WPT Prime Cambodia off to a roaring start; SuperStack draws 183 entries, WPT Opener Day 1A picks up 54

Opening day of WPT Prime Cambodia saw a horde of players eagerly awaiting the first event to kick off. Once cards were in the air for the NagaWorld SuperStack 50K, more than six tables were quickly occupied. The pace continued for the rest of the day with players snatching up seats resulting in a large portion of the NagaWorld Ballroom to fill up. Just before 6pm, the festivities heightened with the opening ceremony and the official “Shuffle up and Deal” announcement. This signaled the start of the WPT Prime Opener $150K GTD.

Welcome to Day 1 of the biggest poker event to hit Asia this year.

Glancing around the room, it was unlike most festivals held in the region. Players from nearly all continents were in attendance with many coming out for the first time since the pandemic. Scattered among the crowd were partial/unvaccinated players expressing thrill at being able to play this event; a loyal WPT player traveling all the way from South Africa who will soon be joined by more countrymen in the ensuing days; and a pack of players from Korea and India seen battling it out with a couple of them bagging up the biggest stacks. Aside from the tournament scene, also flourishing were the cash games with several tables running all day.

Here’s a look at the day’s results.

WPT Prime Cambodia Opener – Day 1A sees 7 bag up led by Korea’s Wanki Baik

Day 1A of the WPT Prime Cambodia Opener $150K GTD picked up 54 entries throughout the eight levels of registration. Just before the seventh hour, the bubble burst on a short stacked player with chip leader Wanki Baik landing a victorious one card flush. Also off to a swell start were 2018 WPT Vietnam Main Event champion Dhaval Mudgal and 2019 WPT Cambodia Main Event finalist Jae Kyung Sim aka Simba, both players advancing to Day 2.

Buy in: US$ 550

Guarantee: US$ 150,000

Entries: 54

Survivors: 7 players

End of Day 1A chip counts

Chips in play: 1,350,000

Average stack: 192,857

The seven survivors have a couple of days off before returning to action on Day 2 which takes place on Sunday, August 14 at 1pm. Next up is Day 1B on Friday, August 12. Cards in the air at 1pm. Buy in is US$ 550. Starting stack is 25,000 with blinds increasing every 40 minutes. Registration closes at 6:50pm. Players bag up once ITM is reached.

Event 1: NagaWorld SuperStack 50K – Day 1 results

The doors opened with the NagaWorld SuperStack 50K getting everyone excited. According to many, its deep structure was hard to pass up. For most of the afternoon, the floor was buzzing with action that by the close of registration, 183 entered for a prize pool of US$ 49,703. Past 10.5 hours of play, the bubble burst with China’s Wenlong Yuan knocking out a fellow countryman.

With everyone in-the-money, it was bagging time. Two players from India crossed over a million in chips. Akshay Kapoor emerged the biggest stack with 1,140,000 and trailing by 2 BB was Anmol Mehta with 1,110,000.

When the 23 players return on Friday, August 12 at 12pm, they will all be guaranteed US$ 472 but what they will be chasing is the sizable US$ 12,877 top prize and the first side event trophy of WPT Prime Cambodia.

Buy in: US$ 300

Entries: 183

Prize pool: US$ 49,703

ITM: 23 places

End of Day 1 chip counts: 23 players

Chips in play: 9,150,000

Average stack: 397,826

Final Day opening blinds: 10K – 15K – 15K (Ante BB) – 24 minutes remaining

WPT Player of the Festival

At the conclusion of the first side event, the top 9 players in the money receive points towards the WPT Player of the Festival race. This distinguished title awards the player with the most points accrued at the end of the festival with a WPT Passport worth US$ 5,000 to any Main Tour of choice this year.

Stay tuned to Somuchpoker for the updates on the ongoing WPT Prime Cambodia

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