Ultra Stack Championship (25,000 TWD)

The TWD 25,000 Ultra Stack Championship has concluded with a new champion crowned.

South Korea's Gyeongbyeong Lee outlasted a massive field of 1,867 entries (1,042 unique) to take home the TWD 6,917,200 (~USD 223,135) first place prize, the prestigious APT Lion Trophy and an APTC Main Event ticket worth TWD 311,000 (~USD 10,000).

With such an overwhelming turnout, the event built a prize pool of TWD 40,327,200 (~USD 1,300,880), more than doubling its guarantee.

Lee entered the final table with an average stack and, during four-handed play, faced a daunting 9:1 chip disadvantage against eventual runner-up Thailand's Wutikrai Phraikhieo.

After the first ICM deal attempt fell through, Lee doubled up through Phraikhieo, beginning a remarkable comeback. Using his skill and timing, he steadily chipped away at Phraikhieo’s lead.

With one more failed ICM deal attempt paving the way, Lee ran the table to seize the title outright in an unforgettable finish.

I joined so many APT events trying to win a championship, and finally in Ultrastack I won. Please congratulate me.

I was just feeling good and tried to keep my composure the whole time. I just kept focusing on the game, and I didn’t really have any big emotions. First of all, I was running really well, so I felt great. Because I was playing a bit tight, I thought my opponent might fold, so I made a smaller bet. But the opponent called, so that felt good. I was just lucky.

When there were three players left and I became the chip leader, I figured the others would play tighter because of the bubble jump. So I played aggressively, and it worked out really well, leading to a good result. I was lucky. It feels like just one step in the entire journey.

I’ve been playing poker for about ten years now, and instead of focusing on the results, I’m trying to focus more on the process. Winning the trophy of course feels great, but I’m happier knowing I worked hard

A total of 260 players returned to the felt all in the money. Eliminations piled up quickly, with several notable players making deep runs before falling short of the final table.

Among those who bowed out on the way were Punnat Punsri (37th), Kim Soobum (41st), David Erquiaga (45th), Natural8 Ambassador Hua-Wei Lin (46th), Shixiang Khoo (69th), Andrew Kelsall (84th), and Jennifer Cassell (96th).

The final table was set in Level 36, eight hours after the day began. Birger Larsen (10th) and Weicong Sng (11th) burst the final-table bubble simultaneously. Larsen’s ace-jack and Weicong’s queen-ten were no match for Lo, who covered both players and held king-five suited, rivering a flush to knock them both out.

Action immediately started the moment the players started the final table. On the very first hand American Alan Julian Jiuang, ran into Phraikhieo’s aces holding ace-three offsuit. The aces held and Jiuang exited the tournament in ninth place with a goodie bag of TWD 516,400 (~USD 16,660).

Not long after, Filipino Jan Jason Leoncio put his tournament life on the line with pocket nines against Taiwan’s Po Hao Liao, who held king-ten offsuit. Despite flopping a set, Liao went runner-runner for a straight on the river, sending Leoncio out in brutal fashion. He pocketed TWD 676,100 (~USD 21,810) for eighth place.

Pocket aces don’t show up often, but a second pair appeared when Taiwan’s Po Hao Liao ran his ace-ten offsuit into Hao Chuang’s rockets. Unable to crack the aces, Liao headed to the payout desk to collect TWD 959,000 (USD 30,935) for his seventh-place finish.

It took some time before the next elimination, but it was India’s Asish Kumar Ghosh. After losing his stack in a previous hand with Lo, Ghosh found himself short and shoved king-nine offsuit into Phraikhieo’s ten-eight suited, which improved to a full house. Ghosh didn’t leave empty-handed, earning TWD 1,254,500 (~USD 40,470) for his sixth place finish.

Homegrown Hao Chuang exited shortly after Ghosh when his ace-king offsuit couldn’t overcome Phraikhieo’s pocket deuces. Hot on Ghosh’s heels to the payout counter, Chuang collected TWD 1,564,600 (~USD 50,470) for 5th place.

Down to four players, Wai Kit Lo from Hong Kong found himself in a tough spot in the battle of the blinds calling Lee's eight-four suited with king-nine offsuit. Lee flopped a flush, winning the hand and sending Lo home with TWD 1,927,700 (~USD 62,180) for a fourth place finish.

Thai national Teeraphat Rangkatekarn became the next casualty. Rangkatekarn made a stand with queen-three offsuit, calling Lee’s shove with king-deuce suited, which proved enough to send him out in third place. He collected TWD 2,665,400 (~USD 85,980).

After countless clashes between the champion and Phraikhieo, it all came down to one final hand in heads-up.

Lee shoved all-in with seven-four suited, and Phraikhieo snap-called with five-three offsuit. The flop delivered a flush for Lee, sealing the championship and ending Phraikhieo’s incredible run in second place with TWD 3,831,000 (~USD 123,580).

A rollercoaster of chips, tension, and heart-stopping action finally crowned a champion. Congratulations to all!

Korea's Gyeongbyeong Lee Wins the TWD 25,000 Ultra Stack Championship for TWD 6,917,200 (~USD 223,135)

Stay tuned for a full recap of the day.

Immediately after Teeraphat Rangkatekarn was eliminated, Wutikrai Phraikhieo awkwardly asked Gyeongbyeong Lee if he wanted to deal. This got a laugh from Lee who pointed to his enormous stack.

The first heads-up hand was then dealt. Lee quickly shoved and Phraikhieo called. When they showed, both had low cards with Lee still ahead.

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: 5♣ 3♠

Gyeongbyeong Lee: 7♣ 4♣

The first three cards A♣ 3♣ T♣ all but sealed it as Lee completed a flush. With the turn 7♦ it was all over for Phraikhieo as the meaningless river A♦ was dealt.

With both of his opponents in survival mode, Gyeongbyeong Lee muscled with his massive stack. Teeraphat Rangkatekarn finally took the risk and was behind at the showdown.

Teeraphat Rangkatekarn: Q♦ 3♣

Gyeongbyeong Lee: K♥ 2♥

Rangkatekarn had hope with live cards however board refused to heed his call, coming down 7♣ 7♥ 8♣ 5♠ 4♣ to end his bid for the title in 3rd place.

After a bunch of raises that found no callers, and some walks, Wutikrai Phraikhieo and Teeraphat Rangkatekarn went head-to-head twice for all of their chips.

The first hand was a three-bet push all-in from Phraikhieo with 27,000,000, Rangkatekarn had exactly the same amount and called. When they showed, both had ace-rag that led to a split pot.

The next one was a lot more exciting. Phraikhieo jammed for 28,000,000, Rangkatekarn called with less for 23,000,000.

Teeraphat Rangkatekarn: 8♣ 8♠

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: A♥ K♠

This time it was a flip with Rangkatekarn needing his pair to hold. With the board running T♣ 9♦ 4♦ Q♣ 7♣ , he did just that as Phraikhieo plunged to less than two big blinds.

On the next hand, Phraikhieo was on the big blind and was forced all-in. He tripled up to 11,000,000. Still three players remaining.

Wutikrai Phraikhieo, after being left as the short stacked moved all in from the button for his last 9,500,000 and was looked up by Gyeongbyeong Lee.

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: Q♣ 4♦

Gyeongbyeong Lee: A♣ 6♣

The flop from heaven came for Phraikhieo of 5♣ 7♠ Q♥ to soar him into the lead, and he just needed to dodge an ace to get a double up. The turn brought the 7♦ and when the river bricked out with the 6♥ Phraikhieo got a full double up and more.

Two hands later, Phraikhieo again moved all in and was now looked up by Teeraphat Rangkatekarn.

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: Q♠ 7♥

Teeraphat Rangkatekarn: 2♣ 2♠

Another miracle flop came for Phraikhieo of 7♠ 4♣ 4♠ and now he just needed to dodge a deuce for another double up. The Q♦ came on the turn, and when the 4♦ dropped on the river, the pot was sent to Phraikhieo.

The final three players are on a 15-minute break. Here are the chip counts.

No deal was arranged at the second attempt and play has now resumed.

Play has been paused again for the remaining three players to discuss the numbers again.

Wutikrai Phraikhieo made it 4,800,000 to play from the button and Gyeongbyeong Lee made the call from the big blind.

The flop came 3♣ T♣ J♣ and the action went check-check.

The turn brought the T♦ and Lee led out for 5,500,000. Phraikhieo made the call.

The dealer peeled off the Q♠ as the river and Lee pushed out a bet of 13,000,000. Phraikhieo tossed in two time banks before he made the call and sent his cards into the muck when Lee tabled T♥ 2♥ for turned trips and was pushed the monster pot to take over the chip lead.

Before Wai Kit Lo entered the final table he was running red-hot, knocking out multiple players to set up the final table. But unlike the rush he experienced, the momentum went on a full halt at the final table that by four-handed, his final hand was dealt.

From the small blind Gyeongbyeong Lee jammed, Lo gave it a moment's thought then called for his tournament life.

Wai Kit Lo: K♦ 9♥

Gyeongbyeong Lee: 8♣ 4♣

When the cards were on their backs, Lo was ahead until the all-club flop distinguished all of his hopes as the board ran out 2♣ Q♣ 3♣ J♣ 3♦ .

After several hands with barely any action, another head-on collision between Wutikrai Phraikhieo and Gyeongbyeong Lee ensued.

Phraikhieo kicked it off with a raise then called Lee's 27,500,000 shove.

Gyeongbyeong Lee: Q♦ J♦

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: A♥ T♥

Lee was behind but his cards were live. The flop quickly granted a pair and with the board filling out J♣ 7♦ 2♥ 4♠ 6♦ , Lee doubled up.

Wai Kit Lo in the big blind, with 17,000,000 behind, instantly called when Wutikrai Phraikhieo shoved from cutoff. The two players went to showdown with Lo at risk.

Wai Kit Lo: A♠ A♣

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: K♥ J♥

Lo shot to his feet and started recording as the flop rolled out Q♥ 3♠ 2♥ . With Phraikhieo picking up a flush draw, Lo groaned, bracing for the turn and river and hoping his aces wouldn’t get cracked. To his huge relief, the runout 9♣ 8♠ kept him safe and gave him a much-needed boost to his stack.

After Wai Kit Lo opened with a min-raise, big blind Teeraphat Rangkatekarn three-bet all-in for a total of 16,100,000, and Lo wasted no time tossing in the one-chip call.

Teeraphat Rangkatekarn: A♦ 3♦

Wai Kit Lo: Q♦ Q♥

Rangkatekarn was in bad shape with only the ace to as his best bet and it proved its worth when the board ran out A♣ T♠ 7♦ A♠ 4♣ for a dominating trips to stay in the game.

Wutikrai Phraikhieo moved all in from the button and he had both blinds covered.

Gyeongbyeong Lee squeezed his cards in the big blind and snap-called.

Gyeongbyeong Lee: T♣ T♦

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: K♥ 9♣

The Q♥ J♣ 5♥ flop gave Lee some additional outs to dodge but the 8♣ turn was not one of them and when the river bricked out with the 2♥ Lee was pushed the pot for a full double up.

Players are back on the felt with no ICM deal.

Play has been paused so that the remaining four players can look at ICM numbers and the possibility of a deal being made.

Wutikrai Phraikhieo shoved all-in under the gun for more than 90,000,000 chips and Hao Chuang called putting himself at risk.

Hao Chuang: A♦ K♦

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: 2♥ 2♦

Chuang was hoping for a double up by hitting the board with his over cards but the board ran 6♠ 3♠ 3♦ 9♦ 8♠ . With no ace on the board, Phraikhieo deuces ending Chuang deep run instantaneously.

After losing an all-in showdown against Wai Kit Lo, it was Asish Kumar Ghosh's turn to be in danger when his shove for 10,700,0090 was called by the massive stacked Wutikrai Phraikhieo.

Asish Kumar Ghosh: K♣ 9♦

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: T♦ 8♦

The board showered Phraikhieo with all his needs running 9♠ 8♦ T♥ T♠ Q♠ to knock out Ghosh in 6th place.

Wai Kit Lo was down to just 15,000,000 when he shoved, big blind Asish Kumar Ghosh defended to put Lo on the ropes.

Wai Kit Lo: A♠ 5♦

Asish Kumar Ghosh: K♥ J♣

The board ran out 8♥ 3♥ 3♠ 8♦ 5♥ for a pair to Lo to double through.

Following his failed bluff, Teeraphat Rangkatekarn three-bet all-in his last 9,500,000 and faced off once more against Wutikrai Phraikhieo.

Teeraphat Rangkatekarn: A♥ K♦

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: K♠ 9♠

The flop of 2♥ 4♣ A♦ improved Rangkatekarn to top pair, and with the turn 3♣ and river 2♦ , the double-up was secured.

Wutikrai Phraikhieo is currently railroading the table with nonstop raises then catching a bluff by fellow Thai Teeraphat Rangkatekarn.

The hand opened with a raise from Phraikhieo on the button for 3,200,000, small blind Rangkatekarn and big blind Gyeongbyeong Lee both called.

On the flop Q♥ 8♠ Q♦ , Rangkatekarn took control with a lead bet of 3,500,000 that only Phraikhieo called to take the bout to fourth street.

When the dealer flipped open a 7♦ turn card, both players checked to get a free peek at the river card 2♦ where Rangkatekarn announced an over-pot bet of 20,000,000. Phraikhieo instantly tossed all of his time-banks before him and after one was spent, he hero-called.

It was the right decision with Rangkatekarn showing A♣ 4♦ bluff. Phraikhieo shipped it with T♦ T♥ .

Action folded to Hao Liao on the button, who open jammed all in. Hao Chuang sat in the big blind did not even need the count and snap-called.!

Hao Liao: A♥ T♣

Hao Chuang: A♦ A♣

No help for Liao on the J♥ T♠ 7♦ 6♥ 2♥ run out and he was sent to the rail in 7th place.

Kit Lo raised to 3,200,000 from under the gun, and action folded around to Terraphat Rangkatekarn on the button, who three-bet to 9,000,000. Lo thought for a while and four-bet all in effectively for 18,500,000 as he had Rangkatekarn covered. Rangkatekarn snap-called.

Terraphat Rangkatekarn: Q♦ T♠

Kit Lo: 9♠ 9♥

Just the flop came that Rangkatekarn was looking for in K♠ T♥ 7♣ and he soared into the lead.

The A♦ on the turn gave Lo no help and when the 8♥ bricked out on the river Rangkatekarn was sent the pot for a full double up.

Chip leader Wai Kit Lo opened with a min-raise and nearly stole the blinds and ante when big blind Gyeongbyeong Lee defended with a jam for 13,300,000.

Though he could easily afford it, Lo first contemplated then called to put Lee at risk of elimination.

Gyeongbyeong Lee: A♦ T♥

Wai Kit Lo: 7♠ 7♥

A dry flop of J♣ J♠ 3♦ was no help for Lee until the turn spiked a T♣ to give him the higher pair.

With the river 3♠ , he avoided the rail and shipped in a full double.

To Hao Liao opened to 3,400,000 and received an all-in shove from Jan Jason Leoncio for 4,000,000. Liao snap-called putting Leoncio at risk.

Jan Jason Leoncio: 9♣ 9♥

To Hao Liao: K♣ T♥

The flop came K♠ 7♥ 9♦ giving Liao top pair but it gave Leoncio a set pushing him in the lead. But Leoncio celebrated too early as the dealer peeled a 6♣ turn and a 8♣ river giving Liao a backdoor straight for the win.

First hand of the final table opened with an all-in shove of 4,300,000 from Alan Julian Jiuang at middle position and everyone folded down the round to the big blind Wutikrai Phraikhieo. He peeked at his hole cards then announced a call while simultaneously turning over the nuts.

Alan Julian Jiuang: A♦ 3♥

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: A♣ A♠

Upon seeing the aces, Jiuang called out "two, three, four!" However the board did not cooperate, instead felting 9♦ 9♠ 7♠ 8♥ 8♣ to end his run in 9th place.

After eight hours of riveting poker action the final table has been reached with Hong Kong's Wai Kit Lo leading the pack with 47,100,000 chips. Right at his heels is Asish Kumar Ghosh from India with 31,600,000. Completing the podium positions is homegrown Taiwanese Hao Chuang.

Sng Weicong open-jammed for 3,400,000 from under the gun, and after a couple of folds, action landed on small blind Wai Kit Lo who was already on a heater after winning two big pots, including the one that knocked out Lee Wee Liew. Lo responded with a raise to 8,600,000.

In the big blind, Birger Larsen double-checked his cards, stood up, then moved all-in. Lo snap-called, setting up a massive three-way showdown

Sng Weicong: Q♠ T♦

Birger Maciel Larsen: A♥ J♣

Wai Kit Lo: K♦ 5♦

The excitement continued on the flop 6♦ T♠ J♦ with everyone improving. Larsen was ahead and maintained it at the turn 3♠ but with the river 2♦ , Lo's flush materialized to deliver a double knockout.

Kit Lo made it 2,400,000 to play from early position and action folded to Lee Wee Liew in the big blind, who made the call.

The flop came 9♣ 3♣ J♣ . Liew checked to Lo, who continued for 1,200,000. Liew then moved all in and Lo had him easily covered. Lo snap called.

Lee Wee Liew: A♣ 5♦

Kit Lo: K♣ K♥

The K♦ peeled off on the turn to give Lo a set and leave Liew drawing to his flush outs. No luck on the 4♦ river and Liew was sent to the rail in 11th place.

To Hao Liao shoved all-in for 7,480,000 and when action went to the small blind Philipp Zukernik asked for a count then called putting Liao at risk.

To Hao Liao: A♠ T♠

Philipp Zukernik: K♣ Q♣

Liao was ahead and with no one hitting the board of 6♠ 8♠ 7♦ 2♥ 7♣ , Liao scored a double up and crippled Zukernik to less than a big blind.

On the following hand, Asish Kuma Ghosh in cutoff bet 2,400,000, double the big blind. Zukernik on the button called putting his tournament life on the line.

Philipp Zukernik: K♣ 3♣

Asish Kuma Ghosh: A♣ J♠

Kuzernik hit the flop of T♥ A♠ 3♦ with a bottom pair which could not beat Ghosh top pair. The turn Q♠ gave Ghosh a chance to further improve his hand with a gutshot straight draw. And to seal Zukernik's fate, the K♥ river fell completed Ghosh draw and eliminating Zukernik from the tournament.

The remaining 13 players are now on a 15-minute break.

Jeremy Chan in middle position opened for 8,000,000 leaving 600,000 behind. When action folded to the big blind, Asish Kumar Ghosh went all-in for 10,525,000. Chan asked for a count, looked at the clock then placed his remaining chips in the middle.

Jeremy Chan: 7♣ 7♦

Asish Kumar Ghosh: A♠ K♦

The flop came 4♦ T♦ 6♦ . Initially Chan started shouting for a diamond then belatedly realized that Ghosh had the higher diamond. He then changed his song and said no diamond. The turn 4♠ fell and the river 9♦ came giving Ghosh a flush and sending Chan to hit the rails.

Tsan Wa Li got involved in back-to-back hands that led to his end. On the first clash, he opened for 2,500,00 on the button then both blinds - Gyeongbyeong Lee and To Hao Liao - shoved. Looking down at aces, he snap-called.

To Hao Liao: K♣ 9♦

Tsan Wa Li: A♣ A♠

Gyeongbyeong Lee: A♥ 4♣

When the board ran 3♦ 5♠ 6♣ 9♥ K♠ , everyone survived. Liao earned a triple and Li claimed the side pot.

On the next hand, Li opened again for 2,500,000, Lee jammed 12,100,000 Li tanked then risked it all.

Tsan Wa Li: 8♣ 8♦

Gyeongbyeong Lee: K♦ K♥

The board spread A♦ K♠ T♣ J♠ 7♣ to finish off Li in 15th place.

Phraikhieo Wutikrai raised to 4,000,000 from middle position, leaving himself just 150,000 behind. Action folded to Kit Lo in the small blind who three-bet to 8,000,000. Wutikrai thought for a short while and made the call for his tournament life.

Wutikrai Phraikhieo : A♥ 6♦

Wai Kit Lo: K♣ Q♠

Danger on the A♦ J♥ 3♠ flop for Wutikrai but he pushed further ahead hitting his pair. Lo got no help on the 3♥ turn nor the 2♥ river and Wutikrai was pushed the pot for a full double up.

A preflop battle erupted with Hao Chuang kicking it off for 1,600,000, then down the orbit, big blind Prichet Permsubhirunya three-bet 4,000,000. Chuang pounded back with a shove and Permsubhirunya snap-called for his tournament life.

Prichet Permsubhirunya: A♠ J♠

Hao Chuang: Q♦ Q♠

Though not needed, Chuang quickly improved to a set then sent Permsubhirunya to the rail when the board completed Q♥ 2♥ 3♥ 8♦ K♥ .

Jan Jason Leoncio open-shoved on the button for 3,050,000 and got called by Lee Wee Liew in the big blind taking them to showdown.

Jan Jason Leoncio: K♠ Q♠

Lee Wee Liew: A♦ 7♣

While taking a video of the hand, Leoncio was visibly happy with his railbirds cheering when he caught a two-pair on the flop of Q♣ 8♦ K♣ . The turn 5♣ was dealt with no consequence. The river K♥ secured him a double up with a full house.

Kit Lo made it 8,000,000 to play abd action folded to Weicong Sng in the small blind who went into the tank for a shot while before he made the call for his tournament life and last 4,150,000 chips.

Weicong Sng: K♣ T♠

Kit Lo: A♣ 2♣

The flop came 7♠ 5♦ 2♦ to put Lo further ahead but then the K♦ dropped on the turn to send Sng into the lead. The 7♥ bricked out the river and Sng was pushed the pot for a full double up.

The whole table was on their feet as the three players with chips in the middle waited for the deal

Hao Chuang: T♠ T♦

Ngoc Ahn Cao: A♠ A♣

Ka Him Li: Q♦ Q♠

Everyone perked up when the flop came T♥ 8♣ K♣ , giving Chuang a real shot at the triple-up. The 7♣ 3♦ runout sealed it for him. Cao won the small side pot with his aces and in the end, the whole table was simply relieved to have survived the hand.

After a three-way that sent both Ka Him Li and Cao Ngoc Anh plunging to around 1,000,000, they moved all in and got called by Teeraphat Rangkatekarn.

Cao Ngoc Anh: K♥ 7♠

Ka Him Li: K♦ 3♠

Teeraphat Rangkatekarn: A♦ T♣

The board of 9♦ T♠ 2♦ 3♣ 5♠ brought no assistance to the short stacks for a double takedown.

End of the road for Kok Kong Liew with all of his chips sent to Alan Julian Jiuag's corner. It began as a preflop all-in situation that finished with Jiuang outdrawing the better starting hand.

Kok Kong Liew: A♦ Q♥

Alan Julian Jiuang: A♣ 5♣

The board landed T♣ J♣ 9♦ 2♣ T♠ granting Jiuang the flush.

Action was picked up Wai Kit Lo in an all-in showdown with Birger Larsen, at risk with around 6,000,000 if his chips in.

Birger Larsen: Q♣ Q♠

Wai Kit Lo: A♠ K♦

The board ran 4♣ 4♠ 7♦ 2♦ 5♣ , and as the dealer completed the runout, Larsen jumped out of his seat to celebrate staying alive and inching closer to the final table.

Jeremy Chan open jammed all in from the cutoff for 4,800,000, and action folded to Pichet Permsubhirunya in the big blind, who squeezed his cards and snap called, and it was in fact he who was at risk for his last 3,125,000.

Pichet Permsubhirunya: K♣ K♦

Jeremy Chan: J♠ T♥

A scary flop for Permsubhirunya of A♣ J♥ 6♠ came and when the Q♥ came on the turn, Chan picked up some additional outs. No miracles for Chan on the 9♥ river, and Permsubhirunya was pushed the pot for a full double up.

On the button, Kok Kong Liew shoved all-in for 1,575,000. Big Blind Jeremy Chen, who was chatting with his seat mate Lee Wee Liew in their native language, exclaimed something, then asked for a count. After a few seconds he called.

Kok Kong Liew: A♣ Q♦

Jeremy Chen: 5♥ 2♥

Liew was ahead and his double up was secured when he hit the board of 9♠ 7♣ J♠ Q♥ 6♦ .

Jeremy Chan opened to 5,500,000 in early position and when action folded to small blind, Jan jason Leoncio burned a time bank before announcing all-in for 3,850,000. With action back to him, Chan snap-called putting Leoncio at risk.

Jan Jason Leoncio: K♥ Q♦

Jeremy Chan: T♠ T♥

Leoncio's tens held on the flop of 6♠ 9♥ 2♦ . When the T♦ fell on the turn, he thanked the gods as it cemented his lead. The dealer completed the board with a 2♣ . Chan matched Leoncio's chips, visibly frustrated with what he had left behind.

Split pots may not build stacks, but they certainly beat losing one! During one such hand, Birger Larsen made sure everyone knew it. After chopping with Tsan Wa Li when both tabled ace-king offsuit, Larsen beamed and declared, “We’ll take it! One big blind each, that’s okay. We’ll take it!”

With 2,500,000 up for grabs in the middle and the flop of 5♥ 2♣ T♦ fanned out across the table, Aditya Agarwal check-raised Gyeonbyeong Lee's bet of 700,000 to 2,500,000. Lee went into the tank for a short while and made the call.

The turn brought the 4♣ and Agarwal now bet out for 3,200,000 only for Lee to move all in for 8,500,000. It was now Agarwal's turn to go into the tank and he pushed in one time bank before he made the call.

Gyeonbyeong Lee: K♠ K♣

Aditya Agarwal: K♥ T♥

No miracle for Agarwal on the J♦ river and Lee was pushed the massive pot to break the twenty milly mark.

The remaining 25 players are now on their second 15-minute break of the day.

Hao Chuang went all-in for around 700,000 on a pot of around 8,000,000 with a flop of 4♠ 9♥ 9♣ . He was waiting for Ravn Teo to move, considering his options with only around 400,000 behind. Teo finally called, putting himself at risk.

Ravn Teo: A♣ T♦

Hao Chuang: T♠ T♥

Teo couldn't catch an ace on the runout 8♠ 8♣ and was eliminated before the break.

With 5,000,000 in the middle and a flop of 6♣ 2♠ 3♥ , action was on Wee Lee Liew, who after a few seconds, fired 1,000,000.

Yun Yao Hong, started counting his chips and was looking at the pot. Without looking up, Hong pushed his cards away and continued shuffling his chips as Liew scooped the pot towards his direction.

Easily the most exuberant player in the field, Birger Larsen wears every victory on his sleeve and celebrates them just as loudly. He’s also refreshingly transparent at the table, a trait he put on full display during a recent hand.

After Larsen doubled up through Ka Him Li with pocket eights dominating pocket sevens, he paused while stacking his newfound chips, sensing the math was off. The dealer clarified that there was no small blind but Larsen shook his head saying the issue was the opposite.

"I think you gave me too much. I will count again because I just want to receive the correct amount and be fair to everyone."

Yao Hong made it 800,000 to play from under the gun and action folded around to Jeremy Chan on the button who three-bet to 2,900,000 leaving himself just 100,000 behind.

Hong four-bet all in effectively putting Chan all in. Chan pushed out all his time banks and let the dealer pull them in one by one as he waited to see if there were eliminations on other tables. With just one time bank remaining he made the call for his tournament kife.

Jeremy Chan: A♥ J♣

Yao Hong: A♦ 9♣

A safe run out for Chan on the 3♠ 5♦ 4♦ A♣ 8♦ board and he was sent the pot for a full double up.

Lee Wee Liew was already backed by a massive stack when more was sent his direction after knocking out Hao Chuang.

It was an all-in preflop situation with Chuang's 7♠ 7♣ flipping against Liew's A♦ K♥ .

The flop was kind to Chuang as it unfolded 3♣ J♥ J♠ , but the turn favored Liew as it dropped an A♠ . With the river 4♦ offering no help to Chuang, Liew shipped it and rose to over 22M while Chuang was sent to the rail.

Quan Nguyen Trung, on the button, three-bet the opening raise of under the gun player Wutikrai Phraikhieo of 500,000 to 1,700,000. Phraikhieo, looked at the clock and threw in a time bank before announcing all-in for 9,300,000. Without wasting a second, Trung happily called.

Quan Nguyen Trung: A♥ A♦

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: J♠ J♦

Trung was quite happy, already feeling his double up coming and the euphoria stayed through the board of 9♣ 2♠ 7♦ 4♦ . Everything fell apart, however, when the J♥ fell on the river evoking a shout in Trung's native language. Looking at the board in disbelief and realizing he was covered, he took pictures and continued talking to himself as Phraikhieo scooped the pot.

Jan Jason Leoncio was heard celebrating his win and upon checking the board, his K♣ K♦ stood firm against Philipp Zukernik's A♦ J♦ . With the double up, Leoncio is now out of the danger zone while Zukernik plunged to 2 big blinds.

Byambajav Buttulga made it 600,000 to play from the hijack only to face a three-bet from Yun Wu on the button to 1,300,000.

Aditya Agarwal in the big blind then four-bet all in for 4,400,000. Buttulga made the call and was at risk for his tournament life as Agarwal had him covered.

Wu went deep into the tank and pushed out all his time banks. The dealer pulled three of these in before he eventually released his cards.

Byambajav Buttulga: T♣ T♦

Aditya Agarwal: K♠ K♦

Some help for Buttulga on the 8♣ J♠ 7♥ flop which gave him additional straight outs and he was left with just these when the K♥ peeled off on the turn to give Agarwal a set. The T♠ came too late for Buttulga on the river and he was sent to the rail.

Aditya Agarwal was unable to dodge Gyeongbyeong Lee's outs to pay a costly price.

Before doing so, he opened from middle position for 500,000 and two spots over, Lee called. After the rest folded, the dealer fanned T♠ 4♠ 7♦ .

Agarwal checked, Lee took the reins with a bet of 800,000, Agarwal responded with a raise to 1,800,000, Lee shoved, and in a snap, Agarwal called.

Agarwal: A♣ A♥

Lee: J♠ 9♠

The turn K♦ changed nothing until the river 4♠ dropped one of Lee's outs. After counting out Lee's stack, Agarwal lost another 3,475,000.

Action was picked up with Gene Chan all-in for 50,000 against Alan Julian on a pot of around 2,000,000.

Gene Chan: A♣ K♠

Alan Julian: 2♥ 2♣

The board showed 8♦ 5♣ Q♥ 5♥ Q♦ . With the board pairing, Chan's ace played as the higher kicker counterfeiting Julian's pair.

All-in preflop situation with King Chun Horace Leung battling for his tournament life holding Q♦ Q♣ . He was up against Wutikrai Phraikhieo who had one over with A♥ J♣ .

The flop ran a safe 9♣ 8♦ K♠ for Leung but the A♦ found the turn and with the river 2♦ , Leung met his end as Phraikhieo raked in the pot.

Following the hand, Phraikhieo picked up the next pot on an uncalled three-bet.

Kim Soobum open-shoved for 3,725,000 from the cutoff. When button player Asish Kumar Ghosh, who had previously bulldozed the table clear of players, asked for a count, the remaining players looked at Kim sympathetically and wished him good luck.

Ghosh called and the blinds got out of the way leaving the other two to head to showdown.

Kim Soobum: 4♠ 4♣

Asish Kumar Ghosh: A♥ J♣

Despite catching a set on the K♣ T♣ 4♥ flop, Soobum couldn't relax as it also gave Ghosh a gutshot straight draw. Somewhat expected, Ghoash completed his draw on the turn Q♦ prompting Soobum to get on his feet. The players bid him GG as the dealer completed the board with an inconsequential 3♦ .

David Erquiaga moved all in from under the gun for 920,000, and action folded to Him Li in the big blind who made the call.

David Erquiaga: A♣ 2♠

Him Li: Q♣ 8♣

A lovely looking flop came for Erquiaga of 5♥ A♥ 4♣ but when the 8♦ peeled off on the turn there was some danger. The dealer flipped over the Q♦ as the river to give Li two pair and send Erquiaga to the rail in a brutal fashion.

Passing by Table 79 with the hand just completed, Birger Larsen was eager to tell the tale of how it went down.

According to Larsen, it was a four-bet shove from Ka Him Li with pocket tens that Erquiaga called with ace-king. The board ran out nine-high for Li to ship a massive double up.

Following that hand, King Chun Horace Leung open-shoved 3,100,000, and right next door, Erquiaga risked his remaining 1,550,000 stack.

Leung: 3♠ 3♥

Erquiaga: K♦ Q♥

Erquiaga was flipping for his tournament life, and was given relief after both of his cards paired up on a board Q♠ 7♠ T♥ K♥ 9♠ .

Lok Yin Tsui was down to a single 25,000 chip, waiting for the deal with 2,900,000 sitting in the middle. With him waiting was Asish Kumar Ghosh.

Finally, the flop arrived 4♣ 4♠ Q♥ . Tsui checked, prompting Ghosh to put 25,000 in. Tsui, held his time banks, looked at the clock and seemingly satisfied snap-called.

Lok Yin Tsui: T♠ T♣

Asish Kumar Ghosh: J♥ J♦

The turn K♠ and river K♥ completed the board. Pleased Tsui left the table and ehaded to the payout counter.

On a pot of around 2,000,000, Supanut Wannasangkhum fired 400,000 on the flop of 7♣ J♦ T♣ . Keisuke Tajiri, called to see the next card.

The turn dropped 9♥ and Wannasangkhum maintained the pressure with another 400,000. Tajiri started counting his chips, then looked at the pot he contributed a lot to. Almost looking sad, he released his hand and conceded the pot to Wannasangkhum.

There was 800,000 sat in the pot and the flop read Q♦ A♣ 3♠ . Birger Larsen checked from the big blind to Quan Trung, who bet out for 400,000 from late position. Larsen made the call.

The 3♣ peeled off on the turn, and again Larsen checked it over to Trung, who now moved all in. Larsen went deep into the tank before he made the call for his tournament life as Trung had him covered.

Birger Larsen: Q♣ J♣

Guan Trung: A♦ 8♦

No pain for Larsen on the 5♥ river and he gave a fist pump as he was pushed the pot for a full double up.

Players are now on their second 15-minute break of the day.

Action was picked up waiting for button Jan Jason Leoncio's move on a 1,000,000 pot with a board of 6♥ K♥ 6♠ Q♠ . He finally bet 350,000 which Max Deveson, his heads-up opponent, called.

The river 7♦ fell and after a check Leoncio fired 500,000 sendign Deveson to the tank. An issue occured while he tanked as the dealer couldn't reach for his time banks, so instead tried to grab his hand to muck.

"Are you kidding?" was all Deveson had to say as the rest of the table explained to the dealer to let him think and the time banks would be paid accordingly.

After two time banks burned, Deveson let go of his hand and the massive pot in the middle of the table.

Action was picked up with two players with their chips in the middle of the felt. Hao Chuang, in the small blind, covered Kilian Kramer, who was in cutoff and all-in for around 2,000,000.

Kilian Kramer: K♥ J♥