Main Event

A record-breaking 1,958 entries played over four day one flights and built a prize pool of VND 57,976,380,000 (~USD 2.283,660), breaking its initial offering of 40 billion VND. Outlasting all those entries and stacking up all the chips was Korea's Choi Hun Tae, who passed the final hurdle of defeating China's Zhou Ledong in just one heads-up final hand to claim the USOP Main Event Championship title, the gorgeous golden trophy that comes with and of course the record-breaking USOP main event first prize of VND 9.2 BILLION (USD 362,705).

Choi Hun Tae had been on top of the chip leaderboard through most of the event. He topped his Day 1B flight, entering Day 2 as the chip leader among all flights. Choi also entered today's final ranked number four in the chip counts. And then, he also entered the final table as the chip leader. Entering heads-up, he had a massive four-to-one advantage. And it didn't take long, until he was the one with all the chips.

It just seemed that Choi's position on the top would never be relinquished and his efficiency at maintaining his place at the top of the field, ensured a clear path towards the Main Event Championship.

SMP asked the very tired, but grateful and happy, champion -

At what point in the final table did you know you were going to win the main event?

"There were a lot of ups and downs in the final day with my chips going up and down, but when I reached the final table with the chip lead, I knew I could win it. I knew I was going to win it." Choi confessed.

What is the first thing you will spend your prize money on?

"I promised my wife a percentage of the payout for taking care of me throughout the tournament - cooking for him, getting him food and drinks - so she has to get paid first. Then, I'll spend with my friends who support me in this event."

How was your experience playing in USOP

"It's my first time, in Hai Phong but the environment and setting are very good. The atmosphere for poker is also very good."

IT WAS OVER IN ONE HAND!

Zhou Ledong just called from the small-blind/button with Q♦ T♦. Choi Hun Tae just checked with K♦ 8♣ to open a flop of 9♦ 7♦ 6♣.

Choi checked and allowed Zhou to bet 800,000 before raising all-in. Zhou called.

Zhou was drawing to a flush and a gut-shot straight. Choi was ahead with king-high. The turn was a 4♣. But, of course, to add dramatic effect - the poker gods threw in a K♣ on the river to add an exclamation to the championship.

Zhou was eliminated in 2nd place and took home a very worthy VND 6.175 Billion (USD 243,446) for his runner-up finish.

Choi Hun Tae was crowned Main Event Champion and earned VND 9.2 Billion (USD 362,705).

More on that later.

Zhi Buihui raised all-in for his last 9,900,000 on the button with A♠ 2♥. Choi Hun Tae called in the small blind with A♣ 9♦.

The board ran J♥ 8♣ T♦ Q♠ T♣. Choi made a straight on the turn and marked the immediate end of Zhi's run, eliminating him at third place for a worthy payout of VND 4.175 Billion (USD 164,597).

Zhi Buhui raised to 1,200,000 on the button and called the 4,200,000 re-raise of Choi Hun Tae in the small blind. Both were given a flop of A♦ K♣ 3♥.

Choi bet out 6,500,000 and Zhi called. The turn cam 3♣. Choi check called the 3,000,000 bet of Zhi to open a Q♣ river. Choi pushed all-in for 20,000,000. Zhi thought hard, threw i a time-bank card and threw in his cards to the muck.

Zhi Buhui extracted 4 million from Zhou Ledong when Zhi made the 2,000,000 call with a pair of jacks, catching Zhou bluffing.

The more painful hit came when Zhou raised on the button fro 1,600,000 with J♥ 9♠ and was called by big blind Choi Hun Tae with Q♥ 9♦ . The flop came 9♣ 2♣ 6♥ to give both players top pair.

Zhou bet out 1,000,000 and Choi called. The turn came 2♠. Zhou bet 3,000,000 and Choi called. The 3♥ came on the river and Zhou fired another 3,500,000 and Choi just called. Choi's queen kicker was put into play to defeat Zhoiu and cripple his stack.

Action folded to the blinds. Zhi Buhui just called on the small blind with K♥ T♦. Big Blind Choi Hun Tae three-bet re-raised all-in and Zhi called and put his last 11,000,000 at risk.

Board ran 9♣ 6♠ 6♦ 2♥ 6♦ to give Zhi the win and the double up.

With action folded to the blinds, small blind Zhou Ledong raised all-in with K♠ J♣. Zhi Buhui called on the big blind with A♥ Q♥.

Board completed Q♦ 8♦ 2♠ K♦ Q♠ . Zhi was ahead then was overtaken on the turn, but the poker gods weren't done wth Zhi yet and allowed him to double up by throwing a quee on th rivr to give Zhi trips to double up.

Zhou Ledong raised on the button to 1,200,000 with J♣ 9♥. Small blind Zhi Buhui called with 9♦ 8♦. Big blind Cho Hun Tae three-bet re-raised to 6,500,000 with 4♦ 4♥. All folded - and Cho took down a decent pot.

Choi Hun Tae raised to 1,300,000 on the button with K♦ 2♠. Big blind Zhi Buhui defended with A♣ 3♦. Flop came 5♦ 6♥ 7♣. Zhi checked and Choi min-bet 1,000,000. Zhi folded.

After all the folding...

Zhou Ledong raised on the button to 1,000,000 with A♠ 6♠. Small blind Zhi Buhui re-raised to 3,000,000 with J♠ J♥. This time Zhou stayed on and did not fold.

The flop came A♣ T♦ 4♣ Zhi bet 2,000,000 and Zhou called to see a 2♦ turn. Zhi bet 6,000,000 and Zhou called to see an 8♠ river. Zhi slowed down with a check and Zhou bet a call-able 3,000,000. Zhi surrendered and awarded the pot to Zhou.

And just like that, Zhou Ledong became the chip leader.

Part of the game is knowing when to fold and avoid danger. Zhou Ledong as been showing a keen sense for THE FOLD.

Zhou raised to 1,000,000 from the button with K♦ 8♣. Big blind Choi Hun Tae raised to 3,500,000 with Q♠ Q♣. Zhoe sensed something and FOLDED.

Choi Hun Tae completed in the big blind with K♥ J♦ and Zhoi checked is big blind with 7♣ 2♣ to see a J♥ 8♥ 4♠ flop. Both checked to see a K♠ on the turn, giving Choi two-pair. Both check again to see a 9♥ river. Choi led with 2,100,000 and Zhou FOLDED.

Zhou raised 1,000,000 on the button with A♥ 5♥ and small blind Zhi Buhui three-bet re-raised to 3,500,000. Zhou FOLDED.

THE FINAL BLOW

Zhang Yankai raised to 2,500,000 from under the gun with K♣ 9♥. Button Choi Hun Tae three-bet re-raised all-in with 2♦ 2♠ . Zhang put all 3,100,000 at risk.

Board completed K♠ Q♥ 4♣ 2♥ 3♠. Zhan led with top pair and drew cheers from the Chinese poker contingent. Then, the deuce on the river gave Choi a set to silence the crowd until Zhang's final exit from the Main Event at 4th place, taking home a prize of VND 3.1 Billion (USD 122,216).

Zhang Yankai had 10,000,000

THE STRAIGHT HOOK

Zhi Buihui raised to 1,000,000 on the button with K♦ 8♦ and Zhang Yankai three-bet re-raised to 2,400,000 on the big blind with Q♦ 9♠. Flop arrived K♥ T♠ 3♦. Zhang made a bet of 1,300,000 and Zhi raised his top pair to 4,000,000. Zhang folded, and was left with 6,200,000 chips.

THE BODY SHOT

Action folded to the blinds and small blind Zhang raised to 1,200,000 with A♣ 7♦. Big blind Zhou Ledong re-raised all-in, holding A♥ T♣. Zhang folded and was left with a stack of 5,000,000.

THE UPPERCUT

On the next hand, Zhang raised 1,000,000 on the button with 5♥ 4♣. Big blind Zhi Buihui called to see a A♥ 2♥ 9♣ flop. Both checked to see an 8♠ turn. Zhi check-called the 900,000 bet of Zhang to see a river 6♥. Both checked and Zhi booked the win with a pair of eights. Zhang was left with 3,100,000.

FINAL FOUR CHIP COUNTS

Ian Modder raised to 3,000,000 on the button with A♣ 9♣ . Zhou Ledong three-bet re-raised to 6,000,000 with A♥ Q♦. Modder added the rest of his stack to be all-in for a total of 4,800,000.

Board ran T♥ 6♥ 7♣ 7♥ K♣, keeping Zhou ahead until the end and sending Modder out of the Main Event in 5th place and earn a reward of VND 2.3 Billion (USD 90,676) for his efforts.

Jon Rounce-Sue raised to 1,700,000 from under the gun with Q♥ 8♦ and was called by Choi Hun Tae with A♠ K♠ in the cut-off. Big blind Zhou Ledong also called with A♦ 6♥.

The flop arrived K♦ 4♠ 9♥. Rounce-Sue bet all-in for 600,000 and Choi raised to 3,000,000 . Zhou folded.

The board completed 7♠ J♥ and Roune-Sue was eliminated in 6th place, earning VND 1,796,380,000 (USD 70,821).

Zhang Yankai raised 800,000 on the hi-jack with J♥ J♣ and Zhou Ledong re-raised to 2,000,000 on the button with K♥ K♦. Zhang called and both went to see a flop of A♦ 2♦ 5♣. Both checked for a free A♠ on the turn. Both checked again to see the 8♦ on the river. This time, Zhou fired 1,000,000 after Zhang checked. Zhang folded.

Action folded to the blinds and Zhi Buhui just limped and Choi Hun Tae checked to see a flop of A♥ 3♠ 4♠ . Zhi check-called the 450,000 Bet of Choi to see a J♦ on the turn, giving Choi the lead with a two-pair. Zhi check-called again when Choi fired 1,600,000. An A♣ came on the river. Zhi checked, perhaps to induce another bet, but Choi was wise enough to check behind.

Zhi took down the pot and made a small scratch on Choi's stack.

Everyone has been avoiding Choi Hun-Tae and Jon Rounce-Sue on their big blinds. So, it's a bit of a headliner for this battle to take place.

Choi Hun-Tae raised from the hi-jack to 950,000 with 8♥ 7♥ and Jon Rounce-Sue was so happy to see action - after being avoided - and called to defend his big blind with Q♣ 6♣.

The flop came K♥ 7♣ 4♥. Rounce-Sue checked and folded when Choi bet 1,000,000.

Zhang Yankai raised to 800,000 from the cut-off with J♥ 3♥ and Zhou Ledong defended the big blind with K♥ J♦. The flop was dealt K♠ 5♠ 4♣. Zhou checked to allow Zhang to bet 500,000 before raising it to 1,200,000. Zhang folded.

Zhou Ledong raised to 800,000 from UTG+1 holding J♦ J♣. Joris Michl spent two time banks before shoving all-in for his last 2,100,000, holding K♣ T♥. Zhou snap called.

Board ran 8♣ 9♦ 5♥ 9♥ 3♥ to award Zhou the pot and eliminate Joris Michl in 7th place, earning a cool VND 1.45 Billion (USD 57,165) for his effort.

SMP had a chance to talk to Joris Michl after his bust-out to wish him a good game, and he admitted, "I could've maybe held on more on the last hand and not shoved with that hand."

"It was that hand with the eights that shifted. If I won that I would've been third in chips, but it's a coin flip and that's how it is. I really was trying to climb up," he said."

"I can't complain. 7th out of nearly 2,000. 60,000 paycheck. Not a bad day." - Joris added.

What's next?

"I'll go support some friends who made the final two tables in the other events, then maybe a few beers later."

Zhou Ledong raised all-in on the button and found no callers. In the next orbit, on the button, Zhou shoved all-in again and scooped the blinds once more. For under the gun, Zhou shifted gears and went for a min-raise of 800,000 and still found no callers

It seems that Zhou Ledong is doubling-up by winning the blinds.

Jon Rounce-Sue keeps everyone guessing. While most raises on the table have been starting with a min-raise or an all-in shove, Rounce-Sue has been seen mixing things up. In the earlier rounds, he was raising 3x to 1,200,000 on hands like Acec-Queen off or Kings, then he also min-raised kings at one point.

Just recently, he raised to 2,000,000 with A♦ 5♥ and got no callers.

And also because of his style, Rounce-Sue has gotten a lot of walks on his big blinds.

Action folded to the blinds. Small blind Choi Hun Tae just called and Big Bling Zhang Yankai checked to see a friendly flop of T♣ 8♠ 2♥. Both check to see a 7♥. Both check again to see a 8♦ river. Choi led out with a min-bet of 400,000 and Zhang called to win the pot with his pair seven making a better two pair.

Ian Modder raised from under the gun to 600,000 holding A♦ K♦. Big blind Joris Michl saw 8♥ 8♣ in his hole and re-raised all-in. Modder snap called.

A coin flip.

Board ran K♥ 4♥ 7♦ J♣ A♥. Modder paired the king on the flop and went on to two-pair with an ace on the river.

In an MMA fight that would've been a left hook to put him to the mat and a hammer fist to put the lights out.

Action folded to the blinds, Zhi Buhui limped then called the 725,000 raise of Choi Huntae on the big blind. Zhi held 8♦ 6♦ while Choi had K♠ K♣.

The flop J♥ 8♠ 7♦ . Choi led out with 600,000 and Zhi called to see a J♦ on the turn. Both checked to see a 6♠ on the river. Choi bet out 2,500,000 and Zhi called and drooped a sigh when he saw the kings.

Jon Rounce-Sue raised to 600,000 from under the gun with K♦ K♣. Zhou Ledong defended the big blind with K♥ 5♥. The flop came 6♠ 9♠ 4♣. Zhou checked the option to Rounce-Sue who didn't hesitate to put 450,000 in the middle. Zhou gave it up.

Zhi Buhui raise to 600,000 from the hi-jack and Choi Hun Tae called from the hi-jack. The flop arrived Q♣ 9♣ 4♥ and both checked to see a 2♠ on the turn. Zhi checked and Choi bet 1,000,000. Zhi raised to 2,500,000 and Choi re-raised all-in. Zhi called.

Zhi flipped over A♥ A♦ and Choi showed Q♦ T♠. A river A♠ added more oomph to the double-up.

Zhou Ledong raised to 600,000 form UTG+1 with 9♦ 9♣. Choi Hun Tae three-bet re-rasied to 1,500,000 on the small blind with A♥ Q♠. Zhou called to see a flop of J♦ 2♥ 2♠. Both checked to see a 5♥ on the turn.

Choi tapped his option over to Zhou, who obliged with 800,000. Choi then raised to 2,500,000. Zhou called to see an 8♥ river. Choi fired 11,000,000. Choi thought long and hard, thought if hidden underwater cities exist and eventually folded.

A lot more small flopless pots are keeping the action going with everyone playing quite tight.

Joris Michl called a 600,000 raise by Choi Hun Tae to defend his big blind. Michl missed the flop and checked to Choi, who fired away with a semi-bluff to steal the pot. Choi did have the better hand despite not hitting anything as well.

Jon Rounce-Sue saw K♠ K♣ in his hole and raised to 1,400,000 but found no action.

Zhang Yankai's Pair of Deuces also received no callers. In a few hands to follow, so did his Pocket Tens.

Modder shoved all-in with A♥ 9♣, and didn't find a customer.

And it seems everyone is folding to Choi Hun Tae on the big blind. Choi received his third (or so) walk of the night

Cho Hun Tae raised from under the gun to 675,000 with K♣ Q♣. Zhou Ledong made the call on the button with A♦ 7♦. Big blind Zhi Buhui also called to see a flop of 7♥ 2♥ 5♠.

Action checked to Choi who c-bet 700,000 and found the same callers. Action checked to Zhou on the button, who fired 1,300,000 and everyone folded.

Choi Hun Tae raised to 700,000 from cut-off, but got no customers and wins the blinds.

Jon Rounce-Sue raised to 1,400,000 from UTG+1 to win the blinds.

Jon Rounce-Sue raised to 600,000 from UTG with A♣ 4♠ and big blind Zhou Ledong defended with an all-in, holding A♠ K♥. Rounce-Sue folded.

Joris Michl raised to 600,000 from the cut-off, holding A♣ 6♥ and was three-bet re-raised to 1,800,000 by small blind Zhou Leding, holding K♥ J♠. Michl let go.

Jon Rounce-Sue raised to 500,000 from UTG+2, holding K♥ T♠. Choi Hun Tae three-bet re-raised to 1,700,000 from the cut-off with A♠ Q♠. Small blind Jun Li woke up with Q♥ Q♦ and put his last 4,800,000 chips all-in from the small blind. Rounce-Sue folded and Hun Tae made the call.

The board to the turn completed 3♠ 8♦ 5♥ 5♠ ,adding a flush draw to Choi's outs, but it was a Barry Greenstein A♦ on the river that won the pot for Choi, eliminating Li in 8th place.

Jun Li gets to take home a well-earned VND 1.17 Billion (USD 46,127).

Zhi Buhui raised to 500,000 from the cut-off holding A♠ K♣. Small blind Nguyen Tien Son re-raised all-in for 3,700,000 and was challenged by Zhi.

The board completed T♣ Q♠ 9♣ Q♣ 3♣ giving Zhi runners to make a one-card flush, eliminating Nguyen Tien Son in 9th place.

Nguyen Tien Son was Vietnam's last Main Event hope and becomes the unfortunate first casualty of the final table. However, he still takes home a proud prize of VND 920 Million (USD 36,270).

Choi Hun Tae raised to 550,000 from UTG+1 and called the 1,500,000 re-raise of Zhang Yankai in the hi-jack. Choi held 9♦ 8♦ and Zhang held A♦ Q♠.

The flop arrived A♠ J♥ T♣. Both checked to see a 8♥ turn. Choi fired 550,000 and Zhang called to see a 2♥ river. Choi fired 3,000,000 and made the winning hand of Zhang fold.

A few hands after - all folded to Choi for a walk. It seems everyone wants to avoid the big stack.

In the next hand, Joris Michl raised from early position to 500,000 with Q♣ J♣. Small blind Choi Hun Tae challenged with T♣ 8♣. The flop came 7♠ 5♣ 3♥ and both checked to see a 4♦ turn. Choi bet 375,000 and made Michl fold.

Action went around to Joris Michl on the button, who raised to 600.000 with A♦ J♦. Big blind Zhou Le Dong defended with K♠ 9♦. The flop arrived J♥ 8♣ 4♠. Zhou tapped the option to Michl, who bet 375,000. Zhou made the smart fold.

Action folded to the blinds. Small blind Joris Michael just completed and Ian Modder raised his Pocket Aces to 600,000, but found no customers. At least, Modder got to keep his blinds.

Choi Hun Tae of South Korea doesn't have a complete resumé in Hendon Mob. However, the few listings that are there have show some cashes in the recent APT Phu Quoc. Choi has over US$ recorded total live earnings.

JP Rounce-Sue of Australia already made a final table appearance this series in the Superstar Challenge, but he was the first casualty then. Hopefully, Rounce-Sue goes deeper this time and even maybe bag the championship as well.

Joris Michl of the Netherlands has some cashes in this series and also a title in the 8-handed Hyper Turbo. Michl was recently crowned as Korea Poker Cup Main Event champion last month and will look to win another Main Event championship here in the USOP Hai Phong Grand Finale.

Zhang Yankai of China has already made a final table appearance this series in the Big Hunter event and had two final table appearances in last September's USOP Hai Phong. Now may be the time for this final table apperance to result in a championship.

This is the third final table appearance of China's Zhou Le Dong this series. Zhou's best finish was a runner-up at the Sunday Superstack. Maybe this time, Zhou will be the champion.

Ian Modder of Canada has nearly USD 500,000 in total live earnings, but his recent recorded live earnings haven't been that significant. In fact, if those Hendon Mob records are right, this will be Modder's first final table appearance in a very long time. Another fact is that Modder hasn't won a championship since March 2019 when he won the Opening Highroller at the Japan High Roller Festival.

Vietnam's Nguyen Tien Son doesn't have anything recorded in the Hendon Mob database since 2022. But there's more to poker than what is recorded.

Zhi Buhui last 5 recorded cashes show two championships, including a USOP Danang win last March in a NLH Hyper Turbo event.

Jun Li of the United Kingdom has over 50 cashes and multiple final table appearances since March this year. Li also has three championships since that time - a Zodiac Event in APT Taipei, a 10/10/10 Event in USOP Danang and a Super Stack classic in RDPT Jeju.

Final Table Live Stream Link:

Main Event Final Table Live Stream

Action fell to the blinds when small blind Choi Hun Tae raised all-in to pressure short-stacked big blind. Big blind Adam Martinsson defended. Choi showed Texas Dolly T♣ 2♣ against Martinsson's A♠ 3♣.

Board completed 8♦ J♦ 7♦ 9♣ 8♥ , giving Choi a straight on the turn and ending Martinsson's run at 10th place, short of the final table.

Yuan Sun raised all-in for 3,450,000 and Zhang Yankai called. Sun showed K♠ 9♠ and Zhang showed J♠ J♦. Board ran 8♣ 8♥ 5♣ Q♠ A♥ to ship the chips Zhang's way, and eliminating Sun in 11th place.

Choi Hun Tae raised to 600,000 from the cut-off and big blind Zhi Buhui defended to see a flop of A♣ Q♠ 9♠. Both checked to see a 7♠ turn. Zhi checked and allowed Choi to bet 500,000. Zhi called to see a 9♦ river. Zhi tapped his option to Choi who fired 1,500,000.

Zhi tanked and analyzed the hand, wondered if aliens were among us and made the call. Choi showed A♦ 8♠ for a pair of aces and Zhi mucked.

Choi Hun Tae raised to 550,000 and Jon Rounce-Sue defended the big blind to open a flop of J♥ 4♥ 5♣. Rounce-Sue check-raised the 700,000 bet of Choi to 1,900,000. Choi called to see a 3♥ turn. Rounce-Sue led for 750,000 and tank-called the all-in raise to 3,275,000. Choi showed A♠ J♦ and Rounce-Sue showed J♣ T♦. Both hit top pair, but the better kicker belong to Choi. The river 7♠ didn't matter.

Ian Modder raised to 500,000 from under the gun and Joris Michl defended the big blind. Flop arrived T♣ 6♥ 4♣ . Michl check-called the 350,000 bet of Modder to see a T♦ turn. Both checked to see a J♥ river. Both checked again to show cards - Michl flipped over A♠ Q♣ and Modder mucked.

Choi Hun Tae raised to 500,0000 but folded when Nguyen Tien Son raised to 3,325,000.

Next hand Choi raised to 600,000 and called the 3,600,000 three-bet all-in re-raise of Zhi Buhui.

Choi showed 7♥ 7♦ against Zhi's 9♣ 9♠. Board completed K♠ Q♠ Q♣ A♣ 5♣ to damage Choi and double-up Zhi.

Adam Martinsson raised all-in for 1,000,000 from under the gun and was called by big blind Choi Hun Tae. Martinsson showed 4♦ 4♣ against the 5♠ 6♦ of Choi. The board ran 4♠ 8♣ J♠ T♦ Q♣. Martinsson's flopped a set and brought him a double-up.

Zhi Buhui raised all-in from under the gun and scooped the blinds.

In the following hand, action folded to the blinds. Small blind Nguyen Tien Son completed and Buhui checked the option to open a flop of 8♠ 2♣ T♥. Both checked to see a K♠ turn. Son led for 225,000 and Buhui called to see a A♣ river. Son checked. Buhui fired 575,000 and Son folded.

Jon Rounce-Sue raised to 400,000 on the button and small blind Sarah Pham and big blind Choi Hun Tae called. The three were given a flop of 3♦ 5♥ Q♥. All checked for a free turn 4♦. Pham led with 700,000 with only Choi Hun Tae staying.

The river was a 2♠. Pham spent two-time bank cards before deciding to bet all-in for 1,200,000. Choi HUn Tae snap called and showed the A♦ 2♥ to make a wheel straight. Pham flipped over a second-best Q♣ J♣ for a pair of queens that were not enough for her to continue her Main Event journey, ending at 12th place.

Joris Michl raised to 400,000 from the cut-off. Big blind Zhang Yankai three-bet re-raised to 1,500,000. Michl surrendered.

Zhou Ledong raised to 400,000. Joris Michl three-bet re-raised to 1,100,000 on the button. Nguyen Nam Duong four-bet shoved all-in for 3,175,000. Zhou got out of the way and Michl stayed on.

Michl showed Q♠ Q♦ against Duong's T♥ T♠. Board came Q♥ K♠ 3♠ 8♣ J♥. Michl flopped a set and maintained to win the pot, eliminating Nguyen Nam Duong at the 13th spot.

Joris Michl and big blind Zhou Ledong were staring at a board of 5♣ 6♥ 2♠ K♥. There was 3,100,000 in the pot. Zhou led with 600,000 and Michl called to show a 2♣ on the river. Zhou bet 1,500,000 and Michl snap called. Ledong showed 6♦ 6♠ for a full house. Michl mucked.

Jon Rounce-Sue raised to 400,000 from the cut-off and Choi Hun Tae defended the big blind to see flop of K♥ K♦ T♣. Choi check-called the 250,000 bet of Rounce-Sue to see a 6♠ turn. Choi checked and folded to the 1,100,000 bet

Nguyen Tien Son raised to 400,000 on the hi-jack and Sarah Pham defended the big blind. The flop arrived K♣ 9♥ 7♠. Pham check-called the 325,000 bet of Son to open a T♣ on the turn. Both checked to see a Q♦ river. Sarah thought hard, spent a time-bank token and counted off 1,075,000 to push past the betting line. Son also used a time-bank token and thought hard, but eventually backed down.

Action folded to the blinds when chip-leader Zhang Yankai raised to 700,000 to pressure the big blind Jun Li. Li answered with a three-bet re-raise to 1,700,000. Zhang folded.

Action folded to the blinds when small blind Nguyen Tien Son shoved all-in. Big blind Zhi Buhui snap called to put his last 1,175,000 at risk, showing K♣ Q♦ against the T♠ 8♦ of Son.

The board completed A♠ 5♠ 9♦ K♦ T♥, giving Buhui a double up.

Zhang Yankai raised to 300,000 from the hi-jack and Nguyen Nam Duong defended the big blind. the flop arrived 9♦ 3♦ 2♥. Duong check-called the 300,000 bet of Zhang to see a J♠ turn. Next time around, Duong check-folded, unwilling to call the 1,250,000 bet of Zhang.

Li Mu Ze went all-in from under the gun for his last 1,625,000. Ian Modder called at the cut-off. Ze showed A♣ T♣ versus Modder's A♦ J♦.

The board came 4♦ 7♦ 6♦ T♥ 7♠, bringing the nut-flush on the flop and leaving Ze drawing dead to make a 14th place payout.

Action folded to the blinds. Small blind Sarah Pham just completed and big blind Choi Hun Tae checked his option for a friendly flop of A♠ T♣ 3♦. Both checked to see an A♣ turn. Pham led out with 175,000 and Choi Hun Tae called to see a 6♣ river. Pham checked and Choi Hun Tae bet 425,000. Pham tanked, threw in a time-bank token and also threw in the towel.

Zhi Buhui raised to 300,000 and snap-called the three-bet all-in of Yuan Sun for 1,770,000.

Zhi showed K♦ K♣ against the A♥ J♠ of Sun. The board came A♣ Q♣ 2♠ J♥ 9♥. The ace on the window was enough to give Sun the double-up.

Zhang Yankai raised to 300,000 from the cut-off and called the three-bet re-raise of 800.000 by small blind Zhou Ledong. Both were shown a flp of Q♣ 4♥ 9♣.

Zhou led with a 700,000 bet and Zhang called to see a 3♣ turn. Zhou check-called the 1,000,000 bet of Zhang to see an A♥ on the river.

Both players checked. Zhou turned over K♥ Q♥ for a pair of queens. Zhang mucked.

Seo Youngwuk shoved his last 1,300,000 all-in from middle position and was called by smallblind Nguyen Thien Son. Youngwuk showed Q♥ J♥ against Son's dominant J♣ J♦.

The board completed K♠ 8♠ 8♣ A♣ 4♠ to give Son the pot and eliminate Seo Youngwuk at 15th place.

Choi Hun Tae raised to 325,000 from the cut-off and then added the change to match the all-in shove of small blind Zhang Zijing for 850,000.

Choi Hun Tae showed K♦ 2♦ while Zhang Zijiing had an advantageous K♠ Q♥.

The board fell 8♦ T♦ 7♥ which opened up a flush draw for Choi Hun Tae. The turn T♠ still had Zhang ahead, but the poker gods love a dramatic river and showed the 3♦ for the flush, eliminating Zhang at 16th place.

Action on the table folded to the last three players. On the button, Wonho Lee jammed all-in for 2,575,000. Small blind Zhang Yankai announced "call." Ryan Hong, on the big blind, went over-the-top all-in for 4,625,000 and again Zhang announced "call" for a three-way showdown.

Wonho Lee showed K♠ 7♦. Zhang Yankai showed A♦ K♦. Ryan Hong showed the leading hand of J♣ J♦.

The flop came K♥ 9♠ 4♦, giving Zhang the lead. The turn A♠ improved his lead and let Lee drawing dead. Zhang just had to avoid a jack, and the poker gods were kind enough to Zhang to throw a brick Q♠.

The monster pot was shipped Zhang's way while Wonho Lee was booked for an 18th place finish and Ryan Hong given 17th place by virtue of who had more chips at the time of the double bust.

Nguyen Nam Duong raised to 300,000 on the cut-off. Zhang Yankai shoved all-in on the big blind. Duong threw in the towel.

Jon Rounce-Sue and Yuan Sun were looking at 1,800,000 in the pot with a board that showed T♠ 8♠ 3♥ T♣. Rounce-Sue checked his option to Sun who fired a half-pot bet of 900,000. Rounce-Sue analyzed the situation, threw in a time-bank token and counted his chips to make the call.

The river came 8♦ and both players checked. Rounce-Sue showed 9♦ T♦ for trips tens while Sun mucked.

Seats are redrawn for the final two tables to mix up the action. 18 players remain and are guaranteed at least VND 415,000,000 (~USD 16,300)

Good luck to everyone!

Zhang Yankai raised to 300,000 from UTG+1 and called the all-in three-bet re-raise of Soo Jo Kim. Zhang showed K♠ Q♣ against Kim's dominant A♠ A♥.

The flop came K♦ J♥ 4♥ to give Zhang a pair, but still behind Kim's aces. The turn gave a 2♠ to bring up the odds for Kim's double up, but the poker gods threw in some drama by giving Zhang a K♥ to make trips, busting out Kim at the 19th spot.

Nguyen Tien Son raised to 300,000 from the hi-jack and was challenged by small blind Zhang Zijing. Both players were thrown a flop of A♦ Q♣ T♥. Zhang check-called the 175,000 bet, then check-called again for 450,000 after the 2♦ turn was dealt.

The river was an 8♠ and Zhang check-folded to the 1,000,000 third barrel bet of Son.

MAIN EVENT FINAL DAY UPDATED CHIPCOUNTS

Seo Youngwuk raised to 250,000 from the hi-jack and was called by small blind Joris Michl and big blind Li Jiaming. Three players were shown a flop of A♣ T♣ 8♥.

Both blinds checked to the raiser, who obliged with a 250,000 feeler. Michl raised to 800,000 and Jiaming shoved all-in for 1,160,000. Youngwuk stepped out of the way and Michl added the change to complete.

Michl showed two pair with A♦ T♠ while Jiaming was drawing to a flush and a gut-shot straight with 7♣ 6♣.

The board finished 2♥ 5♠ to give Joris Michl the win and send Jiaming out of the Main Event on the 20th spot.

Nguyen Tien Son raised to 240,000 on the button. Sarah Pham three-bet re-raised to 750,000 in the small blind. Son answered back by shoving 2,340,000 all-in. Pham tanked, looked at her cards, tried to get a read on her opponent, wondered if unicorns and dragons got along, threw in a time-bank card and threw in the towel.

Soo Jo Kim raised to 250,000 from under the gun. Cut-off Zhang Yankai three-bet re-raised to 620,000. Adam Martinsson four-bet shoved all-in from the small blind for 2,160,000. Kim shove all-in and Zhang stood down.

Kim showed A♣ K♥ while against the similar (no cards are ever identical) A♦ K♣ of Martinsson.

Board ran 2♣ 9♣ 6♠ 4♦ Q♠ for a split pot.

Jun Li raised to 240,000 on the button, but gave up the pot to small blind Soo Jo Kim when he couldn't match Kim's all-in shove.

Li Jiaming raised to 240,000 from under the gun but didn't continue when Nguyen Tien Son three-bet re-raised to 510,000 on the button, awarding the pot to Son.

Zhang Yankai raised to 240,000 on the button. Adam Martinsson shoved an all-in re-raise and Zhang gave up and gave the pot away.

Seo Youngwuk shoves his last 1,145,000 all-in from the hi-jack and was called by Nguyen Tien Son at the cut-off. Youngwuk showed K♠ 9♠ against the Q♥ Q♣ of Son.

The board completed 9♥ 9♣ 8♦ 6♦ T♦, giving trips to Youngwuk to book the double-up.

Jun Li raised to 240,000 on the button but didn't continue when Soo Jo Kim shoved all-in, giving up the pot to Kim.

Wonho Lee raised to 250,000 from the cut-off. Jon Rounce-Sue three-bet re-raised to 625,000. Zhang Zijing shoved all in from the small blind for 1,960,000. There were no callers and Zijing was awarded the pot.

Joris Michl raised to 250,000 on the button and snap called when Li Jiaming shoved his last 880,000 all-in on the small blind.

Michl showed 8♥ 8♣ and Jiaming showed 9♣ 9♦. The board came 9♥ J♦ 8♠ Q♦ 3♦. Both players flopped a set, but Jiaming had the better one to earn the double-up.

Nguyen Duy Thuc raised to 900,000 on the button and small blind Joris Michl three-bet re-raised all-in. Thuc called and put his last chips to complete 905,000. Thuc showed J♠ 9♠ against the Q♥ J♦ of Michl.

The board completed 6♦ 4♣ T♦ 4♦ 8♣ and sent the chips to Michl while sending Thuc to the payout cage to pick up his 21st place score.

A win is a win and every chip counts.

Seo Youngwuk shoved all-in from the hi-jack and scooped the blinds.

In another hand, Ian Modder also shoved from the cut-off and found no callers.

Nguyen Nam Duong raised to 250,000 on the button then called the all-in re-raise by small blind Zhou Ledong, putting his 2,075,000 at risk.

Duong showed K♠ K♣, overpowering the K♦ 9♦ of Zhou.

The board ran T♣ 4♣ 2♥ 3♥ T♥ to give Duong a double-up and do damage to Zhou's stack.

Joris Michael has won back-to-back pots to increase his chip stack.

Nguyen Duy Thuc shoved from under the gun for 905,000 but found no customers to scoop some critical blinds to have some breathing room.

Jun Li raised to 200,000 from the hi-jack and was called by small blind Ryan Hong and big blind Zhang Yankai. The flop cam 4♥ T♣ J♠ and all checked to open a 8♦ on the turn.

Hong bet out 325,000 with Li and Zhang completing to open a K♠ on the river. All three-checked to show cards. Li's A♠ K♥ won over Hong's Q♠ J♠ and whatever Zhang mucked.

Nguyen Duy Thuc raised to 300,000 on the button and Li Jiaming defended the big blind. Both players were given a flop of J♦ 5♦ 7♦. Jiaming shoved his last 210,000 to the middle and Thuc made the call.

Jiaming showed Q♣ J♥ for top pair. Thuc showed J♠ 9♥ also with top pair, but behind on the kicker. The board completed K♠ T♦ and shipped the chips Jiaming's way.

Action folded to the blinds when small blind Li Mu Ze pushing 1,485,000 all-in. Ryan Hong made the call from the big blind. Ze showed A♦ 7♣ with an advantage over Hong's K♣ Q♣.

The board completed 2♥ 2♠ 4♠ 8♦ 6♥ with Ze's ace-high, enough to win a double-up.

Waki Yasuhiro raised to 470,000 from UTG+1 and called the all-in raise of big blind Zhou Ledong to put his last 1,600,000 at risk. Yasuhiro sowed A♠ J♥ against the T♣ T♦ of Zhou. A coin flip.

The board ran 6♥ 5♦ 3♦ 7♠ 7♣ and pointed the win arrow towards Zhou while Yasuhiro was pointed the way of the payout cage to claim his 22nd place cash prize.

Zhang Yankai raised to 200,000 from middle position when big blind Chenghong Lu shoved all-in for 1,680,000. Yankai made the quick call and showed Q♠ Q♥ versus the J♣ J♦ of Lu.

The board ran 2♥ 5♦ 4♦ 8♠ 8♦, giving the pot to Zhang and sending Lu out at the 23rd spot.

Michael Shu shoved his last 1,045,000 all-in from the cut-off. Small blind Nguyen Tien Son also shoved all-in for 1,380,000 to isolate.

Shu showed Q♥ J♠ against Son's A♦ T♦. The board ran 4♥ 4♦ 2♦ 7♦ J♥. Son turned a flush and marked the end for Shu at 24th place.

Tobias Bui raised all-in from the hi-jack fr 1,170,000 and Zhou Ledong called from the cut-off. Bui showed A♦ 6♥ which was dominated by the A♣ J♠ of Zhou.

The board ran 9♦ 2♠ 7♣ A♥ 9♥. Both made two pair, but Zhou had the better kicker to claim all of Bui's chips and send him out at the 25th spot.

Action folded to the blinds when small blind Zhou Ledong raised all-in. Big blind Ian Modder made the call and put his 890,000 at risk. Zhou showed A♥ 4♠ versus Modder's 8♥ 8♣.

The board ran K♦ Q♥ T♥ K♠ K♣, giving Modder a winning full house to double up.

Nguyen Thai Quang shoved all-in from the hi-jack for his last 650,000. Wonho Lee three-bet raised all-in on the button to isolate. Quang showed A♠ Q♠ while Lee showed big slick A♣ K♦.

The board completed A♦ J♥ 2♠ 2♣ 7♥, giving both a two-pair with Lee edging out with the king kicker to take down the pot and send Quang out of his seat.

Yuhan Liu shoved all-in for 1,005,000 from the hi-jack and Jun Li made the call from the small blind. Liu showed 2♥ 2♠ against the A♥ Q♠ of Li. The board ran 4♣ K♥ T♥ 6♥ Q♦. The queen on the river gave Liu a deep sigh with the conclusion of his Main Event adventure.

Joris Michl raised to 200,000 from UTG+1. Lo-jack Yuan Sun three-bet re-raised to 650,000 and Seo Youngwuk called all in for 590,000. Michl stepped out of the way. Sun showed K♦ K♠ against the A♦ A♥ of Youngwuk, Board completed 3♣ 7♠ T♥ T♦ 6♣ and gave Youngwuk a double-up.

Ian Modder raised on the button to 200,000 and big blind Nguyen Thai Quang defended. Both players checked down the board of 9♣ J♠ 6♥ 7♠ 6♦. Pot was given to Modder when he showed K♣ T♦ against the 5♦ 4♠ of Quang.

The tournament director has announced, "Shuffle up and deal!" and we are on our way to crown a Main Event champion.