Viet Nam, Pullman Grand Hotel Hai PhongEVENT #2

2024.12.01 - 2024.12.02Add to Calendar

U Series Of Poker

Blind level

Level 26: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Entries

1/127

Total Chips

25,400,000

Average

25,400,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 12:24:32 PM

Benjamin Leblond is the USOP Hai Phong Grand Finale Superstar Challenge Champion

Level 26: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Benjamin Leblond - USOP Hai Phong Grand Finale Superstar Challenge Champion

127 entries paid VND 120 Million (~USD 4,700) to build a prize pool of VND 13,012,420,000 (~USD 513,000), surpassing the original VND 3 Billion guarantee by over four times.

Only 19 contenders made it to the Day 2 Final with each one guaranteed an ITM payout of VND 210,000,000 (~USD 8,200). It took over 6 hours of poker to finally determine a champion, and it was Canadian pro Benjamin Leblond who ended up with all the chips to earn the title Superstar Challenge champion. Leblond also took with him a USOP trophy and a monster payout of VND 3.23 Billion (~USD 127,000).

This cash marks Leblond's biggest career payout and brings his total live earnings to over USD 650,000.

SMP wanted to interview Leblond after his victory, but he promised to give one later in the evening because he wanted to jump in one of the ongoing events at the USOP Hai Phong Grand Finale.

What a pro! Win a championship and get back to the grind. Like they say, "Strike while the iron is hot!" Hopefully, this won't be his last title of the series.

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 12:11:46 PM

Xiangyu Yu Has Been Eliminated in 2nd Place - VND 2,140,000,000 (~USD 82,000)

Level 26: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Xiangyu Yu - 2nd Place - VND 2,140,000,000 (~USD 82,000)

Xiangyu Yu raised to 600,000 and Benjamin Leblond shoved all-in for 17,000,000. Yu made the snap call and put his last 7,100,000 chips at risk.

Yu flopped two pair, but the poker gods gave Leblond a better two pair by throwing a king on the turn. The ace on the river didn't improve Yu, eliminating him from the tournament at second place and crowing Benjamin Leblond as the Superstar Challenge champion.

Benjamin Leblond earned the USOP Superstar Challenge trophy and the lion's share of VND 3.23 Billion (~USD 127,000) as the champion.

Xiangyu Yu was awarded VND 2,140,000,000 (~USD 82,000) for his runner-up finish.

Player	Hand	Chips
BL Benjamin LeBlondCanada	K♦Q♣	25,400,000(127 BB)
XY Xiangyu YuChina	Q♦J♥	busted

Board:Q♠5♥J♣K♠A♥

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 12:05:32 PM

Leblond Wins Flip To Double And Take Chip Lead

Level 26: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Benjamin Leblond

Both Xiangyu Yu and Benjamin Leblond decided to go all-in before the flop. Leblond has his 7,200,000 chips and tournament life at risk.

Big Slick vs Pocket Sevens. A coin flip.

Yu was ahead on the flop, but Leblond spiked a king on the turn to overtake. The river kept Leblond ahead to double up and take the chip lead.

Player	Hand	Chips
XY Xiangyu YuChina	7♦7♣	9,900,000(50 BB)
BL Benjamin LeBlondCanada	A♥K♦	16,000,000(80 BB)

Board:J♠2♣9♦K♥J♠

Level 26: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 2/127

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 11:54:59 AM

Leo Du Boisbaudry Has Been Eliminated in 3rd Place - VND 1,500,000,000 (~USD 60,000)

Level 25: 100,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Leo Du Boisbaudry - 3rd Place - VND 1,102,000,000 (~USD 43,000)

Action folded to the blinds and Leo Du Boisbaudry shoved his last 1,300,000 in the middle and was snap called by Xiangyu Yu on the big blind.

Yu dominated Du Boisbaudry and maintained the lead all the way to the river, showing Du Boisbaudry to the exit.

Leo Du Boisbaudry was given a share of VND 1,500,000,000 (~USD 60,000) for his 3rd place finish.

Player	Hand	Chips
XY Xiangyu YuChina	A♣6♠	19,000,000(127 BB)
LD Leo Du BoisbaudryFrance	J♦6♦	busted

Board:K♣9♣Q♥8♣3♦

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 11:46:54 AM

Yu's Set Doubles And Cripples

Level 25: 100,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Xiangyu Yu

Leo Du Boisbaudry raised to 300,000 on the button and was three-bet by Xinagyu Yu to 1,200,000. Du Boisbaudry then shoved all-in for 11,000,000 and Yu made the snap call, putting his 7,900,000 at risk.

Kings vs Tens

It didn't look good for Yu, but the poker gods threw a ten on the flop to give Yu a set. Yu's hand held through the turn and river to give him a monster double up and crippling the stack of Du Boisbaudry.

Player	Hand	Chips
XY Xiangyu YuChina	T♥T♦	19,000,000(127 BB)
LD Leo Du BoisbaudryFrance	K♠K♦	2,300,000(15 BB)

Board:6♠8♦T♣5♦9♥

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 11:39:59 AM

Julian Warhurst Has Been Eliminated in 4th Place - VND 1,102,000,000 (~USD 43,000)

Level 25: 100,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Julian Warhurst - 4th Place - VND 1,102,000,000 (~USD 43,000)

UTG Allin T♠ 8♠ 1,8M Du Boisbaudry called A♣ T♣

Julian Warhurst shoved his last 1,800,000 from under the gun and was called by Leo Du Boisbaudry.

Du Boisbaudry dominated. Both flopped the ten, but Du Boisbaudry stayed ahead with the better kicker. Warhurst could not improve and was eliminated from the tournament.

Julian Warhurst received VND 1,102,000,000 (~USD 43,000) for the 4th place finish.

Player	Hand	Chips
JW Julian WarhurstAustralia	T♠8♠	busted
LD Leo Du BoisbaudryFrance	A♣T♣	11,000,000(73 BB)

Board:T♥3♣Q♣3♦6♣

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 11:32:41 AM

Yu Makes A Boat To Triple

Level 25: 100,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Xiangyu Yu

Action folded to the blinds. Small blind Leo Du Boisbaudry raised to 450,000. Xiangyu Yu defended the big blind to open a flop of 8♥ 6♣ 8♦.

Du Boisbaudry led with 350,000 and Yu raised to 1,100,000. Du Boisbaudry answered with an all-in shove for 14,000,000 and Yu made the snap call.

Yu flopped a set and Du Boisbaudry needed runners to improve his hand. The turn threw a Q♦ to improve Yu to a full-house and leave Du Boisbaudry drawing dead. The river 4♥ didn't matter.

Player	Hand	Chips
XY Xiangyu YuChina	Q♣8♠	9,700,000(65 BB)
LD Leo Du BoisbaudryFrance	J♥T♥	9,200,000(61 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 11:17:24 AM

Piet Pape Has Been Eliminated in 5th Place - VND 817,000,000 (~USD 32,000)

Level 21: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Piet Pape - 5th Place - VND 817,000,000 (~USD 32,000)

Xiangyu Yu limped in the small blind and Piet Pape checked to see a flop of A♥ A♠ 3♠. Both checked to see a 6♠ turn. Xinagyu Yu check-raised the 175,000 bet of Pape to 400,000. Pape then shoved all-in and Yu made the instant call.

The river 5♠ improved Yu to a flush to give full emphasis on Pape's exit. Piet Pape was awarded VND 817,000,000 (~USD 32,000) for his effort.

Player	Hand	Chips
PP Piet PapeGermany	K♠6♦	1,700,000(28 BB)
XY Xiangyu YuChina	T♠T♦	5,400,000(90 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 10:51:17 AM

Has Been Eliminated in 6th Place - VND 620,000,000 (~USD 24,000)

Level 24: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

William Jia - 6th Place - VND 620,000,000 (~USD 24,000)

Hi-jack Benjamin Leblond raised to 250,000 when William Jia three-bet to 760,000 from the cut-off. Le Blond shoved all-in for 2,600,000 and Jia called, putting his last 1,800,0000 at risk.

Jia was drawing dead by the turn, and stood up from his seat even before the river was dealt. William Jia earned VND 620,000,000 (~USD 24,000) for the 6th place finish.

Player	Hand	Chips
WJ William Jia (2)Australia	K♣Q♣	1,100,000(9 BB)
BL Benjamin LeBlondCanada	A♠A♣	4,600,000(38 BB)

Board:T♥2♠5♣2♥Q♦

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 10:45:43 AM

Warhurst Doubles With Aces

Level 23: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Julian Warhurst

William Jia raised to 120,000 on the button and was re-raised all-in by Julian Warhurst for his last 960,000. Jia made the call,

Jia paired his jack on the flop, but failed to improve more than that. Warhurst doubles up and Jia was left with a damaged stack.

Player	Hand	Chips
JW Julian WarhurstAustralia	A♥A♦	2,200,000(22 BB)
WJ William Jia (2)Australia	Q♦J♥	1,100,000(11 BB)

Board:J♠8♥7♦3♠K♥

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 10:24:31 AM

Hari Varma Has Been Eliminated in 7th Place - VND 485,000,000 (~USD 19,000)

Level 23: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Hari Varma - 7th Place - VND 485,000,000 (~USD 19,000)

Xinagyu Yu min-raised to 200,000 from UTG+2 when Hari Varma three-bet to 1,200,000 from the hi-jack.

Benjamin Leblond shoved all-in for 1,300,000 in the big blinds. Yu stepped down and Varma completed the small change.

Kings vs Jacks.

Leblond's kings hold to give him a crucial double up while crippling Varma.

When they counted the chips after the hand, they realized Varma was covered and he was asked to give up his seat.

Hari Varma earned VND 485,000,000 (~USD 19,000).

Player	Hand	Chips
BL Benjamin LeBlondCanada	K♦K♣	2,900,000(29 BB)
HV Hari VarmaAustralia	J♥J♦	busted

Board:3♥T♣2♠8♠A♣

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 9:48:10 AM

Anton Lu Has Been Eliminated in 8th Place - VND 387,020,000 (~USD 15,200)

Level 23: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Anton Lu - 8th Place - VND 387,020,000 (~USD 15,200)

Leo Du Boisbaudry raised to 200,000 from the hi-jack with A♦ Q♥. Anton Lu three-bet to 700,000 on the big blind with K♦ K♣.

Du Boisbaudry shoves all-in and is snap-called by Lu, putting his last 1,900,000 chips at risk.

Du Boisbaudry flopped an ace to take the lead and never looked back, eliminating Lu from the tournament.

Anton Lu earned VND 387,020,000 (~USD 15,200) for his 8th place run.

Player	Hand	Chips
LD Leo Du BoisbaudryFrance	A♦Q♥	11,000,000(110 BB)
LA Lu Anton Zhen ZhaoAustralia	K♦K♣	busted

Board:9♠6♦A♥7♦5♦

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 9:33:51 AM

Julian Warhurst Doubles With Big Slick

Level 22: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Julian Warhurst

Piet Pape raised to 200,000 from hi-jack

Piet Pape raised to 200,000 from the hi-jack and Julian Warhurst shoved all-in for 900,000 to defend the big blind.

Warhurst's big slick suited maintained to be the better hand against Pape's Queen-Jack suited even though no one hit the board.

Warhurst doubled up while causing damage to Pape's stack

Player	Hand	Chips
JW Julian WarhurstAustralia	A♥K♥	2,100,000(26 BB)
PP Piet PapeGermany	Q♣J♣	1,700,000(21 BB)

Board:5♦5♠2♠7♣4♠

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 8:13:06 AM

Jon-Peter Rounce-Sue Has Been Eliminated in 9th Place - VND 317,200,000 (~USD 12,500)

Level 22: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Jon-Peter Rounce-Sue - 9th Place - VND 317,200,000 (~USD 12,500)

Jon-Peter Rounce-Sue pushed his 895,000 chips all-in on the button and was called by Xiangyu Yu on the big blind.

Rounce-Sue was slightly dominated and had a chance, but then Yu made the nut-flush on the turn and ended Rounce-Sue's Superstar Challenge run in 9th place.

Jon-Peter Rounce-Sue earned VND 317,200,000 (~USD 12,500) for his effort.

Player	Hand	Chips
XY Xiangyu YuChina	A♣9♣	3,300,000(41 BB)
SR Sue RounceNew Zealand	A♥8♠	busted

Board:J♥Q♣2♣K♣J♦

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 7:08:07 AM

Final Table Set

Level 21: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Yuan Xu finally finished his run in 10th place, making him the final table bubble.

Following his bust, the final table was set and prepared for the livestream.

You can follow the livestream at the USOP Official Facebook page.

Meanwhile, here are the final table chip counts:

SUPERSTAR CHALLENGE FINAL TABLE CHIP COUNTS

Player	Chips
SR Sue RounceNew Zealand	3,665,000(61 BB)
BL Benjamin LeBlondCanada	2,750,000(46 BB)
LA Lu Anton Zhen ZhaoAustralia	1,950,000(33 BB)
XY Xiangyu YuChina	1,900,000(32 BB)
JW Julian WarhurstAustralia	1,485,000(25 BB)
HV Hari VarmaAustralia	1,205,000(20 BB)
LD Leo Du BoisbaudryFrance	895,000(15 BB)
WJ William Jia (2)Australia	680,000(11 BB)
PP Piet PapeGermany	660,000(11 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 6:45:15 AM

William Jia Doubles From Rounce-Sue

Level 21: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

William Jia

Both William Jia on the big blind and Boisbaudry Du in the cut-off were eyeing 600,000 chips in the middle beside a board that showed 7♣ 6♥ J♠ 4♥ 7♠.

Jia took his time before shoving his last 660,000 chips all-in. Du made the call and showed 6♦ 4♦ for a counterfeit two-pair, but Jia flipped the better hand with 5♥ 7♥ for a set of sevens.

Jia doubled up and Du got damaged.

Player	Chips
WJ William Jia (2)Australia	2,100,000(35 BB)
LD Leo Du BoisbaudryFrance	1,300,000(22 BB)

Level 21: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 10/127

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 6:43:35 AM

Yang Xudong Busts Out at 11th

Level 20: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Yang Xudong

Yang Xudong pushed his remainig 420,000 chips all-in from the cut-off and was called by Piet Pape on the button.

Pape's jacks were ahead and remained that way until the board completed to send Xudong to the rail at 11th place.

Player	Hand	Chips
PP Piet PapeGermany	J♠J♥	2,100,000(42 BB)
YX Yang XudongChina	5♥5♠	busted

Board:A♠T♠6♦3♦A♥

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 6:23:32 AM

Bao Qiang Ho Busts Out At 12th

Level 20: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Bao Qiang Ho

Qiang Bao Ho shoved his last 480,000 all-in and was challenged by Xiangyu Yu.

Big slick vs pocket sevens, a coin flip.

Yu flopped the king to give him top pair, and Ho couldn't find a seven in the turn and river to take him out at 12th place.

Player	Hand	Chips
XY Xiangyu YuChina	A♥K♥	1,450,000(29 BB)
QB Qiang Bao HoSingapore	7♥7♣	busted

Board:5♦J♣K♠T♠5♠

Level 20: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 16/127

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 5:46:27 AM

Yuan Xu Double Doubles

Level 19: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Yuan Xu

Yuan Xu is just resilient.

Xu made an all-in shove from the cut-off for his last 300,000 chips and was called by Jon-Peter Rounce-Sue on the button.

Yuan Xu showed Q♣ 8♠ versus Rounce-Sue's A♣ 5♥

The board ran Q♠ 3♥ 9♠ 2♦ T♣ to ship the chips to Xu for a double-up.

In the next round, Xu was all-in again for 200,000 holding T♦ 7♦ against the A♣ T♥ of Leo Du Boisbaudry.

The board ran 8♦ 2♦ 6♣ 7♥ 8♠, pairing Xu's seven and shipping the chips his way once again.

Player	Chips
JR Jon-Peter Rounce-Sue	2,700,000(68 BB)
YX Yuan XuChina	620,000(16 BB)

Level 19: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 19/127

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

12/2/2024, 5:36:53 AM

Shuffle Up and Deal!

Cards are in the air for the Day 2 Final of the Highroller: Superstar Challenge. Day 1 began with 127 entries (77 unique) and played over 19 levels until the bubble burst on Taiwan's Nevan Chang, allowing the remaining 19 players to bag their chips and resume play today.

All 19 players are guaranteed a minimum share of VND 210,000,000 (~USD 8,200) from the VND 13,012,420,000 (~USD 513,000) prize pool.

Of course, all players will be focused on the champion's prize of VND 3.23 Billion (~USD 127,000)

Entering Day 2 with the chip lead is Jon-Peter Rounce-Sue with 3,655,000 chips.