It has been a spectacular year for Asia’s latest sensation, U Series of Poker (USOP), drawing massive crowds and shattering records to rapidly become one of the most sought-after festivals in the region. As the year-end approaches, all eyes are on Danang, Vietnam for USOP’s grand season finale where a jaw dropping VN₫ 50 Billion (~$2 Million) in guarantees has been announced alongside a vibrant 53-event schedule. This is the brand’s largest offering to date and it is all set to take place at Furama Resort from November 17 to 27, 2023. Let’s take a closer look at what’s in store.
USOP Danang 2023 – Player Guide
53 Trophies Up for Grabs
For the finale, USOP expanded its schedule to 53 trophy events featuring low-end buy ins from VN₫ 3,400,000 (~$ 144) to VN₫ 11,000,000 (~$465), mid-ranged buy ins from VN₫ 15,500,000 (~$698) to VN₫ 25,000,000 (~$1,057), and high-end buy ins from VN₫ 33,000,000 (~$1,395) to VN₫ 250,000,000 (~$10,570).
Players can expect the return of all the crowd favorites, an extensive high roller lineup, new events, and of course the crown jewel Main Event highlighted by its VN₫ 15 Billion (~$612,870) guarantee.
MAIN EVENT – VN₫ 15 Billion (~$612,870) guarantee
In September, the USOP Hanoi Main Event drew a country record field of 1,336 entries and record prize pool of VN₫ 29,158,200,000 (~$1,212,000). India’s Vishal Ojha emerged victorious to seize a career high payout of VN₫ 4,952,000,000 (~$205,840).
With the brand’s popularity on a consistent rise, and interest very high since the announcement of the festival, players can expect the upcoming USOP Danang Main Event to smash its VN₫ 15 Billion guarantee with the potential to break its own record. Among the players expected to attend are past champions Vishal Ojha, Nguyen Ngoc Dai, and Edwin Dela Cruz.
The Main Event runs from November 23 to 27, 2023. To enter, four starting days are available. Buy in is VN₫ 25,000,000 (~$1,057). Each Day 1 plays down to ITM of 12.5% of the field. As early as now, players can avail of the Main Event Early Bird Package with rooms at Furama Resort.
Other Key Events
In addition to the Main Event are numerous events backed by guarantees. For players interested in low to mid-ranged buy ins, listed below are events to plug in your calendars.
| Event | Date | Guarantee in VN₫ | Buy in in VN₫ |
| Mystery Millions | November 17-19 | 4,000,000,000 | 11,000,000 |
| Sunday Superstack | November 19 | 600,000,000 | 8,800,000 |
| Mini Main Event | November 20-22 | 2,000,000,000 | 8,800,000 |
| Midweek Superstack | November 22 | 800,000,000 | 11,000,000 |
| Bounty Event | November 23 | 600,000,000 | 10,000,000 |
| Mystery Rush Bounty | November 24 | 600,000,000 | 8,800,000 |
| Megastack | November 26-27 | 1,000,000,000 | 11,000,000 |
| The Closer | November 27 | 500,000,000 | 6,600,000 |
Special Qualifiers
For players looking to get an early start at qualifying for Day 2 of the Main Event, Mystery Millions, and Mini Main Event, Special Qualifiers will be held at Saigon Poker Room in Ho Chi Minh City and at Crown Poker Club in Hanoi. It is advisable to jump on these qualifiers in order to have more time during the festival to tackle the side events.
High Rollers
USOP high roller events have grown in popularity that at the Hanoi festival, the Superstar Challenge set a new record of 94 entries and a prize pool of VN₫ 10,212,100,000 (~$424,000).
To answer the increasing demand, USOP Danang will see a larger high roller roster featuring 9 key events and 5 Mini High Rollers. All of the events are backed by a guarantee. Buy ins range from VN₫ 22,000,000 (~$930) to VN₫ 250,000,000 (~$10,571).
Among the new additions are the High Roller For Vietnam Red Cross – Charity Event and the mighty Billionaire Club Challenge which will surely attract the elite of the elite with its VN₫ 250 Million buy in.
| Event | Date | Guarantee in VN₫ | Buy in in VN₫ |
| High Roller Warm Up | November 17 | 1,500,000,000 | 44,000,000 |
| Mini High Roller | November 17 | 400,000,000 | 22,000,000 |
| High Roller For Red Cross | November 18 | 2,000,000,000 | 55,000,000 |
| Mini High Roller | November 18 | 400,000,000 | 22,000,000 |
| Superstar Challenge | November 19-20 | 4,000,000,000 | 120,000,000 |
| Mini High Roller | November 19 | 400,000,000 | 22,000,000 |
| High Roller Bounty Hunter | November 20 | 2,000,000,000 | 66,000,000 |
| Mini High Roller | November 20 | 400,000,000 | 22,000,000 |
| High Roller Megastack | November 21-22 | 3,000,000,000 | 77,000,000 |
| Super High Roller | November 22-23 | 2,000,000,000 | 88,000,000 |
| Billionaire Club Challenge | November 24 | 4,000,000,000 | 250,000,000 |
| Mini High Roller | November 25 | 400,000,000 | 22,000,000 |
| High Roller The Finale | November 26-27 | 4,000,000,000 | 66,000,000 |
| High Roller Last Chance | November 27 | 1,200,000,000 | 33,000,000 |
As early as now, players can start booking their stay and avail of the High Roller Early Bird Package. The promo is limited to the first 50 bookings.
Heads Up Event increased to 64 player cap
Due to the smashing success of the first Heads Up Challenge, it has found a spot in the USOP Danang roster. More players will now be able to participate with the maximum field capacity increased to 64 players. Buy in is VN₫ 33,000,000 (~$1,395). This is a two-day event running on November 22 – 23. Sign up now to secure your spot!
New Events
With the USOP Danang schedule much bigger than previous, the newest events include Crazy Pineapple, Midweek Superstack, Double Board – Single Winner, and 6-Card PLO. Be the first winners of these events!
Satellites
In addition to trophy events are daily satellites to a long list of games: Main Event, Mystery Bounty, Sunday Superstack, Mini Main Event, Megastack, The Closer, High Roller Warm Up, High Roller For Red Cross, Superstar Challenge, High Roller Bounty Hunter, High Roller Megastack, Super High Roller, Billionaire Club Challenge, High Roller The Finale, and High Roller Last Chance.
Flipouts are also available on demand. Kicking off the games is the Freeroll For Main Event Seat which is capped at 100 players. That event runs on November 17 at 10:30am. Imagine winning your seat to the Main Event for FREE and taking it all the way to the top!
Hotel Accommodations
With USOP Danang 2023 drawing near, players are recommended to start securing accommodations at host venue Furama Resort. This five-star hotel overlooks the gorgeous white sands of Danang Beach and it is just 20 minutes from the Danang Airport. For assistance booking your stay as well as the Early Bird Packages, contact information is provided below.
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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