Asian Poker Tour heats up the Philippines in September with Php 24M in guarantees
Pack your bags and book your flights, the Asian Poker Tour, one of the longest running tours in the region, is headed to Manila for the second edition of APT Philippines 2019. The Philippines is the brand’s main hub making this one of their most popular stops. It runs from September 11 to 22 at Resorts World Manila (RWM) in Newport City.
Over the course of the twelve days, big prizes await with Php 24 million (~US$ 462,000) in guarantees promised. Highlighting the festival are the featured events – Php 55,000 Main Event and Php 82,500 Championships Event. Each come with a Php 10,000,000 (~US$ 191,500) guarantee. Running alongside are 21 side games of varying structures and buy-ins suited for every type of player. We’ve detailed some of those events for you below along with things to know.
Featured Events
The Main Event and the Championships Event are the festival headliners and they run back to back. Each event advertises a wealthy Php 10 million (~US$ 191,500) guarantee. Through the years, these tournaments have been highly regarded for its deep structure with blinds increasing at a slow 60 minute pace.
Main Event
Dates: September 13 to 17
Buy-in: Php 55,000 (~US$ 1,060)
Day 1A: Friday, September 13
Day 1B: Saturday, September 14
Day 2: Sunday, September 15
Day 3: Monday, September 16 (plays down to the final 8 players)
Final 8: Tuesday, September 17
*Important note: Beginning this festival, players can now register to the Main Event up until the start of Level 11 on Day 2. That’s one more hour than previous. Also, starting days now play a total of nine (9) levels instead of the usual eight (8).
Championships Event
Dates: September 18 to 22
Buy-in: Php 82,500 (~US$ 1,600)
Day 1A: Wednesday, September 18
Day 1B: Thursday, September 19
Day 2: Friday, September 20
Day 3: Saturday, September 21 (plays down to the final 8 players)
Final 8: Sunday, September 22
*Important note: The Championships Event will keep its usual schedule. Starting days play a total of eight (8) levels. Registration closes at the start of Level 10 in Day 2.
Featured events reigning champions:
Series defender: Christopher Mateo won the APT Philippines I 2019 Main Event; he topped the 503 entries and won Php 4,376,000 (~US$ 84,400); prize pool was Php 24,395,500 (~US$ 470,700)
Series defender: Siyoung Lee won the APT Philippines I 2019 Championships Event; he topped the 316 entries and won Php 5,295,500 (~US$ 102,000); prize pool was Php 22,989,000 (~US$ 442,700)
Reigning champion: Tsang Dicky Siu Hang topped the 236 entries at APT Korea Incheon Main Event and won KR₩ 59,485,000 (~US$ 49,300); prize pool was KR₩ 274,704,000 (~US$ 226,300)
Reigning champion: Graeme Siow topped the 219 entries at APT Korea Incheon Championships Event and won KR₩ 84,951,000 (~US$ 70,000); prize pool was KR₩ 382,374,000 (~US$ 314,700)
Expect these players to be at the festival ready to defend their title.
Side Events
Filling up the rest of the schedule are 21 side events with buy ins ranging from Php 5,500 (~US$ 110) to Php 107,500 (~US$ 2,050). Six are High Rollers events and three others are backed by a generous guarantee.
High Rollers
Event 2: High Rollers #1 – Php 107,500 buy in – September 11 to 12
Event 5: High Rollers Single Day #1 – Php 86,000 buy in – September 13
Event 8: High Rollers #2 – Php 107,500 buy in – September 16 to 17
Event 11: High Rollers Singe Day #2 – Php 86,000 buy in – September 17
Event 17: High Rollers #3 – Php 107,500 buy in – September 21 to 22
Event 20: High Rollers Single Day #3 – Php 86,000 buy in – September 22
Guaranteed Side Events
Event 1: Monster Stack #1 – Php 2,000,000 Guaranteed – Php 27,500 buy in – September 11 to 12
Event 16: MegaSportsWorld Deep Stack Turbo – Php 750,000 Guaranteed – Php 5,5000 buy in – September 20
Event 18: Monster Stack #2 – Phpp 2,000,000 Guaranteed – Php 27,500 buy in – September 21 to 22
Things to know:
All APT events utilize the Ante Big Blind format
All APT events utilize the Shot Clock (starting at the final six tables)
All APT events earn points towards the APT Player of the Series contest; the top three at the end of the festival win special prizes
In a previous announcement by the APT, the festival will take place on the 2nd floor of RWM’s new Grand Wing adjacent to Sheraton Manila Hotel and Hilton Manila. The space is much larger; up to 35 tables – tournament and cash – will be dedicated to the event.
