APT Main Event (60,000 PHP)

Chayathon Wongpipatchai raised to 5,500 from early position and Lawrence Wong called from the hijack.

Both players saw a flop of 2♣ 5♦ 9♣ . Wongpipatchai checked it to Wong, who led out for 12,000. Wongpipatchai made the call.

The turn was the 4♥ , Wongpipatchai checked again and Wong fired out 45,000, sending Wongpipatchai into the tank.

Wongpipatchai counted his remaining 38,000 chips and thought for a long time.

Eventually he open-mucked his A♦ K♠ forfeiting the pot.

Victor Dai was staring elimination in the face, but like a true secret agent, he had one last trick up his sleeve.

He moved all in from the cutoff for just over 14,100, and Chayathon Wongpipatchai wasted no time three-betting to 30,000 from the button to isolate. The blinds stepped aside, leaving the two players to battle for survival.

Victor Dai: A♥ 9♦

Chayathon Wongpipatchai: A♠ Q♥

With Wongpipatchai holding the dominant ace, Dai’s tournament life was hanging by a thread. Things only got worse on the 2♠ 5♠ 4♠ flop, which gave Wongpipatchai the nut flush draw. The 6♠ turn seemed to seal the deal, completing his flush and prompting Dai to stand up, ready to make his exit — his poker license to thrill about to be revoked.

But just when it looked like his mission was over, the dealer burned and turned the 3♠ , putting a straight flush on the board in the most dramatic way possible.

Nobody saw it coming, but in poker — just like in espionage — you should never count out a man with one last card to play. Against all odds, Dai lives to fight another hand.