APT Main Event (36,000,000 VND)

Jinlong Hu of China emerged victorious in the VND 36,000,000 APT Phu Quoc Main Event, taking home VND 4,710,000,000 ($185,430). He outlasted a field of 795 entries (400 unique), dominating the heads-up match against South Korea’s Junseok Oh. With a 5:1 chip lead, Hu quickly sealed the win, while Oh earned VND 2,865,000,000 ($112,795) for his runner-up finish.

With an online bracelet and nearly USD 600,000 in live tournament earnings already to his name, Hu can now add an APT title to his growing list of accomplishments. This win not only secures his second major live tournament victory but also advances him 36 places on the China All-Time Money List, landing him at #59.

APT Host Greg Liow had a chance to speak to Hu, via the aid of a translator, after his momentous victory:

I think the biggest challenge for me is that in my previous two main event final tables, I finished at ninth and eighth, and both performances were poor. So, this time, I obviously hope to break through and challenge myself to win the championship.

I think there are two key moments for me. The first was when I made a re-jam with 10-8 suited from the big blind. There was an Indian player who opened, and I re-jammed. He snap-called with ace-king. But this hand with 10-8 suited, I had pushed it three times before, and each time I won it at the final table. So, I was confident this time as well, and I ended up winning with two pairs.

The second key moment was when my biggest competitor, David, and I both had strong hands. I opened with ace-queen suited, and he re-jammed. We were heads-up, and I called, and I won. After I won that hand, I felt that I was definitely going to win because I had a huge chip advantage, and my toughest competitor was out.

I think, firstly, the Golden Lion trophy is one of the best-looking trophies I’ve ever seen, second only to the WSOP gold bracelet. Secondly, because APT is the Asia Poker Tour, it represents the highest level of poker competition in Asia, so it holds a very special meaning for me.

Final Table Action

In just five hands, Pham Ngoc Bao from Vietnam saw himself walking towards the payout counter when his ace-jack offsuit bumped into the champion’s ace-queen suited which turned a two-pair eliminating Bao so early in the day. Bao went home with a significant ninth place cash prize of VND 352,000,000 (~$13,860).

Despite having doubled up twice, China’s Chuhao Zhang found himself in a pinch when he tried to steal the blinds on the button by jamming with ace-eight offsuit, only to be called by Vietnam’s Do Tien Vu, who won with ace-ten high. Instead of the blinds, however, Zhang was able to snatch a well-deserved reward of VND 445,000,000 (~$17,520) for finishing eighth.

Another finalist who attempted to stay in the game through several double-ups was India’s Deepankur Gupta. In a pivotal hand for the champion, Gupta went all-in with ace-king, hoping for another double-up against Hu’s ten-eight suited. Although Gupta was ahead until the flop, fortune turned against him when Hu hit a pair on the turn, eliminating him from the tournament in seventh place. Gupta walked away with VND 642,500,000 (~$25,295).

Haozhao Wang from China, struggling after being blinded out due to a lack of playable cards, was forced to shove all-in for his tournament life with jack-six offsuit. The action unfolded in a battle of the blinds against Vu, who called with king-ten offsuit. Vu paired his king on the turn, sealing Wang's fate and sending him to the payout counter to collect his sixth place prize of VND 902,500,000 (~$35,530).

David Erquiaga from the Philippines, who entered the final table as the chip leader, lost a crucial hand that shifted the chip lead to Hu. From there, a series of unfortunate exchanges followed, culminating in Erquiaga shoving all-in with pocket deuces against Hu’s ace-queen suited. Hu paired his queen on the flop, sealing Erquiaga’s fate. Erquiaga exited in fifth place, taking home VND 1,202,500,000 (~$47,340) to some time in the sun and beach.

Australia’s Minh Truong Trang defended his blind by shoving all-in with king-nine offsuit in response to Hu’s aggression. After a brief tank, Hu called with ace-eight suited and caught two-pair on the flop, making Trang another of his eliminations and widening the gap between Hu and the remaining two players. Trang exited the tournament in fourth place, earning VND 1,525,000,000 (~$60,040).

Down to three players, Hu’s lead was double the combined stack of Vu and Oh. With that ratio, it wasn’t that long before Vu became the next casualty in Hu’s felting spree.

Hu, holding queen-eight offsuit, strategically trapped Vu into believing he had a weak hand, despite hitting two-pair on the flop. Vu, taking the bait, shoved all-in with jack-ten, hoping to complete his straight draw. Missing his draw entirely, Vu exited in third place with VND 2,025,000,000 (~$79,725).

It’s heads-up! The match lasted just an hour and a half, during which Oh found himself mostly card dead. Unable to find the right spot or hand to shove, he eventually took a stand with eight-six suited against Hu’s king-seven suited. Hu’s hand held up without improvement, securing the win. Despite his elimination, this marked Oh’s biggest career achievement and a significant milestone in his poker journey.

So who won in the end? None other than Hu who took home VND 4,710,000,000 ($185,430) and a very precious APT Lion Trophy . Congratulations to all the players.

Hand #128 Vu raised on the button with J♥ T♥ , and Hu called from the big blind holding Q♣ 8♠ . The flop came down 8♣ A♠ Q♦ , giving Hu two pair. Hu checked to Vu, who made a continuation bet of 525,000 into the pot.

Hu flat-called, and the turn was the 7♣ . Again, Hu checked, and Vu, thinking Hu might have a weak hand, shoved all-in for his tournament life. Hu quickly called, eager to see the outcome.

Both players tabled their hands, with Vu holding a straight draw and Hu holding two-pair. The river came the 3♣ , which didn’t improve Vu’s hand, and he was eliminated in third place.

Hand #121 Junseok Oh got a walk.

Hand #122 Do Tien Vu on the button raised to 600,000 with 7♦ 6♦ on the button. Junseok Oh, in the small blind, called with K♣ 9♠ . Jinlong Hu with A♣ K♦ in the big blind, three-bet to 2.1M and got called by Oh after Vu got out of the way. The flop K♥ 4♦ J♥ was checked by Oh. Hu bet 1.1M and got called by Oh again. The 3♥ turn got check-called by Oh one more time after Hu bet 2.5M. The river Q♥ got check-check and Hu won the pot.

Hand #123 Hu shoved all-in in the small blind and won the pot.

Hand #124 Oh got a walk.

Hand #125 Hu got a walk.

Hand #126 Oh woke up with K♠ K♣ on the button and raised to 700,000. Vu in big blind defended with 9♠ 4♠ . The flop came down 5♦ 5♣ T♦ . Vu checked and Oh bet 700,000. Vu folded.

Hand #127 Hu raised to 600,000 with Q♣ 2♠ on the button and Oh called with 8♠ 7♣ The flop came down 4♠ 7♠ 5♥ got checked by both players. The turn T♦ and the 9♠ river was checked again by both. Oh won the pot.

Hand #114 Jinlong Hu completed in the small blind with J♥ 4♦ and Do Tien Vu checked with J♦ 7♠ . The players checked all the way to the turn with a board of 4♥ 6♣ A♥ 6♥ . But on the river Q♦ , Hu bet 350,000 and Vu folded.

Hand #115 Hu raised on the button with T♦ 5♦ . Oh in the small blind holding 7♥ 7♦ tanked and three-bet to 1.7 million. Hu folded.

Hand #116 Oh in small blind with K♣ J♣ raised to 750,000 and got called by Hu in the big blind with 9♦ 3♦ . The flop Q♥ J♥ 9♣ was bet by Oh and Hu called. Oh continued with a 700,000 bet on the 4♥ turn which made Hu fold.

Hand #117 Oh on the button raised to 600,000 with J♥ 9♣ and Vu called from the big blind with K♥ 2♥ . The flop came down 3♣ 5♠ 2♣ which got checked by both players. Vu check-called the turn T♣ after Oh bet 450,000. The river A♠ was check-called by Vu after Oh bet 1.3M. Vu won the pot.

Hand #118 Hu raised to 500,000 with K♣ J♠ on the button to be called by Oh in the big blind with 7♠ 4♣ . The flop 7♦ 3♠ 9♠ got a check-check. Oh check-called the turn A♦ after a bet of 550,000 by Hu. The river 9♥ was checked by both players. Oh scooped the pot.

Hand #119 Oh with A♠ 4♦ raised to 625,000 in the small blind. Hu in the big blind called with Q♣ 5♣ . The flop 5♦ 9♥ J♣ was checked by both players. Oh bet the 3♣ turn to 400,000 and Hu re-raised to 1.2M. Shaking his head, Oh called. The river 4♥ got a check-check and Hu picked up the pot.

Hand #120 Oh on the button raised to 700,000 with A♠ 9♥. and got called by Vu in the big blind with Q♣ 7♣ . The flop came down 4♣ 2♥ J♥ . Oh bet 400,000 after Vu checked. Vu mucked and Oh scooped the pot.

Hand #100 Jinlong Hu with K♥ T♥ raised to 500,000 on the button. Junseok Oh called with 9♦ 3♦ in the big blind. The flop 2♠ 6♣ J♦ was checked by Oh. Hu fired 300,000 and won the pot after Oh folded.

Hand #101 Oh in the small blind with A♣ 7♣ raised 650,000 and won the pot.

Hand #102 Oh with 3♥ 3♦ raised to 500,000 on the button and got called by Do Tien Vu in big blind with T♦ 5♣ . The flop came down 6♦ 6♥ T♣ and Vu check-called after Oh bet 250,000. The turn Q♥ got checked by both players. The river 7♥ got a check-check and Vu won the pot.

Hand #103 Hu raised to 500,000 with J♦ 7♥ on the button. Vu, with 6♦ 4♦ three-bet to 1,300,000 in small blind. Hu folded and Vu won the pot.

Hand #104 Hu got a walk.

Hand #105 Oh with Q♥ J♦ on the button raised to 750,000. Hu with 5♥ 5♦ in the small blind called. Vu came along in the big blind with 4♣ 3♣ . The flop 7♣ 7♠ 2♦ was checked by all players. The turn 2♠ got a bet from Hu for 800,000 and scooped the pot when everyone else mucked their hands.

Hand #106 Hu with J♦ 2♦ on the button opened for 500,000 and got called by Oh with K♣ 8♥ in the big blind. The flop 5♦ 4♣ Q♥ got a check from both players. The turn 4♦ was bet by Oh for 250,000 which Hu called. The river 8♠ got an 800,000 bet from Oh and Hu folded.

Hand #92 Junseok Oh woke up with K♥ K♦ in the small blind and raised to 775,000 and Jinlong Hu shoved all-in with A♦ 5♦ . Oh snap-called for his tournament life. The board displayed 6♠ 5♣ 3♥ Q♠ 6♥ and Oh doubled up.

Hand #93 Hu with K♥ 5♣ completed the blind and Do Tien Vu checked in big blind. The flop 7♦ 2♣ 5♥ was checked by both players. The 7♣ turn was bet by Vu for 250,000 after Hu checked. Hu called. The river 5♠ got a check-check and Hu scooped the pot.

Hand #94 Vu in small blind with J♦ T♦ raised to 525,000 and got a call from Oh in big blind with Q♥ 5♦ . The flop dropped 6♠ 2♦ 2♥ and got a check-check. After action was passed, Oh bet 500,000 on the river 5♠ and won the pot after Vu folded.

Hand #95 Vu raised 500,000 with Q♥ 7♥ on the button and won the pot.

Hand #96 Hu completed with K♦ 3♦ and Vu raised to A♦ 4♠ and won the pot.

Hand #97 Hu raised to 500,000 T♦ 7♦ on the button and got a caller in Oh in the big blind with J♣ 9♦ . The flop dropped T♣ 7♣ 3♦ and was check-called by Oh after Hu bet 400,000. The turn K♣ was check-called by Oh again after Hu bet 850,000. The river 5♥ got another check from Oh. Hu fired 1,800,000. Oh folded.

Hand #98 In small blind Q♥ 7♣ was enough for Oh to complete the blind. Hu checked his big blind. The flop came down 9♦ T♦ 7♠ . Hu bet 350,000 after it was checked by Oh. Oh called to see a turn. The turn 4♠ got a check-check. Then the river 4♥ got another check from both players. Oh won the pot.

Hand #99 Oh with 9♥ 4♥ raised to 550,000 on the button and got a call from the small blind Hu. with K♣ Q♣ . On the flop 7♠ 8♦ A♦ , Hu check-called Oh's bet of 400,000. The turn J♦ got checked by both players. And the river 4♦ got a bet of 1,000,000 from Hu. Oh folded.

Hand #83 Junseok Oh in small blind with Q♣ 4♦ completed the blind. Jinlong Hu checked his big blind. The flop came down K♣ Q♦ T♣ . Oh bet 200,000 and Hu mucked his hand. Oh won the pot.

Hand #84 Hu with 4♦ 2♦ in small blind raised to 550,000 and Do Tien Vu with A♠ 6♠ called to see a flop of 6♦ A♦ J♣ . Hu bet 350,000 and Vu called. The turn 4♣ got checked by Hu and Vu bet 1,000,000 for his two-pair. Hu called, then checked the river 5♥ and Vu continued the pressure with a 2,100,000 bet. Hu folded and Vu won the pot

Hand #85 Hu woke up with A♠ K♠ on the button and raised to 400,000. Oh called in the big blind with K♥ 9♣ . The flop came down 3♥ 5♥ T♥ which got checked by both players. The 5♣ got a 400,000 bet from Oh and Hu called. The river 7♥ gave Oh a flush and bet 1,300,000. Hu folded.

Hand #86 Vu on the button raised to 430,000 and won the pot.

Hand #69 Haozhao Wang, sitting in the small blind, used two time bank cards as he deliberated his next move against Do Tien Vu, who had a massive stack in the big blind. After careful consideration, Wang decided to shove all-in for his tournament life. Vu, with a slight look of apology, made the call.

Haozhao Wang: J♣ 6♦

Do Tien Vu: K♠ T♦

The dealer revealed a flop of 5♦ 5♠ 2♥ , keeping Vu firmly in the lead and leaving Wang hoping to catch a miracle. The turn K♣ sealed Wang’s fate, making the river 8♥ inconsequential. Wang was eliminated, and Vu added to his towering stack.

Hand #58 With A♣ 8♠ , Junseok Oh, under-the-gun, raised to 320,000 and won the pot.

Hand #59 Do Tien Vu with A♦ Q♥ on the button raised to 325,000 and David Erquiaga in small blind three-bet to 900,000 holding Q♦ 9♠ . Vu went all-in and Erquiaga folded.

Hand #60 Vu woke up to A♠ A♥ in cut-off and raised to 325,000 and won the pot.

Hand #61 Jinlong Hu got a walk.

Hand #62 Minh Truong Thang shoved all-in for 1,000,000 on the button holding A♠ 2♥ and won the pot.

Hand #50 David Erquiaga raised to 350,000 with A♠ 7♥ in hi-jack to be called by Minh Truong Thang on the button holding K♦ Q♦ . The flop dropped 4♠ 6♣ A♥ and got checked by both players. The turn K♠ also got a check-check. On the river 2♥ Erquiaga bet 700,000 and Thang folded.

Hand #51 Jinlong Hu raised to 320,000 on the button holding 7♣ 6♣ and got called by Do Tien Vu in big blind with K♦ 8♦ . The flop dropped T♠ 4♠ J♦ . Vu check-folded his hand after Hu bet 225,000. Hu scooped the pot.

Hand #52 Junseok Oh raised to 320,000 with A♦ T♠ under-the-gun and Erquiaga with A♠ 3♦ in the big blind three-bet to 900,000. Oh called. The flop was dealt 7♦ 9♥ 8♣ which got checked by Erquiaga. Oh bet 500,000 and Erquiaga folded.

Hand #53 Vu raised to 320,000 with K♣ Q♠ on the button and Oh in big blind made the call with 5♦ 3♦ . The dealer flopped 2♠ A♠ K♦ . Oh check-called after Vu bet 250,000. The turn 2♠ got a check-check. Then on the river 2♦ , Oh bet 550,000 after action was passed to him. Vu folded and Oh scooped the pot.

Players are back from the break with 7 players left on the final table and Junseok Oh leading in chips.

Hand #35 Minh Truong Thang with K♠ T♠ in small blind shoved all-in for 65 big blinds and won the pot.

Hand #36 David Erquiaga with Q♠ Q♦ raised to 250,000 UTG+1 and won the pot.

Hand #37 Jinlong Hu with 6♦ 4♦ raised to 250,000 on the button and got called by Do Tien Vu with Q♥ T♦ in the big blind. The flop dropped T♠ 3♥ 2♥ . Checked to the button, Hu bet 200,000 and Vu called. The turn 6♣ was check-called by Vu again after Hu bet 420,000. The river J♣ was checked by both players and Vu won the pot.

Hand #38 Erquiaga got a walk.

Hand #18 Jinlong Hu with Q♠ J♥ raised to 210,000 in middle position and got called by Junseok Oh with J♦ 9♦ in the big blind. The flop dropped T♣ 6♦ 5♣ . Action passed to Hu who bet 375,000 and won the pot.

Hand #19 Deepankur Gupta raised to 240,000 with A♥ 7♠ : on the button. Junseok Oh with A♠ K♣ in small blind three-bet to 650,000. With action back to the button, Gupta four-bet to 1,200,000. Oh jammed all-in and Gupta folded.

Hand #20 David Erquiaga with K♥ J♦ raised to 240,000 in hi-jack and got three-bet to 880,000 by Jinlong Hu with Q♠ Q♥ in the big blind. Erquiaga folded and Hu won the pot.

Hand #21 Do Tien Vu raised in middle position to 250,000 with 7♦ 4♦ and won the pot.

Hand #10 Minh Truong Thang raised to 225,000 with Q♠ Q♥ under-the-gun and won the pot.

Hand #11 Haozhao Wang raised to 200,000 holding A♥ K♣ and got called by Minh Truong Thang with J♣ 4♣ . The flop dropped K♠ 7♣ : 5♥ Thang checked and Wang bet 100,000 and won the pot.

Hand #12 Do Tien Vu with 4♥ 4♣ raised to 200,000. Jinlong Hu in big blind made the call. The flop dropped 6♥ T♠ 5♠ . Both players checked until the turn J♥ . Action was passed to Vu on the K♣ river. Vu bet 275,000 and won the pot.

Hand #13 David Erquiaga raised to 210,000 wth A♣ T♥ : and won the pot.

Good morning from the tropical paradise of Phu Quoc, Vietnam, where the ocean breeze and the bright sun will share its energy for this historic day in the Asian Poker Tour!

The APT Phu Quoc 2024 Main Event is set to wrap up today at the Corona Resort & Casino and crown a champion with the final table all set to take action. 795 registrants - the largest field in the APT's Phu Quoc-based tourneys - shared a dream to earn a share in the VND 25 billion (~USD 1 million) prize pool. 119 players would be awarded a piece of the prize pool pie with the biggest share of VND 4,710,000,000 (~USD 185,430) and a coveted 24-karat Gold Lion APT Trophy going to the champion.

After several days of competitive tournament poker, only 9 players remain to fight for the top prize. The Philippines' David "Spade" Erquiaga, one of the more renowned poker pros of Asia, sits as the chip leader entering the final table with 5,470,000 chips (109 BB) and looks to be on course for another major title.

South Korea's Junseok Oh comes to the final table with the second largest stack of 5,080,000 chips (102 BB). Oh makes a personal achievement as he makes his first APT final table appearance and his largest APT payout. It could also be his first championship.

China's Jinlong Hu holds the third rank with 4,740.000 chips (95BB). Hu has traveled around the world to pursue his dream of playing poker. Bagging a title in Phu Quoc can add another worthy feather to his global cap of poker achievements.

Vietnam's very own Do Tien Vu has the 4th spot with a stack of 4,630,000 (93BB). Vu recently took down Event 41: Turbo - Double Stack in this APT Phu Quoc series and hopes the win streak will also land him the Main Event title.

Minh Truong Thang of Australia is at the middle of the pack with a fifth-ranked 3,900,000 chips (78 BB) This final table appearance will mark his largest career payout.

India's Deepankur Gupta has the sixth biggest chip count with 3,380,000 chips (68BB). Gupta has had much success in live tournaments and online poker for a combined earnings of over USD 1 Million. A win here will add nicely to his portfolio.

Seventh in the chip count is China's Wang Haozhao with 2,025,000 (41 BB). Haozhao has some small cashes in live tournaments, but this one will be his biggest payday yet.

Second to the bottom is Pham Ngoc Quoc Bao of Vietnam with 1,965,000 chips (39BB). Bao did have a commanding chip lead at one point in the tournament and has the capability to bounce back. Certainly, this final table appearance wil be one of his biggest live earnings.

Chuhao Zhang of China has the shortest stack with 515,000 (10BB) and will have to play well and get lucky to keep in contention for the championship. This will be his first career cash ever.

For a more detailed look into the players, you can check out the profiles of the **APT Phu Quoc Main Event Final Table** players here.

Follow all the drama and the action at the livestream via the official APT Youtube Channel

Live updates will also be given via the APT Blog.

Meanwhile, here is the final table seating and the chip counts:

50 qualifiers of the Day 3 leg of the APT Phu Quoc Main Event returned to the tables today at the Corona Resort & Casino to play down to the last 9 players to comprise the final table for tomorrow's final day.

795 registrants punched their VND 36,000,000 (USD 1,400) buy-ins for a shot to earn a share from the VND 25,000,000,000 (USD 1 Million) guaranteed prize pool. 119 made ITM on Day 2 with all players jockeying for a better spot up the payout ladder until 50 remained.

Today, those 50 went into another intense session of nearly 10 hours of poker action until the final table of 9 was reached.

The elimination of Dongyeol Choi in 10th place officially ended the day with "The Final Table 9" bagging up their chips for tomorrow's final day. All 9 who return will be locked in for a payout of at least VND 352,000,000 (USD 13,860). But, of course, the fight will be for the APT Main Event grand prize of VND 4,710,000,000 (USD 185,430) and the coveted Golden Lion APT Trophy.

Leading the final table with the biggest chip stack is David "Spade" Erquiaga of the Philippines with 5,470,000 chips. Erquiaga earned most his chips by making some key eliminations leading up to the final 9. Erquiaga has won several APT titles and other prestigious hardware to amass a total live earnings of nearly USD 1.8 Million. However, he has yet to win an APT Main Event. Maybe this time's the time.

Junseok Oh of South Korea bagged the second largest count with 5,080,000. Oh earned his way to the second spot by winning huge pots like the straight he had over Jinlong Hu. Oh has capped some nice championships and earned over USD 800,000 from live tournaments, but has yet to bag an APT trophy.

China's Jinlong Hu has the third top-stack with 4,470,000 chips. Hu moved up the ranks when he took all the chips of Kyosuke Nagami . Hu has been traveling around the world to play poker and has won some APT events in the past. Hu's Main Event final table appearance will catapult his earnings to over USD 600,000, and even more if he wins it all.

Some of the Day 3 hopefuls who were considered favorites to make it to the final included the likes of Dylan Foster, who unfortunately ran into a case of bad timing and settled for a 34th place finish.

Kyosuke Nagami of Japan had a great run, even making the day's best hand with a straight flush to make him a chip leader at one point, but was stopped short in 11th place.

David Mann of Canada had some brilliant moments to make a comeback, but ended his run in 17th place.

Day 2 chip leader Xuan Thieu Nghiem of Vietnam didn't find the momentum he had in the previous day and was eventually taken out by Erquiaga at 22nd.

Bracelet holder Motoyoshi Okamura of Japan was a top contender, but had to settle for a 14th place payout.

The APT Main Event Final Table continues tomorrow at 11AM and will play until a Main Event champion raises the APT Golden Lion Trophy. There are strict rules that will prevent any ICM deals, so the action is expected to be very competitive.

Meanwhile, here are the Final Table Chip Counts:

Action folded to the blinds to create a class Battle of The Blinds.

Small blind Pham Ngoc Quoc Bao just completed the blinds when big blind Do Tien Vu raised it to 300,000.

Table chip leader Bao then shoved all-in for 3,900,000, daring Vu to risk his tournament life.

Vu gave it some thought, used some time-bank tokens, convinced himself that unicorns do exist and made the call, risking his last 2,400,000 chips.

Do Tien Vu: A♥ 8♠

Pham Ngoc Quoc Bao: J♣ T♠

The flop came 6♥ 7♠ Q♣ . Both missed, but Vu remained ahead.

The A♠ on the river was a justified reward from the poker gods for the bold big blind stand.

Vu won the Battle of the Blinds in a huge way and jumped to the top of the table chip lead. Bao got completely crippled and put his stack in near-critical condition with the life support machine on standby.

The APT Main Event featured table usually changes its players after every break, but it seems like the big wigs from behind-the-scenes enjoyed their performance so much that they've kept their characters on for a second episode.

Featured Table Chip Counts:

Lights! Camera! Action!

Pham Ngoc Quoc Bao raised to 65,000 from the hi-jack with 4♠ 4♦ : and Do Tien Vu was the only one who made the call from the cut-off with A♠ 5♠.

Both players were shown a flop of A♥ A♣ 3♠ , giving Vu a set of acs. Bao led with a 40,000 bet and Vu just called to see a 6♦ on the turn.

Bao fired another barrel for 70,000 with Vu raising to 170,000, forcing Bao out of the pot.

Pham Ngoc Bao opened to 40,000 from middle position, and after action folded around, Do Tien Vu called from the button. Chun Chi Liu, sitting in the small blind, raised the stakes by shoving all-in for nearly 200,000, putting his tournament life on the line.

Vu glanced at his cards, shared a brief exchange in the vernacular, and then made the call.

Chun Chi Liu: A♣ Q♦

Do Tien Vu: T♦ 9♦

Bao was hopeful for a double-up and looked to the board with anticipation. The dealer revealed 3♦ J♠ K♦ , keeping Bao in the lead with a straight draw. Vu, though initially behind, now had both a flush and straight draw, giving him numerous outs to win the hand.

The turn brought the 5♦ , completing Vu's flush. He offered an apology to Bao, as the river 5♥ sealed Bao’s exit from the tournament.

A total of 753 entries made up the four Day 1 flights with an additional 42 more entered just before Day 2 started for a final total of 795 registrants. A total of 334 hopefuls began the Day 2 leg, competing to survive through ten (10) 60-minute levels and advance to Day 3 of the APT Phu Quoc Main Event to earn a payout from the VND 25,000,000,000 (USD 1,000,000) guaranteed prize pool.

When the day came to a close, there were 50 players remaining. Each of them are guaranteed a payout of VND 87,500,000 (USD 3,345), but all eyes are on the grand prize of VND 4,710,000,000 (USD 185,430) that comes with a prestiigous APT Golden Lion Trophy.

Sitting at the chip leader throne with the largest stack at the end of the day was Nghiem Xuan Thieu of Vietnam with 1,703,000 chips. Fellow countryman Do Tien Vu occupied the seat next to him with 1,547,000 chips while China's Jinlong Hu filled the last podium seat with 1,523,000. Hu started Day 2 as the chip leader and still maintained the right course to land him among the top three.

Other notables to make it through include the Philippines' David Erquiaga who bagged a top ten stack of 1,154,000, and Australia's Dylan Foster who will be hoping to spin his 602,000 stack up in an attempt to make an eighth career APT final table.

Among those with top stacks to begin the day, but failed to advance to Day 3 were Dylan Foster, Noparat Kongjai, Angunsri Suchart and Nevan Chang - who busted at the bubble at the same time as Cao Tran Ngoc.

The double-bubble Chang and Ngoc chopped the 119th place payout, gaining some consolation.

The remaining 118 players who made it to the payout circle still continued to compete until the 10-levels were done for the day with a field of 50 still in contention.

Day 3 resumes at the 11:30am local time (GMT+7) and will play down until a final table is formed or if ten 60-minute levels are concluded - whichever comes first.

MAIN EVENT DAY 2 TOP TEN STACKS

After a tug-of-war raise-re-raise, Do Tien Vu finally agreed to match Zhou Ledong's shove for his last 153,000 for a showdown.

Zhou Ledong: T♠ T♦

Do Tien Vu: A♣ 9♣

Vu spiked a pair on the flop of Q♦ 5♠ 9♠ but faied to improve on the turn 2♣ and the river 6♠ to award Ledong a huge double-up while damaging his stack.

Slaven Popov made a min-raise from early position with Q♠ Q♣ and Do Tien Vu defended the big blind with :4♦ 3♥

The flop fell 3♣ 7♦ 2♦ and Vu check-called the 16,000 bet of Popov after pairing his three.

A 9♣ came on the turn and Vu double-tapped the action to Popov wo fired 38,000. Vu tanked for a while, but eventually laid his hand down to surrender the pot to Popov.

Day 2 of the APT Phu Quoc Main Event starts today at 11 am local time.

From the 753 total entries accumulated across all four Day 1 flights, 292 players will return to the field, though this number may shift as registration remains open until the start of Day 2.

Leading the pack is overall chip leader Jinlong Hu with 476,600 chips – the largest stack ever brought into Day 2. Close behind is Do Tien Vu, holding 447,800 chips. Nang Quang Nguyen, the 2023 APT Phu Quoc Super High Roller Champion, is in 5th place with 323,000.

A host of APT titleholders have also qualified to join Nguyen in today’s competition. Among this prestigious group are Taiwan’s Chi Jen “Justin” Chu (147,300), APT China’s Peng Chen (144,500), France’s Adrien Favre (122,500), Singapore's The Naing (139,500), and Australia's Yita Choong (121,000).

Some notables who will need to climb back from below-average stacks include South Korea’s Gab Yong Kim (97,600), Cypriot bracelet winner Georgios Skarparis (97,100), Sweden's Mikael Andersson (88,800), Natalia Rozova (61,700), and the Philippines' David Erquiaga (43,800).

Players will compete over 10 levels of 60 minutes each, or until the field is reduced to 48 players, whichever comes first.

Once registration closes, the total number of entries will be finalized, and the payout structure will be announced on the APT blog.

The top ten stacks heading into Day 2 are listed below:

A full seat draw for Day 2 is available by CLICKING HERE.

Today promises a riveting day of poker, so stay tuned for updates.

A feature table will be streamed live (with a 30-minute delay) and can be accessed via APT social media channels or the links below.

YouTube



Twitch