Main Event (18,500 PHP)

With one the richest prize pools in the history of this undertaking, a Filipino emerges as the best among the 1,168 entries that had the original GTD prize pool skyrocket as Czar Ian Marcos takes down the Manila Super Series 22 Main Event at Pokerstars Live in Okada Manila.

The PhP10,000,000 (~US$177,560) GTD prize pool went up to an insane PhP18,444,589 (~US$328,250) which exceeded the PhP10,936,078 (~US$188,755) of its predecessor last February.

Marcos wins his first Spadey and his sixth career title after an ICM chop with Heads-Up opponent Germ de Haas of the Netherlands merged the remaining money in the prize pool but the Filipino pro still took down his biggest ever haul of PhP2,584,000 (~US$45,985) in front of a gallery filled with family and supporters.

“I’m thankful and very happy because this is my first time winning a Main Event,” Marcos told SMP after the win. “I’m just grateful for my friends and family who supported me.”

The grueling Heads-Up affair with de Haas was a battle for the trophy and the PhP125,000 (~US$2,225) APPT Main Event package.

The Filipino never relinquished his chip lead after reversing the tide after the second hand of Heads-Up play and even doubled de Haas’ stack on multiple occasions. The final hand played itself as de Haas 3-bet shoved his A♠ K♥ and was instantly called by Marcos who was dealt J♠ J♥ . The runout went 9♠ 3♥ 7♣ 2♥ 6♠ as Marcos celebrated with his friends after the feat had been accomplished.

Marcos talked about his composure and unwavering focus.

“Starting the day (I was so) focused even (during) break time,” he explained. “I didn’t leave my table even when somebody calls me or talks to me. I didn’t mind them because I wanted to focus and read every player around my table so I don’t burn my energy on nonsensical things. But you have to prepare yourself in this kind of a field and (endure the) long playing time.”

During the Final Table, Marcos had to contend with the likes of fellow Filipino Martin Astorga and eventual third placer Ryuki Shirase of Japan; two highly aggressive players.

“It’s hard to go up against them,” Marcos recounts. “Firstly, Ryuki (is) confident. He’s hard to read and you can’t make and error against him because he will punish you. But with Astorga it’s different. It’s so hard to call his raise because he plays any hand. He’s very hard to read and the way he opens the action pre-flop like 2.5BBs or 3BBs. It’s hard to call.”

When asked what he intends to do with the winnings, he simply said, “Pay my debts,” with a laugh.

But he also had this message to all the Filipinos who are considering diving into the international scene:

“The Filipino poker player can toe to toe against anybody,” he professed. “Don’t overthink and stay focused. Don’t stress yourself (out) if you had a bad beat and move forward so you can still play your hands carefully and when you reach the final table, just pray and He will guide you to success.”

De Haas pocketed the higher purse of PhP2,616,000 (~US$46,435) for his runner-up finish as he had more chips when the ICM chop went down. Shirase got PhP1,400,000 (~US$24,915).

Hand #107: De Haas limps and gets raised by Marcos to 1,200,000. De Haas 3-bets shoves for 10,850,000. Marcos makes the snap call.

De Haas tables A♠ K♥ while Marcos shows J♠ J♥ . It’s a coin-flip for the championship for Marcos or a crippling blow for de Haas.

The runout goes 9♠ 3♥ 7♣ 2♥ 6♠ as Marcos’ Jacks hold and he busts the Dutchman in second place.

Hand #105: Right after de Haas openly defied him in the last hand, the Dutchman tries it again with a raise from the D/SB to 1,300,000. This time, Marcos responds with a call, albeit out of position.

The flop comes 3♣ 7♥ 6♠ as Marcos checks. De Haas continues for 750,000 and Marcos now check-raises him to 3,700,000. De Haas makes the call. The turn is the K♠ and Marcos moves all-in. De Haas does not continue in the hand and folds.

Marcos increases his separation anew.

Hand #106: De Haas gets a walk.

Hand #104: This unraised pot sees the flop go 6♦ K♥ 2♣ as de Haas checks. Marcos bets 600,000 as de Haas suddenly check-raises all-in.

Marcos shows the 6♣ before folding.

All the steals by de Haas has him cutting Marcos’ chip advantage significantly.

Hand #97: De Haas shoves UTG, Marcos does not call.

Hand #98: De Haas walks.

Hand #99: Marcos walks.

Hand #100: Marcos limps, de Gaas shoves. Marcos folds.

Hand #101: De Haas raises and Marcos 3-bets. De Haas folds.

Hand #102: Marcos limps, de Haas shoves and gets no call.

Hand #103: De Haas open shoves and Marcos folds.

Hand #96: It’s unraised again as the flop is 4♥ 2♦ 7♣ as both check. The turn is the 6♣ and once again no action happens. The river is the Q♠ as de Haas now bets 2,000,000. Marcos makes the snap call.

De Hass turns over 7♥ 6♠ for two pairs on the turn while Marcos shows the Q♥ and mucks.

De Has gets a bit of a reprieve.

Hand #94: Marcos limps as de Haas shoves. Marcos folds.

Hand #95: The unraised pot sees a flop of K♣ K♦ T♠ as both check. The turn is the 5♥ as Marcos checks again and this time the bet comes from de Haas for 500,000. Marcos check-raises it to 1,700,000. De Haas folds as his stack is down to ten million.

Hand #93: In another unraised pot, the flop goes K♠ 8♠ 7♠ as both check. The turn card is the 9♥ as Marcos bets 700,000. De Haas rips it up to 2,000,000. Marcos makes the call. The river is the K♦ and further bombardment takes place.

Marcos turns over J♥ 2♥ for a gutshot redrawn on the turn that missed and is surprised when de Haas mucks.

The win with Jack-high creates a bigger disparity between their stacks.

Hand #92: Marcos opens from the D/SB for 1,200,000 and de Haas calls.

The flop comes K♣ J♠ K♦ as de Haas checks and Marcos CBets 600,000. De Haas calls. The turn is the 6♠ and this time, both check. The river is the K♠ and nothing more happens.

De Haas shows Q♦ 6♥ for a full house on the river while Marcos unveils 9♠ 9♥ for a higher full house and once again snares the pot.

Hand #88: De Haas raises Marcos’ limp and gets no response.

Hand #89: De Haas makes Marcos fold on the river.

Hand #90: Marcos raises preflop and de Haas folds.

Hand #91: It goes unraised and they see a flop. De Haas takes it down with one bet.

Hand #85: Marcos walks.

Hand #86: De Haas walks.

Hand #87: It goes unraised with de Haas on the D.

The flop goes 8♦ K♦ K♥ as Marcos checks. De Haas bets 500,000 as Marcos makes the call. The turn is the 6♥ as this time Marcos comes out firing for 900.000. De Haas makes the call. The river is the 4♥ and this time both of them check it.

Marcos turns over 8♠ 6♥ for two pairs on the flop. De Haas mucks again.

Hand #84: Marcos opens for 1,100,000 and de Haas defends his BB.

The flop is 8♠ 8♥ 3♣ as both check. The turn is the 6♦ and no action happens. The river is the 8♦ as de Haas checks a third time. Marcos bets 700,000 and de Haas makes the call.

Marcos shows K♦ 3♦ for bottom pair on the flop that ends being a low full house on the river. De Haas mucks.

Marcos’ lead is almost at ten million.

Hand #83: De Hass limps but gets raised my Marcos on the BB for 1,250,000. De Haas makes the call.

The flop is 9♠ 6♣ 4♥ as Marcos continues for 600,000 and gets raised to 1,700,000. Marcos calls. The turn is the 5♠ as both now check. The river is the 8♠ and Marcos checks again. This time, de Hass fires 4,000,000. Marcos folds.

Marcos’ chip lead is down to less than four million.

Hand #73: Marcos raises and gets no resistance.

Hand #74: De Haas walks.

Hand #75: It goes unraised and both see a flop. De Haas bets from the D and takes it down.

Hand #76: De Haas walks,

Hand #77: Marcos walks.

Hand #78: De Haas walks.

Hand #79: De Haas opens and Marcos folds.

Hand #80: Marcos opens and de Haas folds.

Hand #81: Marcos gets a walk.

Hand #82: It initially goes unraised until both see a flop. Marcos bets, de Hass raises, Marcos folds.

Hand #72: De Haas opens and Marcos calls. They see a flop, Marcos checks and de Haas takes it down with a CBet.

Hand #71: Marcos raises from D/SB to 900,000 as de Haas calls.

The flop is K♠ 2♥ 7♣ as both players check. The turn is the A♥ as de Haas checks a second time. Marcos fires 400,000 and de Haas folds.

In back to back with heavy betting, the Filipino is now getting more comfortable with his lead.

Hand #70: It goes unraised with de Haas on the D.

The flop goes 3♠ J♥ 2♥ as Marcos checks. De Haas bets 550,000 and gets called. The turn is the 2♠ and this time, both check. The river is the 6♠ as Marcos now unloads 700,000. De Haas makes the call.

Marcos tables J♣ 7♥ for yop pair on the flop. De Haas opts to muck.

The win by Marcos gives him a bit of cushion.

Hand #66: Marcos raises from the BB and de Haas folds.

Hand #67: De Haas gets a walk.

Hand #68: De Haas raises and Marcos calls. They see a flop. Marcos checks, de Hass bets and Marcos folds.

Hand #69: Marcos Limps and gets raised. Marcos folds.

Hand #64: Marcos gets a walk

Hand #65: The pot goes unraised anew as the flop is 2♥ K♦ Q♠ as both check. The turn is the A♦ as de Haas checks but Marcos bets 450,000. De Hass makes the call. The river is the 5♦ as both opt to check.

De Haas shows 9♦ 4♠ while Marcos connects with the river with 5♣ 4♣ and pads his lead.

Hand #63: It goes unraised as the flop comes T♦ T♠ 2♥ as de Haas checks. Marcos bets 400,000 and gets called. The turn is the Q♥ as de Haas checks again. Marcos fires 1,550,000 as de Haas surrenders.

Hand #62: De Haas rasies it from the D/SB to 900,000 and Marcos calls.

The flop is 3♣ 9♥ 7♦ as both check. The turn is the A♣ and both still elect to skip this street, The river is the 6♠ and no further action ensues. Marcos shows 4♣ 6♣ for a hit on the river. De Haas mucks. Marcos strikes first.

Germ de Haas of the Netherlands and Czar Ian Marcos of the Philippines have decided to split the remaining prizes via an ICM chop.

De Haas, having a slightly bigger stack than Marcos, receives 2,616,000 (~US$46,555) while Marcos gets 2,584,000 (~US$45,985).

Their Heads-Up duel for the trophy and the PhP125,000 (~US$2,225) APPT Main Event paclage ensues shortly.

Hand #61: After being crippled at the hands of Marcos in the previous hand, Shirase is all-in from UTG/D for his last 1,500,000 and gets called by both Marcos in the SB and de Haas in the BB.

The flop comes 8♠ K♥ 8♣ as both check. The turn is the 6♥ and once again no action happens. The river card is the T♠ and they both still check.

Shirase turns over 4♦ 2♠ while Marcos shows 7♣ 5♠ . De Haas has Q♥ J♥ for high cards good enough to eliminate the Japanese player as we now enter Heads-Up for the title and the PhP3,200,000 (~US$56,950) top prize as well as the APPT Main Event package.

Both players are now guaranteed PhP2,000,000 (~US$35,590).

Hand #60: The blinds are ay it again as Shirase raises it to 1,000,000 from the SB and Marcos makes the call from the BB.

The flop goes 4♥ A♦ 4♠ as Shirase CBets for 1,200,000. Marcos calls. The turn is the Q♥ and Shirase now makes it 2,000,000 to go. Marcos still calls. The river is the J♠ as Shirase goes all-in, covering his Filipino opponent. Marcos makes the snap call.

Shirase tables A♣ 5♥ for top pair on the flop while Marcos turns over K♥ 4♦ for trips on the flop.

The win cripples the Japanese player who is now down to less than five BBs. Marcos is now the chip leader.

Hand #57: Shrase raises the SB without contest

Hand #58: De Haas makes Shirase use a timebank on a flop bet that goes uncalled.

Hand #59: De Haas steals Shirase’s BB and ante

Hand #56: In a battle of the blinds, de Haas raises from the SB for 750,000 and gets the defense from Shirase.

The flop is K♥ Q♥ 5♦ as de Haas continues for 400,000 and gets called. The turn card is the T♥ and this time de Haas fires 800,000. Shirase folds as their stacks are now practically the same.

Hand #52: Marcos bets the flop and gets no call from de Haas

Hand #53: Unraised ot between the blinds sees a river where de Haas wins with bottom pair.

Hand #54: Marcos gets a walk.

Hand #55: De Haas gets a walk.

Hand #51: Shirase completes his SB and Marcos checks his option in this unraised pot.

The flop comes Q♣ Q♥ 4♣ as both check. The turn is the 4♦ as Shirase bets 400,000. Marcos makes the call. The river card is the J♥ as Shirase fires 2,000,000. Marcos still calls.

Shirase flips over Q♦ 8♦ for a full house on the turn while Marcos shows A♠ 4♠ for a lower full house.

Shirase now enjoys the chip lead anew.

Hand #48: Shirase steals from the D

Hand #49: De Haas raises Marcos’ SB completion with no resistance

Hand #50: Marcos 4-bets Shirase preflop for the pot.

Hand #47: It folds to de Haas on the D who raises it to 800,000 and gets a BB defense from Bestil.

The flop goes 2♠ K♦ T♦ as Bestil donk-shoves his last 500,000. De Haas makes the snap call.

Bestil turns over Q♦ 9♦ for a straight flush draw while de Haas tables K♣ 4♥ for top pair. Needing a diamond or a ten, Bestil sees the turn card is the 4♠ and the river is the 9♥ to end his campaign and leave three players remaining to contest the title.

Bestil is the first to earn a seven-figure payday, though.

The final three are now guaranteed PhP1,400,000 (~US$24,915).

Hand #43: Marcos steals from the CO.

Hand #44: Marcos steals from UTG.

Hand #45: Shirase steals Marcos’ BB from the D.

Hand #46: Marcos bets on the flop in an unraised pot against de Haas.

Hand #42: Shirase raises it to 800,000 from UTG and it folds all the way to the BB where Tan defends.

The flop is 8♠ 5♦ 9♦ as Tan donks for 700,000. Shirase calls. The turn is the 2♠ as Tan shoves his remaining stack of 2,520,000. Shirase goes into the tank and utilizes a timebank card before making the decision to call.

Tables A♣ 3♣ for a gutshot wheel straight redraw while Shirase is ahead with J♥ J♦ .

The river card is the J♣ to give Shirase a set and slam the door on the Singaporean whose Main Event saga ends.

Hand #41: The action folds to Marcos on the D and he raises it up to 625,000. It gets to Astorga in the BB who puts all his remaining 400,000 into the pot.

Marcos shows K♣ Q♦ while Astorga is ahead preflop with A♦ 7♥ .

The flop comes Q♣ 2♠ 5♣ to give Marcos the lead. The turn is the K♥ to end Astorga’s hopes and the 3♥ on the river makes it official as five players remain.

Everyone is now assured of PhP800,000 (~US$14,235).

Hand #40: Shirase raises from the CO for 800,000 and gets no callers.

Hand #39: Just after relinquishing some chips in the direction of Bestil, Astorga once again is raising as it is folded to him on the HJ to 800,000. It folds to Marcos who defends his BB.

The flop is K♣ 7♥ J♣ as both check. The turn is the Q♣ as Marcos checks again and this time Astorga bets 500,000. Marcos check-raises it to 1,950,000 as Astorga 3-bet shoves. Marcos snap calls for his last 3,450,000.

Astorga turns over A♦ K♠ for top pair on the flop while Marcos unveils A♥ T♥ for the Broadway straight on the turn.

Astorga can only chop if a ten hits on the river but instead the 9♠ is the last community card and sends Astorga’s stack plummeting to under three BBs.

Hand #38: It folds to Astorga on the D and he raises to 750,000. It folds to Bestil in the BBwho shoves his last 1,025,000. Astorga calls.

Bestil turns over K♥ 9♦ while Astorga shows K♠ Q♥ dominating the short stack.

The flop goes 6♥ 5♣ 9♥ as Bestil hits top pair. The last two community cards the T♥ and the 4♥ to give Bestil a badly needed double up off of Astorga.

Hand #33: Marcos gets a walk.

Hand #34: Astorga raises against de Haas preflop and gets called. They see a flop as Astorga bets again and takes it down.

Hand #35: It’s folded to the blinds as de Haas completes his SB and Astorga checks. They see a flop, de Haas check-raises and Astorga folds.

Hand #36: Shirase raises from UTG and gets no callers.

Hand #37: Shirase surrenders his BB.

Hand #32: It folds to the blinds where Shirase does something new and just completes his SB. In the BB is Bestil who checks.

The flop goes 9♣ T♥ 6♠ as Shirase bets 300,000 and gets called. The turn is the 7♣ and this time, both check. The river is the 8♦ as Shirase goes all-in and Bestil can’t call and folds.

Bestil’s stack in short again.

Hand #27-29 see steals from Astorga (twice) and Shirase

Hand #30: has Shirase with a steal attempt versus Astorga preflop that comes to fruition on the flop.

Hand #26: De Haas opens from the HJ for 475,000 and Bestil chooses to defend his BB.

The flop is 6♠ 7♠ 2♠ as both check. The turn is the Q♦ and both elect to skip this betting street. The river is the 4♦ as Bestil gives it a shot for 200,000 and gets called.

Bestil flips over 5♥ 5♣ and de Haas mucks.

Hand #25: It folds to the D where Astorga raises it to 575,000. He gets a BB defense from Shirase.

The flop comes 4♦ 5♦ 3♦ as Shirase checks. Astorga CBets for 400,000 and gets raised to 850,000. Astorga calls. The turn is the 9♠ as Shrase goes all-in, covering the Filipino. Astorha chooses to fold.

Hand #23: Astorga raises it to 500,000 from UTG and gets called n the HJ by Shirase.

The flop is Q♣ Q♥ T♣ as both check. The turn is the T♥ as Astorga fires 300,000 and gets called. The river is the 7♦ and no one bets anymore. Astorga shows A♠ K♥ while Shirase has A♥ 9♦ for yet another spilt pot.

Hand #24: Tan gets the first walk of the Final Table.

Hand #22: The action folds to the blinds where Marcos shoves from the SB and gets promptly called by Laxamana in the BB.

Marcos flips over 4♦ 4♥ while Laxamana shows A♦ 4♠ .

The flop goes J♦ 4♣ 8♠ as Marcos completes a set on the case card to have his opponent drawing dead. The last two community cards are the J♠ and the 7♦ as six players remain all guaranteed PhP590,000 (~US$10,500).

Hand #20: Astorga is back to pilfering by raising from the CO and getting no callers.

Hand #21: Chip leader de Haas opens from the +1 position and gets no resistance.

Hand #18: Bestil raises from the +1 position and gets no callers.

Hand #19: De Haas opens from the CO for 500,000 and gets 3-bet on the D by Astorga for 1,500,000. De Haas calls.

The flop goes J♣ 9♠ A♠ as de Haas moves all-in for 3,275,000. Astorga calls.

De Haas tables J♦ J♥ for middle set while Astorga shows A♦ 8♦ for top pair.

The last two community cards are the K♠ and the T♦ as de Haas eclipses the ten million chip mark and is now the new chip leader.

Hand #17: Marcos opens from the CO for 475,000 and gets the BB defense from Astorga.

The flop is A♥ 2♦ 6♣ as Astorga checks. Marcos continues for 375,000 and gets called. The turn is the Q♦ as now Astorga leads out for 900,000. Marcos goes into the tank and uses a timebank card before raising to 2,175,000. Astorga re-raises all-in and Marcos excruciates. He ends up burning four timebank cards but choosing to fold.

Astorga is new chip leader.

Hand #16: Tan raises from the +1 position for 400,000 and gets a call from de Hass in the BB.

The flop goes A♥ A♣ T♥ as both check. The turn is the T♦ as de Haas checks and Tan takes a shot at it for 400,000. De Hass calls. The river is the 7♠ and no further action ensues.

Tan tables K♣ Q♣ while de Haas shows K♥ 7♣ as only the kickers play on the two-pair board and they chop it up.

Hands #13 - #15 see Laxamana, de Haas and Shirase steal the blinds and ante.

Hand #11: Marcos raises from the HJ to 500,000 and gets called by Astorga in the SB and Tan in the BB.

The flop goes 4♦ 6♦ 8♠ as the blinds check back to Marcos who CBets for 275,000. Astorga calls but Tan folds. It is Heads-Up to the turn where the 7♠ arrives. Astorga goes all-in as Marcos decides to fold.

Hand #12: Marcos raises from the +1 position and gets no callers.

Hand #9: Bestil opens from the CO and gets no caller.

Hand #10: Bestil raises from the HJ to 400,000 and Astorga defends his BB.

The flop is 8♥ 7♦ 4♠ as Astorga donks for 300,000 and gets raised by Bestil to 1,000,000. Astorga calls. The turn is the 6♠ as both check. The river is the T♣ as Astorga shoves. Bestil tanks, uses a timebank card but eventually folds.

Hand #8: Tan raises from the HJ to 400,000 and gets on the BB by Laxamana.

The flop goes Q♠ 8♠ K♥ as Laxamana checks. Tan bets 400,000 and gets called. The turn is the 7♣ as Laxamana checks again. Tan goes all-in. Laxamana folds.

Hand #7: It folds to the HJ where Kang raises to 500,000 and gets re-raised in the CO by Tan to 1,200,000. Kang calls.

The flop is J♠ J♦ 5♣ as Kang shoves the rest of his 150,000 into the pot. Tan calls.

Kang tables Q♥ 5♥ while Tan shows T♣ T♠ .

The last two community cards are the A♦ and the 3♦ as the tens hold for the Singaporean and Kang is busted in eighth place.

The seven player left are now assured PhP425,000 (~US$7,565).

Hand #5: Laxamana raises from the +2 position and gets the blinds and ante.

Hand #6: Shirase has it folded to him in the SB and shoves. In the BB, short stack Bestil tanks, uses a timebank then calls.

Shirase turns over J♠ 8♣ and is dominated by Bestil’s Q♣ J♣ .

The runout goes 5♥ 4♣ Q♥ 2♠ A♦ as Bestil doubles up with a pair of Queens.

Hand #2: It gets folded to the blinds where the unraised pot sees a flop of 2♣ Q♥ Q♠ . De Haas checks from the SB, Astorga bets and takes it down.

Hand #3: Laxamana steals from the SB against Kang

Hand #4: Astorga steals from the D against the blinds.

Hand #1: Being one of the shorter stacks, Pang Ying goes all-in from the CO and it folds to the BB where Germ de Haas calls.

Pang shows A♦ Q♣ while de Haas has A♥ K♥ .

The runout goes 2♣ T♥ 9♠ 8♥ T♣ as the kicker plays and Pang is the first casualty of the Final Table.

The remaining eight players are now guaranteed PhP295,000 (~US$5,250).

China’s Ye Kejie open shoves for his 1,775,000 from UTG and the action folds all the way to the BB where Czar Ian Marcos of the Philippines makes the call.

Ye turns over A♦ T♥ while Marcos shows 8♠ 8♦ .

The flop immediately makes it difficult climb out of the hole for the Chinese player: 2♠ 8♦ J♦ but the arrival of the Q♥ on the turn gives Ye a gutshot Broadway redraw. It doesn’t happen as the river card is the 2♣ giving Marcos a full house and completing the annihilation of Ye as the Final Table is now known.

Everyone in the Final Table is now guaranteed PhP236,589 (~US$4,210) and also an APPT Super Qualifier seat worth PhP9,000 (~US$160).

The action folds to the D where Tan Wei Chuan of Singapore raises it to 400,000 but is greeted by a 3-bet shove in the SB from Filipino Martin Astorga worth 3,630,000.

Tan can’t make the call as Astorga reminds everyone that he’s still around.

Eugenio Bestil of the Philippines open shoves from UTG for his last 910,000 and gets called on the D by China’s Ye Kejie.

Bestil shows 6♥ 6♠ which is in a coin-flip against Ye’s A♠ T♥ .

The runout goes J♣ 8♣ K♠ 2♠ 5♦ as the Filipino avoids all of his opponent’s outs en route to the double up that keeps him in the competition.

The action folds to the D where the embattled Alex Boldt of the United States sticks in his remaining stack of 170,000 and gets called by the blinds.

The flop comes T♣ 9♥ 4♦ as the SB checks. Kang Seungyeop of Korea bets 200,000 and it’s enough to get the SB to fold.

Boldt tables Q♥ J♣ for an opened-ended straight draw while Kang has a vulnerable 7♣ 7♠ .

Needing to dodge all the American’s outs, Kang sees the last two community cards are the 5♣ and the 5♥ officially boot out Boldt in eleventh place and bring the Main Event to the cusp pf the Final Table.

The next elimination misses out on the opportunity to get an APPT Super Qualifier package.

From the D, Czar Ian Marcos of the Philippines raises it up to 325,000 and gets a BB defense from the United States’ Alex Boldt.

The flop is Q♦ 9♥ K♠ as Boldt checks. Marcos CBets for 160,000and gets check-raised by the American to 600,000. Marcos calls. The turn is the 4♦ as Boldt goes all-in for and gets a snap call from the Filipino for his remaining stack of 1,535,000.

Boldt shows A♣ 5♣ which has hit nothing, but Marcos does table J♥ T♥ for the nut straight on the flop.

With Boldt drawing dead, the river card is the 2♠ making the crippling of Boldt official.

Marcos now has the chip lead in his crosshairs.

It gets folded to the blinds where Singapore’s Tan Wei Chuan raises it 500,000. In the BB, former chip leader Lim Seyoon of Korea re-raises all-in for his last 2,015,000. Tan calls.

Lim turns over A♣ 3♦ and is going up against a made hand in Tan’s 9♣ 9♠ .

The runout goes 3♣ 4♠ K♣ J♥ Q♦ as Tan collects the Korean’s chips to have 11 players remaining in the Main Event.

Lim’s elimination also brings in a pay jump as everyone left is guaranteed PhP205,000 (~US$3,650).