Kickoff (16,500 PHP)

Ho Tai Tsai opened on the cutoff and snap called for his entire 490,000 after Czar Ian Marcos moved all-in from the big blind.

Tsai dominated, headed for the rails as the first casualty of the final table after board K♠ 8♦ 4♦ 7♣ 9♠ sealed the win for Macos.

Following a five hour grind, Manila Megastack 21's opening highlight - Kickoff, is officially down to its final nine players with local runner Renato Villanueva leading the charge. Each contender is now guaranteed PHP 87,885 (~USD 1,510) in winnings, with the PHP 765,000 (~USD 13,160) top prize only a few places away. Today's winner will also take home a 2025 APPT Manila Main Event Package, valued at PHP 125,000 (~USD 2,140), along with the prestigious PokerStars spade trophy to commemorate their triumph.

Final Table Chip Counts

Remaining Payouts

Ho Tai Tsai limped in on the button and saw both blinds come along on flop Q♥ K♥ 8♠ . All three checked round to turn A♣ , where Tsai bet 30,000. Rene Mar David check called, and arrived at showdown shortly after no bets went in on river K♣ .

David showed a busted flush draw J♥ 9♥ , leaving Tsai's pair of queens Q♠ 6♣ good for the pot.

Ho Tai Tsai limp called a 75,000 raise utg against Rene Mar David, and went on to lead all-in for 430,000 on flop 3♦ 2♥ 9♥ . David threw in the fold, giving up the pot.

Facing an open and a call, Christopher Richards squeezed all-in on the button for 190,000, and was tank called by Ho Tai Tsai.

Tsai ahead, secured the pot with top pair as board ran J♥ 7♦ 4♦ 2♠ 9♥ , busting Richards in the process.

Ho Tai Tsai open shoved 186,000 on the hijack and saw Kiril Gelev call off for his lesser 119,000 stack on the button.

Gelev in trouble, headed out shortly after board 7♦ 2♠ 2♦ 4♣ 4♥ failed to save him from his demise.

With a pot of 117,000 centered around board 6♦ 7♥ K♥ 8♠ 7♦ , Ho Tai Tsai made an attempt for it with a bet of 75,000. Masakazu Miyamoto on the big blind, found the call with two K♣ 8♦ , and shipped the pot as Tsai revealed busted flush draw A♥ 2♥ .

Ho Tai Tsai opened 14,000 utg, called by Paul Coles on the button. Masakazu Miyamoto on the big blind, raised to 65,000 and was met back with an all-in from Tsai. Both opponents opted out, shipping Tsai the dead money in the middle.