Asian Poker Tour returns to the Philippines featuring ₱29 Million in guarantees – November 15 to 27

Ever since border restrictions loosened, live poker in Asia has been relentless. Nonstop festivals have been running back to back and sometimes simultaneously, leaving players barely any time to rest. Contributing to the booming live action is the Asian Poker Tour, one of the leading pioneers of the game in the region.

Through the years players have depended on the APT for its signature events, which are a constant at every stop. After being shelved for two years due to the pandemic, the brand resumed its live operations in March, and based on the turnouts, it was blatantly evident that its grip on the Asian market has gotten even stronger. While highly popular APT Vietnam and Philippines’ stops pulled in substantial US$ 1.7M to US$ 1.8M prize pools, at the recently concluded Korea Incheon festival, the brand amassed over US$ 2 Million, making it the richest APT festival in history.

The APT has already hosted nine festivals this year with two more planned before the calendar season closes. If recent numbers are a testament to what awaits players, then prep up as hefty prize pools are anticipated.

Up next is APT Philippines 2022 running from November 15 to 27 at the highly popular Newport World Resorts Manila. This will be the tour’s fourth festival in the country this year. A total of 43 events are scheduled, which is nearly double its September stop, and ₱29 Million (~$497,170) in guaranteed prize pools. No other APT event sizes up to this massive lineup. Here’s a breakdown of the key events.

Guaranteed Events

Events backed by guarantees tend to bring in the most players, and as always, the biggest chunks are seen at the APT’s prime tournaments – Main Event and Championships Event. In addition, the Mystery Bounty series opener and the Monster Stack series closer will both feature ₱2 Million (~$34,290) guarantees.

Main Event – ₱15,000,000 (~$257,160) guaranteed

The APT Main Event is one of the most highly praised signature tournaments in the region and it has been for many years. Its deep structure with slow paced 60 minute blinds allows for plenty of playing time, and it is favorable to weekend warriors who prefer to skip the Day 1 flights and sign up at Day 2.

The upcoming headliner runs from November 17 to 22. It features a ₱15,000,000 (~$257,160) guaranteed prize pool which is expected to balloon as this is one of the tour’s most popular stops. Buy in is ₱55,000 (~$945) with three starting days. Registration stays open for two hours in Day 2.

Event schedule:

Day 1A: Thursday, November 17
Day 1B: Friday, November 18
Day 1C: Saturday, November 19
Day 2: Sunday, November 20
Day 3: Monday, November 21
Final 8: Tuesday, November 22

Championships Event – ₱10,000,000 (~$171,440) guaranteed

The Championships Event is another deep structured tournament with blinds increasing every 60 minutes. For this edition, it guarantees ₱10,000,000 (~$171,440). Due to its higher price tag of ₱82,500 (~$1,415), a strong showing of heavy hitters and pros are usually seen populating the tables. The event runs from November 23 to 27 with two starting days. Like the main, registration stays open for two hours in Day 2.

Day 1A: Wednesday, November 23
Day 1B: Thursday, November 24
Day 2: Friday, November 25
Day 3: Saturday, November 26
Final 8: Sunday, November 27

Mystery Bounty and Monster Stack – ₱2,000,000 (~$34,390) GTD

Opening the 13-day series is a Mystery Bounty tournament, an event format that has been trending in the region all year. Instead of the usual bounty reward for every player one eliminates, bounties are only in effect once it reaches the money round. Adding to the excitement, bounty amounts vary and are unknown until they are drawn. The event guarantees ₱2,000,000. It runs from November 15 to 16 with two flights on opening day. Buy in is ₱16,500 (~$280).

On the opposite end of the lineup is the Monster Stack event which bookends the series, running on November 26 to 27. Due to its reasonable ₱27,500 (~$470) buy in and ₱2,000,000 guarantee, it will be another highly popular tournament.

High Roller Events

For players with deep pockets, the schedule assures a bundle of tournaments, 11 in total, the most the brand has ever offered. Buy ins range from ₱43,000 (~$737) to ₱215,000 (~$3,690). High roller events have been growing at every stop so expect the prize pools to be very juicy.

• Super High Rollers – November 16 to 17 – ₱215,000 (~$3,690)buy in
• High Rollers Single Day – November 17, 18, 20 – ₱65,000 (~$1,115) buy in
• High Rollers 6 Max Hyper Turbo – November 20, 22, 25 – ₱43,000 (~$737) buy in
• High Rollers two-day – November 21 to 22 – ₱107,500 (~$1,845) buy in
• High Rollers Single Day – November 22 – ₱76,000 (~$1,300) buy in
• High Rollers two-day – November 26 to 27 – ₱160,000 (~$2,743) buy in
• High Rollers Single Day – November 27 – ₱87,000 (~$1,490) buy in

Other Events

In addition to the above-mentioned events are a wide variety of tournaments with buy ins from as low as ₱8,800 (~$150) to ₱22,000 (~$380). There are NLH events of different formats, Turbos, and even a Women’s Event which was last seen at APT Taiwan in 2020. For Pot Limit Omaha enthusiasts, two are scheduled.