World Poker Championship to stage a massive ₫20 Billion guarantee at Grand Loyal Poker Club Hanoi

Since the lifting of border restrictions, Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, has been the hotbed for some of the most thrilling poker festivals in Asia. This year has already seen international and regional brands present their style of poker. Coming next month, another festival will storm the city with the World Poker Championship (WPC) and South East Asia Poker Tour (SEAPT) teaming up for an ambitious VN₫ 20 Billion (~US$ 854,800) guaranteed series. This is the first time a prize pool of this magnitude has been announced in Hanoi. Players will be thrilled by the standout schedule which features 19 tournaments that includes a stunning 9 events with guarantees. So whether you are a recreational player or a pro, this is one series that must not be missed as it is certain to have something for everyone. All of this takes place at the Grand Loyal Poker Club Hanoi from September 16 to 25.

Now let’s take a micro look at this upcoming series.

Guaranteed Events

These events offer the best value and price ranges to accommodate different types of bankrolls. Of course the Main Event will be the most irresistible as it comes with an VN₫ 8 Billion (~US$ 341,900) guarantee. Another event sure to attract the masses is the Kick Off Event VN₫ 2.5 Billion (~US$ 106,850) guarantee. Here’s the complete list of guaranteed events. Make sure to mark them down in your calendars.

Big field events

MAIN EVENT – VN₫ 8 Billion GTD – September 20 to 24 – Buy in VN₫ 20M (~US$ 855)

Kick Off Event – VN₫ 2.5 Billion GTD – September 16 to 18 – Buy in VN₫ 8.8M (~US$ 375)
Super Stack – VN₫ 500 Million GTD – September 18 – Buy in VN₫ 6.6M (~US$ 280)
Mystery Bounty – VN₫ 1.5 Billion GTD – September 19 to 20 – Buy in VN₫ 11M (~US$ 470)
Megastack – VN₫ 1 Billion GTD – September 24 – Buy in VN₫ 8.8M (~US$ 375)
Megastack Closer – VN₫ 500 Million GTD – September 25 – VN₫ 6.6M (~US$ 280)

High Roller events

High Roller – VN₫ 500 Million GTD – September 16 – VN₫ 33M (~US$ 1,410)
High Roller – VN₫ 1.5 Billion GTD – September 18 – VN₫ 55M (~US$ 2,350)
Super High Roller – VN₫ 4 Billion GTD – September 23 to 24 – Buy in VN₫ 66M (~US$ 2,820)

MAIN EVENT – VN₫ 8,000,000,000 GTD

The WPC – SEAPT team comes out strong with a huge Main Event guarantee. With Vietnamese players always out in full force at events on home soil, and with the support of numerous Korean poker groups, pubs, and associations coming for this event, the headliner should be nothing short of a smasher. Three starting days kick off the race plus a last chance turbo flight. Each heat plays down to ITM. For players that reach Day 2, it plays down to the final table. Buy in is VN₫ 20,000,000 (~US$ 855).

Day 1A: Tuesday, September 20
Day 1B: Wednesday, September 21
Day 1C: Thursday, September 22
Day 1D (Turbo): Thursday, September 22
Day 2: Friday, September 23
Day 3/Final Table: Saturday, September 24

For players hoping to get in at a lesser cost, there are nine Main Event Satellites scheduled with buy in of just VN₫ 2,200,000 (~US$ 94). One in 11 will win a seat.

Kick Off Event – VN₫ 2,500,000,000 GTD

One of the low-ranged buy in events lights up the felt on opening day. The Kick Off Event VN₫ 2.5 Billion guaranteed comes in at a cost of just VN₫ 8,800,000 (~US$ 375). This is a great way to build one’s bankroll early and possibly even capture the bragging first title of the series. The event runs for three days. With all three entry flights scheduled on the weekend, a booming crowd is expected.

Day 1A: Friday, September 16
Day 1B: Saturday, September 17
Day 1C: Saturday, September 17
Finald Day: Sunday, September 18

Super High Roller – VN₫ 4 Billion GTD

There are three High Roller events featuring guarantees and the biggest one is the Super High Roller event. For a buy in of VN₫ 66 Million (~US$ 2,820), players have a chance at the generous VN₫ 4,000,000,000 (~US$ 170,960) prize pool. With SHR events gaining in popularity, this event should see international pros fly in for a piece of the action. The event runs on September 23 to 24.

Super Star Challenge

Out of all the High Roller events on the menu, the Super Star Challenge stands apart. With a buy in of VN₫ 107,000,000 (~US$ 4,570), it is the most expensive and most sought after by the pros and big whales. Though only a small group of players will be able to cough up the price tag, it will be well worth their while as sometimes the winner’s purse can be the biggest of the series.

Mystery Bounty – VN₫ 1.5 Billion GTD

This year has seen the addition of Mystery Bounty tournaments to most poker tour schedules. The WPC – SEAPT festival will see this popular head hunter event hit the felt featuring a VN₫ 1,500,000,000 (~US$ 64,100) guarantee. For those unfamiliar with this format, only players that reach the money round will have a chance at the bounty pool. Bounties remain a secret until it is drawn and revealed. This generates plenty of drama as players hunt down the biggest bounty rewards. Buy in for the event is VN₫ 11,000,000.

Flight 1A: Monday, September 19
Flight 1B (Turbo): Monday, September 19
Final Day: Tuesday, September 20

Other events

With the exception of satellites, the rest of the schedule ranges from VN₫ 3,300,000 to VN₫ 66,000,000. Players will find a wide array of NLH games such as Super Stacks, Mega Stacks, Turbos, Freezeout, and regular Bounty Hunter.

For more information, head to the Grand Loyal Poker Club FB page.