Philippines, Okada ManilaEVENT #12

2025.11.29 - 2025.11.30Add to Calendar

PokerStars Live

Blind level

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Entries

24/159

Total Chips

4,770,000

Average

198,750

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 2:31:57 PM

Ryan Martinez Tops Flight A Of Mystery Bounty

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Ryan Martinez - Chip Leader

Mystery Bounty Flight A wrapped up after nine hours of fast paced play, producing 24 survivors who now advance to Day 2 with both payouts secured and bounty envelopes waiting for them tomorrow. The opening flight drew a strong 159 total entries, and the momentum was evident early in the day when the PHP 2,000,000 (~US$ 34,100) guarantee was already surpassed midway through Level 6.

The excitement only grew as Flight B opened later in the day, quickly reaching 131 entries with only 20 players advancing to the money. The Mystery Bounty event gathered a combined total of 290 entries across both flights. With a buy in of only PHP 20,000 (~US$ 340), the turnout pushed the prize pool to more than double its guarantee, setting the stage for an explosive Day 2 bounty chase.

At the center of Flight A’s storyline is Ryan Martinez, who delivered one of the most commanding performances of the session. Martinez surged ahead early after calling a massive shove from APPT Manila double champion Justin Ong with nothing but top pair in a pivotal hero call. That pot propelled him far above the average of 60,000, and he continued to build relentlessly from there.

Justin Ong - APPT Manila Champion

Martinez and Ong crossed paths again in another dramatic confrontation. Ong fired a huge river bet in a sizable pot, but Martinez once again made the correct read, calling with bottom pair and leaving Ong short. Ong’s run ended shortly after, unable to break through Martinez’s momentum.

The defining moment of Martinez’s flight, however, came in a stunning all in against Rene Payan. Martinez trailed badly with queens against aces but found one of his two outs on the river, shooting his stack to more than 600,000. Although he later surrendered a few smaller pots, Martinez still finished the night as the runaway leader with 439,000 (74 BB), securing the top spot for Flight A and entering Day 2 as a major contender for the biggest bounty prizes.

Daire Burke

Right behind him is Daire Burke, who methodically constructed a strong stack throughout the day. Burke’s breakthrough moment came when his Ace King soared past Anant Purohit’s queens, pairing both the ace and king across the runout to seize full control of the hand. That pot pushed him firmly into second place with 401,000 (67 BB) heading into Day 2.

Bubble

Flight A’s bubble burst in dramatic and unforgiving fashion. Albert Muir moved all in from the button and ran headfirst into the aces of Noel Llamedo in the big blind. The board offered no escape, ending Muir’s tournament one spot shy of the money and clearing the path for the final 24 players to bag their chips.

These 24 survivors will return tomorrow at 12 pm local time to continue the hunt. With bounties, mystery envelopes, and a swollen prize pool waiting, every player has a realistic chance to leave with a career-changing pull. Full payouts, bounty values, and seat draw will be posted as soon as they become available.

Somuchpoker will remain onsite at PokerStars Live Manila inside the luxurious Okada Manila to bring you complete Day 2 coverage and highlights from start to finish. Stay tuned.

Top 10 Chip Count

Player	Chips
RM Ryan MartinezUnited States of America	439,000(73 BB)
DB Daire BurkeIreland	401,000(67 BB)
YN Yuki NishioJapan	386,000(64 BB)
JL Jimin LimSouth Korea	328,000(55 BB)
YP Yohn ParedesPeru	260,000(43 BB)
MB Michael BagdasarovUnited States of America	241,000(40 BB)
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	239,000(40 BB)
HG Henri GirardFrance	232,000(39 BB)
NN Naoki NakadaJapan	228,000(38 BB)
NG Nikolai GuliaevRussia	224,000(37 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 1:38:20 PM

Bags Sealed For Day 2

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

After the bubble bursts, players bag their chips and take a well deserved rest. They will return tomorrow at 12 pm local time for the real battle as Day 2 begins. Payouts and seat draw will be posted once they are available.

That wraps up Somuchpoker’s coverage of Mystery Bounty Flight A. Stay tuned for the full recap.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 12:56:49 PM

Albert Muir Bubbles Flight A of the Mystery Bounty Event

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

After several rounds on the bubble, button Albert Muir got his stack in and was called by big blind Noel Llamedo, who had him covered. The floor let the remaining hands play out before instructing the two to reveal their cards.

Albert Muir: Q♦ J♦

Noel Llamedo: A♣ A♥

It was trouble for Muir, running straight into Llamedo’s aces. The 4♥ 2♣ 8♦ K♣ J♣ board kept the bullets in front, and Albert Muir was confirmed as the Mystery Bounty Flight A bubble boy.

Player	Chips
NL Noel LlamedoPhilippines	124,000(21 BB)
AM Albert MuirUnited States of America	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 12:45:48 PM

Sadornil Holds To Burst The Bubble

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Folded to the button, Jamie Paulson open shoves for 82,000 and Manuel Sadornil wakes up in the big blind with big slick and makes the call.

Jamie Paulson: K♥ 7♦

Manuel Sadornil: A♥ K♠

Paulson is dominated and his attempt to steal the blinds runs straight into a monster. The board Q♣ J♣ T♠ 8♥ T♣ runs clean for Sadornil, who sends Paulson to the rail just two spots before the money.

Players are now officially on the bubble. Hand for hand play begins.

Player	Chips	Progress
MS Manuel SadornilSpain	193,000(32 BB)	85,000
JP Jamie PaulsonCanada	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 12:39:40 PM

Two Eliminations To Go

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Only two more eliminations are needed before players bag up for Day 2 tomorrow at 12 pm.

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 26/159

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 12:21:48 PM

Break!

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Just 26 players remain in the field as the soft bubble ensues after the break.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 12:10:19 PM

Burke Turns The Tables

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Daire Burke

A big pre flop all in erupts on Table 28 as Anant Purohit moves all in for 143,000 and Daire Burke makes the call with the covering stack.

Anant Purohit: Q♦ Q♣

Daire Burke: A♣ K♥

It is a classic flip for Purohit’s tournament life. The flop T♣ 5♠ 3♦ falls safe for Purohit, but the turn A♦ flips the script as Burke pairs his ace. Down to two outs, Purohit cannot find help on the river K♦ and is eliminated from the tournament. Burke pulls in a crucial pot and climbs even higher in the counts.

Player	Chips	Progress
DB Daire BurkeIreland	501,000(100 BB)	153,000
AP Anant PurohitIndia	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 11:59:40 AM

"Flop"

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Anant Purohit raised to 10,000 from under the gun and was called by three players: hijack Ryan Martinez, and the blinds Daire Burke and Paul Elliott.

All four checked through the A♠ 9♦ 9♠ flop to see the A♦ turn, where both blinds folded to Purohit’s 6,000 bet, and Martinez raised to 30,000, getting a call.

The 2♥ completed the board, and both players checked. Martinez tabled A♥ 9♣.

“Flop,” he said, having not only flopped a boat but improved it on the turn. Purohit could only muck in disbelief.

Player	Chips
RM Ryan MartinezUnited States of America	605,000(121 BB)
DB Daire BurkeIreland	365,000(73 BB)
PE Paul ElliottAustralia	200,000(40 BB)
AP Anant PurohitIndia	78,000(16 BB)

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 28/159

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 11:51:50 AM

Martinez Finds The Magic River

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Ryan Martinez

Rene Payan opens to 8,000 and Ryan Martinez responds with a 3 bet to 18,000. Payan answers with a 4 bet to 55,000, and Martinez makes the call to see the flop. After the flop K♦ 2♣ 2♠ comes down, Payan shoves for 87,500 and Martinez quickly calls.

Rene Payan: A♣ A♥

Ryan Martinez: Q♦ Q♠

Payan is in prime position to double up, holding the rockets against Martinez’s queens. The turn 7♥ keeps Payan comfortable, but the river Q♣ delivers one of Martinez’s two outs, stunning the table as Martinez’s streak continues. Payan is eliminated and Martinez adds another 150,000 to his growing stack.

Player	Chips	Progress
RM Ryan MartinezUnited States of America	565,000(141 BB)	152,500
RP Rene PayanUnited States of America	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 11:31:56 AM

Paulson Finds His Seven

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Action saw Jamie Paulson all in against short-stacked Seitaro Aso:

Jamie Paulson: 7♣ 7♠

Seitaro Aso: 8♣ 8♠

The 3♥ A♣ T♦ flop didn’t improve Paulson, who was shouting for a seven.

The miracle 7♥ hit the turn, giving him a set, and the J♠ on the river was inconsequential, eliminating Aso just eight spots shy of the money.

“You asked for it, you got it!” a tablemate said.

Player	Chips
JP Jamie PaulsonCanada	170,000(43 BB)
SA Seitaro AsoJapan	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 11:26:03 AM

Chaos On Table 31

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Li Lok Ching

A three way all in erupts on Table 31. Short stack Leon Steward moves in for 41,500, Li Lok Ching follows with his 47,500 stack, and Naoki Nakada calls with both players covered.

Leon Steward: 9♦ 9♠

Li Lok Ching: Q♦ Q♥

Naoki Nakada: A♠ A♥

Three players table pairs, but Nakada’s aces look ready to score a double knockout. The flop 9♥ 7♥ 4♣ , however, turns the tables as Steward finds his two outer to take the lead. The turn K♦ is safe for Steward, but the river Q♣ brings another twist as Ching hits his two outer, improving to a set and claiming the main pot. Steward is eliminated, while Ching scores a crucial double up and survives the three way clash.

Player	Chips	Progress
LL Li Lok ChingAustralia	142,500(36 BB)	95,000
NN Naoki NakadaJapan	129,000(32 BB)	-51,500
LS Leon StewardPhilippines	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 11:23:13 AM

Burke Misses the Flush

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Rene Payan min-raised from UTG and was called by small blind Daire Burke.

Burke check-called Payan’s 8,000 continuation-bet on the Q♦ K♣ 3♣ flop.

Both players checked through the K♦ 6♥ turn and river. Payan tabled Q♥ T♥, while Burke revealed A♣ 4♣ for a missed

flush draw.

Player	Chips
DB Daire BurkeIreland	260,000(65 BB)
RP Rene PayanUnited States of America	139,000(35 BB)

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 36/159

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 11:17:42 AM

Sadornil Spikes The Miracle River

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Manuel Sadornil

UTG plus two Somashekar Mahadeva opens to 7,000 and calls the 3 bet of Manuel Sadornil from the big blind for 21,000. On the flop T♠ 8♥ 5♦ , Mahadeva fires 18,000 and Sadornil makes the call.

The turn 3♦ checks to Sadornil who moves all in, and Mahadeva snap calls for his remaining 45,000.

Somashekar Mahadeva: A♥ T♥

Manuel Sadornil: K♥ 9♥

Sadornil is behind with only king high, but the river K♠ delivers a miracle as he pairs his king and snatches the pot. Mahadeva can only stare in disbelief as he is eliminated.

Player	Chips	Progress
MS Manuel SadornilSpain	201,000(67 BB)	85,500
SK Somashekar Kurkhepally MahadevaIndia	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 11:10:15 AM

Boat on the River for Smith

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Button Barrientos Lino opened to 6,000 and was joined by blinds Steven Smith and Homin Lee, sending them three-ways to the flop.

Smith checked the 4♣ T♣ J♥ flop, and Lee fired 6,000, with both opponents calling.

The 9♠ hit the turn and both blinds check-called Lino’s 11,000 bet.

Action checked around on the 9♥ river.

Smith proudly tabled J♦ 9♦ for a full house, much to the table’s amazement, while Lee showed Q♦ J♠ and Lino flicked over K♥ Q♣ for a straight.

“You should’ve shoved it in, brother!” Smith joked to Lino as he raked in the hefty pot.

Player	Chips
SM Steven Michael SmithAustralia	207,000(69 BB)
HL Homin LeeSouth Korea	115,000(38 BB)
BL Barrientos LinoPeru	101,000(34 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 11:00:56 AM

Ramesh Finds The Miracle Queen

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Abhishek Ramesh

UTG plus one Michael Bagdasarov opens to 7,000 and on his left Abhishek Ramesh announces all in for 67,000. Action returns to Bagdasarov who snap calls.

Abhishek Ramesh: Q♣ Q♠

Michael Bagdasarov: A♣ A♠

Both players table monster hands, but Ramesh is down to two outs. The flop Q♥ J♦ 7♦ shocks the table as one of those queens appears, turning the hand around instantly. Bagdasarov watches in disbelief as the turn 4♠ and river 5♦ roll out without an ace in sight, and Ramesh secures a huge double up.

Player	Chips	Progress
AR Abhishek RameshIndia	141,500(47 BB)	74,500
MB Michael BagdasarovUnited States of America	71,500(24 BB)	-67,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 10:50:07 AM

Boat Over Flush for Lee

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

UTG Lukasz Jankowski opened to 6,000 and was called only by big blind Homin Lee.

Lee check-called Jankowski’s 5,000 continuation-bet on the 7♦ Q♦ K♦ flop.

Both players checked the Q♥ turn to see the 4♦ hit the river, where Lee led out for 30,000.

Jankowski tanked for a considerable period before calling, only to see Lee table K♥ Q♣ for a turned full house; Jankowski flashed A♦ before mucking.

Player	Chips
HL Homin LeeSouth Korea	124,000(41 BB)
LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	89,000(30 BB)

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 41/159

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 10:46:11 AM

Steward Spikes the Turn

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Leon Steward opens to 5,500 and on his left Kim Kunwoo moves all in for his remaining 17,500. Steward snap calls and they go to showdown.

Kim Kunwoo: J♠ J♦

Leon Steward: A♥ 9♥

Kunwoo sees a safe flop 4♥ 3♣ 2♠ , but the turn A♠ turns into a nightmare as Steward pairs his ace, leaving Kunwoo with only two outs. The river 6♦ does not save him and Kunwoo is eliminated from the tournament.

Player	Chips	Progress
LS Leon StewardPhilippines	77,000(31 BB)	23,500
KK Kim KunwooSouth Korea	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 10:44:36 AM

Fallen in Flight A

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

A selection of players who won't be making it through the first flight of the Mystery Bounty event.

Player	Chips
SC Sheung Chau ChanHong Kong	busted
JO Justin OngPhilippines	busted
NJ Nuestro June BrixPhilippines	busted
JD John Dela CruzPhilippines	busted
AS Akira SuzukiJapan	busted
ML Manuel LedesmaSpain	busted
YT Yuan Tai HsuTaiwan	busted
AA Amir AlimkulovKazakhstan	busted
JL Jun Liang LeeSingapore	busted
CL Christian LortieCanada	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 10:30:58 AM

Ong Fires Big But Martinez Sniffs It Out

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Justin Ong

Fresh from his back to back victories at APPT Manila last July, where he captured both the PokerStars Red Dragon title and the APPT Manila Main Event, Justin Ong returns to PokerStars Live Manila looking to add even more to his growing list of achievements.

With around 91,000 already in the middle and the board up 7♣ 6♠ 5♥ J♣ Q♥ , Ong fires a hefty 54,000. Ryan Martinez tanks for a moment before making the call. Martinez reveals 8♦ 6♦ a bottom pair and it holds as Ong turns over his hand K♣ 9♣ with missed draws. The pot goes to Martinez, who makes a sharp read against one of the hottest players in the region.

Player	Chips	Progress
RM Ryan MartinezUnited States of America	448,000(179 BB)	102,000
JO Justin OngPhilippines	52,000(21 BB)	-97,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 10:20:53 AM

Brix Flushed Out

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Action folded around to Seitaro Aso in the hijack, who raised to 13,000. Cutoff Nuestro June Brix responded with a three-bet shove for around 30,000, and Aso called with the covering stack.

Nuestro June Brix: A♠ 8♦

Seitaro Aso: A♣ Q♦

Both players made a flush on the 4♦ 3♣ T♦ 2♦ 7♦ runout, but Aso’s queen was enough to take the pot, eliminating Brix.

Player	Chips
SA Seitaro AsoJapan	68,000(27 BB)
NJ Nuestro June BrixPhilippines	busted

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 50/159

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 10:16:52 AM

Bottom Pair Will Do It

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Homin Lee limped from UTG, as did small blind Barrientos Lino. Steven Smith checked in the big blind.

Action checked through the 7♦ 2♣ 3♦ flop to the 8♦ turn, where Lino slid 2,000 into the middle and only Smith called.

Both players tapped the table as the 3♣ completed the board. Lino showed K♦ T♠ for king-high, but Smith’s 5♠ 2♥ for bottom pair was enough to take it down.

Player	Chips
SM Steven Michael SmithAustralia	122,000(61 BB)
BL Barrientos LinoPeru	97,000(49 BB)
HL Homin LeeSouth Korea	43,000(22 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 10:16:04 AM

Chen’s Hooks Hold in a Three Way Clash

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Hijack Seitaro Aso opens to 4,000 and small blind Ho Hsiung Chen replies with a 3 bet to 8,000. On his left, Amin Alimkulov moves all in for 11,000. Aso responds with a 5 bet to 29,000 and Chen instantly shoves for 46,500. Aso snap calls and all three players are in.

Amin Alimkulov: A♦ 4♦

Ho Hsiung Chen: J♣ J♥

Seitaro Aso: Q♥ T♥

Chen’s jacks hold strong through the runout 9♠ 8♣ 7♠ K♠ 9♣ , giving him the double up and sending Alimkulov out of the tournament. Aso’s hand cannot improve and Chen drags a crucial multi way pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
SA Seitaro AsoJapan	113,000(57 BB)	-46,500
HH Ho Hsiung ChenTaiwan	106,000(53 BB)	59,500
AA Amin AlimkulovKazakhstan	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 10:02:44 AM

Martinez Wins The Classic Flip

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Ryan Martinez

Ryan Martinez limps once more from UTG and picks up two more limpers behind him. From the big blind, Oleg Mordassov shoves for 34,500 and only Martinez makes the call. They go heads up all in before the flop.

Oleg Mordassov: 8♣ 8♠

Ryan Martinez: A♠ T♠

It is a classic flip, but Martinez connects on the flop, leaving Mordassov with only two outs. The turn gives Mordassov a few more chances as he picks up a gut shot, but the river bricks out and he is eliminated from the tournament.

Player	Chips	Progress
RM Ryan MartinezUnited States of America	213,000(107 BB)	41,500
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 9:56:07 AM

Ong's Bullets Eliminate Soochang's Ladies

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Lee Soochang was one of the latest to fall after the close of registration in Mystery Bounty Flight A, with local player Justin Ong adding a healthy boost to his stack.

Soochang shoved for 35,000 after an initial raise to 7,000 from another player. Ong made the call while the original raiser stepped aside.

"What do you have?" Ong asked, delaying the reveal.

Lee Soochang: Q♠ Q♣

Justin Ong: A♣ A♥

Ong had Soochang dominated, and the T♠ 3♠ 2♣ 5♦ 9♣ board offered no help.

Fifty-two players remain, 28 spots away from the money.

Player	Chips
JO Justin OngPhilippines	144,000(72 BB)
LS Lee SoochangSouth Korea	busted

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 62/159

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 9:46:33 AM

Paredes Fires a Bold Raise

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

UTG Jun Liang Lee opens to 3,500 and the button calls, along with big blind Yohn Paredes. All three players check the flop J♦ 2♦ 5♣ and head to the turn A♠ .

Lee bets 13,000, but instantly folds when Paredes responds with a sharp check raise to 50,000. Paredes pulls in the pot without contest.

Player	Chips	Progress
YP Yohn ParedesPeru	129,000(86 BB)	21,000
JL Jun Liang LeeSingapore	36,000(24 BB)	-16,500

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 9:45:18 AM

Ramesh's River Shove

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Abhishek Ramesh opened to 3,500 from under the gun and received calls from blinds Henri Girard and Michael Bagdasarov.

All three players checked the J♠ A♥ K♠ flop to the J♥ turn, where Girard check-folded and Bagdasarov check-called Ramesh’s 11,000 bet.

The 7♥ completed the board and Bagdasarov checked once more, but quickly released his hand when Ramesh shoved for around 35,000.

Player	Chips
MB Michael BagdasarovUnited States of America	125,000(83 BB)
HG Henri GirardFrance	110,000(73 BB)
AR Abhishek RameshIndia	78,000(52 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 9:31:41 AM

Purohit Turns The Tables

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Anant Purohit

Cutoff Anant Purohit opens to 3,000 and small blind Yuan Tai Hsu responds with a 3 bet to 10,500. Action returns to Purohit who makes the call. Hsu leads the flop 6♣ 4♣ 4♥ for 8,500 and Purohit stays with him.

On the turn 2♥ , Hsu fires again for 17,500, but this time Purohit moves all in for 50,000. Hsu tanks before folding, and Purohit drags the pot without needing to show his hand.

Player	Chips	Progress
AP Anant PurohitIndia	118,500(79 BB)	49,500
YT Yuan Tai HsuTaiwan	67,000(45 BB)	-46,500

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 9:26:45 AM

Lee Runs into Marayuma's Bullets

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Homin Lee raised to 4,500 from middle position and received a call from big blind Kohei Shibano.

Action checked through the Q♣ 7♥ Q♦ flop to the K♣ turn, where Shibano check-folded to Lee’s 11,000 bet.

A couple of hands later, UTG Lee raised to 3,000, then called Kenzo Marayuma’s three-bet shove for 21,500 two seats over:

Kenzo Marayuma: A♠ A♣

Homin Lee: K♥ J♦

Marayuma’s bullets held firm on the 6♥ 5♥ 8♦ 5♦ 2♠ runout, earning him a much-needed double and leaving Lee on fumes.

Player	Chips
KM Kenzo MaruyamaJapan	43,000(29 BB)
KS Kohei ShibanoJapan	28,500(19 BB)
HL Homin LeeSouth Korea	15,700(10 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 9:20:55 AM

159 Entries Locked In

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Registration for Mystery Bounty Flight A officially closes with 159 entries. With 71 players still in the field, only 24 will reach the money and advance to Day 2. Flight B is scheduled to start at 6:00 pm local time.

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 71/159

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 66/153

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 9:05:22 AM

Platon Applies Maximum Pressure

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Ryan Platon

Early position Andrew Xu opens to 2,500 and calls the 3 bet from button Ryan Platon for 7,500. On the flop 8♥ 7♠ 3♣ , Platon fires a 12,000 continuation bet and Xu check calls.

The turn A♥ brings another check from Xu, but this time Platon moves all in. Xu thinks it over briefly before releasing his hand, giving Platon the pot through relentless pressure.

Player	Chips	Progress
RP Ryan PlatonPhilippines	82,500(69 BB)	22,500
AX Andrew XuAustralia	73,000(61 BB)	-19,500

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 8:49:46 AM

Inocentes Strikes Back

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Alvir Inocentes

Fresh from a rebuy, Christian Lortie opens to 2,500. On his left, Alvir Inocentes fires a 3 bet to 8,500. Action returns to Lortie who moves all in for 30,000 and Inocentes makes the call.

Christian Lortie: K♣ K♥

Alvir Inocentes: A♣ J♠

Lortie turns over a monster hand, but the flop A♥ J♣ 2♦ comes to Inocentes’ rescue as he hits two pair, leaving Lortie with only two outs. The turn Q♠ and river 5♣ bring no help, and Lortie is eliminated from the tournament once again.

Player	Chips	Progress
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	85,500(71 BB)	33,000
CL Christian LortieCanada	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 8:48:29 AM

Kiyan Stays Alive

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Action was joined with UTG Ataengin Kiyan all in against the big blind and an at-risk Seyoon Lim. Kiyan had him covered by around 11,000:

Seyoon Lim: A♠ Q♥

Ataengin Kiyan: A♣ J♦

Kiyan found hope on the J♣ 8♠ 6♦ flop, but that quickly turned to disappointment as the Q♠ landed on the turn, doubling Lim as the K♦ completed the board.

A couple of hands later, short-stacked Kiyan went all in against one of the event’s chip leaders, cutoff Yuki Nishio, who called looking to add to his ever-growing stack:

Ataengin Kiyan: Q♦ 3♦

Yuki Nishio: A♣ 5♣

Kiyan found salvation, making two pair on the 3♥ J♠ 9♦ Q♥ K♥ runout and keeping himself alive.

Player	Chips
YN Yuki NishioJapan	267,000(223 BB)
SL Seyoon LimSouth Korea	52,600(44 BB)
AK Ataengin KiyanTurkey	22,000(18 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 8:42:14 AM

Registration Closes After This Level

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

This is the last level to enter as registration will close after this round. No need to worry, because Flight B will start later at 6:00 p.m. local time.

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 71/147

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 8:37:54 AM

Cypin Springs The Trap

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Yuki Nishio continues to bully the table. In the previous hand he picked up the blinds uncontested, and this time he opens again for 3,000. Big blind Anton Cypin makes the call. Cypin check calls Nishio’s 2,000 continuation bet on the flop J♣ T♥ 5♦ .

Nishio slows down and checks the turn 7♠ and river A♠ , and Cypin follows. At showdown, Cypin reveals K♠ Q♣ the rivered nut straight, trying to trap the aggressive Nishio. Nishio shows his hand 8♦ 8♣ , but the pair is not enough to take the pot.

Player	Chips
YN Yuki NishioJapan	273,000(228 BB)
AT Anton TcypinUnited States of America	72,500(60 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 8:27:40 AM

The 200K Club Takes Over

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Players holding more than 200,000 in their stacks are now well ahead of the field, with the average sitting at only 60,000. In the Mystery Bounty format, having a deeper stack is a major advantage. Bigger stacks create more opportunities to score eliminations, which means a higher chance of pulling one of the top bounty prizes and securing a stronger position going into Day 2 tomorrow.

Player	Chips
YF Yutaka FukuyamaJapan	232,000(193 BB)
YN Yuki NishioJapan	218,000(182 BB)
RM Ryan MartinezUnited States of America	203,300(169 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 8:27:05 AM

Table 20 Action and Counts

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Jimin Lim raised to 2,500 from early position, which was met with a 7,500 three-bet from Michihiko Matsuda in middle position. Lim responded by four-betting to 21,000, enough to shake Matsuda off the pot.

In the next hand, Lim opened once more to 2,500 from UTG and received four callers, sending them five-ways to the flop.

Big blind Paul Elliott immediately shoved for his remaining 6,700 after the dealer fanned K♠ 7♥ 7♠, and only Matsuda made the call:

Paul Elliott: K♥ 4♠

Michihiko Matsuda: 7♦ 6♦

Elliott was out of his seat and heading for the rail before the A♦ landed on the turn, and had to be called back when the K♦ completed the board, giving him a boat and a life-saving double.

In the third hand at Table 20, Matsuda raised to 2,500 then called cutoff Anant Purohit’s 6,500 three-bet.

Both players checked the A♣ 4♦ A♠ flop to see the 5♦ turn, where Matsuda led out for 8,000. Purohit stuck around with a call.

The T♥ hit the river, and Matsuda check-called Purohit’s 12,000 bet, only to see him table A♦ 7♠ for flopped trips. Matsuda’s cards hit the muck.

Player	Chips
JL Jimin LimSouth Korea	85,000(71 BB)
MM Michihiko MatsudaJapan	78,000(65 BB)
SK Seiya KawadaJapan	73,000(61 BB)
AP Anant PurohitIndia	71,000(59 BB)
DB Daire BurkeIreland	30,500(25 BB)
TA Taeil AhnSouth Korea	28,000(23 BB)
PE Paul ElliottAustralia	24,000(20 BB)
HT Hidekazu TanakaJapan	24,000(20 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 8:11:09 AM

A Miracle Chop Saves Nishio

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Action folds to the small blind and Yuki Nishio shoves, looking to steal the blinds. Kazuo Yamamoto calls for his 13,800 stack.

Kazuo Yamamoto: A♣ 7♥

Yuki Nishio: 7♦ 2♥

Nishio is holding one of the weakest hands in the deck, but the runout Q♣ Q♠ 7♠ Q♥ 9♦ delivers a miracle as both players make a one card full house, resulting in an unexpected chop.

Player	Chips	Progress
YN Yuki NishioJapan	218,000(182 BB)	600
KY Kazuo YamamotoJapan	13,800(12 BB)	-600

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 66/135

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 8:08:29 AM

Steward Leads on the River

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Leon Steward opened to 2,000 from under the gun, then called a 6,000 three-bet by Naoki Nakada in the hijack.

Steward check-called Nakada’s 6,000 bet following the 7♠ 5♦ A♣ flop.

Action checked through the 3♣ turn to the T♣ river, where Steward led out for 10,000, sending Nakada deep into the tank. He eventually slid his cards back to the dealer.

Player	Chips
LS Leon StewardPhilippines	99,000(99 BB)
NN Naoki NakadaJapan	69,000(69 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 8:04:22 AM

Martinez Makes a Brilliant Call

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Ryan Martinez

UTG Ryan Martinez limps in and hijack Justin Ong raises to 6,000. The cutoff and button Noel Llamedo both call. Martinez comes along as well and four players see the flop T♠ 7♦ 2♠ . Ong fires a 15,000 continuation bet and only Martinez and Llamedo stay in the hand.

On the turn 4♣ , Martinez checks and Ong moves all in. Llamedo tanks before letting it go. Action returns to Martinez who also tanks but eventually finds the call.

Ryan Martinez: J♠ T♥

Justin Ong: T♣ 9♠

Ong asks Martinez if he has a flush draw or a set, and Martinez turns over his hand. Ong responds with a “nice call” and reveals his own cards. Down to just three outs, Ong fails to connect on the river A♦ and Martinez secures a huge double up, climbing to the top with a pot worth 200,000.

Player	Chips	Progress
RM Ryan MartinezUnited States of America	203,300(203 BB)	116,400
NL Noel LlamedoPhilippines	52,200(52 BB)	-21,000
JO Justin OngPhilippines	21,300(21 BB)	-92,900

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 7:50:10 AM

Erquiaga Sits Down, Gets Stuck In

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

David Howard raised to 2,000 from the button and received a sole call from big blind Seunghee Park.

Action checked through the T♦ T♣ J♠ flop to the 2♥ turn, where Park check-called Howard’s 2,000 bet.

Both players checked the 5♥ river and Park tabled Q♣ J♣, enough for the pot as Howard mucked.

In the next hand, native David Erquiaga had just registered and sat down in the big blind. Action folded around to Park in the small blind, who limped, and Erquiaga checked.

Park check-called Erquiaga’s 2,500 bet on the Q♣ 4♥ 8♥ flop.

Action repeated on the 7♠ turn, this time for 4,000.

The 2♥ landed on the river and Park checked a third time. Erquiaga fired a third barrel for 6,500, and Park, looking visibly uneasy, eventually stuck in the call.

Erquiaga tabled 6♠ 5♠ for a turned straight and Park could only muck.

Player	Chips
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	62,000(62 BB)
SP Seunghee ParkSouth Korea	44,000(44 BB)
ED Erquiaga David JansenPhilippines	43,500(44 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 7:49:39 AM

Fukuyama Fires His Way To The Top

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Yutaka Fukuyama

UTG +1 Yutaka Fukuyama opens to 2,000 and calls the 3 bet of Barrientos Lino for 6,000. On the flop A♥ K♣ 6♥ , Lino continues for 4,000, but Fukuyama responds with a check raise to 12,000. Lino quickly folds and Fukuyama’s aggression pays off once again as he climbs into the chip lead.

Player	Chips	Progress
YF Yutaka FukuyamaJapan	126,500(127 BB)	12,500
BL Barrientos LinoPeru	79,000(79 BB)	-10,000

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 73/128

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 7:33:52 AM

Steward Stands Firm

Level 7: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

UTG plus two Leon Steward opens to 2,000 and big blind Li Lok Ching defends. On the flop 5♣ 5♠ 2♠ , Ching leads for 3,000 and Steward raises to 10,000. Ching makes the call and they head to the turn 6♥ , which both players check.

On the river 6♣ , Ching fires 8,000 and Steward pays him off. Ching shows his hand 9♠ 9♦ for an overpair, but Steward tables Q♥ Q♦ a higher pair and scoops the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
LS Leon StewardPhilippines	110,500(111 BB)	21,500
LL Li Lok ChingAustralia	58,300(58 BB)	-21,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 7:25:09 AM

Table 26 Action

Level 7: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Hand 1

Amir Alimkulov raised to 2,500 from middle position then called cutoff Kheng Chen Ng’s 4,000 three-bet.

Action checked through the 5♦ 4♥ K♣ flop to the 7♣ turn, where Alimkulov fired 1,500 and Ng stuck around.

Alimkulov checked the 2♠ river; Ng stuck 11,000 into the middle and Alimkulov eventually released his cards back to the dealer.

Hand 2

Seitaro Aso raised to 2,500 from the button and collected the blinds.

Hand 3

Eduard Galanzovskiy raised to 2,500 from under the gun to folds around the table.

Hand 4

Alimkulov raised to 2,500 from under the gun, then called a 9,200 three-bet from Echo Venoza seated next to him, with Venoza leaving 1,000 behind.

The dealer fanned the 5♦ A♠ 6♣ flop and Alimkulov check-called Venoza’s shove:

Echo Venoza: A♥ T♠

Amir Alimkulov: A♣ 3♣

Alimkulov looked jarred as he saw he was out-kicked, but as the Q♦ 6♠ board ran out, pairing the board, he looked a little more relieved as they chopped up the pot.

Player	Chips
SA Seitaro AsoJapan	125,000(125 BB)
KC Kheng Chen NgMalaysia	85,000(85 BB)
AA Amir AlimkulovKazakhstan	31,000(31 BB)
EG Eduard GalanzovskiyFinland	14,500(15 BB)
JV Jericho VenozaPhilippines	12,000(12 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 7:18:49 AM

Katsuhito Shows The Nuts

Level 7: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

The board 8♠ T♠ 6♣ 6♥ 9♠ is already up with around 19,000 in the middle when Kawai Katsuhito shoves for 13,300. Jason Ng Tze Wei tanks for a moment before making the call.

Kawai Katsuhito: A♠ 6♠

Jason Ng Tze Wei: T♥ 2♦

Katsuhito reveals the nut flush, while Wei can only show two pair and hope for a hero call. The double up goes to Katsuhito as the table reacts to the unexpected showdown.

Player	Chips	Progress
KK Kawai KatsuhitoJapan	45,600(46 BB)	24,300
JN Jason Ng Tze WeiSingapore	44,000(44 BB)	-23,600

Level 7: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 78/122

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 7:08:58 AM

Mystery Bounty Surges Past Guarantee

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

After just six levels of play and with 118 entries already on the board, the guarantee for the Mystery Bounty has been breached. With four more levels remaining before registration closes and another flight scheduled at 6:00 pm local time for Flight B, the prize pool is expected to continue climbing and may even double by the end of the day.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 6:59:58 AM

Aso’s Rockets Take Another Victim

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Seitaro Aso

Current chip leader Seitaro Aso adds another boost to his growing stack after scoring a knockout.

Action begins with Aso opening UTG to 2,000. On his left, Abhishek Ramesh responds with a 3 bet to 5,500. Aso comes back with a 4 bet to 16,000 and Ramesh moves all in for 31,800. Aso snap calls.

Abhishek Ramesh: K♥ K♠

Seitaro Aso: A♣ A♠

Both players table monster hands, but Aso’s aces stand tall and send Ramesh to the rail after the board 5♥ 6♥ 7♦ T♥ 2♣ ran clean. Aso continues to stretch his lead at the top of the counts.

Player	Chips	Progress
SA Seitaro AsoJapan	138,300(173 BB)	33,800
AR Abhishek RameshIndia	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 6:57:49 AM

Mordassov Gets a Huge Boost in Four-Way All In

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Oleg Mordassov opened to 2,500 from UTG and was three-bet to 12,500 by Michael Bagdasarov in the hijack. Small blind Howard Doerfling shoved his short stack, and big blind Justin Ong called, along with Mordassov and Bagdasarov, taking the hand four-ways to showdown.

Howard Doerfling: J♣ T♣

Oleg Mordassov: Q♠ J♠

Michael Bagdasarov: A♣ K♣

Justin Ong: 9♠ 9♦

Ong was hoping for low cards as the dealer fanned 6♠ 6♦ 2♠ on the flop, keeping him ahead but leaving Mordassov plenty of equity.

The 8♦ fell on the turn, followed by the 7♠ on the river.

"I win!" Ong exclaimed, thinking his stack was about to get a big boost.

"I have a f*****g flush, bro," Mordassov replied, wiping out most of Ong’s excitement. Ong still doubled through Bagdasarov, Doerfling was eliminated, and Mordassov emerged with a huge stack.

Player	Chips
OM Oleg MordassovCzech Republic	69,000(86 BB)
JO Justin OngPhilippines	23,000(29 BB)
MB Michael BagdasarovUnited States of America	12,500(16 BB)
HD Howard DoerflingUnited States of America	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 6:46:52 AM

Chip Leaders

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Here are the chip leaders after the first break.

Player	Chips
SA Seitaro AsoJapan	101,200(127 BB)
SK Seiya KawadaJapan	98,300(123 BB)
LS Leon StewardPhilippines	93,500(117 BB)
BL Barrientos LinoPeru	92,100(115 BB)
ZI Zenki IsaJapan	83,500(104 BB)
MS Manuel SadornilSpain	72,500(91 BB)
YN Yuki NishioJapan	72,300(90 BB)
HG Henri GirardFrance	72,300(90 BB)
RP Ryan PlatonPhilippines	71,400(89 BB)
JL Jimin LimSouth Korea	69,600(87 BB)
KC Kheng Chen NgMalaysia	69,300(87 BB)
EZ Eugene ZanozinAustralia	66,500(83 BB)
NN Naoki NakadaJapan	66,300(83 BB)
MC Mathias Christensen (2)Sweden	65,300(82 BB)
RG Rajasekar GovindanUnited States of America	62,600(78 BB)

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 77/105

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 6:23:52 AM

Howard Holds For a Clean Double

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

David Howard

Hijack Anthony James Alway opens to 1,300 and button David Howard responds with a 3 bet to 4,000. Action returns to Alway who announces all in. Howard makes the call for his remaining 26,600.

David Howard: A♥ K♠

Anthony James Alway: A♠ Q♦

Howard dominates Alway preflop, and although the flop J♦ 7♠ 7♥ offers a small sweat for a possible chop, the turn 3♥ and river 5♣ fall safely. Howard secures the double up and moves forward with fresh momentum.

Player	Chips	Progress
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	57,700(96 BB)	28,100
AJ Anthony James AlwayUnited States of America	8,200(14 BB)	-26,600

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 6:23:20 AM

Purohit Turns Trips; Eliminates Ledesma

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Michihiko Matsuda raised to 1,200 from middle position and called a 2,500 three-bet from cutoff Manuel Ledesma. Button Anant Purohit also called to see the flop.

The dealer fanned 9♥ 7♠ Q♦, and Matsuda checked. Ledesma checked behind, then called Purohit’s 2,500 bet, with Matsuda getting out of the way.

Action checked through the Q♣ turn to the 8♣ river, where Ledesma put himself all in after Purohit bet 12,700, revealing K♥ Q♥ for turned trips.

Ledesma mucked, and the dealer showed 8♦ 7♣ for two pair as he left his seat.

Player	Chips
AP Anant PurohitIndia	43,000(72 BB)
MM Matsuda MichihikoJapan	36,000(60 BB)
ML Manuel LedesmaSpain	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 6:14:07 AM

Matsuda Catches the Bluff

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Michihiko Matsuda

UTG Michihiko Matsuda opens to 1,200 and both blinds call to see the flop T♠ 4♣ 3♥ . All three players check it through and go straight to the turn 7♠ . Matsuda fires 2,000 and small blind Jimin Lim answers with a check raise to 6,500. The big blind folds and Matsuda makes the call.

On the river J♦ , Lim bets 15,000. Matsuda tanks for a moment before putting in the call. Lim mucks his hand, confirming the bluff, and the pot is pushed to Matsuda.

Player	Chips	Progress
JL Jimin LimSouth Korea	73,500(123 BB)	-22,000
MM Michihiko MatsudaJapan	68,200(114 BB)	24,400

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 65/83

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 5:56:35 AM

Sadornil Eliminates Lamado

Level 4: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Neil Lawrence limped from early position, only for Manuel Sadornil to raise to 1,500 from middle position. One seat over, Noel Lamado shoved for roughly 27,500. Only Sadornil called, and the hands were revealed:

Noel Lamado: 3♠ 3♣

Manuel Sadornil: A♠ Q♠

Sadornil missed the flop of J♥ 5♣ 6♣, but regained hope when the A♥ hit the turn. By the time the 8♥ completed the board, Lamado was already out of his seat, leaving Sadornil to celebrate the near double-up.

Player	Chips
MS Manuel SadornilSpain	55,200(110 BB)
NL Neil LawrenceMalaysia	34,000(68 BB)
NL Noel LlamedoPhilippines	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 5:53:45 AM

River Saves Girard

Level 4: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Henri Girard

The flop 7♣ 6♥ 2♠ and turn 4♠ are already on the felt, building a pot of around 11,600. From the small blind, Henri Girard checks and Noel Llamedo, left with only 15,800, moves all in. Girard tanks for a moment before making the call.

Noel Llamedo: A♣ 7♥

Henri Girard: 3♣ 2♥

Llamedo is ahead as they go to the river, but the final card 5♣ falls in Girard’s favor as he completes a straight to take the pot. Llamedo can only walk away with a disappointed look as he becomes the next player eliminated.

Player	Chips	Progress
HG Henri GirardFrance	68,600(137 BB)	22,300
NL Noel LlamedoPhilippines	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 5:40:57 AM

Kwon Shoves the Flop

Level 4: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Cutoff Takumi Hashimoto raised to 1,200 and received a call from small blind Barrientos Lino. Big blind Ohbyung Kwon then three-bet to 5,500, and only Hashimoto made the call.

The dealer fanned the spade-studded Q♠ 8♠ 5♠ flop and Kwon immediately shoved all-in, for around 31,000.

Hashimoto didn't take long to send his cards back to the dealer.

Player	Chips
OK Ohbyung KwonSouth Korea	43,000(86 BB)
TH Takumi HashimotoJapan	34,000(68 BB)
BL Barrientos LinoPeru	32,000(64 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 5:40:39 AM

Paulson Turns Rags Into Riches

Level 4: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Jamie Paulson

Early position Rajasekar Govindan opens to 1,200 and picks up three callers. In the big blind, Mark Remnant bumps it up to 5,400. Govindan gets out of the way and the three callers continue to the flop for a sizeable pot.

On the flop 9♠ 8♠ 5♠ , small blind Jamie Paulson wastes no time and shoves for 27,000. All players fold and Goldstein proudly reveals his hand 7♠ 2♠ , showing what was the weakest holding pre flop but has now improved to a flush. The table breaks into laughter as the gullible Goldstein drags in the pot.

Player	Chips
JP Jamie PaulsonCanada	61,100(122 BB)
RG Rajasekar GovindanUnited States of America	42,800(86 BB)
MR Mark RemnantUnited Kingdom	15,700(31 BB)

Level 4: 200 / 500 ante: 500

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 61/74

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 5:19:42 AM

Aso Rivers Trips to Double Through Everett

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Howard Everett raised to 1,000 from early position and found callers in Echo Venoza in the cutoff, Kheng Chen Ng on the button, and Nikolai Guliaev in the small blind. Big blind Seitaro Aso then three-bet to 8,000, and Everett responded with a four-bet shove.

"All right, I'm all in. I'm all in with the hand that never loses!" Everett joked as the table looked on.

After folds around the table, and confirming that Everett had him covered, Aso eventually made the call.

"All right, let's gamble!" he said.

Tablemate Manuel Sadornil speculated aloud that Everett might have jacks after seeing Aso commit the chips.

Seitaro Aso: A♣ T♠

Howard Everett: J♣ J♦

The dealer spread a painful flop for Everett, 5♣ A♥ 9♠, vaulting Aso into the lead.

"It's not over yet," Everett insisted.

The 5♥ paired the board before the A♦ on the river sealed it, giving Aso trips and leaving Everett severely short-stacked.

Ng chimed in afterward, noting that Everett had “saved” him, as he had folded pocket queens preflop.

Player	Chips
SA Seitaro AsoJapan	56,000(140 BB)
HE Howard EverettUnited States of America	4,000(10 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 5:19:17 AM

Aces Cracked In Stunning Turn Card

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Mark Remnant

The chips are already in the middle when I arrive and Mark Remnant is all in for 10,000 with a caller in Francis Ancheta on the button.

Mark Remnant: K♥ Q♦

Francis Ancheta: A♣ A♦

Remnant immediately stands up the moment he sees Ancheta’s aces. He is already preparing to leave after the flop T♥ 9♦ 6♣ , but the turn J♣ changes everything as Remnant completes a gut shot straight and locks up the win for a much needed double up. The entire table reacts in disbelief as the dealer reveals the river 5♣ , which does not matter since Ancheta is already drawing dead.

Player	Chips	Progress
MR Mark RemnantUnited Kingdom	21,000(53 BB)	11,000
FA Francis AnchetaPhilippines	19,000(48 BB)	-10,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 5:12:37 AM

Lim Gets the Best of Smith

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Jimin Lim raised to 800 from early position and picked up four callers, taking the table five-ways to the flop.

Blinds Soochang Lee and Jonathan Looi check-folded when Lim continued for 2,500 on the T♠ 7♣ Q♦ board. Steven Smith, seated next to Lee, made the call while cutoff Ryan Martinez stepped aside.

The 2♦ hit the turn and Lim fired a second barrel worth 6,500, with Smith sticking around once more.

Action checked through on the 7♥ river. Lim revealed K♣ Q♠ for top pair, and Smith sent his hand into the muck.

Player	Chips
JL Jimin LimSouth Korea	46,000(115 BB)
SM Steven Michael SmithAustralia	27,000(68 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 5:08:20 AM

Gut Shot Heartbreak

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

The board Q♥ 7♦ 3♥ A♦ 6♣ is up with around 6,000 in the middle. Kazuo Yamamoto fires 4,000 and Anton Tcypin responds with a raise to 10,500. Action returns to Yamamoto who tanks for a moment before announcing all in for 21,000. Tcypin snap calls.

Kazuo Yamamoto: 6♦ 6♥

Anton Tcypin: 5♣ 4♣

Yamamoto finds a set on the river, but Tcypin completes his gut shot to make a straight, snatching the pot away. It is a rough beat for Yamamoto as he becomes the second player to exit early.

Player	Chips	Progress
AT Anton TcypinUnited States of America	62,000(155 BB)	25,000
KY Kazuo YamamotoJapan	busted

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 54/55

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 4:56:58 AM

Everett Keeps It Simple

Level 2: 100 / 300 ante: 300

UTG Howard Everett opens to 700 and calls the 3 bet of Jericho Venoza on the button for 1,900. On the flop 9♦ 8♦ 5♠ , Everett check calls Venoza’s continuation bet of 2,100.

Both players slow down from there and check through the turn 3♦ and the river 8♣ . Everett reveals his hand 6♣ 6♠ and it holds as Venoza tosses his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips	Progress
JV Jericho VenozaPhilippines	26,500(88 BB)	-4,000
HE Howard EverettUnited States of America	24,800(83 BB)	4,700

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 4:46:20 AM

Govindan Shoves Off Girard with Jack-High

Level 2: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Rajasekar Govindan raised to 800 from middle position, then called cutoff Henri Girard’s three-bet to 2,400.

The dealer spread a 2♥ T♦ T♣ flop and Govindan checked. Girard fired 3,000, only for Govindan to respond with a check-raise to 8,000. Girard called to see the turn.

Both players checked as the 7♠ hit the felt.

The A♠ completed the board and Govindan moved all in. Girard gave a small shake of the head before folding, turning over K♣ K♠ as he let it go.

Govindan tabled J♦ 8♦ - the missed straight draw turned into a successful bluff. Girard gave a wry smile.

Player	Chips
HG Henri GirardFrance	52,000(173 BB)
RG Rajasekar GovindanUnited States of America	43,000(143 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 4:44:21 AM

Fukuyama Applies Maximum Pressure

Level 2: 100 / 300 ante: 300

UTG +1 Ingeun Jho opens to 700 and four players call to go five ways to the flop K♣ 5♠ 5♣ . Jho fires a 1,100 continuation bet and only hijack Masaru Fukuyama along with big blind Anton Tcypin make the call.

The turn 8♦ checks through to Fukuyama who leads for 5,000. Tcypin calls and Jho gets out of the way. On the river A♣ , Fukuyama moves all in and Tcypin quickly folds, sending the pot to Fukuyama after a well timed shove.

Player	Chips	Progress
MF Masaru FukuyamaJapan	33,500(112 BB)	10,400
IJ Ingeun JhoSouth Korea	28,700(96 BB)	-1,800
AT Anton TcypinUnited States of America	27,100(90 BB)	-7,200

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 4:38:56 AM

The Room Fills Fast

Level 2: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Players are pouring in as Mystery Bounty Flight A builds up early momentum.

Player	Chips
BL Barrientos LinoPeru	30,000(100 BB)
KY Kazuo YamamotoJapan	30,000(100 BB)
YE Yusaku EguchiJapan	30,000(100 BB)
RP Rene PayanUnited States of America	30,000(100 BB)
AT Anton TcypinUnited States of America	30,000(100 BB)
YT Yuan Tai HsuTaiwan	30,000(100 BB)
IJ Ingeun JhoSouth Korea	30,000(100 BB)
MF Masaru FukuyamaJapan	30,000(100 BB)
NM Naman MadanIndia	30,000(100 BB)
RH Rui HanazawaJapan	30,000(100 BB)
AM Albert MuirUnited States of America	30,000(100 BB)
RG Rajasekar GovindanUnited States of America	30,000(100 BB)
FA Francis AnchetaPhilippines	30,000(100 BB)
HG Henri GirardFrance	30,000(100 BB)
HD Howard DoerflingUnited States of America	30,000(100 BB)
BG Beni GoldsteinIsrael	30,000(100 BB)
MR Mark RemnantUnited Kingdom	30,000(100 BB)
SK Seiya KawadaJapan	30,000(100 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 4:36:49 AM

Girard Chips Up with Two Pair

Level 2: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Henri Girard raised to 600 from early position and received calls from Howard Doerfling next door and Mark Remnant on the button. Big blind Rajasekar Govindan then made it 2,500 to go and all three called.

The 4♠ 8♠ K♦ flop landed and, after checks from Govindan, Girard, and Doerfling, Remnant fired 2,500 into the middle. All three continued to stick around.

The 9♦ fell on the turn and, after another round of checks, Remnant upped it to 5,000. Only Girard stayed in.

The T♣ completed the board and action went check-check. Remnant tabled K♥ Q♣, but Girard’s T♠ 9♠ for two pair was enough to take it down.

Player	Chips
HG Henri GirardFrance	58,000(193 BB)
HD Howard DoerflingUnited States of America	36,500(122 BB)
RG Rajasekar GovindanUnited States of America	33,000(110 BB)
MR Mark RemnantUnited Kingdom	16,500(55 BB)

Level 2: 100 / 300 ante: 300

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 37/38

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 4:19:13 AM

First Blood!

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Zenki Isa

Facing a raise and a call, button Graham Cowan fires a 2,600 three bet. The small blind calls and big blind Zenki Isa comes along as well. The initial raiser calls, while the other caller steps aside to create a four way pot.

On the flop 9♣ 7♥ 5♣ , Isa leads out for 1,000. Cowan responds immediately with a raise to 7,000. Isa makes the call and they go heads up to the turn J♦ . Isa wastes no time and moves all in for 20,200. Cowan snap calls for his remaining 19,300.

Graham Cowan: T♣ T♦

Zenki Isa: Q♠ Q♣

Isa is ahead and leaves Cowan drawing to six outs. The river 6♦ does not help and Cowan becomes the first elimination of the day. It is no trouble for him though, as registration is still open and they are only in level one.

Player	Chips	Progress
ZI Zenki IsaJapan	64,400(322 BB)	34,400
GC Graham CowanAustralia	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 4:17:26 AM

Howard Loses One, Wins One

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

On a flop of 6♥ 6♣ 3♥, early-position David Howard and neighbour Eugene Zanozin checked before cutoff Neil Lawrence bet 2,000. Only Howard stuck around to see the 7♣ turn, where he checked once more before folding to Lawrence’s 4,500 bet.

In the next hand, UTG Howard limped, then called button Jeongwon Seo’s 500 raise. Big blind Shane Saito defended.

All three players checked the Q♥ Q♦ 8♠ flop to see the K♠ on the turn, where Saito check-folded and Seo called Howard’s 1,000 bet.

The 6♠ landed on the river and Howard led out for 3,500, prompting a swift muck from Seo.

Player	Chips
JS Jeongwon SeoSouth Korea	31,500(158 BB)
NL Neil LawrenceMalaysia	31,000(155 BB)
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	30,500(153 BB)
EZ Eugene ZanozinAustralia	29,500(148 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 4:08:58 AM

Jeongwon Shakes Off Howard on the Turn

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Hijack Seo Jeongwon raised to 500 and found a lone caller in small blind David Howard.

Once the 3♣ 3♠ 9♣ flop hit the felt, Howard check-called Jeongwon's 1,000 bet.

The dealer flicked over the 8♠ turn card, and Howard checked once more. Jeongwon upped it to 3,000, enough to shake Howard off the pot.

Player	Chips
JS Jeongwon SeoSouth Korea	31,500(158 BB)
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	28,500(143 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 4:05:27 AM

Early Bird Players

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Player	Chips
NN Naoki NakadaJapan	30,000(150 BB)
SA Saud AldaghaishamKuwait	30,000(150 BB)
EZ Eugene ZanozinAustralia	30,000(150 BB)
SA Steven AbramsUnited States of America	30,000(150 BB)
SS Shane SaitoUnited States of America	30,000(150 BB)
RM Ryan MartinezUnited States of America	30,000(150 BB)
JP Jamie PaulsonCanada	30,000(150 BB)
KM Kandasamy MuralidharanIndia	30,000(150 BB)
OK Ohbyung KwonSouth Korea	30,000(150 BB)
EK Evgenii KhvorostininRussia	30,000(150 BB)
FJ Feng Ji ChuaSingapore	30,000(150 BB)
AS Akira SuzukiJapan	30,000(150 BB)
HT Hidekazu TanakaJapan	30,000(150 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 4:01:34 AM

Shuffle Up And Deal

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Mystery Bounty Flight A is officially underway as players chase both deep runs and hidden rewards.

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 13/13

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/29/2025, 4:00:00 AM

Today's Schedule

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/29/2025, 1:07:44 AM

Somuchpoker Coverage Begins with Mystery Bounty Flight A

The action picks up inside the grand Okada Manila Casino as Somuchpoker begins its coverage of Manila Megastack 23. Today’s focus is the ₱20,000 buy-in Mystery Bounty, a fan-favourite format featuring a ₱2 Million guaranteed prize pool. It isn’t the festival’s opening event, but it’s the first one we’re following, with today's play marking the third straight day of the series. With two starting flights scheduled today, players will have multiple chances to build a stack and position themselves for a deep run in one of the series’ most exciting events.

Flight A starts at 12 p.m. and gives players a 30,000 starting stack (split across two 15,000 bullets) with 30-minute levels guiding the pace through the early stages. The second flight, Flight B, begins at 6 p.m. with the same structure, and late registration stays open for the first ten levels in both flights.

All surviving players from today’s flights will return for Day 2, tomorrow, November 30th, where the mystery bounty envelopes come into play once the field reaches the money. With hidden prizes waiting to be pulled and knockout sweats building at every elimination, the stage is set for a lively start to Manila’s biggest end-of-year poker festival. Here's what you can expect as the festival progresses:

• Nov 29–30 – Mystery Bounty ₱2M GTD

• Dec 1 – Deep Stack ₱1M GTD

• Dec 2 – Double Stack ₱1M GTD

• Dec 3 – Super Stack ₱1M GTD

• Dec 4–7 – Main Event ₱20M GTD

• Dec 5 – Single Day High Roller

• Dec 8 – Mini Main Event ₱1M GTD

Stay tuned throughout the day for live updates here on the ground in Manila from Flight A of the ₱2M GTD Mystery Bounty at Manila Megastack 23!