Manila Super Series 18 – Warm Up generates ₱2.6M ($47K) prize pool; Han Yoon Seung, Otsubo Megumi top flights; Day 1 results inside

The 18th edition of the highly popular Manila Super Series taking place at Okada Manila, Philippines, wrapped up Day 1 of its seven-day festival with an impressive turnout of 525 entries in the opening Warm Up. With buy in of PH₱ 6,000, it generated a prize pool over PH₱ 2.688 Million, which was more than 2.5 times the advertised guarantee. This was certainly a great sign with the highly anticipated festival headliner Main Event yet to come.

Warm Up – Chip Leaders

The Warm Up event blasted off with 225 entries for Flight A and 300 turning up for Flight B. Expectedly, the locals dominated in numbers however large contingents were also seen from the South Koreans and from the Japanese. In the end, South Korea’s Han Yoon Seung bagged a monster stack of 85 bb at Flight A to earn the overall chip lead entering Day 2, and at Flight B it was Japan’s Otsubo Megumi who bagged the largest of 63 bb to claim overall second rank.

Warm Up – Flight A recap

Leading up to the bubble round, it was Filipino Mark Almusajin leading the race until Han Yoon Seung landed a big pot with straight on a board dusting Matsuda Michihiko’s . To secure top rank, Han eliminated Nicholas Reynolds with over on a board . The flight ended with Taiwan’s Chia-Wei Chang eliminating Pablo Ramon on a cooler of over on a nutty board .

Warm Up – Flight B recap

The rise of Otsubo Megumi at Flight B was with eliminating Florendo Sario plus a short stack just before the bubble round. The bubble burst on Tan Wei Chuan who suffered a bad beat holding against Paltep Venoni’s on a board running .

Warm Up details

Date: September 18, 2023
Buy in: PH₱ 6,000 (~US$ 105)
Guarantee: PH₱ 1,000,000 (~US$ 17,600)
Day 1A: 225 entries (183 unique) / 34 ITM
Day 1B: 300 entries (224 unique) / 45 (ITM)
Total entries: 525
Prize pool: PH₱ 2,688,840 (~US$ 47,330)
ITM: 79 players

Day 2 blinds: 4,000-8,000 ante 8,000
Chips in play: 15,750,000
Average stack: 199,367

Payouts

When the players return, they are guaranteed to money a minimum of PH₱ 9,000 but all eyes will be on the PH₱ 515,000 champion’s prize and the coveted PS spade.

1	₱515,000
2	₱323,000
3	₱231,000
4	₱180,000
5	₱141,000
6	₱111,000
7	₱83,000
8	₱57,000
9	₱46,840
10-11	₱39,000
12-13	₱33,000
14-15	₱28,000
16-17	₱25,000
18-20	₱22,000
21-23	₱19,000
24-27	₱16,000
28-31	₱14,000
32-39	₱12,500
40-55	₱11,000
56-71	₱10,000
72-79	₱9,000

Main Event – PHP 3 Million guaranteed

After the Warm Up, ready or not, the series jumps right into the Main Event featuring a PHP 3,000,000 (~$52,800) guarantee. At every installment, the Main Event has gained tremendous popularity resulting in inflated prize pools. In June 2023, the prize pool swelled to PHP 9.55 Million (~$168,000) with local player William Ysmael banking over PHP 1.8 Million. The headliner runs from September 20 to 24, 2023, Buy in is an affordable PHP 15,000 (~$265) with unlimited re-entries.

Manila Super Series – SCHEDULE

First timers to PokerStars LIVE Manila

If you’re new to the scene, PokerStars LIVE Manila stands as one of the metropolis’s most popular poker hubs. Daily tournaments and cash tables are offered. The poker room is conveniently situated within Okada Manila making it easily accessible for guests staying in the premises. Additionally guests can indulge in breathtaking views of Manila Bay and its captivating sunsets from the hotel, adding to the overall experience.

For international travelers, Okada Manila is within 5-10 minutes drive from NAIA International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. For NAIA Terminal 3, the trip to the venue is just 15 minutes. To avoid getting ripped off , the best way to get to the venue is by Grab Car.