Dakota Anderson’s Main Event Win Headlines Penultimate Day at GOP Manila

After more than 200 hands of intense final-table action, Day 9 of GOP Manila 2026 concluded at City of Dreams Manila with American pro Dakota Anderson capturing the flagship Main Event title.

The remaining 12 contenders returned to battle for the lion’s share of the PHP 30,000,000 guarantee. Ultimately, Anderson mounted a thrilling heads-up comeback against local resident Joris Michl to claim the top prize of PHP 6,304,500 (~USD 102,125) and the iconic black and gold Gauntlet trophy. Five side events also wrapped up across the Grand Ballroom, crowning new champions to round out the day.

Dakota Anderson Wins GOP Manila 2026 Main Event

For the final day of the schedule’s crown jewel-held in cooperation with Soul Poker Club-12 players from a 383-entry field returned to battle for the top payouts. American pro Dakota Anderson started the nine-handed final table middle-of-the-pack behind seasoned local leaders Lester Edoc and Marc Rivera . However, a pivotal double-up through long-time chip leader Edoc sparked a complete shift in momentum.

For Michl, he was denied the victory and had to settle for a consolation prize of PHP 3,840,000 ($61,723), one spot short of adding another trophy for the cabinet at home in Manila.

Main Event Final Table Results:

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Recap

Dakota Anderson Claims GOP Manila Main Event Title for a Career-Best PHP 6.3 Million (~$101,000)

Dakota Anderson completes a stunning comeback to win the GOP Manila Main Event, taking down PHP 6.3M & the black and gold gauntlet trophy.

2026.08.30

Edilberto Gopez Ships GOP Mini Main Event

Action in Event #62 GOP Mini Main Event (PHP 33,000) reached its conclusion as 128 entries generated a PHP 3,700,000 (~$59,715) prize pool, comfortably beating the PHP 3.5M guarantee. Local favorite Edilberto Gopez from the Philippines conquered the field to claim the top prize of PHP 910,000 (~$14,685) and a Zodiac Series of Poker (ZSOP) Taipei Main Event Package valued at approximately PHP 100,000 (~$1,600).

#62 GOP Mini Main Event (33,000 PHP)

Total Prize USD

$59,715

Total Prize

3.7M PHP

Guaranteed

3.5M PHP

Entries

128

ITM

19

#	Payout	Player	SPI
1	₱906,600 $14,685	EG Edilberto Gopez Philippines	877.46
2	₱560,800 $9,085	AC Aj Cris Acdal Philippines	620.46
3	₱385,400 $6,245	PM Petteri Miettinen Finland	506.60
4	₱283,800 $4,595	HK Hayato Kitajima Japan	438.73
5	₱219,500 $3,555	GT Gonzaga Terry	392.41
6	₱176,000 $2,850	JO Jason Ong Philippines	358.22
7	₱145,100 $2,350	HT Hideyoshi Tanaka Japan	331.65
8	₱122,400 $1,985	AD Alexandru Danila Romania	310.23
9	₱105,200 $1,705	MC Marciel Cerbito Philippines	292.49

Check the 19 Payouts & Results ...

Akihiro Kawaguchi Masters Limit Triple Draw Mix

Mixed game purists assembled for Event #71 Limit Triple Draw Mix (PHP 33,000), where 13 entries built a PHP 374,400 (~$6,065) prize pool. Japan ‘s Akihiro Kawaguchi navigated through the multi-game variant to capture the title and PHP 187,200 (~$3,030) first-place payout. Austria ‘s Hanh Tran placed second for PHP 112,300 (~$1,820), and China ‘s Yuxin Niu took third for PHP 74,900 (~$1,215).

#71 Limit Triple Draw Mix - (2-7, Badacey, High, A-5, Badeucey, Archie 66+, Badugi) (33,000 PHP)

Total Prize USD

$6,065

Total Prize

374.4K PHP

Entries

13

ITM

3

#	Payout	Player	SPI
1	₱187,200 $3,030	AK Akihiro Kawaguchi Japan	279.64
2	₱112,320 $1,820	HT Hanh Tran Austria	197.74
3	₱74,880 $1,215	YN Yuxin Niu China	161.45

Yichen Zhu Victorious in 5-Card PL Omaha Turbo

Fast-paced action played out in Event #73 5-Card PL Omaha – Turbo (PHP 19,800) as 27 entries created a PHP 466,600 (~$7,560) prize pool. China ‘s Yichen Zhu outlasted the field to take down the top prize of PHP 204,900 (~$3,305). Singapore ‘s Dickson Chew finished as the runner-up for PHP 123,100 (~$1,985), while Russia ‘s Alexander Firsov grabbed third place for PHP 81,700 (~$1,320).

#73 5-Card PL Omaha - Turbo (19,800 PHP)

Total Prize USD

$7,560

Total Prize

466.6K PHP

Entries

27

ITM

4

#	Payout	Player	SPI
1	₱204,160 $3,305	YZ Yichen Zhu China	339.94
2	₱122,500 $1,985	DC Dickson Chew Singapore	240.37
3	₱81,600 $1,320	AF Alexander Firsov Russia	196.26
4	₱58,300 $945	KC Kevin Christopher De Groot Ireland	169.97

Trophies Elsewhere on Day 9

Two fast-structured side events also awarded trophies on Day 9. In Event #74 Hyper Turbo – Head Hunter (PHP 16,500), 13 entries created a PHP 122,200 (~$1,980) prize pool, with local pro Lester Timonera from the Philippines claiming victory for PHP 61,100 (~$990) after defeating China ‘s Yuxin Niu (PHP 36,800 / ~$595). Meanwhile, Event #75 PL Drawmaha Mix – Hyper Turbo (PHP 13,200) saw 10 entries generate a PHP 115,200 (~$1,865) prize pool, where Dutchman Tony Khoang captured the title and PHP 72,100 (~$1,165) top payout over China ‘s Mohan Zhang (PHP 43,100 / ~$700).

All data and images courtesy of Gods of Poker.

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