WARM-UP ($565)

Vietnam’s Hoang Duy Nguyen closed out Day 1 of the Won Poker Cup III Warm-Up event as the runaway chip leader, bagging a commanding 796,000 chips. He leads the 22 players who have secured seats for the final day—12 qualifiers from Day 1A and 10 from Day 1B.

With 95 entries recorded for Day 1A and 82 more for Day 1B, the event attracted a total of 177 entries, surpassing its guarantee and pushing the prize pool to $85,845.

Nguyen’s dominance was built on a foundation of strategic aggression and well-timed shoves that kept opponents off balance. His disciplined yet daring play allowed him to steadily grow his stack and separate himself from the rest of the field.

Trailing him are Jin Lin (395,000), the Day 1B chip leader, and Mr. Zou (389,000). Both players hold less than half of Nguyen’s stack, putting him in a commanding position heading into the final stretch.

The Day 1A field, though compact, featured several notable names, making it a minefield for anyone hoping to advance. Among them was Anzhela Vasylenko, the defending WPC II Ladies Tournament Champion, who showcased fearless play and well-timed pressure against her tablemates. She capped off her run by eliminating Jian Lin in a late pot, possibly leaving him with the false hope of sneaking into the money.

Day 1B offered an even stiffer challenge. With rising blinds and mounting pressure, players were forced into action at a much faster pace. Unfortunately for J.C. Sayo, he became the Day 1B bubble boy after his shove with A♦ 7♥ couldn’t crack Tan Lining’s pocket tens, ending his run just short of the money.

Other players advancing to the final day include Quang Huy Nguyen (146,000) and Khayal Abbasov (197,000), both well-positioned to make deep runs as the tournament reaches its conclusion.

William Wang, very active late in the day, raised from the button and then called when Sean Keeton shoved all-in, putting himself at risk of elimination.

Sean Keeton: A♦ A♥

William Wang: A♠ 8♥

Despite Wang's recent success, this hand wasn't one of them. The board came K♠ 4♥ T♠ 2♥ 3♦, and Keeton's pocket aces held strong, securing him a double up.

William Wong raised from the hijack, and Sean Keeton, from the small blind, shoved all-in for 54,000. Wang called, putting Keeton at risk.

Sean Keeton: A♣ K♣

William Wong: Q♥ 2♥

The flop came 9♥ 5♣ 6♦, keeping Keeton's ace-high lead. The turn T♦ and river 6♠ didn't change the outcome, and Keeton secured a double-up through Wong.

Zuo opened to 2,000 and got called by Sean Keeton to see the flop.

The flop came T♠ 5♦ K♣. Keeton checked, and Zuo continued with a 5,500 bet. Keeton called.

On the A♣ turn, following another check from Keeton, Zuo fired a hefty 20,000, prompting a snap fold from Keeton

Craig Jones raised to 800 from middle position and received calls from Sean Keeton in the cutoff and Dennis in the big blind.

The flop came A♠ 7♣ 5♣, and Dennis checked. Jones continued with a bet of 1,000, prompting both opponents to fold and concede the pot to him.

Huynh Ngoc Thai opened for 1,000 on the button and got a call from big blind Sean Keeton.

The flop fanned out A♠ Q♠ 4♠, which Keeton checked. Thai fired 6,000 and was called.

Fireworks exploded on the 2♦ turn. After action checked to him, Thai fired another 6,000. Keeton responded with an all-in shove, and Thai snap-called, putting his tournament life at risk.

Sean Keeton: K♠ 5♠

Huynh Ngoc Thai: Q♥ Q♦

Thai called catching a set on the flop unaware that Keeton had flopped a flush. The 8♠ river changed nothing, and Keeton secured a double-up.