PokerStars LIVE Manila Megastack 22 PHP 20 Million (~USD 345K) Guaranteed Main Event Fast Approaching

Excitement is building up at PokerStars LIVE, Okada Manila, Philippines, as the 22nd edition of the fan-favorite Manila Megastack continues to unfold. The 11-day festivities, running through March 23rd, is right at its halfway point, with fourteen players already having claimed trophy wins over the past five days. While several thrilling highlights have since taken place, the most coveted victory on schedule remains on the table.

The highly anticipated Main Event is just one day away, with a PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 345,280) guaranteed prize pool sure to rock the boat and elevate the excitement all around. To join the action, players will need to shell out a buy-in of PHP 45,000 (~USD 775), with four flight options available through Saturday, March 22nd. For those looking to secure their spot at a lower cost, daily Main Event milestone qualifiers are being held up until the weekend, with a more affordable entry of just PHP 5,500 (~USD 95).

To give everyone an idea, previous Manila Megastack season winner, Graham Cowan made an impressive debut on Asian soil, clinching a PHP 3,200,000 (~USD 54,680) payday after outlasting the 467-entry field. Past series champions Terry Gonzaga, Richard Marquez, and William Ysmael, are likewise expected to be on board in the coming days, ready to gun for another Main Event title.

In addition to their prizes, the full final table of nine players will lock in seats to upcoming PokerStars events, with this season's Main Event champion receiving a PHP 125,000 APPT Manila 2025 Main Event package including seat and accommodation, while the rest of the top eight finishers will receive PHP 9,000 APPT Super Qualifier entries, all taken from the prize pool.

Manila Megastack 22 Main Event Schedule

• Date/s: March 20-23, 2024

• Buy-in: PHP 45,000 (~USD 775)

• Guarantee: PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 345,280)

• Flight A: Thursday, March 20

• Flight B: Friday, March 21

• Flight C: Saturday, March 22

• Flight D [20/15]: Saturday, March 22

• Day 2/ Final: Sunday, March 23

Manila Megastack 22 - Schedule

Upcoming Events

Other guaranteed events remain on schedule for those up for a full grind. Today begins the thrilling Mystery Bounty festivities with a PHP 2,000,000 (~USD 34,940) prize pool on the line. Two more bounty highlights will follow suit, closing the action with another PHP 2 million guarantee at the Survivor Knockout right on the festival’s concluding day. 

Recent Winners

Hoisting the biggest guarantee next to the Main Event, the Kickoff easily smashed its PHP 3,000,000 (~USD 52,410) with the series’ largest turnout yet of 338 entries filling up the venue’s pink halls. Romania's Ionut Dragomir rose to be the last man standing, taking with him PHP 843,527 (~USD 14,705) in winnings and an APPT Manila Main Event Package worth PHP 125,000 (~USD 2,180) for his latest feat.

I'm really happy to win my first trophy and I'm really excited to play here in Manila, it's my first time in Asia. I just came here 2 months ago and I had a feeling that I can take a trophy home to my family in Romania. I started very bad in the other events but this one was one shot, one opportunity and I hit it.

Joining Dragomir in the winner’s circle is local grinder Edgar Asehan, who emerged to become one of the series’ first champions after besting the opening highlight, Warm Up. Asehan banked a seventh career spadie for his most recent triumph, earning a PHP 299,390 (~US$ 5,220) payday to jumpstart his festival run.

Two bounty highlight winners have also risen to the occasion with USA’s Nick Blackburn and Japan’s Ryo Oikawa, taking down seven-figure (PHP) prize pools for their impressive displays. Off to a great start, these international runners have already set themselves up for a profit with their first place winnings undeniably putting them well into the green.

One of the standout highlights of the series includes Filipino pro Joseph Sia, who has claimed yet another PokerStars victory in yesterday’s Bubble Rush side event, adding an unbeatable 12th career spadie to his mantle. His continued success on the felt is definitely a testament to his skill and consistency, with his well decorated trophy collection truly a sight to see.