APT High Roller (200,000 PHP)

Yohei Kitazato emerged victorious in the APT High Roller at the 2025 APT Manila Classic, overcoming a tough field of 127 entries (90 unique) to claim the Bronze Lion Trophy and the PHP 5,360,600 (~$92,107) top prize. The Japanese pro navigated a rollercoaster final table, securing a dramatic triple-up with quad kings before closing out Leon Sturm in heads-up play.

Along with the title, Kitazato also locked up a TWD 350,000 (~$10,700) seat for the upcoming APT Championship later this year, which boasts a TWD 165 million (~$5 million) guaranteed prize pool. With this victory under his belt, he now sets his sights on an even bigger stage, hoping to extend his winning run.

The PHP 21,945,600 (~$380,370) prize pool was shared among the top 17 finishers, with players battling through a tense bubble phase before shifting their focus to the final table. Sturm, who came within reach of the title, was forced to settle for runner-up, while Benjamin Jacobs rounded out the podium in third place.

The road to victory was anything but smooth for Kitazato, who entered heads-up play with a commanding lead but quickly saw it evaporate. However, a massive hand where his turned nut flush cracked Sturm’s flopped set sealed the momentum shift, leaving his opponent short-stacked. Moments later, Kitazato put the tournament to rest, ensuring his name would be etched into APT history.

*Also wins a TWD 350,000 APTC seat

The final day began with 35 hopefuls, all aiming to navigate their way into the money before setting their sights on the final table. Early exits included Zhen Chen (32nd), Victor Dai (30th), Daniel Smiljkovic (27th), and Florencio Campomanes (26th), each falling short of a cash.

as the bubble approached, the tension grew, with Rishi Mehra (21st), Michael Allen (20th), and Thijs Hilberts (19th) coming painfully close to a payday. Emilien Pitavy then found himself at risk, running pocket jacks into Shinya Maeda’s pocket kings. Just when it seemed his tournament was over, a fortunate jack on the turn kept his hopes alive—much to the frustration of Seong Uk Huh, who remained short-stacked.

Huh’s fate was ultimately sealed as his queen-jack couldn’t overcome Pitavy’s ace-jack, officially bursting the bubble and securing the final 17 players a place in the money.

Bao Qiang Ho (14th) and Scott Margereson (13th) fell just shy of the final table, as did the last remaining APT Lion Trophy holder, Thanisorn Saelor—the 2023 APT Incheon High Roller champion.

Saelor’s run came to an end in a crucial flip, as his ace-queen went up against Benjamin Jacobs’ pocket tens. A clean board for Jacobs meant no comeback for Saelor—who bowed out in eleventh—while Jacobs surged to the top of the chip counts heading into the final table.

When the final table began, the average stack sat just below thirty big blinds. However, per APT policy, major final tables must start with an average of at least thirty big blinds, prompting a rollback to Level 22 to ensure deeper play.

The final table saw its first elimination just four hands in, as Seungmook Jung, who started one off the bottom of the counts, moved all in for around ten big blinds with ace-six. Emilien Pitavy called with ace-ten, and while Jung picked up an open-ended straight draw on the flop and additional chop outs on the turn, he couldn’t find the help he needed. Pitavy’s kicker held, sending Jung to the rail in ninth.

Vlada Stojanovic was the next to fall after shoving from the button with ace-jack, only to be called by Sturm in the big blind with ace-queen. With no help from the board, Stojanovic’s run came to an end in eighth place.

Adalsteinn Karlsson, fresh off an eighth-place finish in the APT Main Event yesterday, was the next to hit the rail. Entering the final table as the short stack—just as he had in the Main Event—Karlsson once again found a way to climb the payouts, this time laddering up two spots. The Icelandic player's run came to an end when he shoved the river with queen-jack, only to run into Pitavy's full house with pocket queens.

With six players remaining, Sturm and Benjamin Jacobs had begun to distance themselves from the rest, holding nearly two-thirds of the chips in play between them. But just as they seemed poised to tighten their grip, a monstrous three-way all-in reshaped the tournament in an instant.

Nopparut Piyatassakorn moved all in with ace-seven suited, looking for a much-needed double, only for John Matsuda to shove over the top with pocket jacks. Just as the two were ready to sweat the runout, Pitavy looked down at pocket aces in the big blind and instantly called, putting both opponents at risk. The runout brought no miracles, as Pitavy’s rockets held firm to secure a double knockout, eliminating Piyatassakorn in sixth and Matsuda in fifth. Just like that, the tournament was down to its final four.

Four-handed play stretched on as the remaining players traded chips, each looking for an edge. Eventually, Sturm cranked up the aggression, shoving jack-nine from the small blind into Pitavy in the big blind. Pitavy made the correct call with ace-seven, but the deck put an end to his run—a jack landed on the flop, sealing his fate and sending him to the rail just shy of the podium.

Kitazato had nursed a short stack all the way to the final three and was looking for a breakthrough. He found a much-needed double-up when he got it in with ace-jack against Jacobs’ king-jack. A king-high flop looked like the end for Kitazato, but the deck had other plans—running clubs gave him a flush, keeping him in contention.

Jacobs, however, struck back shortly after, winning a crucial flip with pocket fours against Kitazato’s ace-ten to reclaim some of those lost chips. But just moments later, the tournament was completely turned on its head with a three-way all-in.

Sturm shoved the button with ten-nine, and Jacobs quickly called from the small blind with ace-eight. Kitazato, waking up with pocket kings in the big blind, snap-called—and the deck delivered quads, tripling him up in at just the right time. Jacobs took the side pot and in an instant, the leaderboard flipped upside down.

Despite taking the side pot in that three-way hand, Jacobs had his stack at risk again shortly after with ten-nine, and had to overcome the king-queen of Kitazato. However, a king-high flop was enough to end Jacobs' run in third.

Kitazato entered heads-up play with a five-to-two chip lead, but that advantage vanished almost immediately. On the very first hand of the duel, Sturm found a crucial double-up. Holding queen-eight, he turned trips and confidently called Kitazato’s river shove. Kitazato, who had paired his ace holding ace-queen, was left stunned as the chips slid across the table, resetting the battle to around even stacks.

A huge hand then played out as Sturm's flopped set with pocket threes was taken down by the turned nut flush of Kitazato, who held ace-ten. The chips found themselves in the middle on the river after Kitazato went bet-bet-jam, and Sturm was left on life support with less than three big blinds.

Sturm managed to stay alive with back-to-back double-ups—first, his pocket nines held against Kitazato’s jack-five, and shortly after, his king-nine prevailed over seven-six. However, the climb back was simply too steep, and his hopes of a full comeback were ultimately crushed shortly after.

In the final hand of the night, Sturm paired his three on the flop with four-three and got his chips in on the turn against Kitazato’s jack-nine, who had flopped top pair. The river blanked, sealing the victory for Kitazato, while Sturm was forced to settle for second place.

as champions are crowned and fortunes are won, Kitazato's victory serves as a reminder that resilience and well-timed aggression can turn the tide in even the toughest battles. With his APT Championship seat secured, his journey is far from over—his next challenge awaits on an even bigger stage later this year.

Hand 124: Leon Sturm found 4♥ 3♦ on the button and made the call. Yohei Kitazato checked his option with J♦ 9♣ .

Both were treated to a flop of 7♣ J♠ 3♥ .

Both checked to see a A♠ on the turn. Kitazato bet 500,000 and Sturm fired all-in for his last 1,100,000. Kitazato snap called.

Sturm had 5 outs on the river and all Kitazato had to do was "hold baby" as APT Host Greg announced.

The river came 5♥ giving Kitazato all the tournament chips and declaring him the champion of the APT High Roller.

Sturm's APT High Roller runner-up finish will add more to his USD 7 Million total live earnings.

Hand 121: Yohei Kitazato moved all-in for 12,000,000 on the button with J♠ 5♣ , and Leon Sturm instantly called with 9♦ 9♣ , putting his tournament life at risk.

The flop came A♦ K♦ 5♠ , giving Kitazato bottom pair but keeping Sturm in the lead.

The 8♦ turn gave Sturm a flush draw, further strengthening his position.

The 5♦ river completed his flush for the winning hand—though Greg Liow mistakenly celebrated a Kitazato victory for trips on the river, much to Sturm’s and everyone’s amusement.

Hand 122: On the button, Leon Sturm moved all-in for 860,000 with K♣ 9♥ and was called by Yohei Kitazato with 7♦ 6♣ , putting Sturm’s tournament life at risk.

The flop came 4♠ 3♥ K♠ , giving Sturm top pair.

The T♣ turn kept him ahead, securing his double-up, and the 2♦ river was merely a formality.

Hand 123: Kitazato raised to 500,000 on the button with J♣ 3♦ and was called by Sturm, who held 9♦ 2♦ .

Both players checked the runout of A♣ A♠ 6♠ 5♣ 4♣ . Kitazato scooped the pot for his Jack-high.

Hand 117: Yohei Kitazato found 8♠ 8♣ on the button and raised to 400,000. Leon Sturm found A♥ 6♦ on the big blind and defended.

The flop came 2♠ 7♦ 3♦ . Sturm checked and Kitazato led for 650,000.

Sturm made the call to open a K♥ on the turn.

Both checked to see a K♦ on the river. Sturm checked and Kitazato shoved all-in for 4,100,000. Sturm went into the tank, before folding.

Hand 118: Sturm completed the blind with J♠ 3♦ and Kitazato checked his big blind with A♦ 3♣

A flop of J♥ 2♥ 9♠ saw Kitazato check and Sturm bet 250,000.

Kitazato matched the bet to bring a 6♠ on the turn.

Kitazato checked again, and folded when Sturm bet 900,000.

Hand 119: Kitazato raised and Sturm folded.

Hand 120: Sturm called the blind with 3♠ 3♣ . Kitazato raised to 400,000 with A♦ T♦ and Sturm matched him.

Both players were given a flop of K♠ 6♦ 3♦ . Kitazatio bet 700,000 and Sturm called to open a 8♦ on the turn.

Kitazato led out for 1,200,000 and Sturm called to peel a 2♣ on the river.

Kitazato took a moment then jammed all in. Sturm made the call.

Kitazato's turned nut-flush doubled up from Sturm's flopped set of threes.

Hand 116: On the first hand of heads-up play, Leon Sturm completed on the button with Q♣ 8♥ . Yohei Kitazato woke up with A♣ Q♥ and raised to 600,000 from the big blind. Sturm called, sending both players to the flop.

The flop came 8♠ J♠ 5♠ , and Kitazato continued with a bet. Having hit top pair, Sturm flat-called.

Kitazato then checked the 8♦ turn, allowing Sturm to take the lead with a 900,000 bet for his trips.

After taking his time to consider his options, Kitazato made the call.

The A♥ river complicated things for him, improving his hand to two pair, and he moved all-in for 6,900,000, and Sturm snap-called.

Just as heads-up play had begun, the tides turned, with Sturm scooping the massive pot to take the chip lead.

Players are on a break to allow the APT staff to set up the heads-up stage.

Hand 115: Right after the monster hand from earlier, Benjamin Jacobs moved all-in on the button and was called by Yohei Kitazato in the big blind, putting Jacobs' tournament life at risk and taking both players to a showdown.

Benjamin Jacobs: T♠ 9♥

Yohei Kitazato: K♦ Q♣

Kitazato flopped top pair on K♣ J♥ 4♣ , but Jacobs picked up a gutshot straight draw, keeping his hopes alive. However, the J♣ 4♦ runout didn’t improve his hand, and Jacobs was eliminated in 3rd place.

Hand 114: Sturm shoved all-in for 7,300,000 on the button and Benjamin Jacobs called in the small blind for around 3,200,000. Yohei Kitazato was in the big blind and snap-called for his 2,100,000.

Yohei Kitazato: K♥ K♣

Benjamin Jacobs: A♥ 8♥

Leon Sturm: T♦ 9♣

Sturm had the opportunity to knock both players out. However, there was much crazy confusion on all the things that could go wrong. And of course, whatever the poker gods decided.

The flop came T♣ K♠ Q♦ to give the lead to Kitazato with a set of kings. The turn brought a K♦ to assure Kitazato a triple-up with quads.

However, Sturm was still ahead against Jacobs, who needed to hit the river to stay alive. The poker gods threw in a Q♠ to counterfeit the pair of Sturm and award Jacobs the side pot with his Ace kicker.

Hand 111: Yohei Kitazato kept the blinds.

Hand 112: Kitazato raised to 500,000 on the small blind with K♥ 4♥ and Sturm defended the big blind with T♥ 8♥ .

Both were given a flop of T♣ 3♥ 9♣ .

Kitazato check-called when Sturm bet out 350,000 to see a Q♣ turn.

Both checked to see a 6♠ river. Kitazato bet out 800,000 and Sturm made an easy call to win the pot.

Hand 113: Sturm found 9♦ 7♠ on the sall blind and raised to 525,00 to win the blinds.

Hand 108: Leon Sturm holding A♣ 9♠ raised to 320,000 on the button and got a caller in Yohei Kitazato, in the big blind, holding Q♥ 7♥ .

Sturm hit top pair on the flop 5♣ 8♠ 9♦ but it also gave Kitazato a gut-shot draw. Kitazato passed the action to Sturm, allowing the latter to fire 380,000. Kitazato called.

Now with an open-ended straight draw, Kitazato check-called Sturms bet of 650,000 on the T♥ turn.

Despite missing his draw on the 4♠ , Kitazato went all-in for a bluff sending Sturm into the tank. After a few seconds of consideration, Sturm folded the winning hand conceding the pot to Kitazato.

Hand 109: Kitazato with J♦ 9♦ completed the blind and Sturm checked in the big blind.

The dealer fanned 5♦ A♣ T♦ and Kitazato led with 350,000 and Sturm called.

Both players checked the turn 5♣ .

Kitazato put pressure on Sturm by betting 400,000 on the river T♥ but instead Sturm pushed back with a 1,500,000 raise. Kitazata took time to consider his options burning a time back card but ultimately folding his hand.

Hand 110: With pocket sixes on the button, Kitazato jammed all-in and scooped the pot.

Hand 103: Yohei Kitazato raised to 325,000 on the small blind with T♥ 9♥ Leon Sturm defended with Q♦ 7♦

The flop came K♥ 9♠ 4♥ . Kitazato led out for 450,000 and Sturm stepped down.

Hand 104: Benjamin Jacobs earned a walk.

Hand 105: Jacobs shoved all-in for 1,700,000 in the small blind with 4♥ 4♦ and Kitazato called on the big blind with A♣ T♠ . Kitazato had Jacobs covered.

The board ran 7♦ Q♦ K♥ 5♥ Q♥ allowing Jacobs to double-up.

Hand 106: Kitazato found 8♦ 8♣ on the small blind and raised to 500,000. Sturm defended the big blind with 5♣ 4♣

The flop came Q♠ A♦ K♠ and Kitazato fired 600,000, forcing Sturm to give up.

Hand 107: Kitazato raised to 250,000 on the button with A♥ 7♣ . Jacobs jammed all-in on the big blind for 3,500,000 with A♦ 6♥ , forcing Kitazato to give up the bigger hand.

Hand 96: Benjamin Jacobs, in the small blind, open-jammed and Yohei Kitazato in the big blind, called for his tournament life.

Yohei Kitazato: A♣ J♠

Benjamin Jacobs: K♦ J♥

The dealer fanned out 5♣ 6♥ K♣ , giving Jacobs top pair but handing Kitazato a flush draw. Seeing this, Jacobs started counting out chips, anticipating a double-up for his opponent.

The 2♣ on the turn completed Kitazato’s flush, sealing the deal. The 7♣ river was merely a formality as Kitazato scooped the pot.

Hand 97: Leon Sturm got a walk.

Hand 98: Sturm got 3♦ 3♣ in small blind and went all-in and won the pot.

Hand 99: Jacobs with T♥ 9♦ went all-in in small blind and scooped the pot.

Hand 100: Sturm got a walk.

Hand 101: Sturm with 9♦ 2♥ raised to 250,000 in the small blind and got an all-in shove from Jacobs with K♠ J♠ . Sturm folded and Jacobs won the pot.

Hand 102: Sturm raised on the button to 320,000 with K♠ 4♦ and won the pot.

Hand 90: Leon Sturm raised to 320,000 from under the gun with Q♠ 7♠ and Yohei Kitazato shoved all-in for 1,200,000 on the big blind with A♦ 5♥ . Sturm folded.

Hand 91: Sturm got a pass.

Hand 92: Kitazato raised A♦ 3♦ all in for 1,700,000 on the button and won the blinds.

Hand 93: Kitazato got a walk.

Hand 94: Kitazato shoved all-in with Q♥ Q♣ on the small blind for 2,200,000 but Sturm didn't play.

Hand 95: Sturm found Q♦ T♦ on the small blind and raised to 400,000. Benjamin Jacobs found A♥ 7♦ on the big blind, but folded.

Players are on a 15-minute break.

Hand 89: Leon Sturm limped with 8♠ 6♥ on the button, and Benjamin Jacobs checked his option with T♦ 7♥ , taking both players to the flop.

The board came T♥ 9♦ 6♠ , and both players checked. On the 9♠ turn, Jacobs, tired of the passive play, led out with a 150,000 bet, which Sturm called.

The river 4♥ saw Jacobs fire again, this time for 510,000. Sturm called with bottom pair, only to see Jacobs table the winning hand. With a smile, Sturm sent the chips Jacobs' way.

Hand 88: Sturm raised all-in from the small blind for 5,200,000. Emilien Pitavy was in the big blind and risked his tournament life with his stack of around 2,300,000.

Emilien Pitavy: A♣ 7♣

Leon Sturm: J♣ 9♥

The board ran out 7♦ J♠ 2♥ 5♥ 8♥ , both paired the flop, but Sturm moved ahead with top pair. Sturm’s hand maintained this lead all the way to the river to send Pitavy out of APT High Roller in 4th place. It was the right call for Pitavy, but not the right result.

Pitavy earned PHP 1,950,000 which will help improve his total live earnings to over USD 600,000. Pitavy also cashed earlier in this series, coming in 3rd at the Baby Superstar Challenge.

Hand 83: Leon Sturm gets a pass.

Hand 84: Yohei Kitazato raised to 240,000 on the button with J♣ T♣ . Sturm shoved all-in on the small blind with A♣ T♥ for 3,800,000, but Kitazato didn't risk.

Hand 85: Kitazato goes all-in from under the gun with 3♠ 3♣ and puts his 1,400,000 at risk. Sturm folded 6♥ 6♦ and Kitazato scooped the blinds.

Hand 86: Sturm raised to 240,000 with 9♣ 7♣ from under the gun. Small blind Benjamin Jacobs three-bet to 600,000 with A♦ T♥ . Sturm took his time, riffled his cards a bit, pondered the situation, and then pushed all-in for 4,300,000 million.

Jacobs gave a moment to think and then finally folded.

Hand 87: Sturm gets a pass again. Nobody wants to go up against a Sturm.

Hand 75: Emilien Pitavy opened for 240,000 under the gun with K♥ J♦ and scooped the pot.

Hand 76: Benjamin Jacobs opened under the gun for 275,000 with K♠ J♣ and took down the pot.

Hand 77: Leon Sturm, with A♠ J♠ opened for 275,000 on the button. Jacobs, in big blind, made the call. The dealer fanned out 6♥ 3♠ T♠ giving Sturm a flush draw. Despite that both players checked. On the Q♣ turn, and with action passed, Sturm bet 510,000 and won the pot.

Hand 78: Yohei Kitazato got a walk.

Hand 79: Kitazato jammed all-in with Q♣ 9♠ and won the pot.

Hand 80: Kitazato jammed all-in with pocket sevens on the button and took the pot down.

Hand 81: Jacobs got a walk.

Hand 82: Jacobs jammed all-in with A♦ 9♣ in the small blind and won.

Hand 70: Yohei Kitazato gets a pass on the big blind.

Hand 71: Leon Strum's turn to get keep the blinds.

Hand 72: Benjamin Jacobs raised from under the gun to 250,000 with A♦ 3♥ . Sturm called on the small blind with A♥ T♥ . Both were shown a flop of 4♥ J♠ 5♣ .

Sturm check-called the 175,000 bet of Jacobs to open a T♣ on the turn. Both checked to see a free 8♦ on the river. Sturm fired 575,000 and Jacobs went into the tank for a while and wondered if unicorns existed before finally giving up his cards.

Hand 73: Sturm raised to 275,000 with K♠ J♥ on the button. Eimilien Pitavy jumped all-in with Q♦ T♦ for 2,700,000, but found no customers.

Hand 74: Pitavy raised to 240,000 on the button with K♥ 6♥ and Jacobs jammed all-in for 4,000,000 holding A♥ 9♥ on the small blind. Pitavy let it go.

Hand 65: Yohei Kitazato opened to 200,000 with A♦ 7♠ and got a shove all-in response from Leon Sturm holding K♥ Q♥ on the button. Kitazato folded and Sturm scooped the pot.

Hand 66: Benjamin Jacobs, in small blind, opened to 200,000 with A♣ 3♦ and got called by Kitazato holding Q♣ J♠ in big blind.

The flop came K♠ 8♥ Q♥ . Jacobs led with 150,000 and Kitazato flat called.

The turn 7♥ dropped and both players checked. On the river Q♠ , Kitazato bet 400,000 and Jacobs folded conceding the pot to Kitazato.

Hand 67: Kitazato completed the blind in small with K♣ 7♦ and with T♣ 6♣ , Sturm checked his option in big blind.

The flop came T♥ 4♦ 7♥ and Kitazato bet 150,000 for his mid-pair. Sturm, hitting top pair, just flat called.

Sturm check-jammed all-in Kitazato's bet of 265,000 on the turn 2♠ . Kitazato made the call putting Sturm at risk.

The river 8♣ , however, maintained Sturm's lead for a crucial double up.

Hand 68: Kitazato raised to 200,000 on the button holding A♣ T♠ and got a shove all-in response from Emilien Pitavy in the big blind holding A♦ Q♦ . Kitazato folded and Pitavy scooped the pot.

Hand 69: Under the gun, Kitazato woke up with 4♠ 4♥ , looked up the ceiling and raised 200,000. Sturm on the button three-bet 475,000 with Q♥ J♦ . Kitazato made the call and saw a flop.

The flop came K♠ A♥ J♣ . Kitazato checked and Sturm fired 180,000. Kitazato snap folded conceding the pot to Sturm.

There were seven hands missed in our hand-per-hand reporting, but not too worry. Not much significant action was missed. We continue the action now with...

Hand 61: Emilien Pitavy called the small blind with Q♦ T♥ and Benjamin Jacobs checked his big blind with J♥ 7♥

The flop came 6♦ 9♣ Q♥ . Pitavy led with 100,000 and Jacobs got out of the way.

Hand 62: Leon Sturm raised to 200,000 from under the gun with A♦ K♣ and Yohei Kitazato defended the big blind with K♣ Q♠

The flop came 4♦ 5♥ 7♠ . Kitazato check-called the 150,000 bet of Sturm to see a J♥ on the turn. Kitazato tapped the action to Sturm, who fired a second barrell of 215,000. Kitazato made the call. The river came 4♥ . Kitazato fired 500,000 and Sturm thought real long and hard, spent some time bank tokens, wondered if giants once ruled the world before the great flood and eventually gave up the better hand.

Hand 63: Yohei Kitazato found T♦ T♣ in the small blind a raised to 300,000. Sturm defended the big blind with 8♠ 6♥

Flop came Q♦ T♠ 8♥ . Kitazato led for 300,000 and Sturm let go immediately.

Hand 64: Sturm jammed all-in with 8♦ 6♦ for 795,000 and won the big blind of Emilien Pitavy.

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Hand 49: Emilien Pitavy completed the blind with 5♣ 4♦ and Benjamin Jacobs checked his option on the big blind with 7♣ 6♦ .

Pitavy check-called the 5♠ 8♥ 6♠ flop after Jacobs bet 100,000.

On the T♥ turn, Jacobs shot another 350,000 after the action was passed to him. Pitavy folded.

Hand 50: Jacobs with Q♦ 7♠ opened for 160,000 and got a shove all-in response from Yohei Kitazato. Jacobs folded and Kitazato scooped the pot.

Hand 51: Kitazato open-jammed with K♣ 8♦ in small blind and won the pot.

Hand 52: Jacobs opened under the gun to 160,000 with J♣ T♥ and got one caller in Pitavy in big blind with J♠ 6♠ .

Pitavy checked the flop of 4♠ T♦ K♣ . Jacobs bet 115,000 and took down the pot.

Hand 53: Leon Sturm raised on the button to 185,000 with A♠ 5♦ and Jacobs defended his blind with a call holding A♥ 2♥ .

The flop came 9♥ 5♣ 4♥ and Sturm checked his mid-pair after Jacobs passed the action to him.

The turn 2♦ got another check from Jacobs. Sturm fired 310,000 into the pot which made Jacobs think about his action. After a few seconds, Jacobs announced all-in. Unable to call Sturm folded the winning hand.

Short stacked Nopparut Piyatassakorn shoved all-in for 735,000 from the hijack and John Matsuda re-jammed all-in from the button for 1,600,000. Emilien Pivaty was in the big blind and immediately called when after he took a peek at his cards.

Nopparut Piyatassakorn: A♠ 7♠

John Matsuda: J♦ J♣

Emilien Pivaty: A♥ A♣

The aces of Pivaty had an opportunity to earn a double knockout, and that's exactly what happened when the board came 3♣ 8♦ 5♠ 3♠ T♦ .

Matsuda earns a fifth place finish for PHP 1,573,000 (~USD 27,027), with a stack bigger than Piyatassakorn who finishes in 6th for PHP 1,241,000 (~USD 21,323).

Matsuda made another 5th place finish in the Super High Roller event in this series along with 3 other cashes. Matsuda's total live earnings have moved up to over USD 700,000.

Piyatassakorn cashed in as a runner-up in the Single Day High Roller event earlier this week. His two final table appearances in this series has moved his total career cashes to nearly USD 150,000.

Hand 45: Yohei Kitazato kept the blinds.

Hand 46: John Matsuda got a walk.

Hand 47: Yohei Kitazato shoved all-in on the button with A♣ 6♣ for 850,000 and won the blinds.

Hand 42: Leon Sturm raised the small blind to 240,000 with J♥ 3♠ and got a call from Emilien Pitavy on the big blind with K♦ T♦ .

The flop came 4♠ 6♣ 9♥ and both players checked.

The J♠ turn was dealt and got a check-check.

Finally on the 2♠ river Sturm bet 195,000 and took down the pot.

Hand 43: Pitavy completed the small blind with Q♦ 5♠ and Benjamin Jacobs checked his option with 9♦ 3♠ .

Both players checked the runout 9♣ Q♥ T♥ Q♠ K♥ and Pitavy took down the pot.

Hand 44: Sturm opened to 160,000 from the cutoff with Q♣ 7♣ and got a call from Jacobs in the big blind holding K♣ J♣ .

The flop came 2♣ 3♣ T♣ , giving both players a flush—setting the stage for a potential disaster as the two biggest stacks at the table.

Both players slow-played their hands, checking to the 7♦ turn. Jacobs then led out with a 250,000 bet, which Sturm called.

On the 7♠ river, Jacobs fired again, this time for 775,000. Sturm quickly called.

Jacobs tabled his king-high flush, and Sturm, with a relieved smile, revealed his hand, knowing he had narrowly avoided catastrophe.

Players are now on break. Here are the current chip counts of the final 6 players.

Hand 32: Leon Sturm Raise to 120,000 on the cut-off with A♥ K♦ and Nopparut Piyatassakorn defended the bg blind with Q♠ T♥

Both players were given a flop of Q♥ K♣ 4♥ . Piyatassakorn check-called he 80,000 bet of Sturm to open a 8♠ on the turn. Piyatassakorn tapped the action to Sturm, who fired 375,000. Piyatassakorn surrendered.

Hand 33: Nopparut Piyatassakorn called on the small blind with 4♥ 3♣ and Yohei Kitazato raised to 165,000 with A♣ T♦ . Piyatassakorn gave up.

Hand 34: Leon Sturm raised to 120,000 from under the gun with Q♠ T♠ and won the blinds.

Hand 35: Benjamin Jacobs raised to 135,000 from the hi-jack with 2♠ 2♣ . Sturm made the call on the big blind with J♦ J♣

The flop showed A♥ 3♦ 7♥ Sturm check-called the 75,000 bet of Jacobs to see a 8♠ on the turn. Sturm tapped the acion to Jacobs, who continued with a 325,000 bet. Sturm matched to see a A♦ on the river. Sturm checked again and Jacobs checked behind for a show-card moment. Sturm flashed his jacks and took down the pot.

Hand 36: Sturm just called the 30,000 on the small blind with Q♠ 2♣ Emilien Pitavy raised to 210000 on the big blind with A♥ K♣ . Sturm didn't bother to play.

Hand 37: Benjamin Jacobs gets a walk on his big blind.

Hand 38: Pitavy found A♠ 6♦ on the button and raised to 120,000. Big blind Piyatassakorn matched. The flop arrived J♣ J♥ 2♠ . Piyatassakorn checked and Pitavy continued for 60,000. Piyatassakorn folded.

Hand 39: Sturm found A♠ J♥ on the hi-jack and raised to 120,000. Big blind Yohei Kitazato defended the big blind with T♥ 6♥ . The flop arrived K♦ K♣ Q♥ . Kitzato checked. Sturm bet 60,000 and Kitazato gave up.

Hand 40: Piyatassakorn raised to 120,000 on the button with K♠ K♣ but the blinds didn't want to play.

Hand 41: Piyatassakorn raised on the cut-off to 120,00 with A♣ 9♠ . Sturm three-bet to 300,000 with Q♠ 3♣ on the big blind. Piyatassakorn folded.

Hand 26: Emilien Pitavy raised on the button with J♥ T♥ to 100,000 and got a three-bet from small blind Benjamin Jacobs to 250,000 with 7♥ 3♣ . Pitavy made the call taking them to the flop.

Jacobs fired 485,000 on the flop Q♠ 4♠ 7♦ and took down the pot.

Hand 27: Nopparut Piyatassakorn open-shoved all-in in the small blind with A♠ 8♦ and won the pot.

Hand 28: Benjamin Jacobs raised to 60,00 in the cutoff with A♥ K♥ and got called by Piyatassakorn on the button with K♣ J♥ . Yohei Kitazato, in the small blind, had other plans and shoved all-in with A♣ K♦ . Jacobs replied with his own all-in making Piyatassakorn fold.

The two players saw they had the same hand and waited for the board to be completed. The board dropped 8♣ T♦ 4♥ T♠ J♣ then split the pot.

Hand 29: John Matsude in the small blind went all in with 8♠ 8♦ and won the pot.

Hand 30: Matsude on the button limped with 9♠ 7♠ . Leon Sturm, in the small blind, followed suit holding Q♣ 8♣ . Emilien Pitavy in the big blind raised to 350,000 for T♠ T♣ and scooped the pot.

Hand 31: Matsuda raised in cutoff to 120,000 holding K♣ T♣ and was called Pitavy with A♠ J♠ in the small blind. Jacobs in iblind also called with J♣ 4♣ to see a flop.

The flop came 3♦ T♦ A♣ which all players checked.

Pitavy led with a 100,000 bet on the turn K♦ making Jacobs fold his hand. Matsuda,however, called to see the last community card.

Both players checked the river 2♦ and Matsuda scooped the pot for two pair.

Hand 21: Nopparut Piyatassakorn raised to 125,000 on the button with Q♣ J♠ and Yohei Kitazato three-bet to 400,000 on the big blind with A♥ T♥ and got Piyatassakorn to fold.

Hand 22: Yohei Kitazato raised to 100,000 on the button with 2♠ 2♣ and Sturm three-bet to 350,000 with A♥ 3♣

Kitazato matched the bet to see a flop of K♠ J♣ Q♥ Sturm led with 115,000 and Kitazato stepped out of the way from the painted board.

Hand 23: Leon Sturm called on the small blind with Q♦ J♠ and Emilien Pitavy checked the big blind with K♦ 9♣

The flop arrived A♠ 4♥ Q♥ Both players checked to open a 5♣ on the turn.

Sturm bet out 105,000 and Pitavy got out of the way.

Hand 24: Leon Sturm raised to 105,000 on the button with J♥ 9♦ and scooped the blinds.

Hand 25: Emilien Pitavy raised to 100,000 on the button with J♥ T♥ Small blind Benjamin Jacobs three-bet to 350,000 with 7♥ 3♣ .

Pitavy matched to see a flop of Q♠ 4♠ 7♦ . Jacobs led out ffor 450,000 and Pitavy folded.

Hand 20: Emilien Pitavy woke up with Q♦ Q♣ in the cutoff and raised to 100,000. In the big blind, Adalsteinn Karlsson called with Q♠ J♠ , taking both players to the flop.

The dealer fanned out 6♦ Q♥ K♠ , giving Pitavy middle set and Karlsson a pair. Karlsson checked, and Pitavy fired 70,000 which Karlsson called, unaware of the trouble he was in.

The K♦ turn paired the board and both players opted to check. On the J♥ river, Karlsson, now holding two pair, shoved all-in. Pitavy snap-called, putting Karlsson at risk.

After seeing Pitavy’s full house, Karlsson could only shake his head before exiting the stage in 7th place for PHP 949,000 (~$16,306).

Hand 17: Yohei Kitazato raised to 100,000 with A♦ 3♣ in cutoff and got a three-bet from John Matsuda on the button with A♣ K♣ who and took down the pot.

Hand 18: Matsuda raised to 100,000 in cutoff with A♠ 4♠ and got a caller in Benjamin Jacobs, defending his big blind with J♥ 9♦ .

The flop came 2♥ J♦ 7♠ which went check-check. Jacobs bet 80,000 the 6♦ turn and Matsuda folded.

Hand 19: Emilien Pitavy raised the pot to 100,000 on the button with A♥ T♦ and took the pot down.

Hand 16: Vlada Stojanovic shoved all-in for 700,000 on the button with A♠ J♥ and Leon Sturm made the call on the big blind with A♦ Q♠

Board arrived 2♠ K♦ 9♣ 4♥ 4♣

Stojanovic failed to improve, ending his High Roller championship dreams at a formidable eighth place for PHP 714,000 (~USD 12,268). Stojanovic will add this win to improve his USD 1,100,000 total live earnings.

Hand 12: Leon Sturm raised to 100,000 on the hi-jack with J♠ T♣ . Benjamin Jacobs re-raised to 375,000 with A♣ K♦ . Sturm did not continue.

Hand 13: Yohei Kitzato kept the blinds.

Hand 14: Adalsteinn Karlsson went all-in on the button with 9♠ 9♦ and won the blinds.

Hand 15: Yohei Kitazato raised to 100,000 with A♦ 2♣ . John Matsuda defended the big blind with K♣ 5♦ to see a flop of 8♦ 6♦ 7♦

Matsuda led for 80,000 and Kitazato matched to open a K♠ on the turn. Matsuda led for 200,000 and Kitazato raised to 400,000 and Matsuda called. A 9♠ came on the river to give Matsuda a straight.

Matsuda then pushed all-in and Kitazato surrendered.

Hand 7: Benjamin Jacobs opened to 80,000 in middle position with A♦ T♣ and got called by Yohei Kitazato with Q♠ J♠ on the button and John Matsuda in big blind with 9♥ 8♥ sending all three players to the flop.

The flop came 7♦ 2♣ 7♣ which was checked by all players. Matsuda led with 230,000 on the turn 5♥ , enough to make Jacobs and Kitazato fold. He scooped the pot.

Hand 8: Adalstein Karlsson woke up with K♦ K♣ and raised to 80,000 in hijack. He got called by Leon Sturm in the big blind with T♦ 6♦ taking both players to the flop. The flop came 2♠ 9♣ 8♥ and was checked by Sturm. Karlsson continued with 110,000 and took down the pot.

Hand 9: Matsuda raised to 80,000 on the button with K♠ K♣ and got called by Emilien Pitavy in big blind with J♥ 9♥ . The flop dropped 8♥ 4♠ 7♣ and was checked by both players. Pitavy bet 60,000 on the turn 4♣ and Matsuda flat called. Pitavy bet 260,000 having completed his straight on the T♠ river and got called by Matsuda. Matsuda mucked upon seeing Pitavy's hand.

Hand 10: Vlada Stojanovic raised to 80,000 in hijack with A♣ J♦ and got an all-in shove from Matsuda with A♥ Q♣ in cutoff. Stojanovic mucked and Matsuda took down the pot.

Hand 11: Pitavy raised to 80,000 on the button with A♠ 6♦ and got called by Nopparut Piyatassakorn in big blind with T♦ 8♦ taking them to the flop. The flop came down J♦ K♠ 3♥ and was checked by both players. Passing the action, Pitavy bet 105,000 on the the Q♣ turn and Piyatassakorn flat called. Piyatassakorn bet 120,000 on the 9♣ river which gave him a straight. Pitavy folded and the pot was awarded to Piyatassakorn.

Hand 5: Nopparut Piyatassakorn raised to 100,000 on the button and the blinds did not challenge.

Hand 6: Benjamin Jacobs raised to 85,000 on the hi-jack with A♦ J♠ and Nopparut Piyatassakorn three-bet to 240,000 with A♠ A♣ from the cut-off. Jacobs called.

The flop came down T♠ 3♠ 4♣ causing Jacobs to check. Piyatassakorn fired 120,000 and Jacobs then raised to 450,000. Piyatassakorn carved out the call.

The 2♠ landed on the turn and Jacobs moved all in for 2,300,000. Piyatassakorn went into deep thought and threw in a few time bank tokens, wondering what to do and if an axe would be a good weapon during a zombie invasion. Piyatassakorn eventually folded his rockets. Jacobs flashed his cards to the table, which resulted in some "oohs" from around the table.

Hand 4: Seungmook Jung, at risk, open-jammed under the gun and was called by Emilien Pitavy from the cutoff.

Seungmook Jung: A♠ 6♦

Emilien Pitavy: A♥ T♦

Pitavy had Jung dominated and remained ahead as the dealer fanned out 5♥ 4♣ 3♦ , giving Jung a glimmer of hope with an open-ended straight draw.

The 3♥ turn didn't improve his hand, and the K♣ river sealed his fate, sending him to the payout counter in 9th place.

Hand 1: Vlada Stojanovic opened for 80,000 in cutoff with A♠ J♠ and was called by Leon Sturm in the small blind with K♥ 9♥ .

Sturm check-called a bet of 105,000 from Stojanovic on the K♣ 5♥ A♣ flop. Sturm checked the 6♦ turn and Stonajovic fired another 225,000 into the pot. Sturm folded and Stojanovic scooped the pot.

Hand 2: Benjamin Jacobs got a walk on his big blind.

Hand 3: Seungmook Jung raised to 80,000 from early position with A♣ Q♠ Yohei Kitazato called from the next seat with T♠ T♣ .

Both players saw the flop come down 8♣ A♦ 9♥ The action checked through and the 9♣ landed on the turn. Jung fired 125,000 and Kitazato called.

The river came the T♦ to give Kitazato a full-house. Jung bets 200,000. Kitazato pushed all in for 1,400,000.

Jung went into deep thought and eventually made the fold, leaving himself with only 5 big blinds.

A quick reminder of what's on the line!

There will now be a short break while the final nine players prepare for the final table.

The level will also be rolled back to Level 22 (20,000/40,000 with a 40,000 big blind ante) to ensure that the average stack for the final table is 30 big blinds.

Action went over to the below-average stacked Seungmook Jung in the small blind. And before Jung decided to make a move, he looked over at the featured table a few meters away and saw that the big LED screen was showing an all-in moment.

Jung immediately threw in his time bank tokens in the middle to await the outcome. True enough, there was a bust out as Matthew Belcher was eliminated in 10th place.

Following the final table bubble burst. The tournament director announced a halt to the event to pave the way for the preparation of the final table.

Jung was elated, "See, I know what's up. I pay attention."

Indeed, the blinds will be much kinder with a 9-handed table rather than a fast-paced 5-handed table.

Good job, Jung!

Matthew Belcher shoved from the small blind for 560,000 and Leon Sturm quickly called from the big blind.

Matthew Belcher: K♦ T♥

Leon Sturm: A♣ J♦

Belcher was behind and didn't find much to work with on the 9♦ 4♥ 5♠ flop. A 7♥ turn left with with just six outs, but the 8♦ river wasn't one of them.

Following the 11th-place bust out, play tightened considerably as players carefully navigated the final table bubble. With only one more elimination before the official final table and a PHP 100,000 pay jump between 10th and 9th place, every decision became crucial.

Preflop raises and folds dominated the action. Some players shoved all in, only to see their opponents perform what felt like a magic trick—a small blind would shove, and the big blind would slowly peel his cards, deciding whether to call. At times, it felt more like baccarat than poker.

But once in a blue moon, a flop was finally seen.

Nopparut Piyatassakorn raised to 80,000, and Vlada Stojanovich defended from the big blind.

The flop came J♦ 9♠ 7♠ , and Stojanovich check-called a 90,000 bet from Piyatassakorn to see the 9♣ turn. Stojanovich then led out for 125,000, but Piyatassakorn responded with a raise to 300,000. Without hesitation, Stojanovich folded.

Thanisorn Saelor and Benjamin Jacobs had all their chps in the middle preflop, with Saelor being the at-risk player.

Thaenisorn Saelor A♠ Q♦

Benjamin Jacobs T♣ T♦

Saelor needed to some help from the dealer to remaining in the tournament. However, the board ran out 7♣ K♠ 6♥ 3♣ 2♦ which meant Jacobs' Tens hung on to eliminate Saelor in 11th place.

The 11th place finish of Saelor is his second cash in this APT series. Saelor came second in the Single Day High Roller event. Saelor's ITM finish marks his 16th career APT cash. Saelor has had success in other festivals as well, earning over USD 700,000 in live tournaments.

Vlada Stonajovic opened for 80,000 in cutoff and got one caller in Piyatassakorn Nopparut in big blind taking both players to the flop.

The flop came 8♠ 6♠ 7♠ which both players checked. Nopparut bet our 60,000 on the 8♥ turn and was called by Stonajovic. On the river A♠ Nopparut threw in a time bank card to consider his options. He finally fired 125,000 chips. Stojanovic stared Nopparut down for a few seconds then made the call.

Nopparut immediately threw his hand in the muck, making Stojanovic smile not having to show his cards.

Piyatassakorn Nopparut opened for 80,000 from the hijack and faced a three-bet from Adalsteinn Karlsson in the cutoff. Nopparut made the call, sending both players to the flop.

The dealer fanned out 3♣ 8♦ 8♣ , and Nopparut check-called Karlsson’s continuation bet of 105,000. Both players then opted to check the T♥ turn.

On the river 4♠ , Nopparut fired out 140,000. Karlsson used a time bank card to deliberate but ultimately made the call. Nopparut tabled 6♥ 6♣ for two pair with the board, prompting Karlsson to muck his hand. Nopparut raked in the pot, further adding to his massive stack.

Egidijus Digrys made it 170,000 to go from the hijack, leaving himself around 50,000 behind. Matthew Belcher was in the cutoff and just called.

On the Q♠ 3♥ Q♥ flop, Digrys checked and Belcher fired out 50,000. Digrys rechecked his cards and put his time banks into the middle, probably to try and make a pay jump. Eventually, he did drop in the call.

Egidijus Digrys: A♥ 6♠

Matthew Belcher: A♠ A♦

Digrys was way, way behind and had no chance to win the pot when the 2♦ hit the turn. A meaningless 3♠ completed the runout, and Digrys was sent on his way.

Scott Margereson opened to 60,000 from under the gun and John Matsuda shoved for just over 500,000 from the hijack. When it got back to Margereson, he tossed the 350,000 he had behind, which left him at risk.

Scott Margereson: A♠ Q♣

John Matsuda: A♦ K♠

Matsuda had his opponent pipped and despite flopping top pair on the 2♥ J♣ K♦ flop, it was Margereson who added more outs as any ten would complete Broadway for the British player. However, neither the 8♥ turn or 5♦ river was the card he needed, and he made his way to the exit.

Bao Qiang Ho's APT High Roller championship dreams came to an end at the 21st level.

Ho has been a strong contender anywhere he plays. So far in this APT Manila Classic 2025, Ho made a second place finish in the Superstar Challenge and took home the championship in one of the Single Day High Roller events.

Prior to this series, Ho has become the champion of four APT events and numerous final table appearances in his 27 APT live cashes. His 14th place finish here marks his 28th APT cash, and that's just with the Asian Poker Tour.

Ho has had much success in other poker festivals and has over USD 650,000 in total live earnings.

His cash out of PHP 352,000 in this event will surely boost his career earnings even more.

Leon Sturm raised to 55,000 and Jimin Lee shoved all-in. Sturm instantly called.

Leon Sturm A♣ J♦

Jimin Lee A♠ 3♣

The board ran 5♠ A♥ T♥ 2♦ J♥ Sturm was ahead before the flop and ended the hand with two pair, which put a stomp on Lee’s elimination.

Lee’s APT High Roller adventure ends with a run up to 15th place and earns PHP 352,000 for his efforts.

The action unfolded with Naohiro Matsuda all-in preflop and at risk against Emilien Pitavy in a classic showdown.

Naohiro Maeda: Q♥ Q♣

Emilien Pitavy: A♥ A♦

Pitavy’s pocket aces remained in command on a 3♦ 3♥ K♦ flop. The 5♥ T♥ runout offered no salvation for Matsuda, sealing his elimination as Pitavy raked in the pot and sent him to the payout desk.

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Action was picked up on a completed board with Shinya Maeda all-in for his tournament life against Benjamin Jacobs.

Shinya Maeda: K♣ Q♥

Benjamin Jacobs: A♥ K♥

Board: 3♠ J♦ T♠ Q♣ 4♥

Jacobs was ahead pre-flop and sealed the hand when he completed a straight on the turn, eliminating Maeda in 17th place.

Seong Uk Huh, at risk, open-jammed for 145,000 chips under the gun and got called by Benjamin Jacobs in big blind for a showdown during bubble time.

Seong Uk Huh: Q♥ J♣

Benjamin Jacobs: A♠ J♦

Flop came A♦ 9♠ 2♣ giving Jacobs a pair on the board and the lead with a chance to eliminate Huh. The runout 8♣ K♥ didn't improve Huh making him the bubble boy.

Both Emilien Pitavy and Shinya Maeda had all their chips in the middle before the flop.

Emilien Pitavy J♠ J♣

Shinya Maeda K♥ K♠

Pitavy was in danger of being eliminated on the bubble with a shorter stack.

The flop came 8♠ 9♣ 9♥ keeping Maeda in great shape. However, the poker gods threw a J♦ on the turn giving Pitavy one of his two outs to take the lead with a set. The river 6♣ was a brick for Maeda as he lost a huge chunk of his stack and was put on life support with just 5 big blinds left.

The tournament director has balanced the tables for the final 18 players with the bubble being played for hand for hand.

Among the recent eliminations reaching up to the final 18 are Xin Ann Lim, Andrija Robovic, Rishi Mehra, Michael Allen and Thijs Hilberts.

Scott Margereson raised to 35,000 and Matthew Belcher defended the big blind. Both were given a flop of T♦ K♣ 8♠

Belcher check-called the 55,000 bet of Margereson to see a A♣ on the turn. Belcher checked and Margereson barreled another 170,000 to the pot. This time around, Belcher didn't match and gave up the pot.

Leon Sturm raised to 35,000 on the button. Big blind Benjamin Jacobs three-bet to 115,000. After some thought, Sturm made the call.

A flop came 4♠ 3♣ 5♦ with Jacobs leading out for 180,000. Sturm counted the chips and pushed forward to open a J♣ on the turn.

After a beat, Jacobs declared "All in" and Sturm immediately folded before Jacobs could push his chips in.

Egidijus Digrys opened for 40,000 in the hijack and faced an all-in shove from Jimin Lee on the button. Digrys snap-called, putting Lee at risk.

Jimin Lee: A♥ 7♥

Egidijus Digrys: 9♥ 9♣

Lee spiked an ace on the 4♣ A♦ K♥ flop, seizing the lead. The runout Q♥ K♠ brought no help for Digrys, securing Lee a crucial double-up as the tournament neared the money bubble.

Leon Sturm opened for 40,000 on the button and faced a three-bet to 95,000 from Benjamin Jacobs in the big blind. Sturm made the call, taking both players to the flop.

The dealer spread K♥ 8♠ 9♠ , and Jacobs continued with a bet of 55,000. Sturm called once again. On the J♠ turn, Jacobs turned up the pressure with a sizable 145,000 bet, forcing Sturm to fold and concede the pot.

Leon Sturm min-raised 32,000 from the hi-jack and was called by Seungmook Jung on the cut-off. Both were shown a flop of A♦ 8♣ 9♠

Both players checked to reveal a 2♥ turn, then checked again to show a 2♠ river.

Sturm bet 41,000 and was called by Jung.

Sturm showed J♥ 8♥ for a pair of eights. Jung mucked.

Benjamin Jacobs raised to 32,000 from under the gun and was called by Shinya Maeda on the button. Small blind Leon Sturm made a three-bet raise to 140,000. When action went back to Jacobs, he took a peek at his cards and declared "All-in"

Maeda stepped out of the way and Sturm gave up also almost immediately. Jacobs scooped in a handsome pot without a flop.

Naohiro Matsuda raised to 32,000 from under the gun and Jimin Lee defended his big blind.

The flop came down 7♦ A♠ 5♣ , and Lee check-called a bet of 18,000 from Matsuda.

The K♣ appeared on the turn. Once again, Lee check-called a bet from Matsuda, but this time for 55,000.

The action checked through on the 2♣ river and Lee showed A♦ 8♣ for a pair of aces. This was outdone by Matsuda who had a better hand with A♦ Q♠

In the following hand, Matthew Belcher raised to 32,000 on the button and Lee made the call from the small blind.

A flop of 3♦ A♠ 7♣ fell and Lee checked. Belcher bet 25,000 and Lee carved out the call.

The 7♠ appeared on the turn and both players checked for the A♣ to show up on the river. Lee checked for the last time, and Blecher bet a heft 65,000. Lee instantly called and then mucked once he saw the the Q♣ of Matsuda

Lee check-called the 25,000 bet of Belcher to open a 7♠ turn. Both checked and saw a A♣ on the river. Lee tapped his option to welcome Belcher to fire 65,000. Lee made the call and flipped over Digrys

Belcher mucked.

Action folded to the blinds with small blind Egidijus Digrys matching the blinds and Matthew Belcher checking to open a friendly flop of 4♣ 9♦ 3♦

Both checked to see a J♣ turn. Digrys check-called the 36,000 bet to open a Q♠ on the river. Digrys checked and Belcher used a time bank token to rethink his strategy before declaring "All in!" Digrys surrendered immediately and the pot was sent to Belcher.

Andrija Robovic opened to 32,000 from the cutoff, only to face a three-bet to 90,000 from Thanisorn Saelor in the small blind. Robovic responded with a shove, and Saelor snap-called for his tournament life with a stack of around 470,000.

Thanisorn Saelor: A♥ A♣

Andrija Robovic: J♠ J♥

Saelor found himself in a dream scenario, poised to soar up the chip counts with his pocket rockets. The 8♦ 5♦ Q♦ flop kept him comfortably ahead, as neither player held a diamond. The 6♦ turn, however, introduced some late sweat, giving Robovic a chance to chop with a four-card flush on board.

But the Q♣ river sealed the deal for Saelor, locking up the double and boosting his stack toward the one-million mark.

Seungmook Jung opened for 35,000 from the hijack and was called by Shinya Maeda in the big blind, taking both players to the flop.

The dealer spread 6♥ 3♣ 7♠ , prompting a check from Maeda. Jung continued with a bet of 50,000, and Maeda opted to float. On the J♣ turn, Maeda check-called once again after Jung fired 130,000.

When the action was checked to him on the river, Jung took a few moments to consider his options before deciding to check back. Maeda tabled Q♣ J for a pair of jacks, but Jung revealed K♠ J♠ , outkicking Maeda to take down the pot.

Action was picked up with two players with their stacks in the middle of the pot for an all-in showdown - Xin Ann Lim, at risk, in small blind and Seungmook Jung under the gun.

Xin Ann Lim: Q♣ Q♥

Seungmook Jung: A♥ J♥

Lim was ahead with his pocket queens when the flop came 7♦ 9♣ T♦ giving Jung more outs with a gut-shot straight draw. the turn 2♣ maintained Lim's lead while Jung was left to hope to improve his hand. Jung's prayers were answered when the 8♥ dropped on the river completing his straight and earning him the double-up.

Following the re-draw, a new set of fresh faces will be performing under the lights and cameras for the livestream available at the APT Official YouTube Channel

The new cast of characters include: Thijs Hilberts, Bao Qiang Ho, Vlada Stojanovic, Michael Allen, Thanisorn Saelor, Nopparut Piyatassakorn, Adalsteinn Karlsson and Rishi Mehra.

Adalsteinn Karlsson enters the final table as the chip leader with 1,105,000 chips. So far, he is the only one who's crossed the million mark.

35 came to battle for 17 ITM slots. In the first level, the field had been drastically reduced to 24. Some of those who made their early exits include: Kiyoung Kim, Xinjing Li, Flo Campomanes, Daniel Smilijkovic, Chi Hung Lam, Sung Jin Yun, Victor Dai, William Ysmael, Zhen Chen, Jaejoong Kim and Pongsapak Himathongkorn.

Tables have been re-drawn and the players were given a short break to slow down the action.

Shinya Maeda and Flo Campomanes were eyeing a pot of over 220,000 beside a board that showed 2♥ T♠ 6♠ 7♣ . Campomanes led out for 100,000 with Maeda raising all n. Campomanes made call and showed A♦ A♣ . Maeda showed A♠ 9♥ and was obviously dominated.

Flo Campomanes: A♦ A♣

Shinya Maeda: A♠ 9♥

Campomanes looked like he was likely to double with top set against the draw of Maeda. The 8♣ dropped on the river to complete Maeda's traight, bringing some painful "oohs" from the table. Upon Campones' exit, the floor announced a redraw of seats with 24 players remaining entering Level 18.

Action was picked up with the three shortest stacks at Table #13 all-in, each hoping to chip up and extend their tournament run. Florencio Campomanes, who covered both Sung Jin Yun and Xin Ann Lim, had a chance to eliminate them both and boost his stack to at least the tournament average.

Sung Jin Yun: K♣ 9♦

Xin Ann Lim: A♦ A♠

Florencio Campomanes: K♦ Q♦

The dealer fanned out a 8♥ A♣ 3♥ flop, giving Lim a set and a near-certain double-up, while Yun was left drawing dead. The 5♥ turn and 8♦ river only strengthened Lim’s hand into a full house. He scooped the pot, Yun was eliminated, and Campomanes was left visibly frustrated.

Naohiro Matsuda raised to 25,000 from early position, and Nopparut Piyatassakorn defended the big blind.

The flop came 8♥ 4♠ J♠ , and Piyatassakorn check-called the 18,000 bet from Matsuda.

When the 3♣ hit the turn, Piyatassakorn checked to allow Matsuda to bet 40,000. Piyatassakorn raised to 95,000, and Matsuda fought back with another raise, making it 200,000 to go. Piyatassakorn didnt long to fold his cards and forfeit the pot to Piyatassakorn.

Florencio Campomanes opened for 24,000 in early position and was called by Sung Jin Yun in the cutoff. Benjamin Jacobs moved all in from the small blind, Campomanes quickly folded, but Yun made the call, putting Jacobs at risk.

Benjamin Jacobs: A♦ K♥

Sung Jin Yun: 9♥ 9♦

It was a classic flow when the dealer fanned out a 4♣ A♥ 3♥ flop, instantly pairing Jacobs' ace and putting him in the lead. The 8♣ turn and J♦ river changed nothing, securing Jacobs a much needed double-up.