APT Main Event (36,000,000 VND)

Jinlong Hu of China emerged victorious in the VND 36,000,000 APT Phu Quoc Main Event, taking home VND 4,710,000,000 ($185,430). He outlasted a field of 795 entries (400 unique), dominating the heads-up match against South Korea’s Junseok Oh. With a 5:1 chip lead, Hu quickly sealed the win, while Oh earned VND 2,865,000,000 ($112,795) for his runner-up finish.

With an online bracelet and nearly USD 600,000 in live tournament earnings already to his name, Hu can now add an APT title to his growing list of accomplishments. This win not only secures his second major live tournament victory but also advances him 36 places on the China All-Time Money List, landing him at #59.

APT Host Greg Liow had a chance to speak to Hu, via the aid of a translator, after his momentous victory:

I think the biggest challenge for me is that in my previous two main event final tables, I finished at ninth and eighth, and both performances were poor. So, this time, I obviously hope to break through and challenge myself to win the championship.

I think there are two key moments for me. The first was when I made a re-jam with 10-8 suited from the big blind. There was an Indian player who opened, and I re-jammed. He snap-called with ace-king. But this hand with 10-8 suited, I had pushed it three times before, and each time I won it at the final table. So, I was confident this time as well, and I ended up winning with two pairs.

The second key moment was when my biggest competitor, David, and I both had strong hands. I opened with ace-queen suited, and he re-jammed. We were heads-up, and I called, and I won. After I won that hand, I felt that I was definitely going to win because I had a huge chip advantage, and my toughest competitor was out.

I think, firstly, the Golden Lion trophy is one of the best-looking trophies I’ve ever seen, second only to the WSOP gold bracelet. Secondly, because APT is the Asia Poker Tour, it represents the highest level of poker competition in Asia, so it holds a very special meaning for me.

Final Table Action

In just five hands, Pham Ngoc Bao from Vietnam saw himself walking towards the payout counter when his ace-jack offsuit bumped into the champion’s ace-queen suited which turned a two-pair eliminating Bao so early in the day. Bao went home with a significant ninth place cash prize of VND 352,000,000 (~$13,860).

Despite having doubled up twice, China’s Chuhao Zhang found himself in a pinch when he tried to steal the blinds on the button by jamming with ace-eight offsuit, only to be called by Vietnam’s Do Tien Vu, who won with ace-ten high. Instead of the blinds, however, Zhang was able to snatch a well-deserved reward of VND 445,000,000 (~$17,520) for finishing eighth.

Another finalist who attempted to stay in the game through several double-ups was India’s Deepankur Gupta. In a pivotal hand for the champion, Gupta went all-in with ace-king, hoping for another double-up against Hu’s ten-eight suited. Although Gupta was ahead until the flop, fortune turned against him when Hu hit a pair on the turn, eliminating him from the tournament in seventh place. Gupta walked away with VND 642,500,000 (~$25,295).

Haozhao Wang from China, struggling after being blinded out due to a lack of playable cards, was forced to shove all-in for his tournament life with jack-six offsuit. The action unfolded in a battle of the blinds against Vu, who called with king-ten offsuit. Vu paired his king on the turn, sealing Wang's fate and sending him to the payout counter to collect his sixth place prize of VND 902,500,000 (~$35,530).

David Erquiaga from the Philippines, who entered the final table as the chip leader, lost a crucial hand that shifted the chip lead to Hu. From there, a series of unfortunate exchanges followed, culminating in Erquiaga shoving all-in with pocket deuces against Hu’s ace-queen suited. Hu paired his queen on the flop, sealing Erquiaga’s fate. Erquiaga exited in fifth place, taking home VND 1,202,500,000 (~$47,340) to some time in the sun and beach.

Australia’s Minh Truong Trang defended his blind by shoving all-in with king-nine offsuit in response to Hu’s aggression. After a brief tank, Hu called with ace-eight suited and caught two-pair on the flop, making Trang another of his eliminations and widening the gap between Hu and the remaining two players. Trang exited the tournament in fourth place, earning VND 1,525,000,000 (~$60,040).

Down to three players, Hu’s lead was double the combined stack of Vu and Oh. With that ratio, it wasn’t that long before Vu became the next casualty in Hu’s felting spree.

Hu, holding queen-eight offsuit, strategically trapped Vu into believing he had a weak hand, despite hitting two-pair on the flop. Vu, taking the bait, shoved all-in with jack-ten, hoping to complete his straight draw. Missing his draw entirely, Vu exited in third place with VND 2,025,000,000 (~$79,725).

It’s heads-up! The match lasted just an hour and a half, during which Oh found himself mostly card dead. Unable to find the right spot or hand to shove, he eventually took a stand with eight-six suited against Hu’s king-seven suited. Hu’s hand held up without improvement, securing the win. Despite his elimination, this marked Oh’s biggest career achievement and a significant milestone in his poker journey.

So who won in the end? None other than Hu who took home VND 4,710,000,000 ($185,430) and a very precious APT Lion Trophy . Congratulations to all the players.

Hand #43 Minh Truong Thang on the button with A♥ K♦ shoved all-in for 2,300,000 and Haozhao Wang in big blind went into the tank holding 4♥ 4♦ but decided to fold eventually. Thang won the pot.

Hand #44 Deepankur Gupta with A♣ 5♣ in UTG +1 raised to 320,000 and won the pot.

Hand #45 Gupta raised to 320,000 under-the-gun with A♦ J♦ and won the pot.

Hand #46 Junseok Oh with 6♠ 6♦ raised to 320,000 under-the-gun and got a shove all-in for 17 big blinds by Thang, immediately to his left, holding A♦ Q♥ . Oh asked for a count and decided to muck his hand. Thang scooped the pot.

Hand #47 Jinlong Hu raised to 350,000 from early position with A♠ K♦ and didn't get any callers.

Hand #48 Do Tien Vu raised to 350,000 from the hi-jack with A♠ 3♠ and picked up the blinds.

Players are back from the break with 7 players left on the final table and Junseok Oh leading in chips.

Hand #35 Minh Truong Thang with K♠ T♠ in small blind shoved all-in for 65 big blinds and won the pot.

Hand #36 David Erquiaga with Q♠ Q♦ raised to 250,000 UTG+1 and won the pot.

Hand #37 Jinlong Hu with 6♦ 4♦ raised to 250,000 on the button and got called by Do Tien Vu with Q♥ T♦ in the big blind. The flop dropped T♠ 3♥ 2♥ . Checked to the button, Hu bet 200,000 and Vu called. The turn 6♣ was check-called by Vu again after Hu bet 420,000. The river J♣ was checked by both players and Vu won the pot.

Hand #38 Erquiaga got a walk.

Hand #25 Junseok Oh with A♣ : K♦ under-the-gun raised to 250,000 and won the pot.

Hand #26 Deepankur Gupta with J♥ 9♦ in small blind shoved all-in and won the pot.

Hand #27 Oh with A♦ 7♦ completed the blind in the small blind. Minh Truong Thang with T♦ 3♣ checked in big blind. The flop came down 3♠ A♥ 9♠ and got checked by Oh. Thang bet 200,000 and Oh called. The 8♠ turn got checked-called by Oh again after Thang bet 300,000. The river J♥ got checked by both players and Oh won the pot.

Hand #28 Jinlong Hu got a walk

Hand #29 Oh with 3♥ 3♣ raised 250,000 in cut-off and won the pot

Hand #18 Jinlong Hu with Q♠ J♥ raised to 210,000 in middle position and got called by Junseok Oh with J♦ 9♦ in the big blind. The flop dropped T♣ 6♦ 5♣ . Action passed to Hu who bet 375,000 and won the pot.

Hand #19 Deepankur Gupta raised to 240,000 with A♥ 7♠ : on the button. Junseok Oh with A♠ K♣ in small blind three-bet to 650,000. With action back to the button, Gupta four-bet to 1,200,000. Oh jammed all-in and Gupta folded.

Hand #20 David Erquiaga with K♥ J♦ raised to 240,000 in hi-jack and got three-bet to 880,000 by Jinlong Hu with Q♠ Q♥ in the big blind. Erquiaga folded and Hu won the pot.

Hand #21 Do Tien Vu raised in middle position to 250,000 with 7♦ 4♦ and won the pot.

Good morning from the tropical paradise of Phu Quoc, Vietnam, where the ocean breeze and the bright sun will share its energy for this historic day in the Asian Poker Tour!

The APT Phu Quoc 2024 Main Event is set to wrap up today at the Corona Resort & Casino and crown a champion with the final table all set to take action. 795 registrants - the largest field in the APT's Phu Quoc-based tourneys - shared a dream to earn a share in the VND 25 billion (~USD 1 million) prize pool. 119 players would be awarded a piece of the prize pool pie with the biggest share of VND 4,710,000,000 (~USD 185,430) and a coveted 24-karat Gold Lion APT Trophy going to the champion.

After several days of competitive tournament poker, only 9 players remain to fight for the top prize. The Philippines' David "Spade" Erquiaga, one of the more renowned poker pros of Asia, sits as the chip leader entering the final table with 5,470,000 chips (109 BB) and looks to be on course for another major title.

South Korea's Junseok Oh comes to the final table with the second largest stack of 5,080,000 chips (102 BB). Oh makes a personal achievement as he makes his first APT final table appearance and his largest APT payout. It could also be his first championship.

China's Jinlong Hu holds the third rank with 4,740.000 chips (95BB). Hu has traveled around the world to pursue his dream of playing poker. Bagging a title in Phu Quoc can add another worthy feather to his global cap of poker achievements.

Vietnam's very own Do Tien Vu has the 4th spot with a stack of 4,630,000 (93BB). Vu recently took down Event 41: Turbo - Double Stack in this APT Phu Quoc series and hopes the win streak will also land him the Main Event title.

Minh Truong Thang of Australia is at the middle of the pack with a fifth-ranked 3,900,000 chips (78 BB) This final table appearance will mark his largest career payout.

India's Deepankur Gupta has the sixth biggest chip count with 3,380,000 chips (68BB). Gupta has had much success in live tournaments and online poker for a combined earnings of over USD 1 Million. A win here will add nicely to his portfolio.

Seventh in the chip count is China's Wang Haozhao with 2,025,000 (41 BB). Haozhao has some small cashes in live tournaments, but this one will be his biggest payday yet.

Second to the bottom is Pham Ngoc Quoc Bao of Vietnam with 1,965,000 chips (39BB). Bao did have a commanding chip lead at one point in the tournament and has the capability to bounce back. Certainly, this final table appearance wil be one of his biggest live earnings.

Chuhao Zhang of China has the shortest stack with 515,000 (10BB) and will have to play well and get lucky to keep in contention for the championship. This will be his first career cash ever.

For a more detailed look into the players, you can check out the profiles of the **APT Phu Quoc Main Event Final Table** players here.

Follow all the drama and the action at the livestream via the official APT Youtube Channel

Live updates will also be given via the APT Blog.

Meanwhile, here is the final table seating and the chip counts:

50 qualifiers of the Day 3 leg of the APT Phu Quoc Main Event returned to the tables today at the Corona Resort & Casino to play down to the last 9 players to comprise the final table for tomorrow's final day.

795 registrants punched their VND 36,000,000 (USD 1,400) buy-ins for a shot to earn a share from the VND 25,000,000,000 (USD 1 Million) guaranteed prize pool. 119 made ITM on Day 2 with all players jockeying for a better spot up the payout ladder until 50 remained.

Today, those 50 went into another intense session of nearly 10 hours of poker action until the final table of 9 was reached.

The elimination of Dongyeol Choi in 10th place officially ended the day with "The Final Table 9" bagging up their chips for tomorrow's final day. All 9 who return will be locked in for a payout of at least VND 352,000,000 (USD 13,860). But, of course, the fight will be for the APT Main Event grand prize of VND 4,710,000,000 (USD 185,430) and the coveted Golden Lion APT Trophy.

Leading the final table with the biggest chip stack is David "Spade" Erquiaga of the Philippines with 5,470,000 chips. Erquiaga earned most his chips by making some key eliminations leading up to the final 9. Erquiaga has won several APT titles and other prestigious hardware to amass a total live earnings of nearly USD 1.8 Million. However, he has yet to win an APT Main Event. Maybe this time's the time.

Junseok Oh of South Korea bagged the second largest count with 5,080,000. Oh earned his way to the second spot by winning huge pots like the straight he had over Jinlong Hu. Oh has capped some nice championships and earned over USD 800,000 from live tournaments, but has yet to bag an APT trophy.

China's Jinlong Hu has the third top-stack with 4,470,000 chips. Hu moved up the ranks when he took all the chips of Kyosuke Nagami . Hu has been traveling around the world to play poker and has won some APT events in the past. Hu's Main Event final table appearance will catapult his earnings to over USD 600,000, and even more if he wins it all.

Some of the Day 3 hopefuls who were considered favorites to make it to the final included the likes of Dylan Foster, who unfortunately ran into a case of bad timing and settled for a 34th place finish.

Kyosuke Nagami of Japan had a great run, even making the day's best hand with a straight flush to make him a chip leader at one point, but was stopped short in 11th place.

David Mann of Canada had some brilliant moments to make a comeback, but ended his run in 17th place.

Day 2 chip leader Xuan Thieu Nghiem of Vietnam didn't find the momentum he had in the previous day and was eventually taken out by Erquiaga at 22nd.

Bracelet holder Motoyoshi Okamura of Japan was a top contender, but had to settle for a 14th place payout.

The APT Main Event Final Table continues tomorrow at 11AM and will play until a Main Event champion raises the APT Golden Lion Trophy. There are strict rules that will prevent any ICM deals, so the action is expected to be very competitive.

Meanwhile, here are the Final Table Chip Counts:

Action folded to the blinds with small blind Wang Haozhao raising to 240,000 with A♦ Q♠ . Big blind Deepankur Gupta defended with Q♣ J♥ .

Both players were given a flop of K♥ 2♥ 4♣ .

Haozhao led with 160,000 and Gupta called to open a Q♥ fall on the turn.

Both players had made a pair, but Haozhao had the better kicker and Gupta picked up a flush draw.

Haozhao fired a second barrel of 300,000 with Gupta just calling behind.

The river came 7♣ and both were satisfied with the pot to check it down.

Haozhao showed the better kicker and Gupta mucked.

Action was picked up with Dinh Tien Thanh open-jamming all-in for 520,000 in the hijack for his tournament life, and Deepankur Gupta called from the small blind.

Dinh Tien Thanh: A♠ 3♦

Deepankur Gupta: K♦ K♣

Thanh hit a pair on the flop K♥ A♣ 2♣ , but Gupta caught a set, evoking an exasperated groan from Thanh. He immediately stood up, seemingly resigned to his fate.

The turn K♠ only worsened Thanh’s situation, giving Gupta quads and effectively sealing Thanh's elimination.

The inconsequential river 4♠ was dealt, confirming his exit from the tournament.

The APT Main Event featured table usually changes its players after every break, but it seems like the big wigs from behind-the-scenes enjoyed their performance so much that they've kept their characters on for a second episode.

Featured Table Chip Counts:

Lights! Camera! Action!

Deepankur Gupta raised to 50,000 from middle position, and both Junseok Oh and Motoyoshi Okamura called from the small and big blinds, respectively.

The dealer revealed the flop: 9♦ 5♣ 6♥ — a relatively dry board, which all players checked. But things quickly escalated on the turn, 5♥ . Oh checked, and Okamura took the initiative, firing 65,000 into the pot. Gupta folded, but Oh cranked up the pressure with a substantial raise to 165,000. Okamura, after some thought, made the call.

The river brought the A♠ , and with the pot growing, Oh wasted no time, shoving 300,000 into the middle. Okamura, feeling the heat, could only let his hand go, conceding the pot to Oh in a fierce display of aggression.

Mincong Chen opened from middle-position and Deepankur Gupta two seats over three-bet to 75,000. Chun Liu in the cut-off cold-calls and they went heads-up to the flop which came down Q♠ J♣ 7♦ .

Gupta bet 50,000 to which Liu responded with a raise to 120,000. Gupta called and the turn brought the A♦ . Liu bet 120,000, and additionally to his raise, he added a whole bunch of trash-talk. Gupta was in a tough spot, he used multiple time banks before eventually folding. Liu let Gupta open his hand. It was revealed Liu had A♥ A♠ .

Day 2 of the APT Phu Quoc Main Event starts today at 11 am local time.

From the 753 total entries accumulated across all four Day 1 flights, 292 players will return to the field, though this number may shift as registration remains open until the start of Day 2.

Leading the pack is overall chip leader Jinlong Hu with 476,600 chips – the largest stack ever brought into Day 2. Close behind is Do Tien Vu, holding 447,800 chips. Nang Quang Nguyen, the 2023 APT Phu Quoc Super High Roller Champion, is in 5th place with 323,000.

A host of APT titleholders have also qualified to join Nguyen in today’s competition. Among this prestigious group are Taiwan’s Chi Jen “Justin” Chu (147,300), APT China’s Peng Chen (144,500), France’s Adrien Favre (122,500), Singapore's The Naing (139,500), and Australia's Yita Choong (121,000).

Some notables who will need to climb back from below-average stacks include South Korea’s Gab Yong Kim (97,600), Cypriot bracelet winner Georgios Skarparis (97,100), Sweden's Mikael Andersson (88,800), Natalia Rozova (61,700), and the Philippines' David Erquiaga (43,800).

Players will compete over 10 levels of 60 minutes each, or until the field is reduced to 48 players, whichever comes first.

Once registration closes, the total number of entries will be finalized, and the payout structure will be announced on the APT blog.

The top ten stacks heading into Day 2 are listed below:

A full seat draw for Day 2 is available by CLICKING HERE.

Today promises a riveting day of poker, so stay tuned for updates.

A feature table will be streamed live (with a 30-minute delay) and can be accessed via APT social media channels or the links below.

YouTube



Twitch

Flight A of VND 36,000,000 APT Main Event has concluded with 189 entries (142 unique) generated following ten 60-minute levels, with only 70 hopefuls successfully bagging up their chips and moving on to Day 2 on Thursday, Nov. 14th.

India’s Deepankur Gupta sits at the top of the leaderboard after navigating the day’s play and accumulating 307,800 chips, maintaining his momentum from an early level with strategic moves, including a key shove holding an eight.

The one close behind is Vietnam’s Dong Van Tan, an APT regular, who has also amassed a healthy stack of 290,500 for Day 2. Nguyen Trung Quan, winner of the 2023 APT Phu Quoc Super High Roller, has likewise maneuvered his way into a stellar position with 243,900 chips.

After grabbing the title of the 2024 APT Jeju Super Hyper Turbo – Win The Button, Philippines’ Charles Pansoy (226,800) is not going to let go of the chance to add another trophy to his record. He kept his ambition high and claimed yet another elimination by going all in with his pocket fours against Jennifer Cassel’s ace-deuce.

Motoyoshi Okamura (134,800), the 2022 APT Korea Incheon High Rollers champion, scored a thrilling double-up at the end of the last level, with his jack-nine blossoming into quads by the end of the hand.

Other notables to managed it to Day 2 include Taiwan’s Chi Jen “Justin” Chu (147,300), China’s Peng Chen (144,500), France’s Adrien Favre (122,500), and South Korea’s Gab Yong Kim (97,600).

TOP TEN FLIGHT A CHIP COUNTS

To view the full Flight A survivors click HERE.

Join us for highlighted coverage of Flight B tomorrow, beginning at 11:00am local time (GMT+7), with six faster 45-minute levels from Levels 1 through 6, followed by four 60-minute levels from Levels 7 through 10.

Deepankur Gupta raised to 1,200 from under the gun and Yulin Li called from the small blind.

On the flop of T♥ K♥ 5♠ , bringing flush draw possibilities, Li checked it over and Gupta sent another 1,200.

The 4♣ landed on the turn, and the action went check-check. An 8♣ dropped on the river, where Li bet 4,200, forcing Gupta to fold the hand.

Deepankur Gupta opened the button to 800 and Pearce Shane called from the small blind.

Both read the A♦ 8♠ J♠ flop, and Shane checked the action to Gupta, who then bet 800. Shane stuck around.

The 3♦ hit on the turn, where Shane checked over again and Gupta fired 5,000, sending Shane into the tank. After over 1 minute, Shane open mucked his pocket sevens, and Gupta friendly showed an A♠ for a flopped pair.

Deepankur Gupta raised to 500 from under the gun, and Bui Anh three-bet to 1,800. Gupta made the call.

On the flop of 7♠ J♦ 5♥ , Anh bet 2,800 and Gupta snap-called to see the 9♣ hit on the turn, where the action went check-check.

An A♦ delivered on the river, and Anh bet 4,900. However, this didn’t deter Gupta from shoving all-in for 33,500, sending Anh into the tank. After some time, Anh threw his cards into the muck. Gupta was friendly enough to show the 8♦ as he collected the pot. Anh asked, 'Eight-ten?' Gupta just smiled.