Final overview of the APT Championships Philippines

For the past twelve days, the Asian Poker Tour held its biggest poker event of the year, the APT Championships Philippines 2017 at Resorts World Manila. The series ran from April 26^th – May 7^th, concluding two nights ago with many players pocketing big cash prizes and trophies to shelf. In all, there were two major tournaments, two invitational, and 18 side events. Here’s a look at the overall outcome of the series.

Record-breaking numbers at the Main Event

The US$1,100 buy-in APT Main Event drew in a record-breaking 442 entries and generated a prize pool of US$428,740. There were many well-known pros that got a piece of the pie however it was Filipino pro Mike Takayama, the GPI Philippines 2016 #1 player, who rose to victory. The local poker idol overcame a highly decorated Final 8 to capture his second APT Main Event title and the US$105,530 cash prize. That was also the single largest payout of the event. Takayama joined the exclusive group of double championship winners, Henrik Tollefsen, Jeon Seung Soo, and Samad Razavi.

Biggest cash winner: Huu Dung Nguyen

Vietnam’s Huu Dung Nguyen, an APT newcomer, pocketed the largest amount of winnings with two titles and a small return at another event. Nguyen championed the APT-RWM Opening Event 50K Guaranteed that saw 318 entries to eclipse the advertised guarantee to US$77,100. He earned USD$19,050 for his win.

Last night, Nguyen won the APT Championships, the last major tournament of the series, and was awarded a huge US$91,670. He also placed at the No Limit Hold’em 1 event to bring his total winnings to US$111,590. This is quite a big jump from his previous total career earnings of around US$3,000.

Multiple Titles for Kim Gab Yong

In addition to Nguyen, Korean pro Kim Gab Yong also shipped in two titles after topping the High Rollers event for a US$53,780 payout and the Head Hunters event for another US$12,040.

Two nights ago, Yong placed 4^th in the APT Championships and shipped in an additional US$25,670. He has now surpassed his biggest recorded live score of US$30,775 earned last year for his second place finish at the 6-handed event in APPT 10 Macau.

APT Player of the Series

With impressive runs for both Yong and Nguyen, it was no surprise that they would rake in the points and claim the top two spots in the APT Player of the Series. Yong came out ahead, and Nguyen in 2^nd. Taking the 3^rd spot was Korea’s In Chul Sin who also ran deep in a few events including a 6^th place berth at the APT Championships.  

Samad Razavi wins the PokerFishS SNG

The PokerFishS invitational Sit n Go event saw four APT players up against four of PokerFishS own poker enthusiasts. As expected, the APT pros dominated with Samad Razavi and Iori Yogo as the final two players. In the end, it was Razavi who shipped in all the chips and the winner-take-all US$2,400 prize money.

While Razavi was seen at a few other side events in the series, and even getting a bit of return in some, he wasn’t as active as compared to his previous years where he played almost every APT event offered.

Overall, the APT Championships Philippines drew in big numbers with players from all over the world in participation. There was no shortage of pros throughout even if only a handful claimed trophies. In the end, it was all about the competition and the lucrative prize pools, especially the one with a payout of over six figures.

Article by Triccia David