APT Manila 2024 Pays Out Over PHP 349 Million (~USD 5.9M) in Prizes; Daniel Neilson and Gun Jegal Capture Series End Victories

APT’s grand return to the city of Manila, Philippines under its New Era booked another success, with its fifth showing in a row topping multiple country records once more. Run in partnership with Soul Poker at the luxurious City of Dreams Manila, the 11-day offering saw 101 trophies taken down on display, backed by a staggering 1,321 unique entries from 53 different nations, come across on the felt. 

A jaw-dropping PHP 349,691,602 (~USD 5,944,757) in total prizes was awarded throughout the festivities, nearly 30% of which was bestowed in the recently concluded APT Manila Main Event games. USA’s Daniel Lee claimed the accolades over the festival’s largest PHP 100,000,000 (~USD 1,713,780) prize pool, earning the San Francisco native a career best score of PHP 15,060,000 (~USD 258,030), along with the award-winning APT golden lion trophy.

At the final day’s games, Australia’s Daniel Neilson emerged victorious over the last highlight on schedule, APT High Roller, and claimed PHP 4,317,000 (~USD 73,935) in winnings, together with the APT bronze lion trophy. South Korea’ Gun Jegal likewise ended his run in flair, with a series ending win at the Mini Main Event.

Daniel Neilson Takes Down Country Largest APT High Roller

The two-day highlight, APT High Roller, drew in 134 entries across its Day 1 games, bringing up the prize pool to PHP 23,396,400 (~USD 399,050), a 50% increase over the guarantee. Only 26 runners returned for the Final Day, twenty of which cut a notable payday. The money bubble burst by the third level of play, with Hong Kong’s Chi Wai Law falling to Alexander Lynskey, enough to catapult the latter to the lead.

Daniel Neilson, who kicked off the final rounds amongst the shortest, patiently waited for the right moment to double up, which eventually came at the expense of Malaysia’s Jason Lau eight-handed. A level in, Neilson went on to bust local pro Vamerdino Magsakay in sixth place finish, earning him a playable stack for a shot at the top. Eight deals later, Neilson took over the reins with three left in the running, and eventually broke an ICM deal with compatriot Lynskey and Singapore’s Teng Yang Hoo, leaving PHP 440,000 (~USD 7,535) going towards the champion.

Hoo exited shortly after being guaranteed the smallest cut at PHP 3,760,400 (~USD 64,405), a small difference from the final duo’s locked in payouts. An Aussie confrontation was left on the table for the title with Neilson closing out the victory in quick fashion, having flopped a flush against Lynskey’s top pair to claim his second career APT title for PHP 4,317,000 (~USD 73,390).

APT High Roller Review

• Date/s: November 6-7, 2024
• Buy-in: PHP 200,000 (~USD 3,410)
• Guarantee: PHP 15,000,000 (~USD 255,840)
• Entries: 134 (92 unique)
• Prize pool: PHP 23,396,400 (~USD 399,050)
• ITM: 20 places

APT High Roller Final Table Results

*Denotes deal was made

Backtrack on all the day’s action via SMP Live Updates
APT High Roller Full Payouts

Gun Jegal Clinches Mini Main Event Title

The biggest APT Mini Main Event showing to hit the country attracted a 320-entry field across Day 1, with action having played down to ITM at 45 players. Five tables were up for the Final Day’s games as the remaining contenders looked to bump up their mincash of PHP 40,000 (~USD 680).

It took eight hours of play before the games wrapped up with South Korea’s Gun Jegal rising to become the last man standing. Jegal impressively maneuvered his way across the final table, and secured the final victory after defeating China’s Xiaohui Tan in heads up play. For his triumph, Jegal banked a career best score of PHP 1,374,000 (~USD 23,360) with a maiden APT title to boot.

• Date/s: November 6-7, 2024
• Buy-in: PHP 25,000 (~USD 425)
• Guarantee: PHP 5,000,000 (~USD 85,280)
• Entries: 320 (213 unique)
• Prize pool: PHP 6,984,000 (~USD 118,730)
• ITM: 45 places

APT Mini Main Event Final Table Results