Nozomu Shimizu continues strong 2023 run at APT Hanoi Billions; Day 3 highlights

The Asian Poker Tour was hoping for a smashing turnout to its season ender APT Hanoi Billions and Santa delivered more than expected. The continuous surge of players, especially with the flagship Main Event on center stage starting today prompted APT Special Advisor, Victor Chong, to share on facebook that an unthinkable forty tables were added to address the turnout. This adjustment was essential as several side events had to be canceled in the past few days due to the immense response.

In other top news, Japan’s Nozomu Shimizu championed the record breaking Super High Roller event to collect an APT career high score of VN₫ 3,940,430,000 (~$162,230). Shimizu defeated overnight chip leader Hon Cheong Lee in just fourteen heads up hands. Lee also pocketed a nice chunk of cash amounting to VN₫ 2,669,280,000 (~$109,965)

For those who may not be familiar with Shimizu, it is no surprise as most of his achievements were established just this year. Most notably, he finished 3rd at the WSOP 2023 not once but three times! Shimizu is Japan’s fastest rising player and has reached the top 10 in the Hendon Mob Japan All Time Money List after his latest achievement in Hanoi.

The Super High Roller event joined the list of blockbusters being witnessed at the ongoing APT Hanoi Billions. It drew an APT record field of 156 entries (115 unique) for a VN₫ 16,947,840,000 (~$697,750) prize pool. 

The who’s who of the Asian high roller circuit populated the tables that included ITM players: Anthony Cierco (4th), Vincent Huang (9th),  Martijn Gerrits (12th), WSOPE 2023 Main Event runner up Ting Yi Tsai (15th), Tianhao Zheng (16th), Andy Li (19th), Chi-Jen Chu (20th). 

Final table payouts

1	Nozomu Shimizu	₫3,940,430,000
2	Hon Cheong Lee	₫2,669,280,000
3	Taago Tamm	₫1,779,520,000
4	Anthony Cierco	₫1,457,510,000
5	Song Xue	₫1,169,400,000
6	Jingxuan Zhu	₫906,710,000
7	Seunghun Ko	₫671,130,000
8	Nguyen Anh Minh	₫493,180,000
9	Vincent Huang	₫393,190,000

Jereld Sam takes down the Mystery Bounty; Sakan Dhangwatnotai draws ₫1 Billion bounty

Another mutli-day event that completed in Day 3 was the Mystery Bounty which also pulled in an APT record turnout 1,115 field. This boosted the prize pool to a stunning VN₫ 10,707,345,000 (~$441,100). A portion of that pot was designated for bounties with the largest at VN₫ 1 Billion (~$41,170).

After numerous attempts by various players, the coveted bounty was drawn by Thailand’s Sakan Dhangwatnotai who went on to finish in 14th place for a total payout of VN₫ 1,083,530,000 (~$44,630). Also successful in their hunt for big bounties were Vietnam’s Tuan Anh Quach and Pham Quan, both players drawing the second largest VN₫ 500 Million (~$20,600) bounty rewards. 

The event wrapped up with Singapore’s Jereld Sam holding his head high. Sam defeated Malaysia’s Kun Kiet Wong to capture his maiden APT title and a career high payout of VN₫ 1,273,625,000 (~$52,430). This year has been fruitful for Sam, winning trophies at WPT, Poker Dream, GPI, and now APT to add to his PokerStars spadies.

Other Day 3 winners

Event #17: Nine Game 7-Max

Buy in: VN₫ 5,000,000 (~$207)
Entries: 54 (49 unique)
Prize pool: VN₫ 235,710,000 (~$9,700)
Winner: CRAIG COOPER – United Kingdom – VN₫ 70,700,000 (~$2,910)

*This event features poker variants NLH, Stud, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, PL Omaha, Limit Hold’em, NL 2-7, Stud Hi-Lo, 2-7 Triple Draw

Event #19: PL Omaha High 5-Card 8-Max

Buy in: VN₫ 8,000,000 (~$332)
Entries: 58 (48 unique)
Prize pool: VN₫ 516,816,000 (~$21,275)
Winner: MAHDI RASOULI – Iran – VN₫ 142,116,000 (~$5,850)

Full festival results via this link: APT Hanoi Billions – Festival Results

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APT Hanoi Billions 2023

APT Hanoi Billions is ongoing at the National Convention Center from December 1 to December 10, 2023. This is the brand’s most ambitious festival to date featuring 88 trophy events over ten days.

At the forefront is the VN₫ 25,000,000,000 (~$1,000,000) guaranteed MAIN EVENT. This is the richest prize pool ever to be announced by any brand for Vietnam and the most sought after title by every player.

With a jam-packed house since opening day, expect the guarantee to be easily surpassed and possibly a new APT record. The figure to aim for is APT Taipei’s over $2 Million prize pool set in May 2023.

The Main Event runs from December 4 to 9, 2023 with buy in at VN₫ 36,000,000 (~$1,480). 

APT Hanoi Billions Main Event aiming for a record-breaker – December 4 to 9, 2023

Other links:

Jam packed house and long lines opens APT Hanoi Billions 2023 – December 1 to 10, Hanoi, Vietnam