SOMUCHPOKER

Ryoji Hatanaka tops Manila Super Series 20 Main Event Flight A

SMP Editor
SMP EditorEditor-in-Chief
Manila Super Series 20 – Flight A
Manila Super Series 20 – Flight A

The 20th Edition of PokerStars LIVE Manila Super Series got off to a roaring start at premier resort Okada Manila in Manila, Philippines. With a guarantee of PHP 10 Million (~USD 171,180) on the table, it was action-packed from the get-go with the opening flight attracting 228 entries. This impressive turnout was more than 2.5 times the previous edition’s starting day and with three more flights to play out, breaking the guarantee is highly probable.

Manila Super Series – Main Event

Manila Super Series 20 Bubble Time
Manila Super Series 20 Bubble Time

The Manila Super Series Main Event kicked off at 3pm on May 29, 2024 with the first of four flights on deck. Among the attendees that failed to make it through were locals Euryd Rivera, Jonald Garcia, MSS 17 Main Event champion William Ysmael, and two time MSS Main Event champion Joemark Vasay.

Just past the eighth hour of play, Japan’s Ryoji Hatanaka knocked out fellow countryman Takashi Yagura on the bubble to signal the end of day. The win also sent Hatanaka straight to the top of the 35 player survivor list.

Ryoji Hatanaka
Ryoji Hatanaka

Joining the leader to the next round was Mark Almusajin – the only player to qualify for Day 2 in back-to-back Flight A editions. Other advancing notables were Vamerdino Magsakay, William Teoh, and Korean high roller Namhyung Kim.

End of Flight A – Top 10 in chips

Rank

Player

Flag

Stack

BB

1

Ryoji Hatanaka

Japan

436,000

87

2

You Yusyun

Taiwan

384,000

77

3

Aivaras Bardauskas

Lithuania

372,000

74

4

John Matsuda

Japan

350,000

70

5

Yu Kunlong

China

316,000

63

6

Tetsuya Tsujisaka

Japan

311,000

62

7

Vamerdino Magsakay

Philippines

287,000

57

8

William Teoh

Malaysia

262,000

52

9

Mark Almusajin

Philippines

243,000

49

10

AJ Cris Acdal

Philippines

240,000

48

You can check out the complete survivors list via the Live Updates link just below.

Pokerstars Live Manila Super Series 20

Main Event – Info

Dates: May 29 to June 2, 2024

Buy in: PHP 20,000 (~USD 350)

Guarantee: PHP 10,000,000 (~USD 171,80)

ITM: 15% of the field

Main Event – Schedule

With one flight in the books, players looking to get in still have three flights left to tackle. The top 15% of each flight advances to Day 2. Entering players start with a stack of 30,000, which is 300 times the opening blinds.

For Flight B and Flight C, blinds increase every 30 minutes while a shorter 15 minutes duration is scheduled for Flight D Turbo. Registration closes at the start of Level 11 then from there, each flight plays down to ITM of 15% of the field.

Flight A: 228 entries / 35 ITM – completed

Flight B: Thursday, May 30 at 3pm

Flight C: Friday, May 31 at 1pm

Flight D Turbo: Friday, May 31 at 6pm

Day 2: Saturday, June 1 at 1pm

Final Day: Sunday, June 2 at 1pm

After Day 1, survivors will move forward to extended 40 minute gameplay for Day 2 until the final 9 players is reached. In addition to the juicy payouts, thetop two finishersof the Main Event will receive anAPPT Manila Main Event Package – seat and accommodation, valued at PHP 120,000 (~USD 2,090) taken from the prize pool.

Somuchpoker will be onsite from start to finish. You can track the action via theLive Updates.

About the Editor

SMP Editor

The SMP Editor covers international poker and iGaming for SoMuchPoker, providing news, tournament coverage, and industry insights. With a focus on accuracy, clarity, and relevance, the editor helps readers stay informed about developments across the global poker community.