APPT Manila 2025 Early Highlights; Main Event ₱58M (~$1M) Guaranteed Begins Today

The 16th Annual Asia Pacific Poker Tour is in full swing at Cove Manila inside the luxurious Okada Manila with a growing roster of champions already crowned. However today is the moment everyone has been waiting for as the highly anticipated APPT Manila Main Event takes center stage.

APPT Manila 2025 Main Event

For the first time in history, the APPT Manila Main Event features a massive ₱58,000,000 (~US$ 1.01 Million) guarantee, and for players to have a chance at securing a piece, a total of four entry flights have been scheduled. The first starting day gets underway at 12PM today. Buy in is ₱80,000 (~US$ 1,395).

Players begin with a 30,000 stack which is 300 times the opening blinds. Blinds escalate every 40 minutes. Registration closes at the end of Level 10 at approximately 7:10PM. From there, play continues until 15% of the field is reached or the end of Level 15.

Follow the action via the Live Updates.

• Dates: July 31 to August 4, 2025

• Buy in: ₱80,000 (~US$ 1,395)

• Guarantee: ₱58,000,000 (~US$ 1,013,970)

• ITM: approximately 15% of the field

• Flight A: Thursday, July 31, 2025

• Flight B: Friday, August 1, 2025

• Flight C: Saturday, August 2, 2025

• Flight D [20 min]: Saturday, August 2, 2025

• Day 2: Sunday, August 3, 2025

• Final Table: Monday, August 4, 2025

Leading up to the APPT Main Event opening day, already spotted in action and sure to be in attendance is reigning champion Xiong Cheng who won a seat to the main attraction via the APPT Super Qualifier. Also seen were past championsYuanning Wu (2023) and Florencio Campomanes (2019).

APPT Manila 2025 Early Highlights

Youngtaek Lim Scores Maiden Title At APPT National

Yountaek Lim’s run at the APPT National was nothing short of dominant, and at times, downright surreal. Coming in as the Day 1A chip leader, he steamrolled through Day 2 to carry in the largest stack into the final table, and never loosened his grip. Lim's path to victory felt inevitable, littered with a string of jaw-dropping knockouts that left not only his opponents in shock, but even Lim himself shaking his head in disbelief. For his stunning victory, Lim was awarded the first APPT shard trophy and a pocketful worth ₱3,340,000 (~US$ 59,900).

Leo Kamiya Clinches APPT Open Title

Australia’s Leo Kamiya hoisted the festival’s second shard trophy, and a well-earned ₱2,999,000 (~US$ 52,430) payout after conquering the festival's APPT Open. In a final table full of swings, Kamiya entered heads up leading over Korea’s Gi Boum Kim but was knocked off course on a bad beat, and then roared back after delivering one of his own before sealing the win.

It feels great to win! I haven’t placed first in large field events before so happy to run well enough and finally win one.

Maxwell Rosete Wins Okada Kickoff

Back in fine form, Maxwell Rosete emerged victorious at the Okada Kickoff, the first featured event of the series. This early win is a big boost for Rosete who recalls his third place finish at last year's APPT Manila Main Event.

I finished 3rd last year and here we go again another chance to get the main shard. I plan to just play the best as I can and hopefully luck will be on my side.

Other Highlights

APPT Super High Roller

The APPT Super High Roller resumes today with only 14 remaining out of the 18 total entries. The top 4 get paid with first place earning ₱4,200,000 (~US$ 72,700)

PokerStars Red Dragon

The PokerStars Red Dragon is now down to the Final 9 players out of a field of 433 entries. At Day 2, Justin Ong bulldozed through the final two tables and enters today with 40% of the chips in play.

Follow the action via the Live Updates.

Big Field Winners

t’s not just the marquee events pulling in massive turnouts — the side events are smashing numbers too. Here’s a look at the latest champions who rose above stacked fields to claim victory.

PokerStars LIVE APPT Manila App

For those just joining the festivities, if you haven’t yet downloaded the PokerStars APP, this is the time to do so. The app is the best way to be informed on all of the events. You can also use the app to register to events. Make sure to follow the instructions below.

• Download the app (scan qr code below)

• Create a profile (for first time users, tap upper right corner)

• Verify your identity

• Once approved, tap upper right corner to view your PokerStars Membership Card Number and QR Code

• Use the QR Code to register

• Visit the Okada Rewards Counter to sign-up for a casino membership card

Live Stream Schedule

The first livestreamed event will happen today at the APPT Super High Roller starting at 7pm local time. It will broadcast in the PokerStars YouTube channel. Players can also catch the action live at the venue and cheer on your hero from the sidelines.