PokerStars LIVE Manila Megastack is back with a vengeance boasting its richest festival guarantee of PHP 37,000,000 (~USD 660,400)! Now running its 18th edition, cards went flying on February 15, 2024 at world class Okada Manila in the Philippines and will run through February 25, 2024.
As one of the most popular festivals by PokerStars LIVE Asia, the Manila Megastack has been steadily rising in numbers and prize pools, bringing in more international players to tackle the large local turnout. In December 2023, its previous edition delivered record breaking numbers with the Main Event amassing PHP 26,582,850 (~USD 480,270). This was nearly double its past record. The title went to Japan’s Masafumi Matsushita for his maiden title and largest cash to date of PHP 3,941,000 (~USD 71,200).
For the upcoming Main Event, the guarantee is juicier than ever. Players are now looking at a generous PHP 20 Million (~USD 357,400) starting prize pool, twice the guarantee of past editions. The event runs from February 21 to 25, 2024. Keep in mind, the buy in has also been raised to PHP 45,000 (~USD 800).
While players await the big one, there are plenty of side events to get prepped. Players can snag a coveted PS Spade for just PHP 5,000 (~USD 90) up to a reasonable PHP 55,000 (~USD 980). If what you are looking for are the big pot and small field combos then high roller events are the way to go. These big buy in games start at PHP 75,000 (~USD 1,340) to the most expensive tournament Super High Roller at PHP 200,000 (~USD 3,575) to enter. Make sure to review the schedule for all the options.
PS LIVE Manila Megastack 18 – Schedule
On opening day, the first three of 39 trophies have already been captured. Results can be found in the Festival Results page.
PS LIVE Manila Megastack 18 – Festival Results
Event 1: Early Bird – EDISON YU
Event 4: Knockout Turbo – KEIJIRO SHIMIJO
Event 5: 25K NLH Turbo – WILLIAM JONES
Other Side Event results
Also ongoing are phased events – Kick Off and Hot Hyper Turbo. Both events are highlighted by guarantees.
Kick Off – Flight A results
Buy in: PHP 16,500 (~USD 295)
Guarantee: PHP 3,000,000 (~USD 53,600)
Registration: Closes at start of Level 11 (19:30)
Starting stack: 30,000 (150 bb – L1)
Blinds duration: 25 minutes
Bagging time: ITM (15% of the field)
Flight A: 69 entries / 9 ITM
| Player | Flag | Stack |
| Nathan Stephen | United Kingdom | 369,000 |
| Magbutay Riener | Philippines | 368,000 |
| Li Jun | United Kingdom | 322,000 |
| Alcantara Eric | Philippines | 203,000 |
| Galang Daryl | Philippines | 182,000 |
| Matsuda Michihiko | Japan | 179,000 |
| Bardauskas Aivaras | Lithuania | 169,000 |
| De Leon Chierro | Philippines | 149,000 |
| Javalera Ireneo | Philippines | 120,000 |
Chips in play: 2,070,000
Average stack: 230,000
Hot Hyper Turbo – Flight A results
Buy in: PHP 5,000 (~USD 90)
Guarantee: PHP 1,000,000 (~USD 17,870)
Flight A: 56 entries / 8 ITM
| Player | Flag | Stack |
| Carreon Jayvon | Philippines | 240,000 |
| Del Rosario | Philippines | 225,000 |
| Runas Cristopher | Philippines | 199,000 |
| Pena Vicente | Philippines | 133,000 |
| Arajs Ingus | Latvia | 116,000 |
| Castro Anthony | Philippines | 102,000 |
| Malouch Jean Mathieu | Franc | 53,000 |
| Basso Keith Michael | USA | 52,000 |
Chips in play: 1,120,000
Average stack: 140,000
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Cash Games
Playing for titles and trophies aren’t the only games that excite players, cash games as well. During Manila Megastack, cash tables multiply and are quite lucrative. Players not needing much sleep will be happy to know that these games are offered around the clock.
Registration process
To speed up the process and get players shuffling chips, here are the three simple steps to register:
Step 1 – Sign up for an Okada Reward Card
Step 2 – Sign up for a PokerStars LIVE Card
Step 3 – Head to Tournament Registration
Airport to Okada Manila
Links:
PS Manila Megastack opens its doors February 15-25, 2024
Tricia David
Tricia David has long experience as a recreational poker player and has been covering poker events since 2010 for numerous outfits in Asia. She spent one year working part time with Poker Portal Asia then became editor and lead writer for all event coverage of the Philippine Poker Tour (PPT). Under the PPT, she overlooked content for their website, and produced live updates on all their events. In addition, she served as the live and online events website content writer for the Asian Poker Tour. Currently, she does live events reporting in Asia for online news site Somuchpoker and is also one of their news contributors.
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