Inaugural APT Vietnam Hanoi running at Grand Loyal Poker Club; Main Event ₫5 BN guarantee to be crushed; early events see big pots

Two months after the Asian Poker Tour’s return to Vietnam, the brand made its way back this time staging a full blown series in Hanoi. This was the first time the APT set foot in the country’s capital and the turnout has been tremendous. Games kicked off on June 7 at the Grand Loyal Poker Club and will run through June 19. The festival occupies two floors with over 30 tables prepared for the occasion. With the series already four days in, several trophies have been claimed and the Main Event ₫5 Billion guarantee is about to get crushed.

Here are the early highlights and updates of the ongoing games.

Main Event VN₫ 5 Billion guaranteed to be crushed

The Main Event is underway with the first two starting days in the books. Day 1A drew 73 entries and Day 1B a larger 125 entries for a combined 198 entries. With Day 1C on the plate today, and only a total of 251 needed to crack the guarantee, there’s no telling how high the pot will grow. Here are the top 5 in chips:

Players new to the APT, the Main Event is considered by many to have one of the best structures in the region. It is a deep stack format with blinds escalating at a slow 60-minute pace. Day 1 runs a total of nine levels which means you can still jump in the final entry flight. For those waiting until the last second to enter, you can sign up on Day 2 which is on Sunday, June 12. Registration is open for two final hours. Buy in is VN₫ 22,000,000 (~US$ 950). Cards in the air at 12 noon.

Big pots at the series

APT Vietnam Hanoi Loyal 2022 opened with the Mystery Bounty tournament. This type of bounty tournament has grown fast in popularity, both at the live and online scene. With the APT hype in the air, and players eager for an early taste of what the brand has in store, the VN₫ 1 Billion guarantee was crushed at Flight A. In the aftermath, 293 entered across two heats for a smashing VN₫ 2,273,680,000 (~US$ 98,000) prize pool. After two days of dramatic competition, Vietnamese high roller Huy Quang Nguyen shipped it to claim the VN₫ 325,600,000 first prize. Additionally, Nguyen collected the most number of bounties, 8 in total, to pocket a whopping VN₫ 299,900,000. He walked away VN₫ 625,500,000 (~US$ 26,975) richer.

The most expensive event on the menu was the VN₫ 108,000,000 (~US$ 4,650) buy in Super High Rollers. The event drew an impressive 40 entries which was the largest APT turnout (of this buy in) in Vietnam. The prize pool came to VN₫ 3,880,000,000 (~US$ 167,328), just shy of the upcoming APT Championships Event 4BN guarantee. At three-handed, Vietnam’s Pham Tien Dung delivered a stunning double knockout to capture his first ever APT win and the VN₫ 1,333,450,000 (~US$ 57,526) first prize.

Other results and upcoming games

Aside from the two events above, five side event trophies were also claimed. Thailand lifted two with Phachara Wongwichit shipping the High Rollers Single Day 1 for VN₫ 341,610,000 (~US$ 14,736) and Kajornnut Prirunrueng holding his head high at the Head Hunter event for VN₫ 119,690,000 (bounties not included). Vietnam claimed the other three. Terry Nguyen won the High Rollers Single Day 2 event for the VN₫ 376,460,000 (~US$ 16,240), Hung Manh Dinh and Nguyen Manh Tuan picked up lighter payouts at the PLO and Super Deep Stack Turbo.

More games lined up and more titles to be won. Running back to back with the Main Event is the APT Championships which is from June 15 to 19. The event guarantees the VN₫ 4 Billion (~US$ 172,547). Similar to the main, it has a deep stack structure with blinds increasing every 60 minutes. Buy in is the VN₫ 38,500,000 (~US$ 1,660). To enter, two starting days are offered. Late registration is available for three hours in Day 2. Also to consider are two-day crowd favorites High Rollers, Monster Stack, No Limit Hold’em, and Pot Limit Omaha.

Stay tuned to Somuchpoker for the final festival recap.