Okada Kickoff (16,500 PHP)

The last flight pushed the prize pool even higher, adding 119 more entries to the total. According to the screens, the pot swelled to over ₱8.8 Million, nearly three times the original guarantee. The ITM players were set after Paul Bennett was outkicked on the bubble by Seungduk Yang whose A♣ Q♠ dominated A♦ J♦ . Closing out Day 1, Czardy Rivera emerged as the leader, bagging a massive 585,000 (48 bb). He will enter Day 2 at the top of the list.

Let the games begin! Okada Manila opens its doors today, July 23, for the 16th edition of the Asia Pacific Poker Tour, set to take place at the stunning Cove Manila. Igniting the action is the Okada Kickoff, a staple in the annual APPT Manila lineup. This is a perfect way to warm up and build up a bankroll with a guaranteed ₱3,000,000 (~USD 52,500) prize pool offered. To enter, buy-in is ₱16,500 (~USD 300).

There will be three flights running today with Flight A setting the pace starting at 1pm. This is followed by Flight B at 5pm, then Flight C (Turbo) at 9pm. The first two flights will see blinds escalate every 25 minutes and the turbo at a faster 15 minutes.

Starting stack is 30,000 which is equivalent to 150 big blinds at the opening round. Registration closes at the end of Level 10. The absolute latest to jump in this event is at 23:50.

Somuchpoker will track stacks and provide action-hands throughout the flights so check back from time to time.