APPT National ($1,000)

The 4th Annual APPT Cambodia taking place at NagaWorld in Phnom Penh, concluded its second of three flights to its featured APPT National with 179 runners added to the 61 Flight A entries to crack the $150K guarantee with another flight yet to complete.

When the bubble burst, Vietnam’s Manh Tuong Ha emerged as chip leader among the final 27 players, bagging a commanding 516,000. Ha climbed steadily throughout the day, capitalizing on short stacks at his table to claim the top spot in the Day 2 cumulative counts.

Hot on his heels was Mystery Bounty crusher Hao Lin, who kept the momentum going with a 497,000 stack. Also advancing with healthy stacks were notables Donghyup Kim — last year’s APPT Cambodia Main Event runner-up — and 2023 APPT Manila Main Event champion Yuanning Wu.

Players return to action on Wednesday, May 7 at 11:30am for the next stage in the chase for the title. Each one is now guaranteed a payout, easing the pressure as they continue their climb.

By the time the flop comes K♦ Q♥ 8♦ , the pot had grown to 30,000 with Adam Lydford and Ngo Khoa Anh looking to snatch it up. Ngo overbet 36,000 and was still denied the pot with Lydford calling but on the turn 4♦ , Ngo's 40,000 bet is enough to induce a fold.

With around 20,000 already brewed and a flop showing K♣ 3♦ 7♦ , Jean Testa rips it all in from the big blind, putting Adam Lydford to the test. A♠ Lydford ponders the call, he tries to extract information, engaging Testa in table talk.

With a grin, Testa replies, “I don’t understand English,” drawing laughter from everyone. “I think you have a set,” Lydford guesses aloud. But Testa remains unreadable. In the end, Lydford opts to fold, and Testa kindly shows AK top pair. Lydford returns the gesture showing KQ.

Xin Yuan opens from the cutoff with 5♦ 3♦ and tries to steal the pot, but big blind Adam Lydford wakes up with A♥ K♥ and three-bets. Yuan calls and flops a straight on 4♠ 6♥ 7♠ . Lydford fires a c-bet and gets raised by Yuan, Lydford calls.

More action on the turn 7♥ with Lydford check-calling his nut flush draw which lands on the river 8♥ . Lydford checks a third time and Yuan shoves. With a covered stack of 17,700, Lydford doesn’t blink and makes the must-call to scoop up a double up.