michl considers for a moment but eventually decides to fold.

Chen is now over a million in chips clear of his closest pursuer.

Chip leader Chen Zhen raises from UTG/D to 200,000 and gets called by both Jonathan Chetty in the SB and Joris Michl in the BB for the first family pot of the Final Table.

The flop comes 8♥ 6♣ J♥ as all check. The turn is the 9♠ and everyone still checks. The river is the T♥ with a one card straight showing. No one makes a move as it gets checked through.

Chetty flips over 2♣ 2♦ while Michl shows J♣ 7♣ for a straight and the win as Chen mucks his hand.

Hand #85: Chen Zhen completes his SB and Jonathan Chetty checks his potion in the BB as both see a flop of 8♣ 7♥ 6♦ . They both check. The turn is the 7♠ as once again it goes check-check. The river is the J♦ and this time Chen bets 200,000 and gets called by Chetty.

Chen shows J♥ 2♠ while Chetty has J♣ 4♣ . They chop the pot as both have two pairs: jacks and sevens sharing the eight kicker.

Hand # 79: Chip leader Chen Zhen raises to 200,00 from the SB and Jonathan Chetty defends his BB,

The flop is K♦ T♠ 6♥ . Chen checks and Chetty fires 125,000. Chen folds.

Hand #80: Chetty raise his SB to 200,000 and Joris Michl folds his BB.

Hand #81: It goes unraised to the blinds as Michl completes and Chen checks.

The flop is T♥ 6♥ 4♠ as Michl checks and Chen leads out for 150,000. Michl folds.

Hand #82: Michl raises from the D and makes the blinds fold.

Hand #83: Chetty raises from the SB to 200,000 and gets called by Michl on the BB.

The flop comes J♥ 4♦ A♦ . Chetty CBets to 100,000. Michl folds.

Hand #84: Chen gets a walk.

Jonathan Chetty is first to act and raises to 250,000. Joris MIchl on the SB calls but chip leader Chen Zhen 3-bets from the BB to 1,000,000. Chetty folds and Michl 4-bets all-in for 2,735,000.

Chen goes into the tank and excruciates so long that he ends up using three of his precious Time Bank cards before opting to fold. Chen's chip advantage dwindles.

Hand #77: Chip leader Chen Zhen raises to 200,000 from UTG/D and gets called by Joris Michl.

The flop comes 4♥ 2♠ T♠ . Michl checks as Chen continues for 150,000. Michl folds.

Hand #76: Chen Zhen raises from the SB to 275,000 and gets called by Jonathan Chetty in a BB defense.

The flop comes 8♦ K♦ Q♦ . Both players opt to check. The turn card is the 4♦ and again both player skip this street. The river card is the T♠ . Neither player fires.

Chen shows Q♣ Q♥ for a set on the monochrome flop and could not fire. Chetty mucks his hand.

Hand #70: Joris Michl raises from the D to 200,000 and gets called by Jonathan Chetty on the BB.

The flop is K♠ T♥ 5♣ as Chetty checks. Michl CBets to 150,000 and Chetty doesn't continue in the hand.

Hand #71: Chetty raises from the SB and Michl folds the BB.

Hand #72: Michl completes his SB and Chen checks his option on the BB.

The flop comes: 6♦ K♦ 5♠ . Michl checks, Chen bets 100,000, Michl folds.

Hand #73: Chen completes his SB and Chetty checks on the BB.

The flop is 5♥ T♦ 8♥ as Chen leads out for 100,000. Chetty calls. The turn is the 2♣ as this time Chen checks. Chetty takes the betting lead for 250,000. Chen can't continue.

Hand #74: Michl gets a walk.

Hand #75: Michl completes his SB and Chen raises to 275,000 from the BB. Michl folds.

Hand #69: First to act, Jonathan Chetty raises to 250,000 and gets 3-bet by chip leader Chen Zhen to 800,000. Chetty replies by 4-betting all-in for 2,900,000. Chen folds.

Hand #67: Chip leader Chen Zhen from China raises from the SB and steals the ante and the BB of South Africa's Jonathan Chetty.

Hand #68: Chen raises from the D to 200,000 and gets called by Joris Michl of the Netherlands on the BB.

The flop comes T♥ 3♠ K♥ as Michl checks. Chen fires 175,000 as Michl calls. The turn is the 6♥ and this time both players check. The river is the 4♥ as they check it down.

Chen shows 6♣ 6♠ while Michl tables Q♥ 9♥ for a flush that did not get paid in full.

Hand #66: The battle of the blinds ensues anew with Joris Michl of the Netherlands completing his SB and chip leader Chen Zhen from China checking his option.

The flop comes: Q♠ 5♦ 8♣ as Michl checks and Chen leads out for 100,000. Michl makes the call. The turn is the K♣ and this time both players check. The river is the 2♦ and no further action happens.

Michl flips over J♦ T♦ for a missed gutshot while Chen turns over A♣ 5♣ for bottom pair that held until the end.

Hand #65: Joris Michl gets a walk.

Hand #64: It gets folded to the blinds once again as Jonathan Chetty of South Africa raises to 300,000 from the SB and is met with a 3-bet shove from local hopeful Czardy Rivera in the BB for 1,020,000. Chetty makes the call for his opponent's tournament life.

Rivera tables A♦ 5♦ while Chetty shows K♠ Q♣ .

The flop immediately gave the lead to Chetty: 7♦ K♣ 7♥ . The last two community cards failed to improve Rivera's situation as the 8♥ and the Q♦ sent the last local standing to the sidelines for good.

The remaining three players are now assured PhP1,820,000 (~US$31,495).

This is the first look at today's leaderboard:

Hand #58: The action is folded to the blinds anew as Joris Michl raises to 250,000 from the SB, chip leader Chen Zhen of China re-pops it to 675,000. Michl folds.

Hand #59: It gets to the blinds again as this time Chen tries the heist by raising to 205,000. The response of Jonathan Chetty in the BB is to 3-bet to 1,000,000. Chen folds.

Hand #60: Michl raises to 160,000 from UTG and gets a BB defense from Filipino Czardy Rivera.

The flop is 5♦ Q♣ J♦ as Michl continues for 100,000. Rivera folds.

Hand #61: We see another flop as action gets folded to the D where Chetty raises to 180,000 and Michl defends his BB.

The flop comes 9♣ 9♥ 2♦ as Michl checks. His South African opponent decalres he is all-in. Michl folds.

Hand #62: Chen gets a walk.

Hand #63: Chen open shoves folded to him on the SB and Chetty in the BB can't call.

Hand #57: With the action folded to the blinds, local bet Czardy Rivera completes his SB as Joris Michl of the Netherlands checks his BB option.

The flop goes: T♠ A♣ 5♥ as Rivera leads out for 80,000. Michl makes the call. The turn is the 7♠ and this time the Filipino checks as Michl checks behind. The river card is the 6♠ as Rivera checks again. The Dutchman fires a river bet of 275,000. Rivera tanks but then decides to fold.

Hand #56: The action gets folded to the D where chip leader Chen Zhen raises to 160,000 as Filipino pro Czardy Rivera opts to defend his BB.

The flop is 7♥ J♠ Q♣ as both players check. The turn is the K♥ and once again both skip the street. The river is the 9♠ for a possible one card straight. This time Rivera leads out for 300,000. Chen folds.

Hand #54: Chip leader Chen Zhen is given a walk.

Hand #55: Czardy Rivera open shoves from UTG and gets no callers.

Hand #53: Chip leader Chen Zhen of China goes for his Nth long distance pilfer by raising from UTG for 160,000. The action gets folded to the D of South African Jonathan Chetty who makes the call as the blinds step aside.

The flop comes J♠ J♦ 6♦ as Chen CBets for 180,000. Chetty then moves all-in for 1,230,000. Chen folds.

Hand #51: Jonathan Chetty gets a walk.

Hand #52: Chetty open shoves from the SB and Czardy Rivera folds his BB.

The smoke has barely cleared from the elimination of Czechia's Philipp Zukernik when the tournament's shortest stack Guy Taylor of England has the action folded to him in the CO and raises to 200,000 (leaving a lone 25,000 chip in his holdings). It gets folded to Dutchman Joris Michl who makes the call from the SB.

The flop comes 7♥ 7♠ T♥ as Michl checks. Taylor flicks in the 25,000 chip and Michl calls.

The Englishman turns over K♥ T♦ for top pair but to his surprise, Michl shows A♦ A♠ .

Needing only one of the two remaining tens in the deck to double up, the last two community cards were the 2♠ and to rub it in even further, the A♣ is the river card for a full house for Michl.

The remaining four players are now all guaranteed PhP1,380,000 (~US$23,880).

Hand #49: The action gets folded to the SB of Czechia's Philipp Zukernik who decalres he is all-in for his remaining 490,000. Joris Michl of the Netherlands tanks but eventually makes the call.

Zukernik shows Q♦ J♣ while Michl has him dominated with K♠ J♦ .

The runout goes: 6♣ 7♠ 8♠ 9♥ (for a sweat) but the last community card is the 2♣ . Michl ousts the Czech player with King high.

With five players remaining, everyone left are now bonafide Philippine millionaires as all are now assured PhP1,080,000 (~US$18,690).

Hand #44: The action is folded to Czardy Rivera in the HJ who open shoves and gets no resistance.

Hand #45: In blind versus blind action, chip leader Chen Zhen raises his SB and Jonathan Chetty yields.

Hand #46: Joris Michl raises to 160,000 from the CO and it gets folded to the BB of Czardy Rivera who tanks, uses one Time Bank card and eventually opts to fold.

Hand #47: Chetty open shoves folded to hm on the D and gets no callers.

Hand #48: Folded to Rivera in the D, the Filipino open shoves but everyone folds.

Hand #42: Chip leader Chen Zhen opens from UTG for 160,000 and the action is folded to the HJ where South African Jonathan Chetty 3-bets all-in. Joris Michl of the Netherlands makes the call for his tournament life from the BB for his last 940,000. Chen folds.

Chetty shows A♥ K♦ while Michl flips over Q♣ Q♥ .

The board ran: 8♦ 4♣ 7♠ 2♣ 6♠ to give the Dutchman another double up. Chetty's stack is still barely above the one million mark.

Hand #40: Jonathan Chetty raises from the SB and Czardy Rivera folds his BB.

Hand #41: Chip leader Chen Zhen raises from the CO and gets no callers.

Hand #42: Joris Michl open shoves from UTG and all fold.

Hand #39: Czardy Rivera of the Philippines opens from UTG for 160,000 and gets 3-bet from the +1 position by Taiwan's Tao Wei Chang to 350,000. The action is then folded to the SB where chip leader Chen Zhen 4-bets to 660,000. Rivera folds. Chang goes into the tank and burns two Time Bank cards before making a 5-bet all-in for 1,650,000. Chen snap calls.

Chang flips over Q♦ Q♣ but to his dismay Chen shows A♣ A♠ .

The first three community cards did not help the Taiwanese player: 7♥ 6♥ 4♦ while the turn card solidified Chang's impending elimination as the A♦ appeared. The T♣ on the river made it official.

The six players remaining are now guaranteed PhP820,000 (~US$14,190).

Hand #37: Guy Taylor raises from the D and gets no callers.

Hand #38: Chen gets a walk.

Hand #36: Attempting another long distance steal, chip leader Chen Zhen of China opens from the +1 position to 160,000 and gets 3-bet by Filipino pro Czardy Rivera on the CO for 520,000. It gets folded back to Chen who goes into the tank and uses one Time Bank card before 4-betting to 800,000 to effectively put his opponent all-in. Rivera makes the call.

Chen tables A♥ 7♠ while Rivera shows 9♦ 9♠ .

The flop instantly gave Riviera an almost insurmountable lead: 9♣ 4♥ 4♠ for a full house. Needing running cards to reverse the situation, Chen was drawing dead on the turn when it came 5♦ . The river is the 8♠ .

Rivera returns to the seven figure mark for the first time since there were still two tables remaining.

Hand #33: The action is folded to Joris Michl in the CO who open shoves but all fold.

Hand #34: Chip leader Chen Zhen raises from the CO and gets no callers.

Hand #35: Philipp Zukernik opens from UTG and all steer clear.

Hand #32: The action is folded to the blinds as chip leader Chen Zhen from China completes his SB and South African Jonathan Chetty checks his option in the BB.

The unraised pot has a flop of 6♣ 8♥ A♥ .

Chen leads out for 60,000 and gets called by Chetty. The turn is the the 4♠ Chen once again unloads, this time for 150,000 and still gets called. The river is the 5♥ . Chen barrels a third time, now for 225,000. His South African opponent still calls.

Chen turns over T♥ 7♣ for a straight on the river. Chetty mucks.

Hand #23: Chen Zhen opens from UTG and gets no callers.

Hand #24: Chen gets a walk.

Hand #25: Guy Taylor raises from the HJ and everyone folds.

Hand #26: Joris Michl makes a move from the CO but gets no action.

Hand #27: Chen raises from the CO with no callers.

Hand #28: Phiipp Zukernik raises from UTG and gets it through.

Hand #29: Czardy Rivera open shoves from the CO as everyone releases their cards.

Hand #30: Chen raises from UTG once again and gets a similar result from the first time.

Hand #31: Chen gets another walk.

Hand #22: Brett Kennedy has it folded to him in the HJ and goes all-in for his remaining 405,000 but on the D Taiwan's Tao Wei Chang makes the call as the blinds go away.

Kennedy flips over 5♥ 5♠ while Chang crushes that hand with K♦ K♠ .

The runout ensues: 3♣ A♣ 7♦ 8♠ 7♠ .

Seven players are left with everyone now guaranteed PhP630,000 (~US$10,900).

With the action folded to him on the CO, Brett Kennedy open shoves his stack but gets a call for his tournament from Filipino pro Czardy Rivera on the D. The blinds fold.

Kennedy shows A♦ 6♥ while Rivera turns over A♠ T♥ .

The board ran: 3♦ Q♥ 8♥ 3♥ T♠ as Kennedy falls below the ten BB mark.

Hand #16: Guy Taylor raises from the CO and gets no callers.

Hand #17: Joris Michl has it folded to him on the D and raises to 150,000. That is greeted by a re-raise from chip leader Chen Zhen in the SB to 450,000. The Dutchman folds.

Hand #18: Chen tries to pull of another pilfer by raising from the D and is repelled by South African Jonathan Chetty's 3-bet to 500,000.

Hand #19: Tao Wei Chang connects from downtown as his UTG raise to 125,000 gets no callers.

Hand #20: Brett Kennedy has it folded to him on the D and open shoves. Everyone folds.

Hand #15: American Brett Kennedy opens from the +2 position for 125,000 and the action gets folded all the way to the BB of Joris Michl of the Netherlands who 3-bet shoves his remaining 555,000. Kennedy makes the call.

Michl shows A♣ J♠ while Kennedy flips over J♥ J♦ .

The Dutchman overtakes the American on the flop 9♣ 9♠ A♦ and stayed ahead when the last two community cards arrived: 6♦ 4♠ .

Hand #9: Guy Taylor raises from the HJ and gets no callers.

Hand #10: Joris Michl has it folded to him on the CO and open shoves, but everyone else folds.

Hand #11: Chip leader Chen Zhen makes a move on the CO and again gets no action.

Hand #12: Tao Wei Chang gets the first walk on his BB in the Fial Table

Hand #13: Chen tries a long distance heist from the +2 position but gets shutdown by Brett Kennedy's 3-bet shove on the CO.

Hand #14: Kennedy steals Philipp Zukernik's BB from the HJ via a min-raise.

Hand #8: With the action folded to him on the HJ, India's Karia Siddharth open shoves his stack of 445,000 and when it folds to the chip leader Chen Zhen of China in the BB, he makes the call.

Siddharth turns over A♥ J♥ while Chen has 5♣ 5♥ .

The subsequent runout did not favor the player at risk: T♠ 8♥ 4♦ 4♠ T♠ as Siddharth becomes the first casualty of the Final Table.

Eight players remain.

Hand #7: Brett Kennedy raises from the +2 position to 120,000 but Taiwan's Tao Wei Chang 3-bets it to 355,000. In the BB, Joris Michl of the Netherlands 4-bet shoves all-in. Kennedy gets out of the way as Chang makes the call for his remaining 640,000.

Michl tables A♦ K♣ while Chang shows T♠ T♦ .

The runout goes: Q♣ 7♠ 6♥ 9♣ 3♥ to have Chang dodge all the endangering cards and double up off the Dutchman who loses more than half his stack in the botched flip.

Hand #6: Brett Kennedy raises from the LJ to 120,000 and only Czechia's Philipp Zukernik's BB stands int the way of the successful heist. Zukernik folds.

Hand #5: Chip leader Chen Zhen raises from the +2 position to 100,000 and short stacked Guy Taylor of England decides to defend his BB.

The flop is 7♣ 8♥ 5♦ as Taylor checks. Chen CBets for 170,000 which is exactly what the Englishman has left so it goes to the middle in a call for this tournament life.

Chen shows A♣ 7♠ for top pair, top kicker while Taylor has 5♥ 3♥ for bottom pair.

The turn, however, is the 5♣ to give Taylor trips and the K♦ on the river made the double up official for the shortest stack coming into the Final Table. Chen hardly felt the hit.

Hand #4: We finally get a look at the first flop of the Final Table as Kennedy riases from the CO to 100,000 and gets called by India's Karia Siddharth in the BB.

The flop goes 8♠ Q♥ 9♦ as Siddharth leads out with a shove for 310,000. Kennedy folds.

Hand #2: Chen Zhen raises from the CO and gets no callers.

Hand #3: Folded to American Brett Kennedy to the D he shoves and gets the blinds to fold.

The first hand of the Final Table sees Joris Michl of the Netherlands make a raise folded to him on the CO to 100,000 but gets 3-net from the D by chip leader Chen Zhen from China. 220,000. Michl folds. Chen sends a message that get chips from him won't be that easy.

The remining nine players are now guaranteed PhP427,240 (~US$7,390). Here we go!

Seat 1 - Brett Kennedy (USA) 1,060,000

Seat 2 - Czardy Rivera (PHI) 755,000

Seat 3 - Tao Wei Chang (TWN) 765,000

Seat 4 - Karia Siddharth (IND) 345,000

Seat 5 - Guy Taylor (GBR) 320,000

Seat 6 - Philipp Zukernik (CZE) 1,325,000

Seat 7 - Joris Michl (NED) 1,295,000

Seat 8 - Chen Zhen (CHN) 3,150,000

Seat 9 - Jonathan Chetty (RSA) 2,920,000

After 60 players slugged it out in yesterday's Day 2 action, nine players remain to contest the title in the APPT National when the battle reconvenes at 11am (UCT+8) here at Okada Manila.

Chen Zhen of China leads the pack that is now guaranteed PhP427,240 (~US$7,390) with the eventual victor walking away PhP4,080,000 (~US$70,600) richer.

APPT National

Dates: October 21-24, 2024

Buy in: PHP 60,000 (~US$ 1,038)

Guarantee: PhP 15,000,000 (~US$ 262,000)

Total Prize Pool: PhP20,847,240 (~US$358,815)

Entries: 398 (206 unique)

ITM: 60 players

Players remaining: 9

Chips in play: 11,940,000

Average stack: 1,326,667

Level 26: 25,000/50,000 (50,000 BB ante)

Final Table Payouts