PokerStars LIVE APPT Manila Championship 2024

Philippines, Okada ManilaEVENT

2024.10.27 - 2024.10.28Add to Calendar

Asia Pacific Poker Tour

Blind level

Level 34: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Entries

1/404

Total Chips

4,040,000

Average

4,040,000

APPT MANILA CHAMPIONSHIP

FESTIVAL RESULTS

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 9:19:07 PM

France's Aladin Reskallah wins Pokerstars Red Dragon championship for PhP4,230,000 (~US$72,228)

Level 34: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Aladin Reskallah wins Pokerstars Red Dragon championship for PhP4,230,000 (~US$72,228)

After more than two grueling hours of heads up action, Aladin Reskallah of France takes down the Pokerstars Red Dragon championship after outlasting Malaysia's Joshua Tan for the coveted Dragon Trophy and the adjusted top prize of PhP4,230.000* (~US$72,228).

Reskallah bested a field of 404 entries that forked out PhP70,000 (~US$1,195) to see action in this PhP25,000,000 (~US$426,876) guaranteed event.

The Frenchman dedicated the win to his daughter, who was also born in the year of the Dragon and that his lucky charm--a lamp that resembles that of Alladin's--were also to thank for the triumph.

Reskallah was the chip leader heading into heads up and before it began, both players agreed to an ICM deal that would split the remaining prize money and set aside PhP730,000 (~US$US$12,465) to play for along with the trophy.

However, it was a roller coaster affair against Tan, a non-poker pro.

Tan, who runs his own IT company in Kuala Lumpur, acknowledged that Reskallah is definitely the better player with more experience but he enjoyed taking him to the limit in the marathon duel.

Reskallah's next mission is to make waves with his Team Scimitar (five Frenchmen based in Asia that frequent the circuit) in the upcoming APPT Cambodia.

Event #43: Pokerstars Red Dragon

Dates: October 25-27, 2024

Venue: Okada Manila

Buy in: PhP70,000 (~US$1,195)

Guarantee: PhP25,000,000 (~US$426,876)

Entries: 404

Players ITM: 60

Champion: Aladin Reskallah (France) – PhP4,230.000* (~US$72,228)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 9:11:49 PM

Red Dragon Final Table Payouts

Level 34: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Note that there was an ICM deal reached prior to Heads Up between Aladin Reskallah and Joshua Tan that led to the final payouts being adjusted.

Final Table Payouts

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
1	AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	$72,228
2	JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	$59,763
3	AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	$36,851
4	TY Takashi YaguraJapan	$28,374
5	CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	$21,799
6	MS Martin SedlakGermany	$16,869
7	ZL Zhe LiChina	$12,976
8	CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	$10,640
9	SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	$8,824

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 7:36:00 PM

King high wins it for Reskallah

Level 34: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Aladin Reskallah

It's Reskallah's turn to open shove and go for the jugular, but Tan calls it goes to showdown.

Player	Hand	Chips
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	K♦6♦	12,120,000(40 BB)
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	Q♣J♦	busted

Board:9♠4♦A♦4♥8♥

Aladin Reskallah won the pot with Kd 6d

King high is all it took for the Frenchman to finally take the title against the Malaysian. Aladin Reskallah is the champion of the Pokerstars Red Dragon event!

Reskallah wins the trophy and PhP4,230,000 (~US$72,228) while Tan takes the runner-up prize of PhP3,500,000 (US$59,763).

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 7:25:56 PM

Reskallah's 5s hold, Tan down to 10 BBs

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Aladin Reskallah

Tan stays in bully mode and shoves from the D/SB. Now Reskallah calls.

Player	Hand	Chips
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	5♥5♣ BB	8,700,000(44 BB)
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	K♠2♠ D	3,500,000(18 BB)

Board:6♠3♠4♦6♥Q♦

Aladin Reskallah won the pot with 5h 5c

Dodging all of his opponent's outs, the Frenchman now gains a sizeable advantage as Tan is now down to barely over ten BBs.

Level 34: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 2/404

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 2/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 7:16:27 PM

Reskallah closes gap

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Aladin Reskallah

Reskallah limps from the D/SB and Tan checks his option in the BB.

The flop is 5♣ T 4♥ as both check. The turn is the Q♥ . Tan checks but the Frenchman fires a bet of 300,000 as Tan calls. The river is the A♣ . The Malaysian checks a third time and Reskallah unloads 1,100,000. Tan goes into the tank and is forced to use a Time Bank card. He eventually calls.

Reskallah shows A♦ Q♣ for two pairs on the river. Tan mucks.

They are almost even stack again.

Player	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	6,200,000(31 BB)
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	5,900,000(30 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 7:08:59 PM

Reskallah's 9s hold for double up

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Aladin Reskallah

After several back and forth struggles that favored the Malaysian, Reskallah has hs stack dwindle to 1,975,000 and finally finds a hand to call the aggressive Tan when it went all-in preflop again.

Player	Hand	Chips
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	9♣9♦ BB	4,150,000(21 BB)
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	Q♦7♣ D	7,970,000(40 BB)

Board:T♠5♠2♠3♥4♠

Aladin Reskallah won the pot with 9c 9d

While still behind on chips, the Frenchman at the very least gains more ammo to make several more stands.

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 2/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 6:55:51 PM

Tan flops set, doubles up

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

Joshua Tan

Already against the ropes after the earlier debacle, Tan goes all-in preflop and gets snap called by Reskallah.

Player	Hand	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	8♦8♠ BB	7,350,000(46 BB)
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	A♣T♣ D	4,600,000(29 BB)

Board:8♥T♦7♣5♦2♥

Joshua Tan won the pot with 8d 8s

The flopped set gives the Malaysian not only a new lease on life, but the chip lead anew.

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 2/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 6:32:51 PM

Reskallah traps with trips, gains near 3-1 edge

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

Aladin Reskallah

Tan raises from D/SB and Reskallah calls.

The flop is 9♥ T♦ 5♣ as Reskallah checks. Tan CBets to 200,000 and Reskallah calls. The turn is the T♥ and the Frenchman checks again. Tan now puts in 550,000. Reskallah still calls. The river is the A♣ and Reskallah checks for the thrd time. Now the Malaysian unloads 1,200,000. Reskallah quickly calls.

Tan quickly mucks as Reskallah shows J♣ T♣ for trips on the turn.

That hand now gives the Frenchman almost a 3-1 chip advantage.

Player	Chips
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	9,200,000(77 BB)
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	3,400,000(28 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 6:13:41 PM

Boat for Tjan

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

Joshua Tjan

Tjan on the D/SB makes a biggish raise to 300,000. Reskallah calls.

The flop is 5♥ 5♦ 8♠ as Reskallah checks. Tjan CBets to 200,000 and gets called. The turn is the 5♠ and now both check. The river is the K♣ . Reskallah checks a third time as Tjan bets 300,000. Reskallah calls again.

Tjan shows 3♦ 3♥ for a full house on the turn. The Frenchman mucks.

Player	Chips
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	6,500,000(54 BB)
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	5,500,000(46 BB)

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 2/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 5:59:40 PM

Tjan scores first, reclaims chip lead

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Tjan scores

Reskallah opens from D/SB for 200,000 and Tjan calls.

The flop is 6♣ 5♣ 5♦ . Tjan leads out for 250,000. Reskallah calls. The turn is the J♦ and this time both check. The river is the Q♥ . Tjan bets 375,000 but gets raised by Reskallah to 900,000. Tjan makes the call.

The Frenchman tables Q♣ 8♦ for top pair on the river. Tjan shows K♣ 5♠ for trips on the flop.

Round one goes to the Malaysian as he retakes the lead.

Player	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	6,500,000(65 BB)
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	6,000,000(60 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 5:31:25 PM

Deal made: Heads up for trophy, additional PhP730,000 (~US$12,805)

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Before the start of Heads Up both Aladin Reskallah and Joshua Tjan reach an agreement to merge the remaining money and split it evenly:

Reskallah: PhP3,500,000 (~US$59,763)

Tjan: PhP3,500,000 (~US$59,763)

They will play for the trophy and an additional PhP730,000 (~US$12,465) will go to the eventual champion.

Heads Up commences shortly.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 5:26:21 PM

Chip counts before Heads Up commences

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Heading into the final duel, the Frenchman holds a slight lead over the Malaysian.

Player	Chips
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	6,300,000(63 BB)
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	5,100,000(51 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 5:10:33 PM

Alfonso Baja finishes in 3rd for PhP2,130,000 (~US$36,851)

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Alfonso Baja - 3rd place - PhP2,130,000 (~US$36,851)

The action is folded to the D where France's Aladin Reskallah raises to 200,000. It gets to the BB of Filipino Alfonso Baja who 3-bets all-in for 2,025,000. Reskallah calls immediately.

Player	Hand	Chips
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	K♠K♣ D	6,300,000(63 BB)
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	A♣J♣ BB	busted

Board:7♥K♥5♦7♣Q♣

Aladin Reskallah won the pot with Ks Kc

It will be France's Aladin Reskallah versus Malaysia's Joshua Tjan for the championship of the Pokerstars Red Dragon event. Both are now guaranteed PhP2,980,000 (~US$51,557) but the winner takes home PhP4,750,000 (~US$82,180).

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 4:58:31 PM

Takashi Yagura finsihes in 4th for PhP1,640,000 (~US$28,374)

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Takashi Yagura - 4th place - PhP1,640,000 (~US$28,374)

Being card dead for a few orbits already, Japan's Takashi Yagura gets something he shoves with UTG for his remaining 1,455,000. The more than 14 BB shove scares away everyone except for Joshua Tjan who calls from the SB.

Player	Hand	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	A♦J♥ SB	5,100,000(51 BB)
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	6♣6♥ UTG	busted

Board:8♠A♣5♥3♣Q♦

Joshua Tjan won the pot with Ad Jh

Tjan wins the flip and pads his chip lead. The Malaysian also assures the three players remaining of at least PhP2,130,000 (~US$36,851).

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 4:51:02 PM

Reskallah grabs chip lead in raising war with Baja

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Aladin Reskallah

From UTG, Aladin Reskallah opens for 200,000 and the action is folded to the SB of Filipino Alfonso Baja who 3-bets to 600,000. The Frenchman contemplates his next move and in the process uses up three Time Bank cards. His next move is a 4-bet shove against Baja who folds.

The pot now brings Reskallah close to the four million mark. Needless to say, he has also claimed the chip lead.

Player	Chips
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	3,800,000(38 BB)
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	2,750,000(28 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 4:32:41 PM

Czardy Rivera finishes in 5th PhP1,260,000 (~US$21,799)

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Czardy Rivera - 5th place - PhP1,260,000 (~US$21,799)

Czardy Rivera of the Philippines opens from UTG to 260,000 and the man he took chips from barely an orbit ago is now in the BB as Malaysia's Joshua Tjan makes the call.

It goes to a flop of 7♣ 7♦ 4♣ as Tjan checks. Rivera CBets to 120,000. Tjan check-raises to 300,000 as Rivera burns two Time Bank cards and eventually 3-bet shoves. Tjan snap calls.

Rivera shows J♣ 9♣ for a flush draw while Tjan has 8♥ 7♠ for trips on the flop.

The turn card gives the Filipino one of his outs as the Q♣ completes his flush. But then the river card arrives: the 7♥ to give the Malaysian quads and boot out one of the most seasoned veterans at the Final Table.

With the redemption of chips, Tjan is once again the chip leader.

The final four is now guaranteed PhP1,640,000 (~US$28,374).

Player	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	3,700,000(37 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 4:26:15 PM

Rivera stays alive thru Tjan

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Czardy Rivera

In the very next hand after the debacle that crippled him, Czardy Rivera of the Philippines goes all-in for his remaining 755,000 after former chip leader Joshua Tjan of Malaysia raised from the D for 200,000. Tjan makes the call to put Rivera at risk.

Player	Hand	Chips
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	A♦7♦ SB	1,710,000(17 BB)
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	K♥9♠ D	1,800,000(18 BB)

Board:8♦6♣A♠8♠2♣

Czardy Rivera won the pot with Ad 7d

The double up by the Filipino further damages the stack of the former chip leader who is now down to a still serviceable 18 BBs. Rivera regains artillery to just over 17 BBs.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 4:12:17 PM

Baja claims chip lead, cripples Rivera with boat

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Alfonso Baja

For the third time, the stars align to find Alfonso Baja of the Philippines raising from UTG for 200,000 and the action gets folded to the BB of fellow Filipino Czardy Rivera who again chooses to defend.

The flop is A♠ 3♣ 4♥ but it's Rivera who donks in for 100,000. Baja makes the call. The turn is the 2♣ completing what appears to be a one card straight. Apparently unfazed with his, Rivera bets again, this time for 200,000. Baja still calls. The Rivera is the 3♦ . Rivera puts in 350,000 and is quickly called.

Rivera tables Q♥ J♠ for a botched bluff while Baja shows 4♣ 4♦ for a set on the flop and a full house on the river.

Baja now officially captures the chip lead and decimates Rivera's stack to a mere seven and a half BBs.

Player	Chips
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	3,300,000(33 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	755,000(8 BB)

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 6/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 4:02:45 PM

Baja draws even with Tjan for chip lead

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Alfonso Baja

In hat was shaping up to be Filipinos Clash III, Alfonso Baja opens anew from UTG for 160,000. However, chip leader Joshua Tjan of Malaysia chooses to call from the SB. Rivera joins in from his BB.

The flop is Q♥ Q♦ 7♠ as the blinds check. Baja CBets to 85,000 and gets a call from the Malaysian. Rivera exits the hand. The turn card is the 6♥ . Tjan checks again as Baja continues his assault with a bet of 225,000. Tjan chooses to fold.

Baja flips over 7♣ 7♥, showing that he filled up on the flop. The win now ties the Filipino for the chip lead with the Malaysian.

Player	Chips
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	3,100,000(39 BB)
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	3,100,000(39 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	1,465,000(18 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 3:39:19 PM

Reskallah extracts from Tjan

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Aladin Reskallah

The action is folded to France's Aladin Reskallah who raises from the CO for 160,000 and gets a call right beside him on the D from chip leader Joshua Tjan of Malaysia.

The flop comes Q♦ 5♦ 7♦ as Reskallah checks. Tjan takes the betting lead and fires on the monochrome board for 120,000. The Frenchman calls. The turn is the K♥ as once again Reskallah checks. The Malaysian keeps the guns ablaze, this time for 450,000 and still gets a call from Reskallah. The river card is the 8♥ and Reskallah checks a third time. Tjan chooses to just check behind.

Reskallah flips over K♦ Q♥ for two pairs on the turn. Tjan mucks.

Player	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	3,320,000(42 BB)
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	2,600,000(33 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 3:32:48 PM

Yagura doubles up off Rivera

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Takashi Yagura

The stack of Japanese player Takashi Yagura has dipped below the ten BB mark and he open shoves from UTG for his remaining 635,000. It folds around to the SB where Czardy Rivera of the Philippines decides to give him some action.

Player	Hand	Chips
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	A♥5♠ UTG	1,320,000(17 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	K♦J♦ SB	1,600,000(20 BB)

Board:6♣3♣A♠7♣Q♠

Takashi Yagura won the pot with Ah 5s

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 3:20:33 PM

Filipinos Clash II: Baja sneaks one in against Rivera

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Alfonso Baja

Exactly one orbit after their first encounter, Alfonso Baja finds hmself pening anew from UTG to 160,000 and once again Czardy Rivera defends his BB.

The flop is 6♦ 5♦ A♠ as Rivera checks. This time, Baja CBets to 125,000. Rivera makes the call. The turn is the J♠ and Rivera checks again. Unperturbed, Baja fires 300,000 as Rivera still calls. The river is the T♠ . Now both opt to check.

Rivera turns over J♦ 9♦ for a missed flush draw but a hit on the turn. Baja shows 6♣ 5♣ for two pairs on the flop and collects the pot.

Player	Chips
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	2,975,000(37 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	2,350,000(29 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 3:11:17 PM

Filipinos Clash: Baja bombards Rivera post flop

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Alfonso Baja

Alfonso Baja opens from UTG for160,000 and gets a call all the way in the BB by Czardy Rivera.

The flop is 3♠ Q♦ 9♦ as both players check. The turn is the 3♦ as Rivera checks again. Baja now leads out for 100,000. Rivera calls. The river is the 7♥. Rivera then bets 100,000 but Baja come back with a raise to 315,000. Rivera goes into the tank and consumes one Time Bank card in the process before folding.

Player	Chips
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	2,975,000(37 BB)
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	2,700,000(34 BB)

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 6/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 3:02:22 PM

Rivera with comebacker against Yagura

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Czardy Rivera

Opening from UTG, Filipino pro Czardy Rivera brings it up to 120,000 and gets a call on the D from Japan's Takashi Yagura. However, chip leader Joshua Tjan of Malaysia tests the resolve of those in the pot by 3-betting to 380,000. Rivera stops to think and eventually burns a Time Bank card before opting to call. Yagura also joins.

The flop comes 9♦ 9♠ 7♦ . Tjan slows down and checks as and so does Rivera. It's now Yagura's turn to go into the tank and uses a Time Bank card before betting 375,000. Tjan folds but the Filipino calls. The turn is the 7♣ as the board now double pairs. Rivera then declares he is all-in. Yagura decides to fold.

Player	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	4,320,000(72 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	3,110,000(52 BB)
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	890,000(15 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 2:39:52 PM

Martin Sedlak finishes in 6th for PhP975,000 (~US$16,869)

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

A series of mishaps led to the stack of Germany's Martin Sedlak to get depleted and finds himself going all-in from UTG for his last 220,000. This is the very next hand after the exit of China's Li Zhe. Everybody folds until it gets to the BB of Frenchman Aladin Reskallah who opts to call.

Player	Hand	Chips
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	A♠4♣ BB	2,300,000(38 BB)
MS Martin SedlakGermany	Q♠T♥ UTG	busted

Board:J♦5♠8♠7♠2♦

None of the German's live cards appeared to save him from elimination as now the five players remaining are all bonafde Philippine millionaires as the next person out will receive PhP1,260,000 (~US$21,799).

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 2:32:51 PM

Li Zhe finishes in for PhP750,000 (~US$12,976)

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Li Zhe - 7th place - PhP750,000 (~US$12,976)

Aladin Reskallah of France opens from UTG for 120,000 and the action gets folded to the CO where China's Li Zhe makes a 3-bet shove for his remaining 770,000. It folds back to the Frenchman who makes the call.

Player	Hand	Chips
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	A♠K♣ UTG	2,000,000(33 BB)
ZL Zhe LiChina	J♠J♦ CO	busted

Board:5♥T♠K♠T♥3♣

Alasin Reskallah won the pot with As Kc

Reskallah winning the coinflip now allows the remaining six players to ride the pay jump up to PhP975,000 (~US$16,869).

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 7/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 2:25:54 PM

Carlos Chang finishes in 8th for PhP615,000 (~US$10,640)

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Carlos Chang - 8th place - PhP615,000 (~US$10,640)

From UTG, Taiwan's Carlos Chang declares he is all-in for his dwindling stack of 300,000. It gets folded to the D of Filipino Alfonso Baja who makes the call.

Player	Hand	Chips
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	A♥Q♠ D	2,400,000(48 BB)
CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	K♥Q♣ UTG	busted

Board:5♠2♠3♣3♦8♠

Alfonso Baja won the pot with Ah Qs

This now guarantees that the seven players left are guaranteed PhP750,000 (~US$12,976).

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 2:00:36 PM

Sergius Santos finishes in 9th for PhP510,000 (~US$8,824)

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Sergius Santos - 9th place - PhP510,000 (~US$8,824)

After spewing chips at the onset of the Final Table, Filipino Sergius Santos had the action folded to him on the HJ and limped. Chip leader Joshua Tjan of Malaysia raises to 150,000. It is folded back to Santos who 3-bets all-in for remaining stack of 900,000. Tjan snap calls.

Player	Hand	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	Q♥Q♠ CO	3,800,000(76 BB)
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	A♣3♠ HJ	busted

Board:8♠9♦8♣J♣9♥

Joshua Tjan won the pot with Qh Qs

The elimination Santos now assures the last eight players remaining of pocketing PhP615,000 (~US$10,640).

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 1:54:52 PM

Li cripples Santos

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Li Zhe

Sergius Santos of the Philippines limps from UTG and gets raised all-in by China Li Zhe from the +2 position. It folds back to Santos who calls.

Player	Hand	Chips
ZL Zhe LiChina	A♣4♣ MP	895,000(18 BB)
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	K♣Q♦ UTG	640,000(13 BB)

Board:2♠T♦3♠2♥4♦

Li Zhe won the pot with Ac 4c

The hit reduces Santos' stack to about 12 BBs.

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 9/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 1:34:01 PM

Yagura strikes first in Final Table

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Takashi Yagura

Takashi Yagura of Japan opens from the CO for 85,000. On the D, Taiwan's Carlos Chang goes into the tank and uses two of his newly acquired Time Bank cards before deciding to call. Sergius Santos of the Philippines also calls from the BB.

The flop comes 8♠ 5♥ 7♥ as Santos checks. Yagura CBets to 140,000 and Chang makes the call. Santos now goes into the tank and utilizes a Time Card in the process before opting to step aside.

The turn is the T♠ and Yagura takes time to ponder his next move. The Japanese player uses a Time Bank card and then declares he is all-in for 665,000. Chang now burns a third Time Bank card to contemplate his next move. He decides to err on the side of caution and folds.

Yagura draws first blood.

Player	Chips
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	1,260,000(32 BB)
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	1,170,000(29 BB)
CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	580,000(15 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 1:14:05 PM

Chip Counts & Seating of the Pokerstars Red Dragon Final Table

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

APPT Championship Red Dragon Final Table

The player eliminated will be pocketing PhP510,000 (~US$8,824).

Player	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	2,615,000(65 BB)
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	1,960,000(49 BB)
MS Martin SedlakGermany	1,480,000(37 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	1,430,000(36 BB)
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	1,285,000(32 BB)
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	1,110,000(28 BB)
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	890,000(22 BB)
CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	825,000(21 BB)
ZL Zhe LiChina	535,000(13 BB)

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	1,285,000(32 BB)	1	1
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	2,615,000(65 BB)	1	2
ZL Zhe LiChina	535,000(13 BB)	1	3
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	1,430,000(36 BB)	1	4
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	1,960,000(49 BB)	1	5
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	890,000(22 BB)	1	6
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	1,110,000(28 BB)	1	7
CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	825,000(21 BB)	1	8
MS Martin SedlakGermany	1,480,000(37 BB)	1	9

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 1:08:07 PM

John Joseph Panish out in 10th for PhP425,000 (~US$7,353)

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

John Joseph Panish - 10th place - PhP425,000 (~US$7,353)

John Joseph Panish of the United States open shoves from UTG for his last 410,000 and it gets folded to the BB of Filipino Sergius Santos who makes the call.

Player	Hand	Chips
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	K♠Q♠ BB	1,285,000(32 BB)
JJ John Joseph PanishUnited States of America	A♠J♥ UTG	busted

Board:2♦Q♥8♠9♦7♣

Sergius Santos won the pot with Ks Qs

The outdraw accomplished by Santos now brings the Pokerstars Red Dragon event to the Final Table.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 12:59:05 PM

Yagura's desperation heave scrapes Santos anew

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Takashi Yagura

It gets folded to the D where Takashi Yagura of Japan goes all-in for his remaining 385,000. He gets called on the SB by Filipino Sergius Santos.

Player	Hand	Chips
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	A♠9♦ D	850,000(21 BB)
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	8♥6♥ SB	1,300,000(33 BB)

Board:A♦9♠4♥5♠6♦

Takashi Yagura won the pot with As 9d

Santos almost got away with it by picking up a redraw to a gutshot on the turn but many were surprised when he called an almost ten BB shove with what he had. The double up of Yagura still keeps the field at ten players.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 12:52:22 PM

Yan Wen Yee out in 11th for PhP425,000 (~US$7,353)

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Yan Wen Yee - 11th place - PhP425,000 (~US$7,353)

The action is folded to Czardy Rivera of the Philippines and he raises to 80,000 in the CO. Malaysia's Yan Wen Yee 3-bets all-in right beside him on the D. It gets folded back to the Filipino who makes the call.

Player	Hand	Chips
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	Q♠Q♥ CO	1,380,000(35 BB)
YW Yan Wen YeeMalaysia	A♣J♣ D	busted

Board:8♠J♦7♦T♦Q♣

Czardy Rivera won the pot with Qs Qh

Rivera's stack now goes over the one million mark and the ten players left are still guaranteed PhP425,000 (~US$7,353), The next bust out will bring in the individual pay jumps and usher in the Final Table.

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 11/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 12:45:01 PM

Chip Counts of the final 11 players

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

The next bust out will be receiving PhP425,000 (~US$7,353).

Player	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	2,100,000(70 BB)
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	1,920,000(64 BB)
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	1,600,000(53 BB)
MS Martin SedlakGermany	1,495,000(50 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	955,000(32 BB)
CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	950,000(32 BB)
ZL Zhe LiChina	905,000(30 BB)
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	720,000(24 BB)
JJ John Joseph PanishUnited States of America	570,000(19 BB)
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	565,000(19 BB)
YW Yan Wen YeeMalaysia	315,000(11 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 12:37:19 PM

Daniel Benor out in 12th for PhP350,000 (~US$6,055)

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Daniel Benor - 12th place - PhP350,000 (~US$6,055)

Not too long after getting crippled, Israel's Daniel Benor shoves from UTG for what's left of his decimated stack of 55,000 and surprisingly gets no caller until Takashi Yagura of Japan has to make the duty call from the BB.

Player	Hand	Chips
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	J♥T♣ BB	530,000(18 BB)
DB Daniel BenorIsrael	6♣5♠ UTG	busted

Board:K♥9♥K♦A♦2♥

There are now only 11 players remaining and all are now assured PhP425,000 (~US$7,353).

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 12:29:29 PM

Benor crippled on outdraw against Santos

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Daniel Benor

Daniel Benor of Israel opens from the HJ for 60,000 and gets re-raised all-in by local bet Sergius Santos for his remaining 865,000. Benor calls.

Player	Hand	Chips
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	A♦J♦ CO	1,805,000(60 BB)
DB Daniel BenorIsrael	Q♦Q♠ HJ	55,000(2 BB)

Board:7♥2♠A♥T♥7♦

Sergius Santos won the pot with Ad Jd

The outdraw not only cripples the Israeli, but restores Santos' pursuit of the chip lead in one of the most volatile chip graphs of the competition thus far.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 12:21:44 PM

Go Saito out in 13th for PhP350,000 (~US$6,055)

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Go Saito - 13th place - PhP350,000 (~US$6,055)

Carlos Chang of Taiwan opens from UTG to 60,000 and the action gets folded around all the way to the BB where Japan's Go Saito 3-bets all-in for his remaining 235,000. Chang makes the call.

Player	Hand	Chips
CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	T♣T♥ UTG	790,000(26 BB)
GS Go SaitoJapan	A♦7♦ BB	busted

Board:Q♦5♦7♣4♠3♣

Carlos Chang won the pot with Tc Th

The 7♣ on the flop was a sweat card for Chang who managed to evade the six outs his Japanese opponent required on the last two community cards. The Taiwanese player also gets an infusion of chips.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 12:14:13 PM

Tjan climbs to above 2M with kings

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Joshua Tjan

Chip leader Joshua Tjan of Malaysia makes a raise from early position to 60,000 and gets called by countryman Yan Wen Yee in the HJ.

The flop is 4♥ 8♣ 8♥ . Both players check. The turn is the T♥ as Tjan checks again. Yee tests the waters with a bet of 75,000. Tjan calls. The river is the 6♦ and suddenly the bet sizing for Yee changes as he unleashes 300,000. This sends Tjan into the tank and uses two Time Bank cards before calling.

Yee is obliged to show Q♣ J♣ for a missed gutshot on the turn. Tjan turns over K♦ K♠ to now breach the two million chip mark and pad his lead over the competition.

Player	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	2,400,000(80 BB)
YW Yan Wen YeeMalaysia	950,000(32 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 12:05:49 PM

Panish calls down Santos with queens

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

John Joseph Panish

American John Joseph Panish opens from UTG for 60,000 and the action goes all the way to the BB of Filpino Sergius Santos who defends.

The flop comes 6♦ 7♥ 8♠ as both players check. The turn is the 7♣ and this time Santos leads in for 50,000 which gets a call from the American. The river is the K♣ as the Filipino fires 125,000 and gets snap called by Panish.

Although Santos is first to show, Panish turns over Q♥ Q♠ . Santos mucks his hand and takes another hit to his stack, falling way below the one million mark anew.

Player	Chips
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	750,000(25 BB)
JJ John Joseph PanishUnited States of America	660,000(22 BB)

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 13/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 11:56:47 AM

Chip Counts of the 13 remaining players

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Joshua Tjan

Everyone still in is guaranteed PhP350,000 (~US$6,055).

Player	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	1,740,000(70 BB)
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	1,450,000(58 BB)
MS Martin SedlakGermany	1,320,000(53 BB)
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	970,000(39 BB)
DB Daniel BenorIsrael	940,000(38 BB)
CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	915,000(37 BB)
YW Yan Wen YeeMalaysia	900,000(36 BB)
ZL Zhe LiChina	895,000(36 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	725,000(29 BB)
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	555,000(22 BB)
JJ John Joseph PanishUnited States of America	550,000(22 BB)
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	475,000(19 BB)
GS Go SaitoJapan	285,000(11 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 11:50:20 AM

Thijs Hilberts out in 14th for PhP300,000 (~US$5,190)

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Thijs Hilberts - 14th place - PhP300,000 (~US$5,190)

Thijs Hilberts of The Netherlands goes for it all by shoving from the +1 position for his remaining 230,000. Filipino pro Czardy Rivera calls the all-in bet from the HJ.

Player	Hand	Chips
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	J♣J♠ HJ	955,000(38 BB)
TH Thijs HilbertsNetherlands	A♥T♦ UTG+1	busted

Board:4♦6♣Q♣K♣9♥

Czardy Rivera won the pot with Jc Js

It appeared that Hilberts was on his way to pulling off a runner-runner straight but it never got there as Rivera was blocking his outs. The Filipino now also nears the one million chip mark.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 11:36:16 AM

Si Ng Pun out in 15th for PhP300,000 (~US$5,190)

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Si Ng Pun - 15th place - PhP300,000 (~US$5,190)

Hong Kong's Si Ng Pun opens from the HJ for 95,000 and gets called by Go Saito of Japan in the CO. on the D, Carlos Chang of Taiwan 3-bets it to 365,000 as Si goes all-in and Saito 4-bets all-in. Chang calls for his remaining 415,000.

Player	Hand	Chips
CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	A♣J♠ D	640,000(26 BB)
GS Go SaitoJapan	T♠T♦ CO	475,000(19 BB)
SN Si Ng PunHong Kong	K♠Q♦ HJ	busted

Board:4♣A♦4♦Q♠7♥

Carlos Chang won the pot with Ac Js

Si never rivered his gutshot and Saito failed to hit his two-outer as the triple up now puts the Taiwanese in good shape for a deep run.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 11:30:11 AM

Giam Jian Hui out in 16th for PhP260,000 (~US$4,498)

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Giam Jian Hui - 16th place - PhP260,000 (~US$4,498)

In dire need of a double up, Singapore's Giam Jian Hui goes all-in for his remaining stack of 275,000 from the +2 position. The action is folded to the SB where Filipino Sergius Santos--apparently still miffed over his recent loss--makes the call.

Player	Hand	Chips
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	Q♠9♠ SB	1,020,000(41 BB)
JH Jian Hui GiamSingapore	3♥3♠ MP	busted

Board:Q♥Q♣4♠2♦4♦

Sergius Santos won the pot with Qs 9s

Santos' demeanor quickly changed from glum to upbeat after getting trip queens of his own leading to a full house to put him back over the one million mark.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 11:22:27 AM

Panish trips up Santos' monster stack

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

John Joseph Panish

Israel's Daniel Benor has it folded to him on the HJ and raises to 50,000. Sergius Santos of the Philippines calls from the CO. Then on the D American John Joseph Panish 3-bets all-in for his stack of 385,000. Benor folds but Santos, one of the chip leders of the tournament, makes the call.

Player	Hand	Chips
JJ John Joseph PanishUnited States of America	A♥Q♠ D	880,000(35 BB)
DB Daniel BenorIsrael	HJ	840,000(34 BB)
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	K♣J♥ CO	730,000(29 BB)

Board:7♣Q♣9♣5♥Q♥

Panish did even have to hit to beat his Filipino opponent, but getting trips made the win even sweeter for a double up. Santos, who was contending for the chip lead, now has to restart the grind.

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 16/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 11:09:19 AM

Li Zhe gets double up off Hilberts

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Li Zhe

China's Li Zhe opens the action from the HJ for 40,000 and gets re-raised to 80,000 by Thijs Hilberts of The Netherlands. Li calls.

The flop is 9♥ 2♦ 6♣ as Li checks. Hilberts CBets to 60,000 and Li makes the call. The turn is the 7♣ and suddenly the Chinese player takes the betting lead by firing 50,000. the Dutchman calls. The river is the A♠ . Li checks again and Hilberts goes all-in. Li snap calls for his remaining 165,000.

Hilberts shows the bluff: K♦ T♥ while Li shows A♦ 9♣, rivering the ace and catapulting his chip stack to almost 800,000. Hilberts is down to less than 300,000.

Player	Chips
ZL Zhe LiChina	760,000(38 BB)
TH Thijs HilbertsNetherlands	290,000(15 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 10:59:46 AM

Wu Di out in 17th for PhP260,000 (~US$4,498)

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Wu Di -17th place - PhP260,000 (~US$4,498)

Germany's Martin Sedlak open from the CO for 45,000 and gets 3-bet all-in by Wu Di of China for 410,000. Sedlak makes the quick call.

Player	Hand	Chips
MS Martin SedlakGermany	A♣K♦ CO	1,400,000(70 BB)
DW Di WuChina	K♠Q♦ D	busted

Board:7♣6♣J♠7♠8♣

Martin Sedlak won the pot with Ac Kd

Sedlak is now among the chip leaders and continues to rise towards the twilight of the tournament.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 10:48:24 AM

Aladin rubs lamp for double up against Benor

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Aladin Reskallah

Aladin Reskallah of France, one of the most colorful players on the circuit, is at risk against Israel's Daniel Benor.

Player	Hand	Chips
AR Aladin ReskallahFrance	A♦Q♣ BB	640,000(32 BB)
DB Daniel BenorIsrael	K♦Q♥ D	660,000(33 BB)

Board:J♦8♣T♠7♦K♠

Aladin Reskallah won the pot with Ad Qc

Although Reskallah didn't really need to rub the lamp (his card protector), it gave him a little assurance against his opponent from Israel.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 10:35:45 AM

Tomoyuki Yoshimiya out in 18th for PhP225,000 (~US$3,893)

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Tomoyuki Yoshimiya - 18th place - PhP225,000 (~US$3,893)

John Joseph Panish of the United States opens from the HJ for 40,000 and gets called by Malaysian Joshua Tjan. In the BB, Tomoyuki Yoshimiya of Japan re-raises all-in for his remaining 45,000. Panish and Tjan call to double team.

Both players opt not to create a side pot as they check down the board of J♠ 7♠ 2♥ and then A♦ J♣ .

Panish shows K♦ Q♠ while Tjan tables 9♥ 9♠. Yoshimiya busts holding 6♥ 6♠ .

Tjan is now a legitimate contender for the chip lead anew.

Player	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	1,700,000(85 BB)
JJ John Joseph PanishUnited States of America	320,000(16 BB)
TY Tomoyuki YoshimiyaJapan	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 10:30:24 AM

Sedlak's two pairs sends Jeong packing

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Martin Sedlak

From UTG, Korea's Jeong Seonghun sends his 70,000 stack to the middle and gets called by Martin Sedlak of Germany on the D.

Player	Hand	Chips
MS Martin SedlakGermany	A♦3♥ D	840,000(42 BB)
JS Jeong SeonghunSouth Korea	Q♠8♣ UTG	busted

Board:4♣3♥A♠K♠2♣

Martin Sedlak won the pot with Ad 3h

Jeong was drawing dead on the turn as the German now nears the one million chip territory.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 10:26:15 AM

Yagura bombs all the way

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Takashi Yagura

Takashi Yagura of Japan open from the CO for 40,000 and gets a BB defense from China's Wu Di.

The flop is Q♦ 7♣ 6♠ as Wu checks. Yagura CBets to 30,000. Wu check-raises to 90,000 as Yakura now becomes the caller. The turn is the 7♦ . This time, Wu checks and Yagura moves all-in. Wu cannot call.

Player	Chips
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	740,000(37 BB)
DW Di WuChina	215,000(11 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 10:18:07 AM

Santos ousts Colada, claims chip lead

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Sergius Santos

In a battle of two Filipinos, Jose Colada has the action folede to him on the D and makes a raise to 40,000. Sergius Santos in the SB re-raises to 100,000 as Colada calls.

The flop is 4♦ 3♥ 6♠ as Santos CBets for 25,000. Colada raises to 115,000 and Santos makes the call. The turn is the 5♣ as Santos checks. Colada then goes all-in for 430,000. Santos uses up a Time Bank before choosing to call.

Colada tables T♦ T♠ while Santos shows his over pair of Q♦ Q♥ .

The river is the 4♠ sending Colada out of the tournament, ironically also after just making it to the leaderboard.

With the triumph, Santos has taken the overall chip lead.

Player	Chips
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	1,800,000(90 BB)
JC Jose ColadaPhilippines	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 10:13:20 AM

Tjan new chip leader, eliminates Mehra

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Joshua Tjan

Joshua Tjan and Rishi Mehra are all-in preflop with the Malaysian covering the Singaporean.

Player	Hand	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	A♠K♦ HJ	1,600,000(80 BB)
RM Rishi MehraSingapore	J♦J♠ SB	busted

Board:K♠5♣Q♣8♠2♣

Joshua Tjan won the pot with As Kd

Mehra loses the flip and gets booted out after just making into the leaderboard. Tjan is the new chip leader.

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 16/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 10:07:01 AM

Leaderboard Update

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Here are the top ten so far:

Player	Chips
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	1,150,000(72 BB)
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	1,080,000(68 BB)
MS Martin SedlakGermany	832,000(52 BB)
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	830,000(52 BB)
DB Daniel BenorIsrael	790,000(49 BB)
TH Thijs HilbertsNetherlands	735,000(46 BB)
RM Rishi MehraSingapore	710,000(44 BB)
JC Jose ColadaPhilippines	657,000(41 BB)
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	650,000(41 BB)
CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	640,000(40 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 9:58:33 AM

Santos keeps firing post flop

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Serguis Santos

Takashi Yagura of Japan opens from UTG for 32,000 and gets called by a pair of Filipinos in Jose Colada on the D and Serguis Santos in the BB.

The flop goes Q♠ Q♣ T♦ as Santos leads out for 20,000. Yagura calls but Colada steps out of the way. The turn is the 5♠ and Santos keeps firing, this tie for 50,000. The Japanese player thinks about it and uses a Time Bank card before calling. the river is the 2♠. This time, Santos makes a small river bet of 16,000, which Yagura calls.

Santos turns over T♥ 5♥ . Yagura throws his hand into the muck.

Player	Chips
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	860,000(54 BB)
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	622,000(39 BB)
JC Jose ColadaPhilippines	615,000(38 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 9:53:38 AM

Tjan bullies Rishi Mehra

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Joshua Tjan

It is folded around to the CO of Malaysia's Joshua Tjan and he raises to 32,000. In the SB Rishi Mehra of Singapore makes the call.

The flop comes Q♥ T♦ 6♣ as Mehra donks in for 45,000. Tjan calls. The turn card is the T♥ and this time but check. The river is the A♥ as the Singaporean fires 55,000. Tjan raises to 145,000. Mehra opts to fold.

Player	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	800,000(50 BB)
RM Rishi MehraSingapore	524,000(33 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 9:48:17 AM

Colada pair of 5s busts Truong

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Jose Colada

The action is opened from the CO by Filipino pro Jose Colada for 33,000 and gets called by Truong Chan of Vietnam from the BB.

The flop is 2♦ 8♥ 5♦ as Colada CBets to 75,000. Truong raises all-in for 97,000 and the Filipino snap calls.

Colada turns over 7♥ 5♠ for middle pair on the flop while Truong has A♣ 4♦ for a gutshot and an over card to the board.

The turn is the 2♣ and the river is the 2♣ as Colada's full house ejects Truong from the competition.

Player	Chips
JC Jose ColadaPhilippines	647,000(40 BB)
CT Chan TruongViet Nam	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 9:35:03 AM

Kim Wooseok out vs. Saito's queens

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Kim Wooseok

Korea's Jeong Seonghun opens the action from the CO for 32,000 and gets re-raised by Go Saito of Japan in the SB. Another Korean in Kim Wooseok 4-bets all-in from the BB for 111,000. Jeong folds but Saito makes the call.

Player	Hand	Chips
GS Go SaitoJapan	Q♠Q♥ SB	540,000(34 BB)
JS Jeong SeonghunSouth Korea	CO	202,000(13 BB)
WK Wooseok KimSouth Korea	A♠Q♣ BB	busted

Board:K♥4♠T♥3♦3♠

Go Saito won the pot with Qs Qh

Kim actually had outs on the flop but could not get them on the last two community cards as the player from Korea is now sidelined for good.

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 24/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 8:50:40 AM

Tjan's rockets crush Tomoyuki Yoshimiya's 9s

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

With the action folded to the D, Malaysia's Joshua Tjan raises to 25,000 and gets 3-bet by on the SB by Giam Jian Hui of Singapore for 65,000. Meanwhile, Japan's Tomoyuki Yoshimiya makes a 4-bet all-in to 337,000. Tjan snap calls for his remaining 270,000 as Giam opts to fold.

Player	Hand	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	A♥A♣ D	617,000(51 BB)
JH Jian Hui GiamSingapore	SB	404,000(34 BB)
TY Tomoyuki YoshimiyaJapan	9♦9♠ BB	67,000(6 BB)

Board:5♣8♣6♦T♠5♥

Joshua Tjan won the pot with Ac Ah

The T♠ appearing on the turn was a sweat card for the Malaysian but in the end his aces hold for a much needed double up while Yoshimiya's stack is now on the respirator.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 8:37:05 AM

Yagura hits straight against Kim Wooseok, nears 1M mark

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Takashi Yagura

Japan's Takashi Yagura has the action folded to him in the HJ and raises to 24,000. Kim Wooseok of Korea chooses to defend his BB.

The flop goes T♥ A♠ 6♦ as Kim checks. Yagura CBets for 38,000 and gets a call from his Korean opponent. The turn is the 7♦ as once again Kim checks. Yagura once again fires, this time for 72,000. Kim still makes the call. The river is the 5♥ as Kim checks a third time. The Japanese player unloads 185,000 sending Kim into thought mode. The Korean burns one Time Bank card before making the call.

Yagura shows 9♥ 8♥ for a straight on the turn, totally catching Kim by surprise. The Korean chooses to muck.

Player	Chips
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	936,000(78 BB)
WK Wooseok KimSouth Korea	120,000(10 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 8:30:46 AM

Thijs Hilbert's set cripples Joemark Vasay's stack

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Thijs Hilbert

Thijs Hilberts of the Netherlands goes into a preflop raising battle against Filipino Joemark Vasat with the end result being all their chips going into the pot as Vasay slightly covers the Dutchman.

Player	Hand	Chips
TH Thijs HilbertsNetherlands	8♣8♠ D	544,000(45 BB)
JV Joemark VasayPhilippines	A♠8♥ SB	6,000(1 BB)

Board:8♦K♣3♥5♠T♣

Thijs Hilberts won the pot with 8c 8s

By getting the case card on the flop to ensure the victory, Hilberts doubles up and all but decimates the Filipino's stack.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 8:23:35 AM

Daniel Benor trips up Kim Dohwan

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Kim Dohwan

Kim Dohwan of Korea opens from UTG for 24,000 and gets called in the SB from Israel's Daniel Benor.

The flop is 5♥ 5♣ 6♠ as both players check. The turn is the J♣ as Benor leads out for 55,000. Kim makes the call. the river card is the 6♥ . The Israeli unloads 140,000 and sends the Korean into the tank. Kim takes so long that he is forced to utilize two Time Bank cards. He eventually decides to call.

Benor shows 5♠ 4♠ for trips on the flop. Kim mucks, but not before losing a huge chunk of his chips to his Israeli opponent.

Player	Chips
DB Daniel BenorIsrael	495,000(41 BB)
DK Dohwan KimSouth Korea	91,000(8 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 8:15:06 AM

Rivera hard bets river

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Japan's Takashi Yagura opens from UTG for 24,000 and gets calls from the blinds in Filipino pro Czardy Rivera (SB) and Daniel Benor from Israel (BB).

The flop is 4♣ 2♦ J♠ as the blinds check. Yagura CBets to 33,000 and gets a call from Rivera. Benor folds. The turn is the 7♠ and this time Yagura and Rivera both check. The river is the 5♦ as Rivera takes the betting lead for 65,000. Yagura opts to fold.

Player	Chips
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	645,000(54 BB)
DB Daniel BenorIsrael	500,000(42 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	491,000(41 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 8:00:50 AM

Joshua Tjan doubles up in roller coaster hand against Joey Weissman

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Joshua Tjan

American Joey Weissman opens from UTG for 25,000 and get 3-bet all-in by Joshua Tjan of Malaysia, putting his remaining 175,000 on the line. Folded back to Weissman, he decides to call.

Player	Hand	Chips
JT Joshua TjanMalaysia	T♣T♠ CO	380,000(32 BB)
JW Joey WeissmanUnited States of America	A♠Q♠ UTG	157,000(13 BB)

Board:J♥7♣6♠Q♥T♦

Joshua Tjan won the pot with Tc Ts

Tjan stayed ahead on the flop, lost the lead on the turn and hit his two-outer on the river to keep him in the competition. Weissman loses more than half his stack in the hand.

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 30/404

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 7:43:20 AM

Martin Sedlak means it on the river

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Martin Sedlak

The action is folded to Japan's Go Saito on the D and he raises to 20,000. Martin Sedlak of Germany defends his BB.

The flop is J♠ Q♦ Q♣ as both players check. The turn is the 3♦ and now Sedlak leads out for 40,000. Saito calls. The river is the K♠ . Sedlak bets 40,000 and still gets a call from his Japanese opponent.

Sedlak shows K♣ 9♦ , hitting top pair on the river. Saito shakes his head and mucks.

Player	Chips
MS Martin SedlakGermany	552,000(55 BB)
GS Go SaitoJapan	393,000(39 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 7:35:38 AM

Rivera takes back from Chan

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Czardy Rivera

Czardy Rivera of the Philippines exacts some form of revenge against Singapore's Matthew by grabbing back some of the chips he lost earlier. The preflop raising war ends with all the chips going in the middle with Rivera's tournament life on the line.

Player	Hand	Chips
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	Q♦Q♠ D	515,000(52 BB)
MC Matthew ChanSingapore	A♣K♣ HJ	165,000(17 BB)

Board:3♥9♣7♠T♣6♥

Czardy Rivera won the pot with Qd Qs

Rivera's queens hold and this duel is now tied.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 7:30:20 AM

Nagami busts holding kings, Baja with massive stack

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Kyosuke Nagami

Alfonso Baja of the Philippines engages in a preflop raising war with Japan's Kyosuke Nagami ending up with all of Nagami's 470,000 going into the pot.

Player	Hand	Chips
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	A♣K♠ UTG	1,430,000(143 BB)
KN Kyosuke NagamiJapan	K♣K♦ CO	busted

Board:6♠7♦A♥8♠5♣

Alfonso Baja won the pot with Ac Ks

Outflopping and busting his Japanese opponent, Baja's monster stack continues to grow.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 7:23:36 AM

Wu Di dents Truong

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Wu Di

China's Wu Di starts this off from UTG with a raise to 21,000 and gets two callers in Truong Chan of Vietnam in the CO and Germany's Martin Sedlak in the BB.

The flop comes 2♦ 6♣ Q♥ as Sedlak checks. Wu CBets to 26,000 and gets called by Truong. Sedlak folds. It is heads up to the turn of the 5♠ and this time Wu opts to check. Truong takes the betting lead, firing 70,000. Wu makes the call. The river is the 3♠ and this time, both players check.

Wu shows A♠ Q♠ for top pair, top kicker on the flop. Truong opts to muck.

Player	Chips
MS Martin SedlakGermany	446,000(45 BB)
DW Di WuChina	405,000(41 BB)
CT Chan TruongViet Nam	180,000(18 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

10/27/2024, 7:12:20 AM

Jose Colada calls down Truong Chan

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Jose Colada

Vietnam's Truong Chan opens the action from UTG for 20,000 and it is folded all the way to the SB where Filipino pro Jose Colada makes the call.

The flop is 9♥ J♣ 8♠ as the Filipino checks. Truong CBets to 24,000 and Colada calls. The turn is the K♦ as Colada checks again. The Vietnamese player fires again, this time for 45,000. Colada still calls. The river is the 4♥ and this time both check.

Colada tables Q♥ J♥ for top pair on the flop. Truong mucks.

Player	Chips
JC Jose ColadaPhilippines	479,000(48 BB)
CT Chan TruongViet Nam	310,000(31 BB)

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 35/404

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 6:49:25 AM

Leaderboard Update

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Here's a look at the current top ten in chips:

Player	Chips
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	1,070,000(134 BB)
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	716,000(90 BB)
YW Yan Wen YeeMalaysia	605,000(76 BB)
TY Tomoyuki YoshimiyaJapan	590,000(74 BB)
CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	520,000(65 BB)
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	507,000(63 BB)
JJ John Joseph PanishUnited States of America	445,000(56 BB)
DB Daniel BenorIsrael	442,000(55 BB)
JH Jian Hui GiamSingapore	372,000(47 BB)
VC Victor ChongMalaysia	340,000(43 BB)

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 6:42:38 AM

Alfonso Baja cracks Alex Chong's aces

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Alfonso Baja

Hong Kong's Alex Chong opens the action from UTG for 25,000 and gets called in the CO Alfonso Baja of the Philippines.

The flop goes T♦ J♣ J♦ as Chong CBets to 20,000. Baja raises it to 70,000. Then Chong 3-bets to 170,000 and Baja 4-bets all-in for 500,000. Chong snap calls.

Chong tables A♣ A♠ while Baja reveals that he's n the lead now with K♦ J♠.

The turn is the Q♦ which now has the Hong Kong player drawing dead and the river is the 9♣ to make the rockets cracking official.

With the win, Baja becomes the first to hot seven digits in the chip and is the new chip leader while Chong is left with 3 BBs.

Player	Chips
AB Alfonso BajaPhilippines	1,070,000(134 BB)
TS Tak Sin Alex ChongHong Kong	18,000(2 BB)

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 6:36:55 AM

Chan's tens hold, doubles up off Rivera

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Matthew Chan

Kim Dohwan of Korea raises from UTG to 16,000 and beside him on the +1 position shoves Singapore's Matthew Chan for his remaining 143,000. Local pro Czardy Rivera makes the call from the CO as Kim folds.

Player	Hand	Chips
MC Matthew ChanSingapore	T♦T♣ UTG+1	282,000(35 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	A♦K♦ CO	318,000(40 BB)
DK Dohwan KimSouth Korea	UTG	390,000(49 BB)

Board:2♣2♦9♥5♣5♦

Matthew Chan won the pot with Td Tc

Rivera had just acquired chips before losing most of them to Chan.

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 6:32:07 AM

Guy Taylor ousted by Naohito Tamaya

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Guy Taylor

The action gets folded to the D where Guy Taylor of England open shoves his stack of 100,000. He gets called by Japan's Naohito Tamaya in the SB.

Player	Hand	Chips
NT Naohito TamayaJapan	K♣J♣ SB	237,000(30 BB)
GT Guy TaylorUnited Kingdom	Q♦8♥ D	busted

Board:5♥4♦2♥K♦4♥

Naohito Tamaya won the pot with Kc Jc

Taylor is eliminated.

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 6:25:08 AM

Czardy Rivera busts Philipp Zukernik

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Singapore's Matthew Chan opens from the HJ for 16,000 and gets called by Czardy Rivera of the host nation in the D. In the SB, Czechia's Philipp Zukernik 3-bets all-in for his last 110,000. Chan folds but Rivera makes the call.

Czardy Rivera

Player	Hand	Chips
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	A♥J♣ D	461,000(58 BB)
MC Matthew ChanSingapore	HJ	143,000(18 BB)
PZ Philipp ZukernikCzech Republic	4♣4♠ SB	busted

Board:J♥9♥6♦2♦5♥

Czardy Rivera won the pot with Ah Jc

The elimination of Zukernik now has Rivera's stack near the half million mark.

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 5:37:49 AM

Santos deals double KO

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Sergius Santos

Filipino Sergius Santos limps in from the +2 position and the action is folded to the HJ where Taiwan's Chang Yu Chung calls and Korean superstar Kim Gab Yong checks his option in the BB.

The flop comes 7♣ 7♠ 5♠ as Kim and Santos check. Suddenly, Chang shoves his remaining 74,000 to the middle while Kim re-raises all-in for 266,000. Santos snap calls.

Chang shows K♠ Q♥ while Kim turns over A♣ Q♣ . However, both now need running cards to overcome Santos' A♥ 7♥ for trips on the flop. The last two community cards don't help: 9♣ K♥ .

Santos eliminates two seasoned veterans and ups his stack considerably in the process.

Player	Hand	Chips
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	A♥7♥ MP	657,000(110 BB)
YC Yu Chung ChangTaiwan	K♠Q♥ HJ	busted
GY Gab Yong KimSouth Korea	A♣Q♣ BB	busted

Board:7♣7♠5♠K♠Q♥

Sergius Santos won the pot with Ah 7h

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 5:19:31 AM

Victor Chong catches Sergius Santos' bluff

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Victor Chong

Malaysia poker veteran Victor Chong opens from the CO for 12,000 and gets called by Sergius Santos of the Philippines on the D.

The flop is J♠ 4♣ K♦ as Chong checks. Santos takes the betting lead for 6,000. Chong makes the call. The turn is the 3♦ and the Malaysian checks again. This time, Santos unloads 15,000 and is quickly called. The river is the 2♥ . Chong checks a third time. Santos bets 25,000. Chong calls.

Santos shows Q♦ T♦ for a missed open-ended straight draw while Chong flips over Q♣ J♣ for middle pair on the flop.

The win catapults Chong's stack to above the half million mark.

Player	Chips
VC Victor ChongMalaysia	562,000(94 BB)
SS Sergius SantosPhilippines	335,000(56 BB)

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 5:07:35 AM

Li Jun set up by Jose Colada, stack plummets

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Li Jun

Local pro Jose Colada opens from the CO for 13,000 and gets a call from Li Jun of England on the D.

The flop goes 2♥ J♦ 2♣ as the Flipino CBets to 11,000. Li makes the call. The turn is the Q♠ to which Colada continues firing, this time for 15,000. He still gets called. The river is the A♣ as Colada tanks and uses one Time Bank card before declaring that he is all-in for 102,000. Li snap calls.

Colada tables Q♦ Q♥ for a full house on the turn while LI shakes his head as he turns over K♣ T♣ for the Broadway straight on the river.

The cooler sends Li's stack to danger levels with less than 5 BBs.

Player	Chips
JC Jose ColadaPhilippines	297,000(50 BB)
JL Jun LiUnited Kingdom	23,000(4 BB)

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 4:57:02 AM

Julian Warhurst dodges everything for double up

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Julian Warhurst

Australia's Julian Warhurst open shoves from the HJ for his remaining 55,000 and gets called by Korea's Kim Dohwan on the D.

Player	Hand	Chips
JW Julian WarhurstAustralia	5♦5♠ HJ	125,000(21 BB)
DK Dohwan KimSouth Korea	K♣Q♦ D	345,000(58 BB)

Board:2♣J♣6♦J♥J♦

Warhurst avoided his opponent's over cards and getting counterfeited to win via a full house and gain more ammunition.

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 4:37:29 AM

Panish breaches 500k on Pham's botched bluff

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

John Joseph Panish

The action is folded to the HJ of John Joseph Panish and the American raises it to 10,000. But he gets a re-raise to 32,000 when it gets to Vietnam's Pham Bao on the D. Panish makes the call.

The flop is J♥ 6♦ 9♥ as Panish checks. Pham CBets to 21,000 and gets called. The turn is the 8♣ and this time, both players check. The river is the Q♥ as Panish bets 50,000 but gets raised to 200,000. The American snap calls.

Pham shows A♥ 5♦ while Panish has T♦ T♥ .

The win raises Panish's stack to well over the half million mark while Pham has to restart the grind.

Player	Chips
JJ John Joseph PanishUnited States of America	525,000(105 BB)
PB Pham BaoViet Nam	70,000(14 BB)

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 4:30:10 AM

John Tech outflops Lee Sunghak for double up

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

John Tech

Following a raising war preflop, all chips go in the middle for the Philippines' John Tech and Lee Sunghak of Korea who covers his Filipino opponent.

Player	Hand	Chips
JT John TechPhilippines	A♣K♣ CO	204,000(41 BB)
LS Lee SunghakSouth Korea	Q♥Q♣ MP	52,000(10 BB)

Board:A♠2♥4♥4♠J♥

John Tech won the pot with Ac Kc

Tech's original shove 96,000 now goes up to over 200,000 as the Korean's stack has now been reduced to less than 15 BBs.

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 4:22:55 AM

Naohiro Matsuda eliminated by Kyosuke Nagami's Big Slick

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Kyosuke Nagami

Japan's Naohiro Matsuda swings for the fences when the action gets folded to him on the D by shoving his remaining 59,000. He gets called by Jeong Seonghun of Korea in the SB and then a re-shove for slightly more by another Japanese player in Kyosuke Nagami for 59,000 happens in the BB. Jeong calls the extra 1,000.

Nagami's Big Slick sticks the ace on the flop and scoops the pot as his stack suddenly balloons to almost 200,000 after the fortuitous triple up.

Player	Hand	Chips
KN Kyosuke NagamiJapan	A♥K♣ BB	179,000(36 BB)
JS Jeong SeonghunSouth Korea	K♥J♠ SB	147,000(29 BB)
NM Naohiro MatsudaJapan	Q♠T♠ D	busted

Board:4♣A♦3♥6♣J♣

Kyosuke Nagami won the pot with Ah Kc

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 4:11:53 AM

Jian Hui Giam forces Shen Xianchao out of pot

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Jian Hui Giam

Min Ji Hyun of Korea opens the action from the CO for 10,000 and gets two callers in China's Shen Zianchao in the SB and Singapore's Jian Hui Giam in the BB.

The flop comes 7♣ K♦ J♦ as all check. The turn is the Q♦ and Shen leads out for 18,000 but gets raised to 45,000 by Jian as Min, the original raiser, folds. Shen takes his time and consumes three Time Bank cards in making his decision and ultimately folds.

Player	Chips
JH Jian Hui GiamSingapore	164,000(33 BB)
JH Ji Hyun MinSouth Korea	76,000(15 BB)
SX Shen XianchaoChina	50,000(10 BB)

SMPSMP

10/27/2024, 4:03:20 AM

Red Dragon final day commences

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Cards are in the air for the Red Dragon finale! All 60 players remaining are now guaranteed Php115,000 (~US$1,965).

Live updates begin at 12pm....