8 Max Survivor 2K Bounty to ITM ($1,000)

The WPT Cambodia 2025 festival delivered high-stakes action and thrilling moments with the 8 Max Survivor 2K Bounty event standing out as one of the most exciting tournaments. Featuring a bounty structure, the tournament attracted 482 entries across three Day 1 flights, with 61 players advancing to Day 2.

In the end, it was Hongru Zhang of China who emerged victorious, securing the title and a payout of US$ 46,188, along with six bounties collected throughout the event. Runner-up Manuel Carvalho of Portugal played an outstanding game as well to earn US$ 31,442 and seven bounties. Slashing the most number of players was Yongjia "Gary" Lin with a total of nine collected until he was downed in 5th place.

Champion Zhang, shared some insights after the event:

How does it feel to win this event?

I’m very happy. I feel lucky. It’s been a year and a half since my last win.

Your last victory was in August 2023, also in an 8-Max event. Why do you excel in this format?

I play a lot of online poker, and most online tables are 8-Max. So, I’m very comfortable with this structure.

How did you adjust knowing that each knockout was worth $2,000?

On Day 1, I had a chance to knock out two players for $4,000 in bounties, but I folded. It turned out to be the right decision. On Day 2, I started with a short stack, dropping to 150,000-200,000 chips, but I stayed patient and made a comeback.

What was your strategy at the final table?

Honestly, I think I was just very lucky. I haven’t run well in the last two years, but this final table felt like a turning point for me.

At the start of heads-up play, you asked for an ICM deal, but Manuel declined. Why did you make the request?

Manuel is a strong player. I had 11 million chips, and he had 7 million. I thought an ICM chop would be a fair deal.

What was your heads-up strategy?

Just playing my game. I had strong hands, and Manuel tried to bluff me multiple times, but I called correctly.

The WPT Cambodia 2025 - 8 Max Survivor 2K Bounty featured three intense starting flights for a total of 482 entries. The prize pool reached US$ 230,813, with 61 players qualifying for Day 2.

For a majority of the final table, Abhishek Paul was the player to catch until Manuel Carvalho landed a double up that sent him skyrocketing to over 40% of the chips in play with four players remaining. After Hongru Zhang eliminated Paul in 4th place, he gained momentum, successfully grinding to amass a big lead. When Carvalho eliminated Tuan Hung Nguyen in 3rd place, the Portuguese still could not penetrate Zhang's big stack to eventually settle for 2nd place. On a side note, moments before entering the final flight of this event, Carvalho finished 2nd at the Super High Roller Warm-Up.

8 Max Survivor 2K Bounty

Dates: February 11-13, 2025

Buy-in: $1,000

Total Entries: 482

Total Prize Pool: $230,813

Tom Maguire, four-bet 1,500,000 following a three bet of 360,000 by Abhishek Paul who followed a preflop raise of 120,000 by Hongru Zhang. Maguire's bet caused Zhang to fold while Paul raised the stakes higher by going all-in and Maguire called all-in with 1,830,000. Paul had J♥ J♣ and Maguire had A♦ K♥ . The board, A♠ J♠ 3♥ 3♦ 2♥ gave Paul a full-house Jacks full of threes knocking out Maguire.

Tom Maguire called to see the flop after Tuan Hung Nguyen raised 80,000. The flop brought, 3♥ K♦ J♦ . Maguire checked and Hung Nguyen bet 70,000. Maguire called and the turn brought, Q♦ . The players checked down to the river, 5♠ .Maguire made a massive river bet of 360,000 and Hung Nguyen folded.

Hongru Zhang three-bets 350,000 following Tom Maguire's 100,000 preflop raise and a call by Abhishek Paul. The staggering bet caused both Maguire and Paul to back-off from the pot.

Shmuel Beehor brought 145,000 to the pot preflop, and Tom Maguire raised 300,000. Beehor called all-in with Q♥ 9♣ while Maguire held A♣ J♥ . The board, 6♥ 8♦ 7♦ J♦ Q♦ gave a much needed pair of queens for Beehot.

Tom Maguire called Tuan Hung Nguyen's pre-flop raise and the flop brought T♠ 8♠ 6♦ . Maguire check-raised 250,000 following Hung Nguyen's 50,000 bet. Nguyen folded handing the pot to Maguire.

Following Tom Maguire's 65,000 preflop-raise, Achishek Paul, three-bets 200,000. Maguire called to see the flop, J♣ 6♣ 5♦ . Maguire checked and Paul made a bet of 250,000 causing Maguire to dial-up the pressure by raising 750,000 . Paul raises to 1.19million all-in and Maguire snap-calls. Maguire Had 4♣ 5♣ while Paul had A♥ J♥ . The turn and river ran 8♥ K♥ giving Paul a pair of Jacks.

Jeremy Tehane raised 260,000 preflop all-in and Tom Maguire called. Tehanne held J♠ T♦ and Maguire had K♦ 6♠ . The board 9♥ J♥ 9♦ A♦ 7♥ , gave Tehanne two-pairs making Maguire lose the pot.

Manuel Carvalho called Tom Maguire's 65,000 preflop raise. The flop brought 4♣ 7♠ J♦ . Carvalho checked and called Maguire's bet of 55,000. The turn showed 9♠ . Maguire made a bet of 150,000 after Carvalho checked. Carvalho raised to 410,000 and Maguire called to see the river, 5♠ . Carvalho places a huge bet of 800,000 and after some thought Maguire backs off the pot.

Thi Hue Dang under the gun raised 267,000 preflop. Manuel Carvalho, and Tom Maguire call. Quan Qiu was forced to go all in with 261,000 to see the flop while holding K♠ Q♥ . The flop brought, 5♠ 4♠ 4♣ . Hue Dang places the remainder of his chip , 5,000 into the pot in an all-in bet while holding 9♣ 9♥ . Carvalho and Maguire call to see the turn, Q♠ . Carvalho checks, and Maguire bets 250,000 causing the opponent to fold. Maguire revealed his hand A♣ Q♦ and the players saw the river, 3♥ . Maguire's queenpair with Ace-kicker outkicked Qiu;s hand and dominated Hue Dang's pocket nines. Hue Dang was eliminated at the 19th position while Quan Qiu went out in the 20th position.

Tom Maguire raised 46,000 preflop and saw Manuel Carvalho raise to 210,000. Maguire called to see the flop, 5♣ T♣ A♥ . Carvalho bet another 200,000 pressuring Maguire but Maguire called to see the turn, J♣ . On the turn Maguire made a bet of 350,000 following Carvalho's check. Carvalho called to seethe river, 8♦ . Carvalho checked on the river, and Maguire took the opportunity to make a massive bet of 850,000 causing Carvalho to fold.

Armon Van Wijk, the button, raised all-in 236,000 preflop following Tom Maguire's 46,000 preflop raise. Maguire called and the players faced off. Maguire held 6♠ 5♠ and Van Wijk held A♠ Q♣ . The board K♠ 4♦ Q♥ 7♥ 2♠ gave Van Wijk the winning pair of queens.

On a board showing 6♦ Q♦ T♠ 4♥ 7♦ and a hefty 382,000 weighing down the middle of the felt, Tom Maguire tanks to Thi Hue Dang's 220,000 bet then finds reason to call. Dang is bluffing with A♣ K♥ , Maguire rakes it in with Q♥ 5♥ top pair.

Following the win, Maguire shipped another pot by cleaning out Josip Simunic. From the button, Maguire shoved with 4♦ 2♦ , Simunic risked 183,000 holding A♥ 5♦ . The board ran a nutty 7♥ J♣ A♣ 5♥ 3♣ , burning Simunic's two pair on the river.