A fan favorite festival across the Asian tournament scene, PokerStars’ Manila Super Series has always been a running hit within the poker community with its lower cost buy-ins and sizeable prize pools keeping everyone in tune. This edition’s Main Event follows its predecessors’ footsteps with a PHP 3,000,000 (~USD 52,842) guarantee, which is most likely to break through midway and potentially swell in value given its turnout. The first of three starting flights wrapped up its action yesterday with 30 players moving on to the Day 2 games on Saturday, September 23rd. Day 1B is set to play through today in Okada Manila Resort & Casino, Philippines at exactly 13:00 sharp.
Main Event Day 1A Recap
The eighteenth running of the Manila Super Series Main Event once again met its share of local and international players for its first starting flight of the season. Day 1A attracted a total of 198 entries after ten levels of registration, with each posting the PHP 15,000 (~USD 264) entry fee for a generated prize pool of PHP 2,535,192 (~USD 44,530). Just 36 players short of making the guarantee, the ongoing festivities are sure to build a burly pot worth the visit.
A number of decorated pros were seen on the felt including APPT Manila Kick Off champion Ashley Patterson, ten-time APT champion John Tech, and Philippines #1 All Time Money List’ Marc Rivera, among the mix. After sixteen levels of play, the action closed in with 15% of the field (ITM) or 30 players remaining after Huang Yu Chen exited as the day’s bubble. Left with less than 5BB to work with, Huang jumped the gun with 
and was called by Ronato Alcano with 
. A jack-high board gave Alcano top pair and sealed Huang’s fate while guaranteeing the 30 players a minimum payout as they return to the tables on Day 2. The day capped with Shin Hyeonho in the lead, stacking a 507,000 chip count for roughly 101 big blinds, followed closely by Ashley Patterson with 485,000 or 97 big blinds.
Day 1A Chip Counts
Two more flights are set to play through, with Day 1B commencing today at 13:00 sharp and Day 1C to follow tomorrow at the same time. Late registration is open until the end of Level 10 @ 18:20.
Manila Super Series 18 Main Event Review
Dates: September 20-24, 2023
Buy in: PHP 15,000 (~USD 264)
Guarantee: PHP 3,000,000 (~USD 52,842)
Day 1 Results
1A: 198 entries / 30 advanced
