The Viet Nam Series of Poker wrapped up seven bustling days of poker at their hub in Hanoi, Vietnam. The VSOP Championship IV x APL series ran from May 2 to 8, and in its wake, over VN₫ 9.5 Billion was paid across 12 events. Among the winners, Phan Trọng Linh earned all the praise for his victory at the Main Event, besting Singaporean pro Norbert Koh at heads up. Check out our festival highlights down below.
*All photos by VSOP
Festival review
Grand prize pool: VN₫ 9,500,300,000 (~US$ 412,070)
Entries: 1,346
Largest earner: Phan Trọng Linh – VN₫ 845,000,000 (~US$ 36,650)
PHAN TRỌNG LINH takes down the Main Event for VN₫ 845,000,000 (~US$ 36,650)
The highlight of the festival was the Main Event which ran from May 6 to 8 with VN₫ 2.5 Billion enticing everyone in. The two starting days packed the house as 383 poured in to build a crushing prize pool of VN₫ 3,580,800,000 (~US$ 155,315). The final table was loaded with talent that included Tran Manh Hung aka Macaron Tran (8th), France’s Francis Garson (6th), and Nguyen Van Sang (3rd). The battle for glory was between high roller Phan Trọng Linh and heavily decorated Singaporean pro Norbert Koh.
Koh entered with a sizable 73 BB over Phan’s 17 BB and held the lead until his 
lost the race against Phan’s 
(king on the flop). After paying the costly double up, Koh was behind in the count and despite winning numerous pots, he never regained command. The final hand saw a board 
, Phan check-called his 
straight on the flop and turn while Koh double barreled with 
. On the river, Phan stunned Koh with a check-shove, Koh called for Phan to emerge the biggest winner of the series. Phan pocketed a career high score of VN₫ 845,000,000 (~US$ 36,650). For runner up Koh, the VN₫ 515,000,000 (~US$ 22,338) runner up payout boosted his live tournament earnings to over US$ 555K.
Buy in: VN₫ 11,000,000 (~US$ 477)
Guarantee: VN₫ 2,500,000,000 (~US$ 108,436)
Entries: 383
Prize pool: VN₫ 3,580,800,000 (~US$ 155,315)
ITM: 37 places
Final table payouts
1st Phan Trong Linh – Vietnam – VN₫ 845,000,000
2nd Norbert Koh – Singapore – VN₫ 515,000,000
3rd Nguyen Van Sang – Vietnam – VN₫ 340,000,000
4th Nguyen Khac Thai – Vietnam – VN₫ 245,000,000
5th Vu Thai Bao – Vietnam – VN₫ 196,000,000
6th Francis Garson – France – VN₫ 159,000,000
7th Nguyen Van Trung – Vietnam – 126,000,000
8th Macaron Tran – Vietnam – VN₫ 100,000,000
Kick-Off Event: TRẦN ANH TIẾN – VN₫ 336,700,000 (~US$ 14,604)
Opening the festivities was the Kick-Off Event featuring a VN₫ 1 Billion guarantee. Expectedly, it pulled in the masses for a 310 entry turnout and a prize pool of VN₫ 1,488,000,000 (~US$ 64,420). Well known pro Terry Nguyen bagged the chip lead at Day 1A and carried it all the way to heads up but was unable to crack the less experienced tournament player Trần Anh Tiến. Tran defeated Nguyen to bank his largest score of VN₫ 336,700,000 (~US$ 14,604) and his first ever win.
Buy in: VN₫ 5,500,000 (~US$ 240)
Guarantee: VN₫ 1,000,000,000 (~US$ 43,290)
Entries: 310
Prize pool: VN₫ 1,488,000,000 (~US$ 64,420)
ITM: 47 places
Final table payouts
1st Tran Anh Tien – Vietnam – VN₫ 336,700,000
2nd Terry Nguyen – Vietnam – VN₫ 210,000,000
3rd Dang Duy Thanh – Vietnam – VN₫ 135,000,000
4th Nguyen Tai Hai – Vietnam – VN₫ 96,000,000
5th Nguyen Khac Thai – Vietnam – VN₫ 72,000,000
6th Nguyen Thi Hien Hoa – Vietnam – VN₫ 56,000,000
7th Le Hai Nam – Vietnam – VN₫ 44,000,000
8th Bui Dinh Nam – Vietnam – VN₫ 35,000,000
9th Tran Anh Tuan – Vietnam – VN₫ 28,000,000
High Roller: NGUYỄN GIA TRUNG – VN₫ 247,400,000 (~US$ 10,730)
The High Roller event called 37 to action, and with buy in at VN₫ 22,000,000 each, it came close to doubling the pot to VN₫ 710,400,000 (~US$ 30,813). Among the 6 players that reached the money were decorated high rollers Nguyen Van Phinh (WPTDS Hanoi Main Event champion) and Nguyen Manh Hung (2019 APT Vietnam High Rollers champion). Their credentials however were not enough to take down Nguyen Anh Minh who pocketed the VN₫ 247,400,000 (~US$ 10,730) first prize. Due to a deal, the trophy was awarded to runner up Nguyen Gia Trung. Trung adds this memento beside his WPTDS Hanoi Single Day High Roller trophy.
Buy in: VN₫ 22,000,000 (~US$ 954)
Guarantee: VN₫ 400,000,000 (~US$ 17,350)
Entries: 37
Prize pool: VN₫ 710,400,000 (~US$ 30,813)
ITM: 6 places
Payouts
1st Nguyen Anh Minh – Vietnam – VN₫ 247,400,000
2nd Nguyen Gia Trung – Vietnam – VN₫ 168,000,000
3rd Nguyen Manh Hung – Vietnam – VN₫ 112,000,000
4th Nguyen Van Phinh – Vietnam – VN₫ 80,000,000
5th ANONYMOUS – VN₫ 58,000,000
6th Hoang Trung Thanh – Vietnam – VN₫ 45,000,000
Rising Stars: MAI BIỂN – VN₫ 240,000,000 (~US$ 10,410)
Vietnamese player Mai Bien claimed the final trophy of the series. Due to a heads up deal. Bien was awarded the trophy and the 2nd place payout of VN₫ 160,000,000 while Le Dinh Hai claimed the larger VN₫ 240,000,000 (~US$ 10,410) top prize.
Buy in: VN₫ 8,800,000 (~US$ 382)
Guarantee: VN₫ 500,000,000 (~US$ 21,687)
Entries: 112
Prize pool: VN₫ 860,100,000 (~US$ 37,306)
ITM: 14 places
Final table payouts
1st Le Dinh Hai – Vietnam – VN₫ 240,000,000
2nd Mai Bien – Vietnam – VN₫ 160,000,000
3rd Nguyen Thanh Vinh – Vietnam – VN₫ 105,000,000
4th Diep Quoc Bao – Vietnam – VN₫ 78,000,000
5th Nguyen Duc Thanh – Vietnam – VN₫ 61,000,000
6th Cao Ngoc Anh – Vietnam – VN₫ 48,000,000
7th Pham Hong Phuc – Vietnam – VN₫ 37,000,000
8th Do Tuan Phong – Vietnam – VN₫ 28,300,000
9th Nguyen Phuong – Vietnam – VN₫ 22,000,000
Super Bounty Hunter: NGUYỄN TIẾN DŨNG – VN₫ 52,000,000 (~US$ 2,255)
Another event drawing a big crowd was the Super Bounty Hunter where 103 turned up for the slashing. In the aftermath, Vietnam’s Nguyen Tiến Dũng was the last man standing to claim the VN₫ 52,000,000 first prize. This was Nguyen’s second known live win.
Buy in: VN₫ 3,400,000 (~US$ 147)
Guarantee: VN₫ 200,000,000 (~US$ 8,657)
Entries: 103
Prize pool: VN₫ 197,700,000 (~US$ 8,560)
Bounty pool: VN₫ 103,000,000 (~US$ 4,460)
ITM: 15 places
Final table payouts (bounties not included)
1st Nguyen Tiến Dũng – Vietnam – VN₫ 52,000,000
2nd Do Huy Hoang – Vietnam – VN₫ 35,000,000
3rd Hoang Hai Ha – Vietnam – VN₫ 24,000,000
4th Nguyen Quang Hieu – Vietnam – VN₫ 18,000,000
5th Ho Vo Thai Duong – Vietnam – VN₫ 14,000,000
6th ANONYMOUS – Vietnam – VN₫ 11,000,000
7th Pham Le Tuan Duc – Vietnam – VN₫ 8,500,000
8th Nguyen Thach Nhan – Vietnam – VN₫ 6,600,000
9th Duong Vi Khoa – Vietnam – VN₫ 5,200,000
APL Hanoi Dragon Cup: VŨ ĐỨC TRUNG – VN₫ 230,900,000 (~US$ 10,015)
Like previous, the Asia Poker League sponsored two events with winning players awarded APL trophies. Between the two, the APL Hanoi Dragon Cup drew the biggest gathering of 147 runners to crush the advertised 500M guarantee. The top 18 players shaved portions of the larger VN₫ 846,700,000 (~US$ 36,725) prize pool with well known poker local Vũ Đức Trung collecting the highest pay for his victory. Trung defeated decorated pro Tran Manh Hung aka Macaron Tran at heads up to claim the VN₫ 230,900,000 (~US$ 10,015) first prize.
Buy in: VN₫ 6,600,000 (~US$ 286)
Guarantee: VN₫ 500,000,000 (~US$ 21,687)
Entries: 147
Prize pool: VN₫ 846,700,000 (~US$ 36,725)
ITM: 18 places
Final table payouts
1st Vũ Đức Trung – Vietnam – VN₫ 230,900,000
2nd Tran Manh Hung – Vietnam – VN₫ 152,000,000
3rd Le Huu Long – Vietnam – VN₫ 100,000,000
4th ANONYMOUS – Vietnam – VN₫ 73,000,000
5th Nguyen Huu Cao Tri – Vietnam – VN₫ 54,400,000
6th Nguyen Manh Hung – Vietnam – VN₫ 41,000,000
7th Nguyen Hoang Huy – Vietnam – VN₫ 32,400,000
8th Quang Vu – Vietnam – VN₫ 25,400,000
9th Nguyen Viet Khanh – Vietnam – VN₫ 20,000,000
APL Bounty Special: TRẦN THANH HƯNG – VN₫ 59,000,000 (~US$ 2,560)
The second APL event was the APL Bounty Special with 95 hitting the tables for a prize pool of VN₫ 370,500,000. This was another guarantee smasher with 14 players earning a cut of the main cash pool. Vietnam’s Trần Thanh Hưng outlasted the competition to bag his first ever live tournament win and a cool VN₫ 59,000,000 (bounties not included).
Buy in: VN₫ 4,500,000 (~US$ 195)
Guarantee: VN₫ 300,000,000 (~US$ 13,010)
Entries: 95
Prize pool: VN₫ 228,000,000 (~US$ 9,890)
Bounty pool: VN₫ 142,500,000 (~US$ 6,180)
ITM: 14 places
Final table payouts
1st Trần Thanh Hưng – Vietnam – VN₫ 59,000,000
2nd Nguyen Manh Tuan – Vietnam – VN₫ 39,500,000
3rd Nguyen Quy Bang – Vietnam – VN₫ 27,000,000
4th ANONYMOUS – VN₫ 20,300,000
5th Nguyen Quang Huy – Vietnam – VN₫ 15,300,000
6th Vu Ta Nhat – Vietnam – VN₫ 12,000,000
7th Nguyen Phu Dang – Vietnam – VN₫ 9,900,000
8th Nguyen Van Hoang – Vietnam – VN₫ 8,300,000
9th Tu Tinh Tao – Vietnam – VN₫ 7,100,000
Other results
Super Stars Challenge
Buy in: VN₫ 33,000,000 (~US$ 1,431)
Guarantee: VN₫ 500,000,000 (~US$ 21,687)
Entries: 38
Prize pool: VN₫ 1,094,000,000 (~US$ 47,450)
ITM: 6 places
Payouts
1st ANONYMOUS – Vietnam – VN₫ 400,000,000
2nd Chu Anh – Vietnam – VN₫ 259,000,000
3rd Nguyen Van Trung – Vietnam – VN₫ 170,000,000
4th Dang Duy Thanh – Vietnam – VN₫ 120,000,000
5th Dang Van Hien – Vietnam – VN₫ 85,000,000
6th Ngo Khoa Anh – Vietnam – VN₫ 60,000,000
Speed Racer 1
Buy in: VN₫ 1,200,000 (~US$ 52)
Entries: 16
Prize pool: VN₫ 19,200,000 (~US$ 833)
ITM: 3 places
Winner: HÀ MẠNH TƯỞNG – Vietnam – VN₫ 9,600,000 (~US$ 415)
Bounty Hunter 1
Buy in: VN₫ 2,500,000 (~US$ 108)
Guarantee: VN₫ 100,000,000 (~US$ 4,330)
Entries: 75
Prize pool: VN₫ 108,000,000 (~US$ 4,675)
Bounty pool: VN₫ 37,500,000 (~US$ 1,623)
ITM: 11 places
Winner: ĐÀO TUẤN ANH – Vietnam – VN₫ 31,400,000 (~US$ 1,362) bounties not included
No Limit Hold’em 1 results
Buy in: VN₫ 2,300,000 (~US$ 100)
Entries: 16
Prize pool: VN₫ 30,700,000 (~US$ 1,332)
ITM: 2 places
Winner: LÊ TRỌNG HIẾU – Vietnam – VN₫ 21,500,000
No Limit Hold’em 2
Buy in: VN₫ 2,300,000 (~US$ 100)
Entries: 14
Prize pool: VN₫ 53,700,000 (~US$ 2,330)
ITM: 4 places
Winner: HOÀNG HẢI HÀ – Vietnam – VN₫ 22,000,000
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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