Blind level
Level 17: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000
Entries
9/74
Total Chips
2,220,000
Average
246,667

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SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 6:47:25 PM

Khayal Abbasov Storms to the Top on Day 1A of Won Poker Cup III

Level 17: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000
Khayal Abbasov

The Won Poker Cup III Mystery Bounty is officially underway, offering three Day 1 flights. The first of them, Day 1A, kicked off mid-day and drew a total of 75 entries. By the end of the flight, 10 players had secured their seats for the Final Day.


Leading the pack is Khayal Abbasov, who bagged an impressive 410,000 chips, with Sean Keeton close behind at 401,000.


Eve Kang ended the day on a high note, eliminating Yi Zou during the bubble to boost her stack to 208,000, securing her spot in the money and building momentum going into the Final Day.


Last year’s Single Day High Roller champion, Yunsheng Sun, also advanced with a healthy stack of 203,000.


All ten Day 1A survivors are already in the money, but with two more flights still to come, the field is expected to grow, the prize pool to expand, and the competition to intensify.


Day 1B kicks off tomorrow at 12:00 PM, followed by Day 1C at 4:30 PM local time. With more players looking to book their spot in the money and chase mystery bounties, tomorrow promises to be a thrilling day of poker.

Day 1A Chip Counts

PlayerChips
KA
Khayal AbbasovAzerbaijan [AZE]Azerbaijan
410,000(51 BB)
SK
Sean KeetonAustralia [AUS]Australia
401,000(50 BB)
NL
Nguyen LongViet Nam [VNM]Viet Nam
288,000(36 BB)
WL
208,000(26 BB)
AJ
Anthony James AlwayUnited States of America [USA]United States of America
207,000(26 BB)
203,000(25 BB)
187,000(23 BB)
LC
Lewis CowellUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
182,000(23 BB)
CH
Chak Hei ChanAustralia [AUS]Australia
131,000(16 BB)
SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 6:04:26 PM

Wang’s Ace-High Holds to Burst the Bubble

Level 17: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000
Yi Zou

Yi Zou moved all-in from the small blind after Eve Wang raised from late position. Wang made the call, putting Zou at risk of becoming the bubble boy.


Yi Zou: K Q


Eve Wang: A T


The board ran out 9 6 9 7 4, with neither player improving. Wang’s ace-high held strong, winning the pot, ending the day, and eliminating Zou right on the bubble.

PlayerHandChips
YZ
Yi ZouAustralia [AUS]Australia
SB
busted
WL
HJ
208,000(26 BB)

Level 17: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

30 minutes
Remaining Players: 11/74
SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 5:59:19 PM

Nguyen’s Sailboats Stay Afloat, Sink Vasylenko’s Hopes

Level 16: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Anzhela Vasylenko shoved all-in from the cutoff and was called by Hoa Nguyen, putting her tournament life on the line.


Anzhela Vasylenko: A 9


Hoa Nguyen: 4 4


Vasylenko was looking to catch an overcard to turn the tide, but Nguyen's sailboats stayed afloat through the storm. The board ran out 3 T 8 6 3, calm waters for Nguyen, whose hand held firm to eliminate Vasylenko from the tournament.

PlayerHandChips
CO
busted
BB
198,000(33 BB)
SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 5:12:38 PM

Cowell Rivers a One-Card Flush to Eliminate Jian Lin

Level 16: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Jian Lin moved all-in in response to a raise from Lewis Cowell, who made the call and put Lin at risk of elimination.


Jian Lin: A 9


Lewis Cowell: K T


The flop came 3 J 9, giving Lin a solid lead with a pair of nines. He looked poised for a double-up, but the 2 on the turn gave Cowell a one-card flush draw. Against the odds, the 6 landed on the river, completing Cowell’s flush and ending Jian Lin’s tournament run.

PlayerHandChips
LC
Lewis CowellUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
UTG
181,000(30 BB)
JL
Jian LinTaiwan [TWN]Taiwan
UTG+1
busted
SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 5:09:39 PM

Abbasov Silences Mr. Lion

Level 16: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Mr. Lion raised to 40,000 from the hijack and was called by Khayal Abbasov in the cutoff, taking them to a flop.


The dealer spread A 7 2, prompting Mr. Lion to shove all-in. Abbasov snap-called and the cards were revealed:


Mr. Lion: A K


Khayal Abbasov: A A


Mr. Lion confidently tabled top pair with a strong kicker, unaware he was drawing thin against Abbasov’s set of aces. The turn 5 and river 3 brought no help, sealing Mr. Lion’s fate and eliminating him from the tournament.

PlayerHandChips
HJ
busted
KA
Khayal AbbasovAzerbaijan [AZE]Azerbaijan
CO
318,000(53 BB)
SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 5:03:19 PM

Big Slick No Good: Thai’s Tournament

Level 16: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Mr. Lion opened to 32,000, triggering a flurry of action. Khayal Abbasov shoved from the small blind, and Quynh Thai, at risk in the big blind, moved all-in over the top. Mr. Lion quickly folded, dodging what turned out to be a dangerous spot.


Quynh Thai: A K


Khayal Abbasov: A Q


Though Thai held the preflop advantage, the flop came 5 6 Q, pairing Abbasov’s queen and flipping the script. The board ran out 7 2, offering no help to Thai. She was eliminated, while Abbasov scooped the pot and surged ahead.

PlayerChips
KA
Khayal AbbasovAzerbaijan [AZE]Azerbaijan
253,000(42 BB)
ML
Mr LionKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
75,000(13 BB)
HN
busted

Level 16: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 17/74

SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 4:44:52 PM

Keeton’s Ace-High Sends Erquiaga to the Rail

Level 15: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

With only 8,000 chips remaining after the hand with Mr. Lion, Dave Erquiaga moved all-in from middle position. Sean Keeton made the call, putting Erquiaga at risk once again.


Dave Erquiaga: Q T


Sean Keeton: A J


The board ran out 7 6 3 4 K. Neither player connected, but Keeton’s ace-high held strong, enough to scoop the pot and bring Erquiaga’s tournament to an end.

PlayerHandChips
DE
David ErquiagaPhilippines [PHL]Philippines
UTG+1
busted
SK
Sean KeetonAustralia [AUS]Australia
MP
373,000(75 BB)
SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 4:39:51 PM

Mr. Lion Roars to Victory

Level 15: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Mr. Lion roared all-in after Dave Erquiaga opened from late position. Erquiaga, holding a slightly bigger stack, made the call—momentarily putting the king of the jungle in danger.


Mr. Lion: Q K


Dave Erquiaga: 7 7


Erquiaga was ahead preflop and remained confident as the board ran out J T J 4. But when the T landed on the river, his pair of sevens was counterfeited. Mr. Lion emerged from the brush, claws sharp, and pounced on the pot—roaring his way back into contention.

PlayerHandChips
D
124,000(25 BB)
DE
David ErquiagaPhilippines [PHL]Philippines
MP
8,000(2 BB)
SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 4:32:58 PM

No Name, No Mercy: Diep Sent Packing

Level 15: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Kyle Diep moved all-in from middle position and was met with an all-in re-shove from "Mr. No Name," putting Diep at risk.


Kyle Diep: A 9


Mr. No Name: A K


Diep was dominated preflop, and despite his silent prayers, the board ran out 2 3 J 7 4 — offering no help. Mr. No Name scooped the pot, sending Diep to the rail and ensuring his own name (or lack thereof) stays in contention for the Final Day.

PlayerChips
KB
busted

Level 15: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

30 minutes
Remaining Players: 17/74
SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 4:31:10 PM

Three-Way All-In Showdown: Keeton Flops Set

Level 14: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Dave Erquiaga opened to 10,000 from early position and faced an all-in response from Sean Keeton to his left for 103,000. Chee Hoony, on the button, also shoved all-in for 52,500. Erquiaga, who covered both players, called, setting up a three-way all-in showdown.


Chee Hoony: Pocket Kings


Sean Keeton: T T


Dave Erquiaga: A Q


Hoony was optimistic when the cards hit the table, but the flop — J T 4 — gave Keeton a set. The 9 on the turn gave Erquiaga a gutshot straight draw, but the river A sealed Keeton’s victory, eliminating Hoony and taking a large portion of Erquiaga’s chips.

PlayerHandChips
DE
David ErquiagaPhilippines [PHL]Philippines
UTG+1
62,000(16 BB)
SK
Sean KeetonAustralia [AUS]Australia
MP
269,000(67 BB)
CH
D
busted

Level 14: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

30 minutes
Remaining Players: 18/74
SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 3:58:30 PM

Updated Chip Counts

Level 13: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000
PlayerChips
225,000(75 BB)
KA
Khayal AbbasovAzerbaijan [AZE]Azerbaijan
196,000(65 BB)
AJ
Anthony James AlwayUnited States of America [USA]United States of America
138,000(46 BB)
DE
David ErquiagaPhilippines [PHL]Philippines
135,000(45 BB)
135,000(45 BB)
LC
Lewis CowellUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
127,000(42 BB)
JL
Jian LinTaiwan [TWN]Taiwan
125,000(42 BB)
SK
Sean KeetonAustralia [AUS]Australia
117,000(39 BB)
101,500(34 BB)
91,000(30 BB)
CH
Chak Hei ChanAustralia [AUS]Australia
88,500(30 BB)
ML
Mr LionKorea (Republic of) [KOR]Korea (Republic of)
78,500(26 BB)
CH
71,500(24 BB)
YZ
Yi ZouAustralia [AUS]Australia
46,500(16 BB)
KB
41,500(14 BB)
LZ
34,500(12 BB)
NG
Nikolai GuliaevRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
12,000(4 BB)

Level 13: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

30 minutes
Remaining Players: 26/74
SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 3:10:20 PM

Alway’s Sevens Hold in Classic Flip Against Big Slick

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Anthony James Alway shoved all-in in early position and got called by Nikolai Guliaev on the button, putting Alway at risk.


Anthony James Alway: 7 7


Nikolai Guliaev: A K


Alway was slightly ahead in this classic coin flip, but Guliaev had two overcards that could easily shift the outcome. The board ran out J 6 4 9 6, and with no ace or king in sight, Alway secured the double up with his pocket sevens holding firm.

PlayerChips
AJ
Anthony James AlwayUnited States of America [USA]United States of America
97,000(49 BB)
NG
Nikolai GuliaevRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
68,500(34 BB)
SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 2:48:12 PM

Guliaev wins with Kings

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

We caught the action with Nikolai Guliaev all-in and at risk against an unknown opponent.


The board ran out 5 5 Q 5 T. The unknown player revealed A Q, having flopped a pair of queens. But Guliaev tabled K Ks—his kings held strong through the runout, securing him the full house and a crucial double-up.

PlayerChips
NG
Nikolai GuliaevRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
118,000(59 BB)
SMPSMP
5/15/2025, 2:47:27 PM

Random Chip Counts

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000
PlayerChips
KA
Khayal AbbasovAzerbaijan [AZE]Azerbaijan
118,000(59 BB)
KB
113,500(57 BB)
DE
David ErquiagaPhilippines [PHL]Philippines
110,500(55 BB)
AJ
Anthony James AlwayUnited States of America [USA]United States of America
94,500(47 BB)
JL
Jian LinTaiwan [TWN]Taiwan
83,500(42 BB)
LC
Lewis CowellUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
74,000(37 BB)
NG
Nikolai GuliaevRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
65,000(33 BB)
64,500(32 BB)
KN
Kinh NguyenViet Nam [VNM]Viet Nam
63,000(32 BB)
CH
55,500(28 BB)
NL
Ngoc LeUnited States of America [USA]United States of America
43,000(22 BB)
YZ
Yi ZouAustralia [AUS]Australia
27,500(14 BB)
14,000(7 BB)

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

30 minutes
Remaining Players: 35/74