Blind level
Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000
Entries
10/61
Total Chips
1,830,000
Average
183,000

Flight A

TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 5:21:48 PM

Sungheon Hong Sets The Pace As Flight A Wraps Up

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000
Sungheon Hong - Flight A chip leader

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.

PlayerChips
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
387,000(77 BB)
MS
Maxim SorokinRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
320,000(64 BB)
AR
Anton RubtsovRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
285,000(57 BB)
BM
Bien MaiViet Nam [VNM]Viet Nam
264,000(53 BB)
194,000(39 BB)
RM
191,000(38 BB)
73,000(15 BB)
AV
62,000(12 BB)
55,000(11 BB)
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 5:04:37 PM

Anton Rubtsov Shows The Set

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

With 5 5 in the hole, Anton Rubtsov opens 10,000 and finds one customer in big blind Sungheon Hong. The flop runs 6 A 5 , giving Rubtsov a set. He c-bets 10,000, only to face a check-raise to 22,000 from Hong. Rubtsov just calls.


The 8 lands on the turn, and this time Hong leads out for 45,000. Rubtsov stays the course with another call to complete the board with the A river. Hong tanks while playing with his chips then opts to check. Rubtsov tanks back before jamming. Hong tanks again then releases his hand, for Rubtsov to scoop the pot. A a friendly gesture, Rubtsov shows his set.

PlayerChips
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
400,000(80 BB)
AR
Anton RubtsovRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
300,000(60 BB)
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 4:27:46 PM

Karan Sitlani Doubles Up

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

All in preflop.

PlayerHandChips
JJ
UTG
140,000(35 BB)
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
A9
HJ
370,000(93 BB)
Board:JK37K
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 2:09:50 PM

Table 4 Chip Counts

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000
PlayerChipsTableSeat
131,000(44 BB)41
RM
188,500(63 BB)44
MD
Max DevesonUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
117,000(39 BB)44
81,000(27 BB)45
109,500(37 BB)46
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
327,000(109 BB)47
IV
Igor VakhnenkoRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
50,000(17 BB)48
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 2:07:30 PM

Chip Counts

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000
PlayerChips
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
327,000(109 BB)
RM
188,500(63 BB)
BM
Bien MaiViet Nam [VNM]Viet Nam
179,500(60 BB)
146,000(49 BB)
AR
Anton RubtsovRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
145,500(49 BB)
AV
133,500(45 BB)
131,000(44 BB)
MD
Max DevesonUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
117,000(39 BB)
109,500(37 BB)
83,000(28 BB)
81,000(27 BB)
71,000(24 BB)
MS
Maxim SorokinRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
68,000(23 BB)
IV
Igor VakhnenkoRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
50,000(17 BB)
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 1:37:59 PM

Chip Counts

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500
PlayerChips
BM
Bien MaiViet Nam [VNM]Viet Nam
201,000(80 BB)
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
148,000(59 BB)
AV
119,000(48 BB)
111,000(44 BB)
108,000(43 BB)
IV
Igor VakhnenkoRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
70,000(28 BB)
MD
Max DevesonUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
70,000(28 BB)
AR
Anton RubtsovRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
67,000(27 BB)
58,000(23 BB)
JM
Joseph MagnottiUnited States of America [USA]United States of America
52,000(21 BB)
MS
Maxim SorokinRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
38,000(15 BB)
22,500(9 BB)
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 12:56:20 PM

Debals Survives Another Three-Way

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Perfect timing for Dorian Debals to pick up aces which he shoves that finds two callers Amit Kaushik and Sungheon Hong. Both players checked down the board. Debals rockets stand for another triple up.

PlayerHandChips
AA
D
33,500(17 BB)
KJ
CO
133,500(67 BB)
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
T9
MP
167,000(84 BB)
Board:9438Q
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 12:43:39 PM

Dorian Debals Survives But Still In Danger

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Dorian Debals is all in for his last 3 bb and needs to get past Amit Kaushik and Sungheon Hong to stay in the game. At the flop 2 4 9 , Kaushik bets 2500 for a side pot and Hong makes it happen. The turn Q is checked down then Kaushik fuels the side pot 7000 more on the river 5 . This time Hong passes.


Kaushik wins the side pot and shows K T , Debals has T 9 for a triple up with his pair.

PlayerChips
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
163,000(109 BB)
146,000(97 BB)
14,500(10 BB)
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 12:29:53 PM

Four Bet Push Works For Karatayeu

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500
Ivan Karatayeu

Ivan Karatayeu raises to 3000, Sungheon Hong three-bets 8000, Karatayeu answers with a four-bet jam totaling 35,500 and wins the pot without further challenge.

PlayerChips
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
206,000(137 BB)
46,500(31 BB)
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 12:26:22 PM

APPT Champion Kicked Out

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500
Chao Ting Cheng

The 2023 APPT Cambodia Main Event, Taiwan's Chao Ting Cheng, was eliminated holding King-Jack that couldn't get by Sungheon Hong who not only had a larger stack but also the bigger kicker with Ace-King.

PlayerChips
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
214,000(143 BB)
busted
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 12:11:26 PM

Top Stacks At The New Level

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500
PlayerChips
BM
Bien MaiViet Nam [VNM]Viet Nam
200,000(133 BB)
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
165,000(110 BB)
161,000(107 BB)
152,000(101 BB)
126,500(84 BB)
112,000(75 BB)
99,000(66 BB)
86,500(58 BB)
IV
Igor VakhnenkoRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
70,000(47 BB)
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 11:40:01 AM

Table 5 Update

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200
PlayerChipsTableSeat
BM
Bien MaiViet Nam [VNM]Viet Nam
135,000(113 BB)51
25,000(21 BB)54
42,600(36 BB)55
AR
Anton RubtsovRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
36,600(31 BB)56
PS
36,300(30 BB)57
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
142,500(119 BB)58
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 10:55:16 AM

Big Stacks

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200
PlayerChips
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
166,000(138 BB)
145,000(121 BB)
MT
131,000(109 BB)
130,000(108 BB)
BM
Bien MaiViet Nam [VNM]Viet Nam
124,000(103 BB)
RM
74,800(62 BB)
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 10:00:46 AM

Short Stacked Lapp Doubles Up

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Short-stacked Sebastien Lapp with just 7,500 moves all in after picking up a pocket pair. Sungheon Hong, sitting comfortably with a big stack, has an ace and makes the easy call to put Lapp at risk.


Upon showing, it's a classic flip. Lapp is ahead and improves to a set however he is not out of the woods yet with a flush draw for Hong on the turn. Luckily for Lapp, it doesn't materialize on the river to collect a double up.

PlayerHandChips
55
CO
17,500(18 BB)
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
AT
D
157,000(157 BB)
Board:6543J
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 9:50:27 AM

Mai Gets Value For The Flush

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Bien Mai picks up K T under the gun and raises 2000. Both blinds - Sebastien Lapp and Sungheon Hong - call for a three-way to the flop T 2 7 . Mai is given the go-ahead and bets 3500, only Lapp continues to the turn 9 where both check. On the river 2 , Mai's top pair improves to a flush. He jumps out with a 15,000 bet, Lapp calls then mucks after seeing Mai’s hand.

PlayerChips
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
165,000(165 BB)
BM
Bien MaiViet Nam [VNM]Viet Nam
65,200(65 BB)
7,600(8 BB)
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 8:45:14 AM

Table 5 Update

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600
PlayerChipsTableSeat
BM
Bien MaiViet Nam [VNM]Viet Nam
44,800(75 BB)51
9,000(15 BB)52
29,000(48 BB)53
SB
Simon BakerUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
17,000(28 BB)54
35,700(60 BB)55
37,500(63 BB)56
21,000(35 BB)57
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
75,000(125 BB)58
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 8:15:41 AM

Baba's Semi Bluff Wins The Pot

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Sungheon Hong and David Yojiro Baba stare down a flop T Q 8 with 6000 already in the pot. Acting first, Hong leads out 3000 and Baba calls. The turn 9 sees Hong fire another 3000 bet and once again Baba calls to take them to the river 3 . Hong slows down with a check, Baba switches up and bets 2500, and after a brief pause, Hong calls only to muck when Baba reveals A J ace-high.

PlayerChips
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
82,000(164 BB)
32,000(64 BB)
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 7:57:38 AM

Big Stacks At The New Level

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500
PlayerChips
90,300(181 BB)
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
83,000(166 BB)
JS
Jung Su KimKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
78,600(157 BB)
78,200(156 BB)
RA
Ronald Ashley LaneUnited States of America [USA]United States of America
65,000(130 BB)
JM
Joseph MagnottiUnited States of America [USA]United States of America
44,000(88 BB)
39,300(79 BB)
BM
Bien MaiViet Nam [VNM]Viet Nam
31,100(62 BB)
29,000(58 BB)
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 7:25:32 AM

Table 5 Update

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400
PlayerChipsTableSeat
ND
20,100(50 BB)52
YL
Yao LiuAustria [AUT]Austria
22,500(56 BB)53
SB
Simon BakerUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
28,600(72 BB)54
QT
63,900(160 BB)55
32,900(82 BB)56
JS
Jung Su KimKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
37,800(95 BB)57
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
53,600(134 BB)58
TriciaTricia
5/5/2025, 7:03:39 AM

River Pressure Earns Hong The Pot

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300
Sungheon Hong

Sungheon Hong and Nuno Da Silva Alves called a raise to 800 from Jung Su Kim to see a flop of A 7 4 . Kim fired a 1100 c-bet, prompting Alves to fold while Hong made the call.


On the 7 turn, Kim tapped the brakes with a check, and Hong took the option to bet 2,500. Kim called, leading to the 5 river. Kim then led out for 3,500, but Hong came over the top with a raise to 11,200. The pressure was enough for Kim to release his hand, and Hong dragged in the pot.

PlayerChips
JS
Jung Su KimKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
68,000(227 BB)
SH
Sungheon HongKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
30,000(100 BB)
ND
30,000(100 BB)