Main Event (18,500 PHP)

The first of four starting flights has ended in the Manila Super Series ₱18,500 Main Event at Okada Manila. Flight A featured 155 entrants and by the end of the night only 24 players managed to find a bag and advance to Day 2.

David Erquiaga finished the night with the chip lead after bagging 433,000. Erquiaga is most closely followed by Patrick Wahlquist (371,000) while Alex Gelev rounds out the top three with 358,000.

There are still three more starting flights to go. Flight B takes place tomorrow at noon while Flight C takes place on February 8 at noon. Later that evening the final flight, featuring a turbo structure, will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Somuchpoker will be on sight to provide all the action throughout the Main Event.

Craig Jones opened to 15,000 from the hijack and Man Chung Tsui called from the cutoff. The flop came 8♣ 4♠ 3♦ and Jones check-called a 12,000 bet from Tsui.

Tsui bet 22,000 when checked to on the 6♦ turn and Jones called again. On the 2♥ river Jones checked, Tsui bet 50,000 and Jones called. Tsui showed a straight with 5♥ 4♣ and Jones mucked.

Miyatake’s pocket aces remain ahead on the runout and he doubles up through Tsui.

Miyatake went on to flop top pair and remained ahead to double up through Tsui.

Ionut Dragomir opened to 2,200 from under the gun and Man Chung Tsui called from the hijack. The flop came 5♣ 6♥ 6♦. Dragomir fired a 2,600 continuation bet and Tsui called. Dragomir continued for 3,100 on the 7♠ turn and Tsui called again. On the A♣ river Dragomir bet 3,500. Tsui raised to 11,000, Dragomir re-raised to 53,500 and Tsui folded.

Dragomir was a huge favorite with trip sixes and after remaining ahead on the T♠ river he doubled up through Tsui.

Man Chung Tsui opened to 2,000 from under the gun and was called by Lenart Ecarma in the hijack and a player in the big blind. The flop came 6♠ 3♣ T♠ and action checked around to Tsui who bet 1,500. Both opponents called.

Tsui continued for 7,000 when checked to on the 3♠ turn and this time only Ecarma called. Tsui sized down with a 3,000 bet on the J♣ river. Ecarma shoved for 16,600 and Tsui snap-called.

Lenart had two pair with 8♠ 8♣ but Tsui had turned a flush with 7♠ 5♠ to eliminate Ecarma and win the pot.

Junj Javalera opened to 1,500 from under the gun, was called by Man Chung Tsui in the hijack and a player in the big blind. The flop came Q♦ 2♦ 7♣ , Javalera bet 4,400, Tsui called and the big blind folded. Javalera continued for 12,000 on the T♠ turn. Tsui moved all in with a covering stack and Javalera, who had 19,200 behind, made the call for his tournament life.

Junj Javalera: A♥ Q♥

Man Chung Tsui: Q♠ 4♠

Javalera was in great shape to double up with top pair and the superior kicker but the 4♣ river gave Tsui two pair to send Javalera to the rail.

With two players seeing a board of 8♣ T♣ Q♥ and 1,600 in the middle Alari Kunnapuu bet 1,000 from the big blind and Man Chung Tsui raised to 3,000 from the button. Kunnapuu called.

Tsui continued for 5,000 on the 7♠ turn and this time it was enough to get a fold from Kunnapuu.

Man Chung Tsui raised to 400 from the small blind and Shawn Philip Benitez defended from the big blind. Both players checked the flop and turn leading to a final board of A♦ 3♣ 3♠ Q♥ J♦ . Tsui bet 600 and Benitez called. Tsui showed K♣ J♠ for third pair and Benitez mucked his hand.