APT Main Event (36,000,000 VND)

With only a quarter of his starting stack remaining, Nguyen Tan Phuong needed a double-up to stay alive in the tournament.

Phuong opened under-the-gun for 900 and was called by Bharti Harsh in the big blind. The flop came down 2♣ 9♠ 2♠ .

Phuong checked to Harsh, who bet 300. Phuong called, and both players checked the K♦ turn. On the river, the 6♦ fell, and Phuong let Harsh lead out with a 1,200-chip bet.

Phuong then raised to 4,900. Harsh called, only to see Phuong reveal a boat—three deuces and two sixes—crushing Harsh’s hand. Harsh mucked, and Phuong scooped the pot with a smile.

A couple of hands later, Dinh Tien Thanh opened to 700 in middle position and received three calls—Harsh on the button, Nguyen Tan Phuong in the small blind, and Mikael Andersson in the big blind.

The flop came down 2♥ 6♦ 4♠ . Phuong led out for 1,900, and Andersson called, while Harsh and Thanh folded, leaving the blinds heads-up.

The turn brought the T♣ , and Phuong fired again, this time for 2,200. Andersson raised to 40,000, putting Phuong’s remaining stack at risk and forcing him to go all-in.

Nguyen Tan Phuong: 8♠ 8♦

Mikael Andersson: 5♥ 4♦

The river came down 6♠ , giving both players two-pair. However, Phuong’s eights topped Andersson’s fours, earning him the pot and a crucial double-up. With this boost, Phuong now had enough chips to continue building his stack and stay in the tournament longer.