APPT National ($1,000)

Flight A of the APPT National concluded at ITM of nine players led by Korea's Sungheon Hong with a stack of 387,000 (77 bb), setting the bar for the next flights. Hong was a dominant presence throughout, climbing to the top early and never once facing elimination. One of his key knockouts came after registration closed, when his AK out-kicked 2023 APPT Cambodia Main Event champion Chao Ting Cheng’s KJ.

The nine survivors now enjoy a day’s break before returning on Wednesday, May 7 for the next stage of the tournament. All are guaranteed a piece of the prize pool, which is on pace to smash its $150,000 guarantee.

Still to come are Flight B and Flight C (Turbo), offering the last opportunities to join the race for the first PokerStars shard trophy of the 2025 APPT season.

It was a battle of the blinds as action folded around to Adrien Berger, who bumped it up to 12,000 from the small blind. Anton Rubtsov defended from the big blind, and the two saw a flop of A♣ K♦ 9♠ . Berger continued with 6,000, and Rubtsov called. The action slowed on the turn A♦ and river T♣ with both players checking it down. Berger revealed J♦ 9♥ for two pair, which was good to scoop the pot.

Following a raise from Max Deveson of 8000, Adrien Berger three-bets 18,000. Deveson defends his bet and calls to head to the flop K♠ 8♣ K♥ . Berger continues for 11,000, Deveson check-calls. Another 34,000 from Berger on the turn 6♦ , and this time Deveson surrenders his hand instead.

Adrien Berger raises 6000 from cutoff and big blind Bien Mai calls. No bets come on the flop 7♠ 9♣ 5♠ for a free turn 6♣ . Mai test-bets 5500 and Berger calls to complete the board with the 4♥ . Mai returns to checking, Berger shoves for 65,5000, Mai calls and shows A♣ 8♦ straight, Berger takes it down with T♣ 8♣ higher straight.

Adrien Berger makes it 9000 to play, and from hijack, Anton Rubtsov gives him some action. At the flop 9♣ K♥ 3♦ , Berger checks, Rubtsov test-bets 3000 and Berger calls. Another check from Berger on the turn 9♥ sees an 8000 bet from Rubtsov. This time Berger raises 24,000, Rubtsov doesn't budge and calls to take the fight to the river T♦ . Berger changes up and leads out with a big jam of 125,500, Rubtsov is well covered and let's go of his hand.

Action heavy preflop opens with a 3000 cutoff raise from Bien Mai that's met with a three-bet of 12,000 from small blind Armon Van Wijk. Action moves to big blind Adrien Berger who defends with a four-bet of 28,000, Mai and Wijk let go of their hands.