Main Event (45,000 PHP)

Ho Tai Tsai defended his big blind against Naohiro Arita's 8,000 hijack open, and went on to lead all-in for 75,500 on flop T♦ A♣ 9♦ . Arita snap called with A♦ 8♦ , putting Tsai at risk with his lower kicker A♠ 5♠ .

Runout came K♣ J♦ , sealing the win for Arita as Tsai headed out two spots short of making Day 2.

With 50,500 centered around board 2♣ 4♣ A♦ 9♦ 8♦ , Naohiro Arita sent out a 36,500 bet from the big blind and left Ho Tai Tsai to take a minute. Tsai eventually decided to fold, shooting down to twenty big blinds.

Flight A action is close to wrapping up, with five more eliminations to go before bagging time. 13 players out of the 83-entry field are set to advance to Day 2 on Sunday, January 26. Leading the charge is local grinder Mark Almusajin, who has consistently kept the lead all throughout the day.

Chip Counts

Naohiro Arita opened 5,500 on the hijack, followed by an all-in for 23,000 from Roxanne Victorino right behind. Small blind cold called, leaving Ho Tai Tsai on the big blind to reshove for 36,500. Arita came out on top, pushing the small blind out of the way.

In for a race, board 9♦ 4♥ 4♠ 6♠ Q♣ landed in Tsai's favor, earning him a full triple up with two pair.

Ho Tai Tsai opened 5,500 and called Naohiro Arita's all-in on the button for 32,000 total.

In for a flip, board J♠ 3♥ Q♣ 5♦ 8♥ went in favor of Arita's overcards, keeping him in the Main Event games.

With 9,500 situated in the middle across board 2♥ 7♣ 6♥ A♠ 8♣ , Ho Tai Tsai led out a bet of 3,500 from the small blind, and called 7,500 more following a raise from Maxim Fana behind. Fana showed A♦ 8♥ and shipped the pot as Tsai tossed his hand in the muck.

A four way raised pot dealt a flop of 4♠ 2♦ 7♥ . John Constiniano bet all-in for his last 2,700, called by Ho Tai Tsai with his pocket pair.

John Constiniano 4♦ 2♥

Ho Tai Tsai 5♠ 5♣

Constiniano ahead with two pair, was crushed to see runout 8♦ 8♥ roll on board, giving Tsai the win to deliver his bust.

With 5,700 in the middle on flop, action was caught on John Constiniano with a bet of 2,600. Ho Tai Tsai check called, and did so for another 6,800 on turn J♥ . On river T♣ , Constiniano decided to check back, revealing Tsai's pair of sevens A♣ 7♣ , good for the win.

Ho Tai Tsai opened to 2,100, joined behind by Hogyun Kang onto flop J♠ 9♣ 8♦ . Tsai continued for 2,500 and was called by Kang onto turn Q♣ . Tsai this time, opted to check call for 3,500, and pay another 5,400 on river 4♦ . Kang showed straight T♦ 9♦ and collected the pot.

With a pot of 11,700 in the middle across board K♣ 4♥ T♥ 2♦ , Sergei Korzhenko made a go for it with a bet of 8,500. Ho Tai Tsai check folded, shipping his opponent the win.

Facing an open and a call, Ho Tai Tsai sent out a three bet to 2,500, and saw Seonghun Jeong bump it up further to 6,500. Joshua Cuevas on the big blind, cold five bet to 15,000, and picked up the pot uncontested.

Following an open and a call, Kyoungsun Lee pushed all-in on the big blind, for his last 5,900 and was called by initial raiser Ho Tai Tsai.

Dominated, Lee headed out after missing to improve on board 3♠ 8♥ 9♣ 5♣ J♣ .

A five way three bet pot saw Seonghun Jeong on the small blind, continue for 1,000 on flop A♠ J♥ 6♥ . Three folds followed before Ho Tai Tsai raised to 6,000 on the button. Jeong completed, yet folded after Tsai barreled all-in for 16,300 on turn 8♥ .

With two limps ahead, Ho Tai Tsai raised 800 on the small blind and saw William Wright complete. On board Q♦ T♣ 8♠ 4♠ , Tsai. double barreled 1,200 and 3,500, with Wright calling both streets. River K♥ was checked down, revealing Tsai's 2♦ 2♣ , no good against Wright's T♥ 9♣ .