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Edilberto Gopez Dominates Main Event Flight B
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Today's Manila Megastack 21 Main Event action has officially wrapped up with another 101 entries added to the tally. Only 15 players survived the day's battle, with local runner Edilberto Gopez bagging a show-stopping 546,000 chip count, enough to surpass Flight A chip leader Mark Almusajin's 520,000 record and set the benchmark for the rest of the tournament.
Gopez’ rise to the top came at the perfect moment, just as the bubble time drew near. The Filipino contender's reign kicked off at the final level of play after a pocket pair clash against Brenton Buttigieg, shipped Gopez a hefty boost. With newfound chips, Gopez pumped up the aggression, applying maximum pressure on his opponents just as the field tightened up and shifted into survival mode.
Right behind Gopez sees South Korea’s Ju Won Chung hold strong with 398,000 in chips, followed closely by Japan’s Michihiko Matsuda with 334,000. Also advancing through is defending champion Richard Marquez with a short, yet playable stack of 86,000.
All Flight B survivors have a day to rest before they return back to the scene on Sunday, January 26, each guaranteed a payday. Two more flights are set to heat up later this afternoon, giving players a last chance to enter and claim a share of the PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705) pot.
Manila Megastack 21 Main Event
Date/s: January 23-27, 2025
Buy-in: PHP 45,000 (~USD 770)
Guarantee: PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705)
Starting stack: 30,000
Flight A: 83 entries, 13 qualified
Flight B: 101 entries, 15 qualified
Flight C: Saturday, January 25
Flight D [20/15]: Saturday, January 25
Day 2: Sunday, January 26
Final Day: Monday, January 27
End of Flight B - 15 Survivors
Player | Chips |
---|---|
EG Edilberto Gopez | 546,000(109 BB) |
JW Ju Won Chung | 398,000(80 BB) |
MM Michihiko Matsuda | 334,000(67 BB) |
KY Kunlong Yu | 303,000(61 BB) |
JG Jonald Garcia | 301,000(60 BB) |
GC Graham Cowan | 231,000(46 BB) |
MC Michael Concepcion (2) | 171,000(34 BB) |
JI Jester Intia | 167,000(33 BB) |
KE Kim Enriquez | 149,000(30 BB) |
113,000(23 BB) | |
RM Richard Marquez | 86,000(17 BB) |
JD John Dela Cruz | 73,000(15 BB) |
73,000(15 BB) | |
JM Joseph Magnotti | 46,000(9 BB) |
ER Euryd Rivera | 3,000(1 BB) |
Ho Tai Tsai Bubbles Main Event Flight B
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Michihiko Matsuda sent out a 40,000 three bet against an utg open, and saw Ho Tai Tsai on the big blind, push for 117,000 total. Initial raiser got out of the way, leaving Matsuda to make the final call for a showdown.
Tsai in rough shape, failed to catch up on board 6♠ 6♣ T♦ 4♦ 2♥ , sending him out as the day's stone cold bubble.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
MM Michihiko Matsuda | K♠K♣ HJ | 334,000(67 BB) |
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | A♦Q♣ BB | busted |
Edilberto Gopez Piles It High
Takahiko Hachiya opened 10,000 on the hijack and was called behind by Edilberto Gopez. On flop 4♥ Q♦ 9♦ , Hachiya check called a bet of 15,000, revealing turn Q♣ . Both checked it through to river A♥ , where Gopez gunned for a final 75,000. Hachiya paid the price, only to muck as Gopez tabled trip queens K♠ Q♠ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
EG Edilberto Gopez | 546,000(109 BB) |
73,000(15 BB) |
Aggression Pays Off for Edilberto Gopez
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Action folded to Kunlong Yu on the small blind, leading him to open for 12,000. Edilberto Gopez right behind, raised to 45,000 and saw Yu complete. On board 9♣ 7♦ 8♠ 2♥ Q♣ , Gopez triple barreled - 15,000, 55,000, and a final 140,000. Yu called down two streets yet surrendered by the river, shipping Gopez the win with no showdown.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
EG Edilberto Gopez | 415,000(83 BB) |
KY Kunlong Yu | 265,000(53 BB) |
Richard Marquez Down to Crumbs
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Richard Marquez opened utg+1, and went on to four bet jam against Ju Won Chung's raise on the button. Chung snap called for his entire 193,000, and smooth sailed to victory across board 7♠ J♦ 3♠ 5♣ 5♠ , earning him a big double up right on bubble time.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
JW Ju Won Chung | A♦A♠ D | 398,000(80 BB) |
RM Richard Marquez | A♣K♥ UTG+1 | 70,000(14 BB) |
Quick Double for Takahiko Hachiya
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Edilberto Gopez sent out a 32,000 three bet against an utg open, and saw Takahiko Hachiya push all-in on the big blind for 75,000. Initial raiser folded, leaving Gopez priced in to call.
Hachiya a huge favorite, cruised to victory on board 8♣ T♦ 5♣ K♦ J♣ , easily bagging the win with top set.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
K♠K♣ BB | 169,000(34 BB) | |
EG Edilberto Gopez | K♥J♠ UTG+1 | 316,000(63 BB) |
Bubble Time!
Action is right on bubble time with two tables remaining, and one more elimination due before the day wraps up. 15 players are set to advance to Day 2, all guaranteed a share of the PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705) pot.
Brenton Buttigieg Runs Into the Cowboys
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A blind vs blind battle saw Brenton Buttigieg limp call a 13,000 raise from Edilberto Gopez, revealing flop J♦ 5♦ 2♠ . Buttigieg check raised to 75,000, and called for his remaining 33,000 after Gopez moved all-in.
Edilberto Gopez K♦ K♥
Brenton Buttigieg T♠ T♣
Crushed against pocket kings, Buttigieg headed out shortly after runout K♠ 6♣ left him behind on all streets.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
EG Edilberto Gopez | 420,000(84 BB) |
BB Brenton Buttigieg | busted |
Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000
40 minutesKunlong Yu Busts John Constiniano
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Kunglong Yu opened on the cutoff and called John Constiniano's all-in from the big blind.
Constiniano in trouble, bound for the exit shortly after failing to improve on board 5♣ 6♥ K♥ T♣ 5♥ .
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
KY Kunlong Yu | A♠K♠ CO | 487,000(122 BB) |
JC John Constiniano | A♣6♠ BB | busted |
Kyuhyung Jung Gives Up the Fight
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Kyuhyung Jung opened 9,000 utg, joined by two players behind onto flop T♠ K♣ 4♣ . Jung bet 17,000, check called by Jonald Garcia on the small blind. On turn J♣ , Garcia took the initiative, and led out a bet 35,000. Jung paused for a minute, and eventually found a fold.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JG Jonald Garcia | 247,000(62 BB) |
82,000(21 BB) |
Graham Cowan Bets to Win
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Joseph Magnotti opened 9,000 on the cutoff, called by the button and Graham Cowan on the big blind. Magnotti continued for 8,000 on flop T♦ 4♠ K♦ , and saw only Cowan stick around to turn 7♦ . Both checked it through to river 7♠ , where Cowan led 30,000. Magnotti slipped the fold, shipping his opponent the boost.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
GC Graham Cowan | 262,000(66 BB) |
JM Joseph Magnotti | 82,000(21 BB) |
Ju Won Chung Leaves Euryd Rivera Unable to Continue
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Euryd Rivera defended his big blind against Ju Won Chung's 8,000 hijack open, and check called 12,000 on flop 5♣ K♦ 8♠ . Chung followed with another 30,000 on turn 2♣ , convincing Rivera to give it up and save his chips.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JW Ju Won Chung | 126,000(32 BB) |
ER Euryd Rivera | 68,000(17 BB) |
Takahiko Hachiya Saved by Runout
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A blind vs battle saw Kunlong Yu open and call off Takahiko Hachiya's all-in behind for 46,000.
Hachiya dominated, turned the tables as board 4♥ T♠ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ ran him a straight flush to snag the win.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
A♦5♥ BB | 96,000(24 BB) | |
KY Kunlong Yu | A♥J♠ SB | 387,000(97 BB) |
Three Back to Back Pots for Kunlong Yu
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Following two previous wins, Kunlong Yu fired a 21,000 three bet on the button against Joseph Magnotti's cutoff open, and saw the latter complete. Yu continued for 22,000 on flop 2♠ 7♠ 8♦ , and left Magnotti to quickly give it up, shipping Yu his third consecutive pot.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KY Kunlong Yu | 375,000(94 BB) |
JM Joseph Magnotti | 97,000(24 BB) |
John Constiniano Suffers Minimum Damage
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Kunlong Yu defended his big blind vs John Constiniano's 8,000 cutoff open, and check called another 10,000 on flop A♥ 6♣ T♥ . No more bets went in on either turn K♥ or river 8♠ , revealing Yu's two pair A♠ 8♣ for the win.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KY Kunlong Yu | 339,000(85 BB) |
JC John Constiniano | 110,000(28 BB) |
Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000
40 minutesEuryd Rivera Wins Flip to Survive
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Kim Enriquez opened utg and called off Euryd Rivera's 38,000 all-in from the big blind, putting the latter at risk.
Running a flip, Rivera's pocket pair held on board T♠ 7♦ Q♣ Q♠ 8♥ , shipping him the much needed double up.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
ER Euryd Rivera | 5♥5♠ BB | 80,500(27 BB) |
KE Kim Enriquez | A♥J♥ UTG | 126,000(42 BB) |
Edilberto Gopez Takes Out Won Il Bae
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With a pot of 57,000 spread out across board K♥ 4♣ Q♠ 7♣ 9♥ , Edilberto Gopez fired an overbet of 60,000 from the big blind, sending Won Il Bae deep in the tank. Bae eventually called off with top pair K♦ T♦ , costing him his run as Gopez revealed straight J♠ T♥ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
EG Edilberto Gopez | 277,000(92 BB) |
WI Won Il Bae | busted |
John Constiniano Stands Strong with Top Pair
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With 34,000 in the middle across board J♦ 2♣ 5♥ 8♠ , action was caught on Graham Cowan on the small blind, with a bet of 25,000. John Constiniano a seat after made the call, and arrived at showdown after no more bets went in on river T♣ .
Cowan showed A♦ 4♣ , no good against Constiniano's top pair J♠ 6♦ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
GC Graham Cowan | 221,000(74 BB) |
JC John Constiniano | 150,000(50 BB) |
Kyuhyung Jung Doubles Through Jonald Garcia
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With 50,000 in the middle on flop 4♥ 5♣ T♦ , Kyuhyung Jung bet all-in for 65,000, and was called by Jonald Garcia behind.
Kyuhyung Jung A♦ A♥
Jonald Garcia K♥ K♣
A cooler situation, Jung's better pair held through turn 8♠ and river 8♥ , earning him the full double up just as the day is about to close.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
180,000(60 BB) | |
JG Jonald Garcia | 77,000(26 BB) |
Graham Cowan Spikes Two Outer
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Takahiko Hachiya opened utg and went on to four bet jam against Graham Cowan's raise behind. Cowan called off for his 133,500 stack and found himself in rough shape for his tournament life.
Lucky for Cowan, board 4♣ 8♣ 2♣ K♠ 9♦ rolled one of his two outs, keeping him in the Main Event games.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
GC Graham Cowan | 9♥9♣ HJ | 274,500(92 BB) |
J♠J♣ UTG | 81,000(27 BB) |
Brenton Buttigieg Puts On the Pressure
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With 93,000 in the middle across board 8♣ A♣ 6♦ T♣ , Brenton Buttigieg on the big blind, made an attempt for it with a bet of 60,000. Richard Marquez surrendered, giving up the pot to his opponent.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
BB Brenton Buttigieg | 252,000(84 BB) |
RM Richard Marquez | 169,000(56 BB) |
Marc Rivera Crashes Into Aces
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Marc Rivera pushed all-in for his last 57,000 against an utg open, and saw Ju Won Chung behind push likewise. Initial raiser opted out, leaving the two to showdown.
Rivera in rough shape, failed to crack the rockets on board Q♦ 3♥ T♣ 4♦ T♥ , ending his run at today's Main Event qualifier.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
JW Ju Won Chung | A♥A♣ BB | 190,000(63 BB) |
MR Marc Rivera | A♦Q♥ SB | busted |
Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000
40 minutesChip Count Update
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Today's Main Event Flight B action is set to close once the field is down to 15 players. That means only six more eliminations are due before bagging time. Stacking atop is local runner Jester Intia, trailed closely behind by Kunlong Yu.
Chip Counts
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JI Jester Intia | 293,000(98 BB) |
KY Kunlong Yu | 260,000(87 BB) |
RM Richard Marquez | 238,000(79 BB) |
BB Brenton Buttigieg | 208,000(69 BB) |
206,000(69 BB) | |
MC Michael Concepcion (2) | 192,500(64 BB) |
JC John Constiniano | 170,000(57 BB) |
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 164,000(55 BB) |
MM Michihiko Matsuda | 157,000(52 BB) |
EG Edilberto Gopez | 151,000(50 BB) |
JG Jonald Garcia | 129,000(43 BB) |
JW Ju Won Chung | 126,000(42 BB) |
KE Kim Enriquez | 121,000(40 BB) |
GC Graham Cowan | 110,000(37 BB) |
JD John Dela Cruz | 105,500(35 BB) |
JM Joseph Magnotti | 99,000(33 BB) |
WI Won Il Bae | 85,000(28 BB) |
MR Marc Rivera | 57,000(19 BB) |
50,000(17 BB) | |
ER Euryd Rivera | 38,000(13 BB) |
Break
Kim Enriquez Picks Up a Boost
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Kim Enriquez opened to 5,000 and was joined by Brenton Buttigieg on the small blind. Enriquez continued for 7,000 on flop 6♠ Q♦ 9♥ , and called 13,000 more following a check raise from Buttigieg. On turn 5♥ , Enriquez didn't hesitate to lead out 27,000, enough to get Buttigieg to lay it down.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
BB Brenton Buttigieg | 212,000(85 BB) |
KE Kim Enriquez | 128,000(51 BB) |
Kunlong Yu Delivers Double Bust
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Kunlong Yu opened 5,500, and was joined by both players on the blinds - Johnson Tan and Nathan Gathercole. On flop 7♠ K♥ 4♥ , all three stacks rushed to the middle with Yu covering both opponents.
Kunlong Yu A♦ K♦
Johnson Tan Q♥ J♥
Nathan Gathercole K♣ Q♦
Turn 2♦ and river 8♦ ran safe for Yu, leaving him to scoop it all with top pair and ace kicker in play.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KY Kunlong Yu | 221,000(88 BB) |
JT Johnson Tan | busted |
NG Nathan Gathercole | busted |
Joseph Magnotti Cripples Mike Takayama
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Mike Takayama raised all-in on the cutoff and saw Joseph Magnotti call off for a slightly lesser 41,000 right on the big blind.
A crucial flip, Magnotti dodged a bullet, having spiked a set on board A♠ 8♠ 2♦ T♣ Q♠ to survive through.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
JM Joseph Magnotti | T♥T♠ BB | 84,500(34 BB) |
MT Mike Takayama | K♠Q♥ CO | 500(0 BB) |
Brenton Buttigieg on Fire
Takahiko Hachiya opened 5,000 utg+1, followed by a raise to 18,000 from Brenton Buttigieg. Richard Marquez cold called from the small blind, and was met with a four bet from Hachiya to 55,500. Buttigieg pushed all-in, and shipped the dead money in the middle as both surrendered.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
BB Brenton Buttigieg | 253,000(101 BB) |
RM Richard Marquez | 204,000(82 BB) |
107,000(43 BB) |
Brenton Buttigieg Stands His Ground
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Ju Won Chung opened 6,000 on the cutoff, called by Brenton Buttigieg on the button along with Richard Marquez on the big blind. Action on flop K♦ T♠ 8♣ was checked to Buttigieg, pushing him to bet 8,000. Marquez raised to 16,000, called by Chung behind. Buttigieg fired back 60,000, and left both unable to continue.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
RM Richard Marquez | 222,000(89 BB) |
BB Brenton Buttigieg | 188,000(75 BB) |
JW Ju Won Chung | 84,500(34 BB) |
John Dela Cruz Flops the World
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John Dela Cruz opened 5,000 on the hijack, called behind by Kyuhyung Jung along with the big blind. Action on flop K♥ K♣ 4♠ was checked to Jung, who bet 7,000. Dela Cruz check called, and paid another 11,500 on turn 7♠. On river 9♠ , Jung slowed down and checked it back, revealing Dela Cruz's trip kings K♠ J♦ for the win.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JD John Dela Cruz | 154,000(62 BB) |
48,000(19 BB) |
Nathan Gathercole Doubles Through Marc Rivera
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Nathan Gathercole opened utg and called a 17,000 three bet from Marc Rivera on the button. On flop 9♠ 7♣ 5♦ , Gathercole check jammed his remaining 26,000, called by Rivera with ace-high.
Nathan Gathercole Q♥ Q♠
Marc Rivera A♣ K♠
Gunning for overcards, Rivera found none on runout 9♦ 6♣ , shipping Gathercole the double up.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
NG Nathan Gathercole | 92,000(37 BB) |
MR Marc Rivera | 40,000(16 BB) |
Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500
40 minutesEdilberto Gopez Knocks Out Luqman Alghanim
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Edilberto Gopez completed his big blind vs a utg open from Luqman Alghanim, and proceeded with a check raise to 15,000 on flop T♣ 8♠ T♠ . Alghanim called to see turn A♠ , and committed his last 48,500 after Gopez barreled all-in.
Edilberto Gopez 6♠ 5♠
Luqman Alghanim A♥ J♣
Alghanim drawing slim, headed for the exit as river J♦ failed to save him from his demise.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
EG Edilberto Gopez | 255,000(128 BB) |
LA Luqman Alghanim | busted |
Top Pair Wins It for Jester Intia
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Jester Intia opened 4,000 utg, called by Jonald Garcia along with the big blind. On board K♠ 4♦ 2♠ 3♣ , Intia double barreled - 7,000 and 10,500, with Garcia calling behind on both streets. On river 9♠ , Intia decided to check, leaving Garcia to check back for a showdown.
Intia revealed top pair A♥ K♦ and shipped the win.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JI Jester Intia | 265,000(133 BB) |
JG Jonald Garcia | 91,000(46 BB) |
Akihiro Kawaguchi Runs Into Rockets
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Akihiro Kawaguchi opened utg+1 and called an 11,500 three bet from John Constiniano behind. On flop 7♥ J♣ 5♣ , Kawaguchi led all-in for his remaining 40,000, snap called by Constiniano with an overpair.
Akihiro Kawaguchi A♥ J♠
John Constiniano A♦ A♣
Crushed against the rockets, Kawaguchi bowed out shortly after runout 2♥ T♦ landed on the felt.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JC John Constiniano | 205,000(103 BB) |
AK Akihiro Kawaguchi | busted |
Edilberto Gopez in No Sweat
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Facing an open and a three bet, Nazariy Fedyk squeezed all-in on the big blind for his last 29,500, and saw initial raiser Edilberto Gopez push likewise.
Fedyk in rough shape, was left with no hope as Gopez dominated all throughout board Q♣ K♥ T♥ 2♥ 6♠ .
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
EG Edilberto Gopez | K♦K♣ UTG | 147,000(74 BB) |
T♠T♣ BB | busted |
Michael Concepcion Picks Up More Chips
Michael Concepcion opened utg and called Benjamin Ebarle's all-in right behind for 36,000.
Running a flip, board T♦ J♠ 3♣ 5♣ Q♥ ran in favor of Concepcion's overcards, eliminating Ebarle in the process.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
MC Michael Concepcion (2) | A♣Q♦ UTG | 98,000(49 BB) |
BE Benjamin Ebarle | 8♦8♥ UTG+1 | busted |
Michael Concepcion Survives Race
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Jester Intia opened on the hijack and called Michael Concepcion's all-in on the button for 29,500.
In for a race, Concepcion kept his advantage all the way through board T♥ 7♣ 5♦ 8♥ 2♥ , earning him a double up with the nut flush.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
MC Michael Concepcion (2) | A♥9♥ D | 64,000(32 BB) |
JI Jester Intia | K♦Q♠ HJ | 223,000(112 BB) |
Jonald Garcia Strikes with Aggression
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Up against a late position open and a call, Bernard Vu flicked in his last 10,000, and saw both continue to flop 4♦ 6♦ J♠ . Initial raiser Jonald Garcia led 12,000, and followed with another 15,000 on turn Q♥ . Richard Marquez behind, called both streets for a side pot, yet folded on river 2♥ after Garcia moved all-in.
Garcia showed A♦ K♠ high, good against Vu's A♣ T♥ for the takedown.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
RM Richard Marquez | 265,000(133 BB) |
JG Jonald Garcia | 106,500(53 BB) |
BV Bernard Vu | busted |
Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000
40 minutesRichard Marquez Shoots to the Top
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Graham Cowan defended his big blind against Richard Marquez' 3,500 hijack open, and check called 5,000 on flop J♣ T♠ 4♣ . On turn 3♠ , Marquez barreled another 14,000, raised by Cowan to 35,000. Marquez responded with an all-in for his remaining 120,000 and was called by Cowan for a showdown.
Richard Marquez J♦ J♥
Graham Cowan T♦ 3♦
Marquez with top set, instantly left Cowan drawing dead, shipping the massive pot his way just as river 2♥ completed the board.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
RM Richard Marquez | 287,500(192 BB) |
GC Graham Cowan | 159,000(106 BB) |
Quick Double for John Dela Cruz
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Lloyd Locsin opened 3,500 utg and called off John Dela Cruz's all-in behind for 54,000 total.
Dominated, Locsin booked the loss as board K♠ 8♣ 6♦ 8♦ 5♠ kept Dela Cruz ahead all the way.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
JD John Dela Cruz | A♦K♦ CO | 112,000(75 BB) |
LL Lloyd Locsin | A♠Q♠ UTG | 68,000(45 BB) |
Won Il Bae Wins with the Ladies
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Won Il Bae raised all-in on the small blind for 28,500, and was looked up by Kim Enriquez right behind.
Bae ahead, secured the win just as board 8♥ 6♦ 4♦ T♦ T♠ offered Enriquez no help.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
WI Won Il Bae | Q♥Q♠ SB | 58,500(39 BB) |
KE Kim Enriquez | A♥2♦ BB | 107,000(71 BB) |
Brenton Buttigieg Cracks Aces, Busts Jinwoo Jung
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Jinwoo Jung opened 3,300 utg and was called by two players behind. On board 6♣ 4♠ 7♥ 4♣ , Jung double barreled 10,500 and 25,000, with Brenton Buttigieg on the button calling down both streets. Jung checked river 8♣ , and faced an all-in from his opponent. Jung found no escape, risking his last 34,000 with A♦ A♥ .
Buttigieg had the best of it with a flush T♣ 9♣ and sent Jung off to the rails.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
BB Brenton Buttigieg | 177,000(118 BB) |
busted |
Midpair Holds Up for Michael Concepcion
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Jester Intia defended his big blind against Michael Concepcion's 3,000 utg+1 open, and check called two streets - 2,500 and 7,000, on board 3♠ A♠ 9♥ 3♥ . On river 2♦ , Concepcion decided to check back his 9♣ 7♣ , and found it good against Intia's busted flush draw K♠ 2♠ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JI Jester Intia | 250,000(167 BB) |
MC Michael Concepcion (2) | 54,000(36 BB) |
Marc Rivera Puts Up a Fight
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Marc Rivera opened 3,300 utg, joined behind by Ju Won Chung on the button. On flop 5♠ Q♠ K♥ , Rivera check called a 2,500 bet from Chung, revealing turn 6♥ . Chung went for another 4,500, yet folded after Rivera asked for 6,000 more.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
MR Marc Rivera | 68,000(45 BB) |
JW Ju Won Chung | 58,300(39 BB) |
Luqman Alghanim Spikes the River
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Up against a late position open and a call, Edgar Asehan squeezed all-in on the small blind for 29,000, and saw initial raiser Luqman Alghanim take the spot.
In for a flip, board T♥ T♦ 6♠ 8♥ K♥ landed in favor of the overcards, sending Asehan out the door.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
LA Luqman Alghanim | A♠K♦ HJ | 78,000(52 BB) |
EA Edgar Asehan | 7♠7♣ SB | busted |
Akihiro Kawaguchi Pads It Further
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John Constiniano sent out a 7,000 three bet against an utg open, and was called behind by Luqman Alghanim. Akihiro Kawaguchi on the big blind, bumped it up further to 32,000, and picked up the pot uncontested.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
AK Akihiro Kawaguchi | 100,000(67 BB) |
JC John Constiniano | 99,000(66 BB) |
LA Luqman Alghanim | 38,000(25 BB) |
Main Event Flight B Registration Closes at 101 Entries
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Registration is officially closed for today's Manila Megastack Main Event qualifier with a total of 101 entries locked in across ten levels of play. Action will conclude once the field is down to 15% (ITM) at 15 players.
Two more heats are set to take flight tomorrow, January 25th, for those who have yet to catch a spot in the Day 2 games.
Manila Megastack 21 Main Event
Date/s: January 23-27, 2025
Buy-in: PHP 45,000 (~USD 770)
Guarantee: PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705)
Starting stack: 30,000
Flight A: 83 entries, 13 qualified
Flight B: 101 entries, 15 ITM
Flight C: Saturday, January 25
Flight D [20/15]: Saturday, January 25
Day 2: Sunday, January 26
Final Day: Monday, January 27
Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500
40 minutesTakahiko Hachiya Does It Again
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A blind vs blind battle saw a pot of 65,000 in the middle across board J♠ 3♠ 6♠ 7♦ Q♠ . Takahiko Hachiya took the initiative and led all-in for 46,800. Edilberto Gopez behind, gave it up once more and slipped the fold.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
111,800(93 BB) | |
EG Edilberto Gopez | 107,000(89 BB) |
Top Pair Sends Euryd Rivera Out
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Jester Intia opened 2,400 utg, and was joined by three other players on flop 5♦ Q♥ 7♥ . Intia continued for 3,800, weeding out none onto turn 3♦ . Euryd Rivera on the big blind, this time led for 16,000, and faced a raise from Intia to 43,000. All else folded, pushing Rivera to tank jam his entire 84,000 stack. Intia gladly obliged with a set 5♠ 5♣ and left Rivera's top pair K♦ Q♦ crushed all the way through river 6♣ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JI Jester Intia | 257,000(214 BB) |
ER Euryd Rivera | busted |
Lloyd Locsin Finishes Lemmor Patulot
A three way raised pot saw the aggressor continue for 3,500 on flop T♣ Q♠ K♦ , called by Lloyd Locsin behind. Lemmor Patulot on the button, raised to 10,000, leaving only Locsin onto turn 4♠ . Patulot finished with an all-in for 16,500, snap called by Locsin for a showdown.
Lemmor Patulot J♣ 9♣
Lloyd Locsin A♥ J♥
Locsin with the nut straight, scooped up the win as river 2♥ offered no chops.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
LL Lloyd Locsin | 176,000(147 BB) |
LP Lemmor Patulot | busted |
Lloyd Locsin Shows Strength
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Lloyd Locsin fired a 7,700 three bet against an early open and a call, and saw Lemmor Patulot on the big blind, and the initial raiser continue to flop 4♦ 5♣ 8♣ . Locsin bet 11,000, and gunned for another 21,000 on turn 8♦ , leaving Patulot to surrender by the second bet.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
LL Lloyd Locsin | 139,000(116 BB) |
LP Lemmor Patulot | 28,900(24 BB) |
Takahiko Hachiya Risks It All
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With 30,000 in the middle across board 3♠ T♣ J♣ 5♠ , action was caught on utg raiser Edilberto Gopez with a bet of 19,000. Takahiko Hachiya on the small blind, check raised all-in, and pushed Gopez out of the action successfully.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
EG Edilberto Gopez | 147,000(123 BB) |
103,000(86 BB) |
Double Barrel Works for Maxwell Rosete
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With 9,300 in the middle on flop J♣ 8♦ K♠ , three way action saw Maxwell Rosete continue for 2,800, followed by another 7,500 on turn 4♥ . Edgar Asehan on the big blind, check called the initial bet, but gave it up as Rosete fired a second barrel.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
MR Maxwell Rosete | 42,000(35 BB) |
EA Edgar Asehan | 38,000(32 BB) |
Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200
40 minutesDinner Break
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Manila Megastack Main Event Flight B players are off for a 40 minute dinner break, with action set to resume at 8:20 p.m. Registration will close by the end of Level 10.
Top Chip Counts
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Player | Chips |
---|---|
GC Graham Cowan | 182,000(152 BB) |
EG Edilberto Gopez | 169,000(141 BB) |
JG Jonald Garcia | 151,000(126 BB) |
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 143,000(119 BB) |
KE Kim Enriquez | 131,000(109 BB) |
RM Richard Marquez | 125,000(104 BB) |
JI Jester Intia | 118,000(98 BB) |
JC John Constiniano | 115,000(96 BB) |
MM Michihiko Matsuda | 104,000(87 BB) |
ER Euryd Rivera | 103,000(86 BB) |
JT Johnson Tan | 102,000(85 BB) |
JW Ju Won Chung | 90,400(75 BB) |
LL Lloyd Locsin | 89,000(74 BB) |
80,000(67 BB) | |
JM Joseph Magnotti | 77,000(64 BB) |
AK Akihiro Kawaguchi | 71,000(59 BB) |
KY Kunlong Yu | 62,300(52 BB) |
61,000(51 BB) | |
58,600(49 BB) | |
LA Luqman Alghanim | 57,000(48 BB) |
WI Won Il Bae | 54,000(45 BB) |
50,500(42 BB) | |
EA Edgar Asehan | 46,700(39 BB) |
BV Bernard Vu | 46,000(38 BB) |
PE Paul Elliott | 43,500(36 BB) |
NG Nathan Gathercole | 38,000(32 BB) |
CQ Cezar Quiambao | 37,000(31 BB) |
JM Joris Michl | 34,000(28 BB) |
MR Marc Rivera | 30,000(25 BB) |
BB Brenton Buttigieg | 30,000(25 BB) |
LE Lester Edoc | 30,000(25 BB) |
JD Jess Dalipe | 29,000(24 BB) |
BE Benjamin Ebarle | 28,000(23 BB) |
CK Carsten Klug | 26,400(22 BB) |
22,600(19 BB) | |
JS Jonghoon Seon | 18,300(15 BB) |
HK Hogyun Kang | 16,800(14 BB) |
14,600(12 BB) | |
RM Rene Mar David | 12,800(11 BB) |
Dinner Break
40 minutesWilliam Ysmael Off to the Rails
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Edilberto Gopez opened 2,300 utg, called behind by the button along with William Ysmael on the big blind. On flop T♦ 2♠ 2♦ , Ysmael went for a check raise to 9,000, and saw both continue to turn 9♣ . Checked to Gopez, he bet 20,000, and called for the rest after Ysmael jammed for 3,000 more.
William Ysmael T♥ 9♠
Edilberto Gopez A♠ T♠
Ysmael ahead, instead bowed out shortly after river A♥ landed Gopez a better two pair to steal the win.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
EG Edilberto Gopez | 169,000(141 BB) |
WY William Ysmael | busted |
Graham Cowan Bags Huge
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Manuel Geronimo opened 2,500 on the button and was met with a 9,000 three bet from player on the small blind. Graham Cowan chimed in, and called Geronimo's four bet jam for 84,400 total.
Up for a gamble, Geronimo landed a monster on flop Q♦ T♦ K♣ , with the runout Q♠ 4♣ sealing the win for his suited broadways.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
GC Graham Cowan | K♦J♦ BB | 189,000(158 BB) |
MG Manuel Geronimo | J♠J♣ D | busted |
John Constiniano Ahead All the Way
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With 18,600 in the middle across board 5♦ 2♥ 4♦ T♣ , action was caught on John Constiniano with a bet of 7,500. Rene Mar David called behind, and arrived at showdown shortly after river 7♠ was checked through.
Constiniano revealed 9♦ 9♥ , ahead of David's 8♦ 8♠ on all streets.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JC John Constiniano | 108,000(90 BB) |
RM Rene Mar David | 15,200(13 BB) |
Bernard Vu Pays Off Takahiko Hachiya
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With a pot of 11,000 in the middle across board T♦ 9♣ 4♠ 6♦ T♣ , action was caught on Bernard Vu on the big blind with a bet of 3,000. Takahiko Hachiya raised to 16,000 behind, and picked up the pot with trip tens K♥ T♠ after Vu made the final call.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
81,000(68 BB) | |
BV Bernard Vu | 45,000(38 BB) |
Akihiro Kawaguchi Puts Tournament Life on the Line
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Vying for a pot of 24,000 in the middle on flop T♦ Q♣ 7♦ , three way action saw Paul Elliott send out a 6,000 bet on the button. Akihiro Kawaguchi check jammed 23,400 in, and shipped the pot after Elliott tank folded.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
AK Akihiro Kawaguchi | 53,400(45 BB) |
PE Paul Elliott | 48,600(41 BB) |
Bernard Vu Busts Mike Takayama
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Mike Takayama committed his last 10,700 preflop and was looked up by initial raiser Bernard Vu for a pocket pair battle.
Takayama in rough shape, exited the arena after failing to improve on board A♦ T♣ 6♥ 5♦ 9♦ .
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
BV Bernard Vu | 8♠8♣ MP | 75,000(63 BB) |
MT Mike Takayama | 3♦3♠ SB | busted |
Dream Spot for Ho Tai Tsai
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Kunlong Yu opened 2,500 utg, joined by Ho Tai Tsai on the button along with the big blind onto flop 7♠ 8♥ 2♠ . Action checked round to turn 9♠ , where Yu continued for 4,500. Tsai called behind, and snap called a final 8,000 on river 5♦ , revealing his nut straight J♠ T♦ for the win against Yu's A♠ Q♥ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 139,000(116 BB) |
KY Kunlong Yu | 56,700(47 BB) |
Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200
40 minutesJu Won Chung Finishes Brenton Buttigieg
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Ju Won Chung opened 2,200 on the hijack and called 16,000 more following an all-in from Brenton Buttigieg on the button.
In for a race, board 3♦ T♠ Q♣ 7♦ Q♠ landed Chung's way, eliminating Buttigieg entirely.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
JW Ju Won Chung | K♥T♦ HJ | 58,000(58 BB) |
BB Brenton Buttigieg | A♠3♣ D | busted |
Brenton Buttigieg Bricks Runout
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With 6,300 in the middle on flop T♠ 3♦ 9♥ , Jonghoon Seon continued for 2,500 and called for his remaining 11,300 after Brenton Buttigieg demanded for the rest.
Brenton Buttigieg 8♦ 7♣
Jonghoon Seon A♠ 9♦
Buttigieg gunning for a straight, found none of his outs on either turn T♣ or rive 7♠ , shipping Seon the full double up.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JS Jonghoon Seon | 33,900(34 BB) |
BB Brenton Buttigieg | 8,300(8 BB) |
Takahiko Hachiya on the Winning End of a Cooler
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Richard Marquez opened 2,000 utg+1 and was joined by both players on the blinds. All three checked flop 2♣ 3♦ 9♦ through to turn Q♥ , where Takahiko Hachiya led 4,000. Marquez answered with a raise to 12,000, and called for the rest after Hachiya pushed for 26,800.
Takahiko Hachiya A♦ A♥
Richard Marquez K♦ K♠
A premium pair clash, Hachiya's rockets held through all the way to river 6♦ , earning him the 60 big blinds in the middle.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
RM Richard Marquez | 66,600(67 BB) |
60,600(61 BB) |
Edilberto Gopez Surrenders
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Edilberto Gopez opened 2,200 on the cutoff and called 8,000 more following a raise from John Constiniano on the big blind. On board 5♦ J♣ 3♥ 8♦ , Constiniano double barreled - 5,500 and 16,200, leaving Gopez unable to continue by the turn.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JC John Constiniano | 68,700(69 BB) |
EG Edilberto Gopez | 62,000(62 BB) |
Lemmor Patulot Unfazed
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With 15,300 in the middle on board Q♥ 5♠ 6♥ K♦ , Lemmor Patulot shot out a bet of 6,600 and called 6,900 more following a raise from Kyuhyung Jung. On turn Q♠ , Patulot still took the lead with a bet of 8,000, and successfully convinced Jung to give it up.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
87,000(87 BB) | |
LP Lemmor Patulot | 63,000(63 BB) |
Ace High Good Enough for Johnson Tan
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Johnson Tan opened 2,200 on the cutoff, joined behind by Roxanne Victorino along with the big blind. Action on flop 3♠ 8♠ 9♦ was checked round to turn 7♦ , where Tan bet 5,000. Victorino made the call, and arrived at showdown shortly after river 7♣ welcomed no more bets.
Tan showed ace-high A♠ T♥ , good enough to ship the pot.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JT Johnson Tan | 111,000(111 BB) |
72,000(72 BB) |
Zhiqiang Liu Shows Off the Rockets
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Following an open and a call, Takahiko Hachiya sent out a 7,800 three bet on the small blind, and was met with a 16,500 cold four bet behind from Zhiqiang Liu. Hachiya completed, yet quickly folded after Liu pushed all-in on flop 4♥ J♥ K♠ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
53,000(53 BB) | |
33,300(33 BB) |
Richard Marquez Collects From Euryd Rivera
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Player | Chips |
---|---|
RM Richard Marquez | 66,700(67 BB) |
ER Euryd Rivera | 33,000(33 BB) |
A blind vs blind battle brewed a pot of 5,400 even before flop 4♣ 3♥ 8♠ landed on the felt. Both checked round to turn 8♣ , where Richard Marquez bet 3,100. Euryd Rivera called behind, and bet a final 7,500 on river Q♠ . Marquez check called with K♥ K♣ , and found it good against Rivera's top pair Q♣ 6♠ .
Jonald Garcia Takes It Down
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A four way raised pot saw action on flop 5♦ 9♠ 8♣ check round to turn 3♣ . Graham Cowan led 2,600 off the small blind, and was met with a raise to 8,000 from Jonald Garcia behind. All three failed to continue, earning Garcia the pot.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
GC Graham Cowan | 63,000(63 BB) |
JG Jonald Garcia | 62,000(62 BB) |
Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000
40 minutesTop Chip Counts
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Player | Chips |
---|---|
101,000(101 BB) | |
JT Johnson Tan | 91,000(91 BB) |
JM Joseph Magnotti | 89,000(89 BB) |
LL Lloyd Locsin | 83,500(84 BB) |
JM Joris Michl | 83,000(83 BB) |
BB Brenton Buttigieg | 76,300(76 BB) |
69,500(70 BB) | |
67,200(67 BB) | |
EA Edgar Asehan | 66,000(66 BB) |
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 65,000(65 BB) |
BV Bernard Vu | 63,000(63 BB) |
JC John Constiniano | 62,000(62 BB) |
61,000(61 BB) | |
JK Jaewon Kim | 60,800(61 BB) |
EG Edilberto Gopez | 51,000(51 BB) |
MM Michihiko Matsuda | 50,000(50 BB) |
45,000(45 BB) | |
PE Paul Elliott | 45,000(45 BB) |
JD Jess Dalipe | 44,000(44 BB) |
43,000(43 BB) |
Break
Takahiko Hachiya Catches Richard Marquez Red Handed
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With 11,300 in the middle across board 6♠ T♠ Q♣ Q♦ 9♥ , Richard Marquez went for a bet of 8,000, and took the loss with A♦ J♦ as Takahiko Hachiya found the call with K♠ T♣ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
RM Richard Marquez | 43,000(54 BB) |
37,800(47 BB) |
Zhiqiang Liu on Police Duty
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With 23,600 in the middle across board 7♥ T♥ T♦ 6♥ Q♠ , Zhiqiang Liu faced a bet of 14,000 from Xia Qi right behind. Liu found the call with 6♦ 5♦ , and shipped the pot after Qi flipped over A♥ K♣ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
52,600(66 BB) | |
XQ Xia Qi | 10,600(13 BB) |
Jonghoon Seon Bricks Runout
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Vying for a pot of 23,000 in the middle across board 9♣ 5♠ 3♠ 9♥ , Jonghoon Seon made an attempt for it with a bet of 8,000. Fathi Kamyar pushed behind for 5,100 more, leaving Seon priced in to call.
Fathi Kamyar 4♦ 4♣
Jonghoon Seon K♠ 2♠
River 8♣ bricked for Seon, earning Kamyar the double up with his pocket pair.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
46,200(58 BB) | |
JS Jonghoon Seon | 30,700(38 BB) |
Won Il Bae Crushes With Cowboys
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Leslie Tsui open shoved her last 9,600 utg+1 and saw Won Il Bae happily oblige.
Up against a monster pair, Tsui exited the arena shortly after board 6♦ 9♥ 3♣ Q♥ J♥ felted no aces.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
WI Won Il Bae | K♠K♣ SB | 31,400(39 BB) |
LT Leslie Tsui | A♣9♣ UTG+1 | busted |
Seungmin Kang Shows No Signs of Slowing Down
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Kunlong Yu opened utg and called a 4,500 three bet from Seungmin Kang a seat after. On flop K♠ 4♦ Q♠ , Yu check called another 5,500, yet folded after Kang went for another 11,000 on turn 8♠ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
81,500(102 BB) | |
KY Kunlong Yu | 27,600(35 BB) |
Richard Marquez Gets Cbet Through
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Facing an open and a call, Takahiko Hachiya sent out a 5,100 three bet on the hijack. Initial raiser Richard Marquez responded with a raise to 13,100, called by Hachiya. On flop 5♥ Q♦ 7♣ , Marquez continued for 7,500, enough to convince Hachiya to surrender.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
RM Richard Marquez | 50,500(63 BB) |
27,300(34 BB) |
Jess Dalipe Proceeds with Aggression
A three way raised pot saw action on flop 9♠ 2♥ K♠ check to Jess Dalipe on the button, pushing him to bet 2,400. Joris Michl check called on the big blind, yet quickly let it go after Dalipe continued for another 5,000 on turn 9♦ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JD Jess Dalipe | 42,300(53 BB) |
JM Joris Michl | 41,000(51 BB) |
Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800
40 minutesFathi Kamyar Shoves for the Win
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Leslie Tsui opened 1,200, joined by Fathi Kamyar on the button onto flop 9♥ K♠ 8♠ . Tsui opted to check call for 2,600, yet fold on turn 8♥ after Kamyar barreled all-in.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
43,800(73 BB) | |
LT Leslie Tsui | 12,000(20 BB) |
Ha Mai Anh Gets Value
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Vying for 5,700 in the middle across board 2♥ 8♠ J♦ 5♣ 7♥ , Ha Mai Anh shot out a pot size bet of 5,000, and was check called by Joris Michl on the big blind. Anh showed top pair K♦ J♥ , leaving Michl to take the loss.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JM Joris Michl | 43,600(73 BB) |
34,000(57 BB) |
John Constiniano Hero Calls with Ace High
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With a pot of 5,100 situated in the middle on flop 6♣ 3♣ 5♦ , three way action was checked to Jose Colada on the button, who bet 1,500. John Constiniano check called, and did so once more on turn 8♠ for another 3,500. On river Q♠ , Colada fired a final 6,500, and was exposed with king-high K♣ J♣ after Constiniano put out the third call.
Constiniano showed A♥ 4♥ and won the pot with ace-high.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JC John Constiniano | 53,000(88 BB) |
JC Jose Colada | 12,600(21 BB) |
Fathi Kamyar Smashes Board
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With 11,800 in the middle across board T♥ 9♣ 7♠ 9♠ , three way action saw Hogyun Kang lead out for 3,000. Both opponents continued to river 3♠ , where Fathi Kamyar bet all-in. Kang check called for his remaining 12,100 with 5♥ 5♠ , only to head out as Kamyar revealed boat T♦ T♣ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
46,400(77 BB) | |
HK Hogyun Kang | busted |
Graham Cowan Shows the Nuts
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A four way raised pot read a flop of T♣ Q♥ 4♣ . Action was checked to Graham Cowan, who bet 2,600. Ho Tai Tsai check called on the small blind, yet folded after Cowan fired another 6,600 on turn A♦ . Cowan showed nut straight K♠ J♦ as he raked in the pot.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
GC Graham Cowan | 116,300(194 BB) |
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 41,000(68 BB) |
Xia Qi Banks a Win
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With 7,100 in the middle on flop 6♦ 2♦ K♦ , four way action saw the utg raiser bet 1,500. Xia Qi on the small blind, check raised to 4,600 and was cold called by Ho Tai Tsai right behind. On turn 9♥ , Qi went for another 12,500, and left Tsai unable to continue.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 47,000(78 BB) |
XQ Xia Qi | 36,000(60 BB) |
Top Pair Wins It for Bernard Vu
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A three way raised pot saw Richard Marquez continue for 2,000 on flop K♣ 7♥ 9♦ . Bernard Vu check called on the big blind, and arrived at showdown after no more bets went in on either turn Q♦ or river J♥ . Vu showed top pair K♠ 3♠ and shipped the pot.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
BV Bernard Vu | 49,300(82 BB) |
RM Richard Marquez | 38,000(63 BB) |
Eom Joonghoon Claims One
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Jinwoo Jung sent out a 1,300 raise following a limp from Eom Joonghoon, and saw both Eom and Michihiko Matsuda on the big blind, make the call. On flop 5♦ 8♣ 3♠ , Jung continued for 1,200, called by Matsuda. Action back to Eom, he raised to 4,500 and took down the pot straight away.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
42,200(70 BB) | |
31,700(53 BB) | |
MM Michihiko Matsuda | 17,600(29 BB) |
Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600
40 minutesSet Over Set Sends Maxwell Rosete Out
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With 11,700 seen in the middle on flop Q♦ 5♥ 2♥ , both stacks rushed to the middle - Maxwell Rosete at risk for his 24,700 stack against Tamon Nakamura.
Tamon Nakamura 5♦ 5♣
Maxwell Rosete 2♠ 2♣
A set over set situation, Nakamura's higher set took the win with the turn K♣ and river 3♦ making no difference.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
TN Tamon Nakamura | 35,700(71 BB) |
MR Maxwell Rosete | busted |
Brenton Buttigieg Cracks 100K Mark
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Fathi Kamyar defended his big blind against Brenton Buttigieg's 1,100 utg open, and went on to check call two streets - 1,800 and 3,200, on board 7♦ 6♥ Q♣ 8♥ . On river 5♥ , Kamyar check raised to 16,000, and got to showdown after Buttigieg made the call.
Kamyar revealed straight 6♠ 4♠ , no good against Buttigieg's higher straight Q♠ 9♠ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
BB Brenton Buttigieg | 104,000(208 BB) |
26,000(52 BB) |
John Constiniano Fills Up on the River
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Takahiko Hachiya opened 1,200 utg+1, joined by a player behind along with John Constiniano on the big blind. All three checked flop 2♠ Q♦ J♠ through to turn 8♥ , where Constiniano led 3,100. Hachiya made the call, and committed his remaining 11,500 on river A♠ after Constiniano moved all-in.
Constiniano revealed flush 4♠ 3♠ , sending Hachiya's A♣ K♦ bound for the muck.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JC John Constiniano | 46,000(92 BB) |
busted |
Second Bullet Pays Off for Johnson Tan
Tamon Nakamura sent out a 3,000 three bet on the button vs Johnson Tan's cutoff open and saw Tan and Roxanne Victorino on the big blind, continue to flop Q♥ 2♦ K♥ . Victorino led 5,000, called by both onto turn 6♣ . Action this time, checked to Nakamura, who bet 15,000. Both stuck around to see river 2♠ , where no more bets went in the middle.
Tan showed trip deuces A♥ 2♥ , and claimed the win.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JT Johnson Tan | 95,000(190 BB) |
35,000(70 BB) | |
TN Tamon Nakamura | 32,100(64 BB) |
Johnson Tan Stands Strong
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Seungmin Kang opened 1,500 on the hijack, called by Johnson Tan behind along with the big blind. Action on flop 9♥ T♠ 9♣ was checked to Tan, pushing him to bet 2,000. Kang raised for 5,000 more, and saw Tan complete. On turn 8♣ , Tan called another 11,000 bet from Kang, and arrived at showdown shortly after river 3♣ was checked through.
Kang revealed ace-high A♦ Q♥ , shipping Tan the win with two pair J♥ T♥ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JT Johnson Tan | 45,000(90 BB) |
34,300(69 BB) |
Manuel Geronimo Lands a Boost
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A four way raised pot saw Manuel Geronimo lead 2,000 on flop T♥ T♠ 9♦ . Initial raiser Alfredo Boligor called behind, revealing turn T♣ . Both checked it through to river Q♥ , where Geronimo bet 5,000. Boligor paid the price, and mucked as Geronimo showed a boat 9♠ 6♥ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
MG Manuel Geronimo | 38,000(76 BB) |
AB Alfredo Boligor | 30,600(61 BB) |
Lloyd Locsin Sends Johnson Tan Packing
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With 13,700 in the pot across board 4♥ 3♣ 2♠ 9♥ , three way action saw Johnson Tan bet 3,000. Initial raiser Lloyd Locsin check raised to 12,000 and called for the rest after Tan pushed for 23,800 total.
Johnson Tan 8♥ 8♣
Lloyd Locsin K♦ K♠
Locsin ahead, sealed the win as river 3♥ completed the board.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
LL Lloyd Locsin | 78,300(157 BB) |
JT Johnson Tan | busted |
Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500
40 minutesTop Chip Counts
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Player | Chips |
---|---|
BB Brenton Buttigieg | 81,000(162 BB) |
TN Tamon Nakamura | 70,300(141 BB) |
67,000(134 BB) | |
JW Ju Won Chung | 59,600(119 BB) |
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 54,000(108 BB) |
EA Edgar Asehan | 51,300(103 BB) |
51,000(102 BB) | |
49,000(98 BB) | |
48,000(96 BB) | |
AK Akihiro Kawaguchi | 46,000(92 BB) |
RM Richard Marquez | 45,000(90 BB) |
PE Paul Elliott | 41,800(84 BB) |
GC Graham Cowan | 41,300(83 BB) |
DK Dk Kim Kunwoo | 37,000(74 BB) |
JM Joseph Magnotti | 34,500(69 BB) |
Break
Remaining Players: 52/61
Xiong Cheng Heads for the Rails
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Xiong Cheng opened utg, and went on to fourbet jam his 15,000 stack against Tamon Nakamura's raise behind. Nakamura snap called, putting Cheng at risk.
Cheng ahead, was crushed to see an ace on board A♠ 3♦ 8♣ 6♠ 3♠ , enough to send his cowboys flying towards the muck.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
TN Tamon Nakamura | A♦Q♠ D | 70,300(176 BB) |
K♥K♣ UTG | busted |
Double Barrel Works for Mike Takayama
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Akihiro Kawaguchi defended his big blind against Mike Takayama's 1,000 cutoff open, and check called another 1,500 on flop 4♥ A♠ 8♥ . On turn 7♠ , Takayama went for 3,000, enough to get Kawaguchi to lay it down.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
AK Akihiro Kawaguchi | 48,000(120 BB) |
MT Mike Takayama | 33,000(83 BB) |
Ho Tai Tsai Gives Up Top Pair
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Ho Tai Tsai opened 1,800 utg and was called by the button, along with Christopher Mateo on the big blind. Action on flop 2♦ 6♠ A♦ was checked round to turn 3♥ , where Mateo led 2,000. Tsai made the call, and went on to bet 2,000 on river 2♥ . Mateo check raised to 13,000, leaving Tsai unable to continue as he open folded two pair A♠ Q♥ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 56,000(140 BB) |
CM Christopher Mateo | 37,200(93 BB) |
Kunwoo Kim Four Bets for the Win
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Kunwoo Kim opened 1,000 utg+1, called by player on the button. Cezar Quiambao on the small blind, raised to 4,500, and was met with another raise to 12,500 from Kim. Both slipped the fold, earning Kim the dead money in the middle.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
DK Dk Kim Kunwoo | 36,000(90 BB) |
CQ Cezar Quiambao | 21,600(54 BB) |
Tamon Nakamura Bets All the Way
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Vying for 6,800 in the middle on flop K♦ 2♦ 8♦ , Tamon Nakamura led for 2,000, followed by another 6,000 on turn Q♣ . Joshua Cuevas behind, called both streets but let it go after Nakamura finished with an all-in on river 3♥ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
TN Tamon Nakamura | 59,300(148 BB) |
11,700(29 BB) |
Bernard Vu Runs Into Kings
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Up against an open and a call, Brenton Buttigieg fired a three bet to 3,000, and called 28,000 more following an all-in from initial raiser Bernard Vu.
Vu in search of an ace, found none on board 4♣ 9♥ T♠ 2♣ 3♠ , eliminating him from the Main Event games.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
BB Brenton Buttigieg | K♠K♣ MP | 64,300(161 BB) |
BV Bernard Vu | A♦Q♦ UTG | busted |
Joseph Pineiro Bows Out
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A three way three bet pot saw Joseph Pineiro lead all-in for 10,500 on flop 6♣ 5♦ 7♣ . Ju Won Chung called behind with a pair of sixes 6♥ 3♥ , and found himself behind against Pineiro's J♦ J♥ . Runout T♦ 3♦ however, gave Chung two pair to steal the win and bust out his opponent.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JW Ju Won Chung | 72,600(182 BB) |
JP Joseph Pineiro | busted |
Top Pair Good for Alfredo Boligor
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A three way raised pot saw action on flop 5♥ 9♠ A♦ check through to turn T♦ . Ho Tai Tsai bet 1,800 and was check called by Alfredo Boligor on the big blind. River 6♦ welcomed no more bets, revealing Boligor's top pair A♥ 2♠ good for the win.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 55,000(138 BB) |
AB Alfredo Boligor | 38,200(96 BB) |
Jinwoo Jung Denies Michihiko Matsuda Showdown
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A three way raised pot rolled a board of 4♣ K♣ 3♣ 5♠ 7♦ , where action was checked down all the way to the river. Michihiko Matsuda led for a final 2,000 yet was left unable to continue after Jinwoo Jung raised it up to 7,000.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
51,300(128 BB) | |
MM Michihiko Matsuda | 11,500(29 BB) |
Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400
40 minutesHo Tai Tsai Picks Up a Pot
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Rene Mar David opened 600 utg, called by the button along with Ho Tai Tsai on the big blind. Action on flop 3♥ T♥ A♠ was checked round to turn A♦ , where Tsai led 700. David called behind and arrived at showdown after no more bets went in on river 9♥ .
Tsai showed 5♦ 5♣ , good for the win.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 67,000(223 BB) |
RM Rene Mar David | 26,600(89 BB) |
Pocket Pair Holds for Jonghoon Seon
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Up against an early open and two calls, Florin Filip squeezed all-in for 10,300 and was challenged by initial raiser Jonghoon Seon.
In for a flip, board 6♦ 3♠ 2♠ 7♦ 4♦ landed Seon's way, busting out Filip in the process.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
JS Jonghoon Seon | 6♥6♣ UTG | 43,300(144 BB) |
FF Florin Filip | A♥Q♥ SB | busted |
Jinwoo Jung Flops a Monster
Following an open and a call, Michihiko Matsuda threw in a three bet to 2,500, and saw both continue to flop Q♠ A♦ K♥ . Matsuda continued for 2,500, called by Jinwoo Jung onto turn 5♣ . Both checked it through to river 6♠ , where Matsuda check called 6,000.
Jung showed two pair A♥ Q♦ and raked in the pot.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
51,300(171 BB) | |
MM Michihiko Matsuda | 17,700(59 BB) |
Easy Takedown for Jinwoo Jung
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Jinwoo Jung sent out a 1,500 three bet against Ionut Dragomir's hijack open and saw the latter complete. On flop A♠ 6♥ 5♠ , Jung bet 1,000, enough to get Dragomir out of the way.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
36,700(122 BB) | |
ID Ionut Dragomir | 26,800(89 BB) |
River Rolls for Emmanuel Derecho
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A four way raised pot saw action on board A♦ 9♦ 4♦ K♠ Q♠ check down to the river, where initial raiser Emmanuel Derecho fired a bet of 2,000. Jegal Gun looked him up, and mucked as Derecho showed straight J♥ T♠ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
ED Emmanuel Derecho | 28,000(93 BB) |
GJ Gun Jegal | 26,700(89 BB) |
Joshua Cuevas Bets to Win
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A blind vs blind brewed a pot of 2,300 in the middle on flop 6♦ 7♠ J♠ . Nazariy Fedyk led for 1,000, called behind by Joshua Cuevas. Turn Q♦ was checked through to river Q♥ , where Cuevas bet a final 3,300. Fedyk check folded, shipping Cuevas the pot.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
25,400(85 BB) | |
18,000(60 BB) |
Jonghoon Seon Doubles Up
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A four way raised pot led by Florin Filip dealt a flop of 8♦ 2♦ T♠ . Big blind bet 2,000, called by both Filip and Jonghoon Seon behind. On turn 3♥ , Filip went for 8,000, and saw only Seon stick around to river 6♣ . Filip gunned for the rest, leaving Seon to call off for his last 10,300.
Filip showed Q♣ Q♠ , crushed by Seon's straight 9♣ 7♣ by the river.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
JS Jonghoon Seon | 47,000(157 BB) |
FF Florin Filip | 9,200(31 BB) |
Richard Marquez Pumps Up the Aggression
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Richard Marquez sent out a 1,800 three bet vs Nathan Gathercole's utg open and saw the button and Gathercole continue to flop 7♣ 7♦ 3♠ . Gathercole led for 4,000, but folded shortly after Marquez bumped it up to 10,000.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
RM Richard Marquez | 44,000(147 BB) |
NG Nathan Gathercole | 9,700(32 BB) |
Paul Elliott Back in the Mix
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Having bubbled yesterday's flight, Paul Elliott is seen at play once more, gunning for another chance to qualify for Day 2.
With 2,400 in the middle across board K♥ T♣ 5♥ 7♣ , three way action saw Ju Won Chung lead 1,700 on the big blind, called behind by Paul Elliott. River A♠ welcomed no more bets, revealing Elliot's two pair K♠ T♥ , good against Chung's K♠ J♥ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
PE Paul Elliott | 47,000(157 BB) |
JW Ju Won Chung | 25,500(85 BB) |
Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300
40 minutesNathan Gathercole Bags a Boost
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A three way raised pot dealt a flop of J♦ T♦ 6♠ . Nathan Gathercole shot out a bet of 500 off the big blind and saw both continue to turn T♥ . Gathercole went for another 300, leaving only Francis Garson onto river A♥ . Both checked it down, tabling Gathercole's two pair J♠ 7♦ for the win.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
FG Francis Garson | 41,600(208 BB) |
NG Nathan Gathercole | 18,500(93 BB) |
Joseph Magnotti Wins with Ace High
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With a pot of 5,300 in the middle across board 5♠ 2♦ 8♥ Q♣ , Joseph Magnotti sent out a bet of 2,800 and was check called by Kunlong Yu on the big blind. Both checked down river 9♥ , revealing Yu's A♣ 3♣ , no good against Magnotti's A♦ K♥ high.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KY Kunlong Yu | 47,000(235 BB) |
JM Joseph Magnotti | 36,200(181 BB) |
Bernard Vu Extracts Value
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A four way raised pot led by Bernard Vu saw him bet another 1,200 on flop Q♦ 8♦ 8♠ . Ho Tai Tsai check called on the big blind, and headed to turn T♠ . Both checked it through to river T♠ , where Vu went for a final 2,300. Tsai check called to showdown with two pair Q♥ 7♠ , but found it behind against Vu's better K♣ Q♣ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 45,000(225 BB) |
BV Bernard Vu | 38,400(192 BB) |
Kunlong Yu Fills Up on the River
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With 4,200 in the middle on flop 8♦ 7♥ 9♠ , action was caught on Kunlong Yu with a bet of 1,500. Jonghoon Seon check called, revealing turn 2♣ . Both checked it through to river J♣ , where Seon led 4,500. Yu made the call with a straight A♣ T♣ , crushing Seon's K♥ Q♥ entirely.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KY Kunlong Yu | 50,600(253 BB) |
JS Jonghoon Seon | 22,300(112 BB) |
Ho Tai Tsai Bets to Win
Jegal Gun opened 500 on the hijack and was called by two players behind. Action on flop 9♣ 5♣ 2♥ was checked round to turn A♦ , where Gun fired 900. Ho Tai Tsai called behind, and bet a final 2,600 on river 4♣ . Gun laid it down and moved on to the next deal.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 54,900(275 BB) |
GJ Gun Jegal | 33,400(167 BB) |
Ho Tai Tsai Leaves Graham Cowan Unable to Continue
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With a pot of 24,900 in the middle across board 3♥ K♣ 5♦ A♠ , Ho Tai Tsai made an attempt for it on the button, with a bet of 11,000. Graham Cowan check folded, surrendering his chance of winning the pot.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 52,500(263 BB) |
GC Graham Cowan | 20,000(100 BB) |
Akos Kovacs Takes It Down
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Akos Kovacs opened 600 on the hijack, and was called by both Emmanuel Derecho and Myungjin Jung behind. Action on flop Q♠ T♠ 8♦ was checked round to turn 9♠ , where Kovacs led for 1,500. Both threw in the fold, shipping Kovacs the boost.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
MJ Myungjin Jung | 33,200(166 BB) |
ED Emmanuel Derecho | 30,600(153 BB) |
AK Akos Kovacs | 10,200(51 BB) |
Sehoon Jin Collects From Marco Espela
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Facing an open and a call, Sehoon Jin sent out a 2,000 three bet on the big blind, and saw initial raiser Marco Espela continue to flop 9♣ 8♠ Q♦ . Jin continued for 1,500 and called 3,000 more following a raise from his opponent. Both checked turn T♠ through to river 2♦ , where Jin bet a final 11,800. Espela made the call, and mucked as Jin revealed straight J♦ J♥ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
47,300(237 BB) | |
ME Marco Espela | 12,600(63 BB) |
Myungjin Jung Raises the Stakes
Bernard Vu threw in a 700 raise vs a limp and was called by player on the button. Myungjin Jung bumped it up further on the big blind, to 3,200, and picked up the pot straight away following three folds.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
MJ Myungjin Jung | 34,000(170 BB) |
BV Bernard Vu | 23,800(119 BB) |
Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200
40 minutesMyungjin Jung Calls Down Bernard Vu
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Myungjin Jung opened 300 on the hijack and was joined by three other players onto flop J♦ 8♥ 9♣ . Bernard Vu led out 500 on the small blind, called by both Jung and player on the cutoff behind. Vu continued to barrel 800 on turn 2♥ , and a final 1,200 on river T♥ , with Jung calling him down on both streets.
Vu showed two pair T♣ 9♦ , behind all the way against Jung's straight Q♣ J♣ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
MJ Myungjin Jung | 32,400(324 BB) |
BV Bernard Vu | 24,500(245 BB) |
Kunlong Yu Denies Roxanne Victorino Showdown
Kunlong Yu opened 300 on the hijack, joined behind by Roxanne Victorino. On flop 5♦ 9♦ 3♣ , Yu continued for 500, and called 1,000 more following a raise from his opponent. Victorino followed through with a 3,000 bet on turn J♠ , yet folded on river K♣ after Yu led out for 5,500.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KY Kunlong Yu | 40,400(404 BB) |
39,500(395 BB) |
Jegal Gun Shows Best Hand
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Jegal Gun fired a 1,200 three bet against a button open and saw Ho Tai Tsai cold call on the big blind. On flop 8♠ T♣ A♥ , Gun went for a check raise to 1,800, called by his opponent. Gun followed with another 2,000 on turn 4♥ , and earned the pot as Tsai slipped the fold. Gun showed top pair A♣ K♦ as he raked in the pot.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 38,100(381 BB) |
GJ Gun Jegal | 32,500(325 BB) |
Kunlong Yu Flaunts Aces
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Kunlong Yu fired a 900 three bet on the big blind against Takahiko Hachiya's button open, and saw the latter call another 1,100 on flop 4♥ 8♦ T♠ . Action on turn 6♣ was checked through to river 6♥ , where Yu gunned for a final 3,600. Hachiya paid the price, only to muck as Yu tabled A♥ A♠ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KY Kunlong Yu | 35,700(357 BB) |
27,200(272 BB) |
Xiong Cheng on the Floor
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Recent APPT Manila champion Xiong Cheng is spotted in action at today's Manila Megastack Main Event festivities! Cheng's victory at last year’s APPT was nothing short of spectacular, earning him a massive PHP 15 million (~USD 260K) in prize money. This season, Cheng stands to be a player to watch as he aims to add another prestigious title to his resume.
Roxanne Victorino Picks Up a Win
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A button vs blind battle brewed a pot of 4,000 in the middle across board 9♦ 2♠ T♥ 9♥ . Roxanne Victorino led for 3,000, and finished with a final 5,000 on river K♠ . Tamon Nakamura called the initial action but was left unable to continue after Victorino asked for more.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
34,500(345 BB) | |
TN Tamon Nakamura | 24,400(244 BB) |
Ho Tai Tsai Doubles Up Through Akos Kovacs
With 7,900 in the pot across board Q♦ 7♠ 6♦ J♣ , Akos Kovacs went for a bet of 3,800, and called 3,800 more following a check raise from Ho Tai Tsai on the big blind. On river 7♦ , Tsai led all-in for his last 9,700, called by Kovacs to showdown.
Tsai showed a boat J♥ J♠ , crushing Kovacs' A♣ Q♠ by the turn.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 42,500(425 BB) |
AK Akos Kovacs | 8,900(89 BB) |
Emmanuel Derecho Takes Back More
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Emmanuel Derecho sent out a 2,400 three bet against Ho Tai Tsai's utg open, and saw the latter complete. Derecho continued for 1,800 on flop T♣ 2♠ Q♦ , and went on to check call 5,500 on turn 6♣ . Both checked down river 2♦ , revealing Derecho's J♥ J♠ , good for the pot.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
ED Emmanuel Derecho | 39,200(392 BB) |
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 21,300(213 BB) |
Ho Tai Tsai Exudes Early Aggression
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Emmanuel Derecho opened 300 utg, and was joined by both players on the blinds onto flop 2♠ 6♣ 2♥ . Derecho continued for 400, but folded shortly after Ho Tai Tsai check raised to 1,500.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
HT Ho-Tai Tsai | 31,000(310 BB) |
ED Emmanuel Derecho | 29,300(293 BB) |
Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100
40 minutesCards in the Air!
Shuffle up & deal, good luck to all the players!
The Race for a Spadie Continues!
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Action is heating up at PokerStars LIVE in Okada Manila, Philippines with the Manila Megastack Main Event in full swing. The second heat of the PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705) guaranteed headliner takes flight today, with yesterday's showing seeing only 13 runners advance to Day 2.
Today's excitement sees another round of 40 minute blind levels running from start to finish, with action set to close once the field is down to 15% (ITM). Each entry buys players a starting stack of 30,000, allowing those who missed to make the mark or those uncontented with their stacks another chance to rise with the Best Stack Forward policy in place. Current chip leader stands to be local grinder Mark Almusajin, having topped the initial flight with a towering stack of 520,000.
Play kicks off at 13:00, stay tuned for updates as SMP brings you all the latest directly off the floor!
Manila Megastack 21 Main Event
Date/s: January 23-27, 2025
Buy-in: PHP 45,000 (~USD 770)
Guarantee: PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705)
Starting stack: 30,000
Flight A: 83 entries, 13 qualified
Flight B: Friday, January 24
Flight C: Saturday, January 25
Flight D [20/15]: Saturday, January 25
Day 2: Sunday, January 26
Final Day: Monday, January 27