Philippines, Crowne Plaza Manila GalleriaEVENT #18

2025.02.09 - 2025.02.15Add to Calendar

Asian Poker Tour

Blind level

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Entries

88/190

Total Chips

7,600,000

Average

86,364

LIVE UPDATES BY ASIAN POKER TOUR

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 6:07:06 PM

Matthias Lipp Comes Out On Top of Flight 1D

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Matthias Lipp

The final opening flight of the APT Main Event has entered the history books, with Austria's Matthias Lipp topping the board at 345,000 chips. A total of 190 entries were recorded, and only 88 players successfully advanced to Day 2.

After four thrilling opening flights, the entry number climbed to 1,146 from the four opening flights, with numbers expected to grow as registration remains open just right until before Day 2 begins. A total of 377 players bagged up chips from the flights and will come back tomorrow at 11pm to play until the money has been reached.

Ngoc Huyen Quach

Following Lipp in Chips is Vietnamese player Ngoc Huyen Quach. She finished the day with a strong stack of 223,000. Yuji Tsuboi completed flight D's podium with 185,000 chips. Other notables to make it through the final flight of the Main event include high roller Yoon Koo Kang (147,700), Philippines own Renniel Galvez (136,800), and Junnie Pamplona (136,500), as well as poker youtuber Greg "Greg Goes All In" Liow. After making a great hero call late in Day 1, he will be excited to come back tomorrow for Day 2 with 66,900 chips.

Flight D Top Ten Chip Counts

Player	Chips
ML Matthias LippAustria	345,000(246 BB)
NH Ngoc Huyen QuachViet Nam	223,000(159 BB)
YT Yuji TsuboiJapan	185,000(132 BB)
NF Nazariy FedykUkraine	173,600(124 BB)
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	162,700(116 BB)
SI Senan InoueJapan	161,400(115 BB)
CK Chong-hwa KimSouth Korea	153,100(109 BB)
YK Yoon Kang (2)Australia	147,700(106 BB)
JA Junghyun AnSouth Korea	145,100(104 BB)
RE Ramana EpparlaUnited States of America	144,900(104 BB)

Day 2 will commence on February 12th at 11am and will be played until the money is reached.

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 4:33:09 PM

End of Flight D

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

The last flight for the Main Event has just finished. The players are currently bagging up there chips. Stay tuned here for a full recap of flight D's action.

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 4:29:41 PM

Stojanovic Gets Gifted a Double-Up

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Tsz Yip opened from middle-position and got called by Vlada Stojanovic from the big-blind.

On 4♣ 4♠ 4♦ Yip continued with a 7,000 bet.

Stojanovic called and the turn brought the 6♥ . Yip now escalated things quickly, by moving all-in, amounting for a big overbet. Stojanovic snap-called.

Vlada Stojanovic: 6♦ 6♣

Tsz Yip: A♥ K♦

The K♣ came to late to give any help to Yip who looses a huge chunk of his stack shortly before the end of day 1.

Player	Chips
VS Vlada StojanovicSerbia	110,000(79 BB)
TY Tsz YipHong Kong	8,200(6 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 4:27:33 PM

Greg Makes Huge Hero Call to Double Up in Last Level of the Day

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Once again it was a battle between Gregory Liow and George Karvounis. Karvounis had opened from middle-position and Greg called from the button.

The big-blind also went along.

On 9♣ 3♠ 3♥ Karvounis continued with a 3,600 bet.

Greg called and they went heads-up to the 3♦ turn.

Karvounis did not slow down and continued with a bet of 5,200. Greg did not go anywhere and called.

The river was the 5♠ and the aggressor put Greg to the test. He moved all-in, covering Greg's remaining 17,000. After a couple of minutes of intense thinking time, Greg did decide on a call.

Gregory Liow: 6♥ 6♠

George Karvounis: A♠ T♠

Great hero call by Greg, who will be thrilled going into day 2 tomorrow.

Player	Chips
GL Gregory LiowCanada	73,000(52 BB)
GK George KarvounisUnited States of America	71,000(51 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 4:20:39 PM

Ho Turns An Ace To Crack Kings

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Winson Ho

Winson Ho raised to 3,000 from under the gun. Action folded to big blind Van Sang Nguyen who three-bet to 12,000. Ho took a moment and shoved all-in with Nguyen tossing a chip and calling immediately.

Van Sang Nguyen K♣ K♦

Winson Ho A♣ K♥

Nguyen looked in great shape to end Ho's journey. However, the board fell 4♥ 3♣ T♠ A♥ 3♦

The ace on the turn was one of three outus, and it fell lucky for Ho, who doubled up his 56,700 stack and some.

Player	Chips
SH Sai Ho Winson HoHong Kong	117,000(84 BB)
VS Van Sang NguyenViet Nam	85,000(61 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 4:18:19 PM

Robovic Defends The Big Blind

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Dexter Santos raised to 5,000 from the cut-off. Andrija Robovic defended his big blind with an all-in shove for around 34,000. Santos looked like he wanted to call, but avoided the risk.

Player	Chips
DS Dexter SantosPhilippines	75,000(54 BB)
AR Andrija RobovicSerbia	41,000(29 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 4:10:20 PM

Hiruma Gets Unlikely Full House

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Action folded to the blinds. Daichi Hiruma shoved all-in to put pressure on the short stack of big blind Gyumock Jo.

Gyumock Jo took a peek at his cards and made the call.

Daichi Hiruma T♦ 4♦

Gyumock Jo A♣ 7♠

Jo looked in good shape for a double up. However, the poker gods guided the dealer to throw a board of T♠ 8♠ J♦ T♥ J♥

Hiruma's not-so-goodlooking hand ended up making a full house, eliminating Jo from the Main Event.

Player	Chips
DH Daichi HirumaJapan	145,000(104 BB)
JG Jo GyumockSouth Korea	busted

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 3:59:08 PM

Iwamoto's Overpair Holds To Double Him Up

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Japanese player Hiroya Iwamoto opened from middle-position and got called by Nattamon Kaweesorasak, Hyunmin Yang, and Xin Lim in the big-blind. The flop came down 7♣ 6♦ 4♥ and Iwamoto continued with a 3,000 bet. The Thai Kaweesorasak raised it up to 10,500 and all other players got out of the way. When action was back on Iwamoto, he counted his stack and then moved his 26,000 into the middle. The Thai player made the call.

Hiroya Iwamoto: 9♦ 9♠

Nattamon Kaweesorasak: 5♥ 5♦

Kaweesorasak had multiple outs to knock out Iwamoto, but lucky for him, the board ran out K♦ K♠ and he got a full double-up.

Player	Chips
NK Nattamon KaweesorasakThailand	87,000(73 BB)
HI Hiroya IwamotoJapan	60,000(50 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 3:53:05 PM

Fedyk Dialed In On Pamplona

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Nazariy Fedyk

Junnie Pamplona raised to 3,000 from the button and Nazariy Fedyk defended the big blind.

Both players were given a flop of 2♣ 3♥ 8♦

Fedyk checked his option, allowing Pamplona to fire 3,200. Fedyk then raised it to 10,000. Pamplona stared intently at Fedyk and made the call.

Dealer peeled open 5♦ on the turn. Fedyk fired 12,000 and Pamplona made the call.

River showed 5♣

Both players checked.

Fedyk showed K♦ 8♣ for a pair of eights while Pamplona mucked.

In the following hand, Pamplona raised from the cut-off to 2,700. Fedyk made the call on the small blind and Frederick Hernandez defended the big blind.

The three were given a flop of 6♠ 4♦ A♥

The blinds checked to Pamplona who fired 4,500. Fedyk called and Hernandez stayed away.

The turn came Q♦ and both players checked to open a T♣ on the river.

Fedyk led out for 11,000 and Pamplona couldn't do anything but surrender.

Player	Chips
NF Nazariy FedykUkraine	170,000(142 BB)
JP Junnie PamplonaPhilippines	105,000(88 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 3:49:49 PM

Bad Timing to Go For Raise

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Takuya Inoue defended his big-blind against Won You's early-position open. The flop came down A♥ A♠ T♠ and Inoue check-called a small continuation bet. The turn brought the 4♦ , and after Inoue checked again, Won continued his betting lead with a 6,500 bet. This was responded with a raise to 15,500 by Inoue. But Won did not go anywhere and called.

The river brought the spicy K♠ , but unforuntately, no more action was to be seen as both players went to showdown withot any more bets. Inoue showed T♣ 6♣ , which could not beat You's A♦ 3♦

Player	Chips
WY Won YouSouth Korea	87,000(73 BB)
TI Takuya InoueJapan	64,000(53 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 3:29:30 PM

Stojanovic Doubles Then Doubles Again

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Vlada Stojanovic

Last we looked up Vlada Stojanovic, he had a healthy stack of over 150,000. In just a few blinks, Stojanovic was all-in for his tournament life and his last 16,000. Matching the call was short-stacked Ashley Patterson.

Ashley Patterson K♠ 9♦

Vlada Stojanovic K♦ J♥

Board 4♥ K♣ A♣ 6♠ T♥

Stojanovic's kicker made the difference when both hit their kings.

A few hands after, Stojanovic had the all-in button arrow pointed his way and a pair of aces in front of him, dominating over the Ace Queen of Yu Wei Wang. The dealer had just mucked the board, but we did see the chips shipped Stojanovic's way.

Stojanovic doubled yet again to get him back on track.

Player	Chips
VS Vlada StojanovicSerbia	77,000(64 BB)
AP Ashley PattersonUnited Kingdom	32,000(27 BB)
YW Yu Wei WangTaiwan	4,200(4 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 3:15:36 PM

Purohit Takes Out Jeong

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Action folded to the blinds.

Small blind Anant Purohit made it 2,500 and Minwoong Jeong shoved all-in for his last 16,600. Purohit made the hesitant call.

Anant Purohit A♥ T♣

Minwoong Jeong A♦ 4♠

The board ran out 5♣ 9♦ Q♥ 6♥ 5♥

Purohit's hand stayed ahead and went on to send Jeong to the rail.

Player	Chips
AP Anant PurohitIndia	68,000(57 BB)
MJ Minwoong JeongSouth Korea	busted

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 3:13:35 PM

Kang Gets One Through Against Lee

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Thomas Lee from Canada opened from late-position and got three-bet by Yoon Kang in the small-blind.

Lee called and the flop came down A♦ J♠ 3♦ . Kang continued with a bet of 5,500, which Lee called once more.

The turn brought the K♣ and Kang continued his aggression with a 9,000 bet. This time it was enough to make Lee fold.

Player	Chips
YK Yoon Kang (2)South Korea	110,000(110 BB)
TL Thomas LeeCanada	31,000(31 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 3:01:01 PM

Chang and Stojanovic Chip Away At Yusuf

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Nevan Chang

Nevan Chang raised to 2,000. Ronald Yusuf, on the button, raised it to 5,500. When action went back to Chang, he made it 12,000. Yusuf called.

Both players saw a flop of J♣ 6♠ 9♠

Chang led out with 13,000 and Yusuf surrendered.

In the next hand, Vlada Stojanovic and Yusuf had built a pot of 20,000 with a board showing J♠ J♥ J♣ 7♠ 6♦

Both checked after the river. Stojanovic showed A♣ 8♣ which was good enough to take down the pot, and add some more damage to Yusuf's stack.

Player	Chips
VS Vlada StojanovicSerbia	155,000(155 BB)
YR Yusuf Ronald CassidyIndonesia	108,000(108 BB)
NC Nevan ChangTaiwan	88,000(88 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 2:49:59 PM

Short Stack Shove Survival Strategy

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Lorell Pascual

When short-stacked and under the gun, sometimes it pays off to shove all-in.

Lorell Pascual raised 18,300 all-in and had no callers.

Pascual was able to steal the blinds just in time for his turn to post the big blind.

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 2:46:54 PM

Kwon Braves Call To Double Up

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

There was around 12,000 in a pot with a flop that showed A♠ 8♦ 4♦

Gene Chan was in early position against Minjae Kwon on the button.

Chan checked his option and Kwon put out 3,700. Chan made the call to see a 5♦ turn. Chan checked again to allow Kwon to bet out 10,800.

Chan gave it some thought and shoved all-in, covering Kwon and threatening his Main Event life.

Kwon, however, didn't back down and braved the call.

Gene Chan 6♦ 6♣

Minjae Kwon A♦ 9♠

Kwon was ahead and stayed ahead after the 2♠ came on the river.

Chan had to pay out 30,500 for the brave all-in call by Kwon.

Player	Chips
MK Minjae KwonSouth Korea	75,000(75 BB)
GC Gene ChanCanada	24,000(24 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 2:44:39 PM

Greg Is Karvounis' Nemesis

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Once more Gregory Liow and George Karvounis clashed against each other with Greg again keeping the upper hand.

The board read J♣ 4♣ 3♥ 3♣ 7♦ and Karvounis bet 6,500 into a pot of around 12,000.

On the button Greg responded with a raise to 22,000.

Karvounis let his hand go and Gregory Liow is slowly, but surely building a stack.

Player	Chips
GL Gregory LiowCanada	83,000(83 BB)
GK George KarvounisUnited States of America	52,000(52 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 2:07:19 PM

Break Time #2

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

The players are now on their second 15-minute break of the day. Three more 45-minute levels will be played after this.

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 2:04:31 PM

Greg Very Involved In Flight D

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Gregory Liow

We have another hand to report on our favourite Greg. On 9♠ 8♦ 7♥ T♥ 4♣ bet Karvounis 6,000 into a pot of 10,000.

His opponents were, Greg in the small-blind, and Jason Magbanua in the big-blind.

After some deliberation time, Greg moved all-in for 44,500. Both players folded.

Player	Chips
GK George KarvounisUnited States of America	63,300(79 BB)
GL Gregory LiowCanada	61,000(76 BB)
JM Jason MagbanuaPhilippines	37,000(46 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 2:01:06 PM

Alvarez Pressures Kim; Shows The Bluff

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Janno Alvarez

Sviatoslav Belov started with a raise to 2,000 with Chong-Hwa Kim making the call. Janno Alvarez, on the button, three-bet to 6,500. Belov stepped out of the way and Kim stayed on.

The flop came 9♣ 3♠ 8♣

Kim checked his option to Alvarez, who fired out 3,300. Kim made the call to open a 7♣ on the turn.

Kim tapped and Alvarez fired 12,800. Kim went into deep thought, and then made the call. A 3♥ was given on the river.

Kim checked again. Alvarez punched in 17,400. Kim tanked once again - eating up most of the clock winding down to the break. Eventually, Kim reluctantly threw his cards to the muck and gave up the huge pot.

Alvarez showed the Q♦ T♣ for a queen high and a busted flush.

Player	Chips
JA Janno AlvarezPhilippines	75,000(94 BB)
CK Chong-hwa KimSouth Korea	24,000(30 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 1:55:53 PM

Urban Is Not Afraid To Bluff

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Seunghun Ko opened from early-position and Dmitri Urban raised to 4,500 out of the small-blind.

On 9♣ 7♦ 6♥ Urban continued with a bet of 2,600.

The 5♣ was the turn and Urban slowed down and checked. Ko now put out a bet of 3,500. Urban responded with an all-in for 14,000 more.

Ko threw his hand into the much and Urban proudly tabled A♠ J♣ for the bluff.

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 1:50:49 PM

Chen Takes Down The Family Pot

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Iwasa Masataka raised to 1,200 from UTG+2 and had everyone behind him call for a six-handed family pot entering a flop of J♦ 5♦ J♥

Action folded to Zhifan Ye on the hi-jack, who fired out 4,000. Chi Yu Chen made the call on the button and everyone elses folded, leaving just two players to see a 9♥ turn.

Ye bet out 11,000. Chen thought about it, then just splashed 25,000 into the pot. Ye folded almost immediately.

Player	Chips
CY Chi Yu ChenTaiwan	68,000(113 BB)
ZY Zhifan Ye (2)China	10,400(17 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 1:48:25 PM

Kaweesorasak: Passive But Effective

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Action folded to Rene Mar David on the button, who raised to 1,200. Big blind Nattamon Kaweesorasak defended. Both players were treated to a flop of J♣ T♠ Q♣

Both players checked to open a 7♣ turn.

The players then checked again to see the 4♣ river. Both checked down again.

Kaweesorasak showed 8♦ 7♦ with the pair of sevens apparently good enough to take down the pot and add a little to her wall.

Player	Chips
NK Nattamon KaweesorasakThailand	87,000(145 BB)
RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	13,000(22 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 1:41:30 PM

An's "River Lucky" Leaves Magbanua In Critical Condition

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Jason Magbanua

Junghyun An raised to 1,200 from under the gun with Jason Magbanua re-raising to 3,000 on the button. An made the call to open a flop of 2♠ 5♣ A♦

An checked his option and Magbanua bet 2,500. An matched to see a T♦ turn. An check-called again Magbanua's bet of 3,500 to bring a K♦ on the river.

This time, An led out for 7,500. Magbanua went into deep thought before pushing the chips for a call.

An showed K♣ K♠ for a set of kings while Magbanua gently slammed his cards to the muck.

"River Lucky" was the cry of An while he stacked the pot, leaving Magbanua in dire straits.

Magbanua would eventually bust out before the level ended.

Player	Chips
JA Junghyun AnSouth Korea	48,000(80 BB)
JM Jason MagbanuaPhilippines	3,800(6 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 1:36:01 PM

Pair of Sixes Good For Patulot

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

In a battle of the blinds, small blind Yuta Yoshikawa raised to 1,300 and big blind Lemmor Patulot obliged for both players to see a flop of 6♣ 3♣ T♣

Yoshikawa check-called the 1,500 bet of Patulot to open a 7♠ on the turn. Once again, Yoshikawa check-called Patulot's bet, but this time for 2,500.

The river showed T♠ Both players checked for a showdown. Yoshikawa showed J♣ 8♠ for a jack-high and a busted straight. Patulot showed Q♠ 6♣ with the six making a pair good enough to take down the pot.

Player	Chips
LP Lemmor PatulotPhilippines	65,000(108 BB)
YY Yuta YoshikawaJapan	28,500(48 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 1:27:39 PM

Landry Doesn't Find A Buyer

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Van Sang Nguyen raised to 1,200 with Melchor Vasquez Jr. following behind. Nguyen and Vasquez had just butted heads in a previous hand and looked like they were ready to go at it again.

However, Craig Landry three-bet to 4,000 and found no customers this time around. Landry picked up a decent scoop to set him back on track.

Player	Chips
VS Van Sang NguyenViet Nam	80,000(133 BB)
MV Melchor VasquezPhilippines	56,000(93 BB)
CL Craig LandryAustralia	46,000(77 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 1:25:08 PM

Vasquez Takes From Nguyen

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Melchor Vasquez Jr.

Van Sang Nguyen raised to 1,400 from the hi-jack. Melchor Vasquez Jr. three-bet to 4,800 from the cut-off. The table folded, but Nguyen stayed to see a flop of Q♦ Q♠ 6♣

Nguyen checked over to Vasquez Jr., who fired a welcoming 2,400. Nguyen folded.

Player	Chips
VS Van Sang NguyenViet Nam	82,000(137 BB)
MV Melchor VasquezPhilippines	57,000(95 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 1:22:54 PM

Greg Takes One Down

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Greg defended his big-blind against George Karvounis late-position open.

On K♦ J♠ 6♠ Greg opted for a check-call.

The 4♥ on the turn went without any action.

The 8♥ was the river and Greg went for a big bet of 4,800 chips. After some tanking did Karvounis decide to fold.

Player	Chips
GK George KarvounisUnited States of America	81,000(135 BB)
GL Gregory LiowCanada	42,000(70 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 1:02:48 PM

Timofeev Has It

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Ilia Timofeev raised to 1,000 on the button and then called the 3,500 re-raise of Yuto Hishikawa on the big blind. Both players were thrown a flop of Q♠ 2♣ 2♦

Hisikawa check-called the 2,600 bet of Timofeev to see a 3♣ on the turn.

Both players checked to get a free look at the 4♣ on the river.

Hisikawa checked while Timofeev pushed in 4,500. Hisikawa made the call.

Timofeev flashed Q♥ T♦ for a queen two-pair. Hisikawa mucked.

Player	Chips
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	77,000(154 BB)
HY Hishikawa YutoJapan	23,000(46 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 12:59:54 PM

Villa's Unconventional Line

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Hernan Villa limped from early-position and the Ukrainian Fedyk Nazariy made it 1,300 from the button. Villa called preflop, and also check-called the 1,000 bet on T♠ 9♣ 4♦ .

The 4♥ was the turn and Nazariy bet again, this time 2,200. Villa responded with an unconventional raise to 5,200. Nazariy called and 5♥ appeared on the river. Both players slowed down and checked. Villa tabled A♣ 5♣ , but he could not beat Nazariy's K♦ T♥ .

Player	Chips
NF Nazariy FedykUkraine	35,000(70 BB)
HV Hernan VillaPhilippines	15,800(32 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 12:57:21 PM

Greg's Hand Gets Caught In The Cookie Jar

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Shunsuke Okamoto opened from middle-position and John Baider went along for the ride, before Youtube superstar Gregory Liow pumped it up to 6,000.

Okamoto was having none of this and raised to 15,000.

Greg had to admit defeat.

Player	Chips
OS Okamoto ShunsukeJapan	61,200(122 BB)
GL Gregory LiowCanada	24,000(48 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 12:54:19 PM

Kenny's Two Pair Gets The Right Value

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Burke Kenny

Burke Kenny on the button, small blind Seunghun Ko and big blind Chia-Ying Lin were looking at a flop of J♠ 6♠ Q♠

All checked to reveal a 7♦ turn. Ko checked his option to Lin, who fired 2,000 to a 5,000 pot. Kenny called and Ko stepped out of the way to reveal a 2♥ river.

Lin check-called the 2,500 bet of Kenny for a show-down. Lin showed Q♥ 5♣ for top pair, but Kenny had J♥ 7♥ for a better two-pair.

Player	Chips
KB Kenny BurkeUnited Kingdom	68,000(136 BB)
LC Lin ChiaTaiwan	54,000(108 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 12:50:18 PM

Nauder Goes Slow And Steady

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Renaud Nauder

Renaud Nauder and Zhiqiang Liu had a small pot of 4,500 between the two of them and a flop that showed 9♥ 3♥ T♥

Nauder fired first for 1,300 and Liu called to show a 5♠ on the turn.

Nauder pushed in 2,000 and Liu still stuck around to open a 4♦ on the river.

Nauder bet 3,000 and this time Liu didn't bother to call.

Player	Chips
CN Coralie NauderBelgium	57,000(114 BB)
ZL Zhiqiang LiuChina	46,000(92 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 12:14:21 PM

Break Time

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

The players are now on their first 15-minute break. Six more levels will be played today with registration still being open until the last hand.

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 12:12:50 PM

Easy Chips For Rivera Again

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

After getting three-bet by Hiroya Iwamoto on the button, Czardy Rivera went for four-bet toalling 10,200. His Japanese opponent made the call.

The A♥ K♠ 4♦ looked promising for the four-better's range, and indeed, his 5,000 bet was enough to make Iwamoto fold.

Player	Chips
HI Hiroya IwamotoJapan	49,400(124 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	46,000(115 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 12:02:24 PM

Yusuf Takes Down Monster Pot

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

There was 12,000 in the pot with the all-in arrow pointed Nantawat Sriripom's way. The flop showed 5♥ 9♠ T♠

Georges Chehade at the cut-off and Ronald Yusuf on the button were still in the hand.

Chehade fired 2,200 and Yusuf raised it to 15,000.

Chehade, then shoved all-in and Yusuf made the instant call.

Nantawat Sripirom 5♥ 6♣

Georges Chehade A♠ 3♠

Ronald Yusuf K♠ 7♠

Chehade was ahead, but the board ran K♣ 2♦ to give Yusuf a pair of kings to defeat them all.

Chehade chided "nice call" while his chips were being shipped to Yusuf.

Player	Chips
YR Yusuf Ronald CassidyIndonesia	112,000(280 BB)
GC Georges ChehadeLebanon	5,000(13 BB)
NS Nantawat SripiromThailand	busted

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 12:01:33 PM

Easy Chips For Rivera

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

After Takuya's open and Shuzo's call, both in early-position, Euryd Rivera decided on a squeeze to 4,100 out of the small-blind. Both Japanese players called.

On 9♦ 6♥ 2♣ Rivera continued with a bet of 8,200 and this was enough to take down this pot without any more resistance.

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 11:59:56 AM

Ruamsit's Cheeky Flop Raise

Level 3: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Nikhom Ruamsit from Thailand opened from middle-position and got three-bet by the Filipino Michael Calunsod next to him. It folded around to Ruamsit's fellow countryman Krisada Pinthakasetrin who cold-called from the button. The opener called as well.

The flop came down J♦ T♣ 7♥ , and it got checked to the preflop aggressor who put out a 5,000 bet. Ruamsit thought about his decision before surprising Calunsod with a raise to 15,000. After some deliberation time the Filipino let his hand go.

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 11:36:58 AM

Kumar's Nut Flush Gets Paid

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Vineet Kumar

Vineet Kumar on the button and big blind Shunsuke Okamoto were staring at a flop of 2♠ Q♠ 6♠ with a pot of over 10,000 beside it.

Okamoto led with 3,000 but Kumar raised it to 6,100. Okamoto matched to see a J♠ on the turn.

Both players check to reveal a J♣ on the river. Okamoto tapped his option to Kumar, who fired out 10,000. Okamoto thought long and hard and threw in the 10,000 for a call.

Kumar showed A♠ Q♣ for the nut flush while Okamoto mucked.

Player	Chips
SO Shunsuke Okamoto	75,000(188 BB)
VK Vineet KumarIndia	42,000(105 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 11:34:58 AM

Lim Scoops From Kim

Level 3: 200 / 300 ante: 300

In the battle of the blinds, there was a pot of over 15,000 in the middle beside a flop that showed 3♥ 8♦ K♥

Small blind Minseok Kim checked over to Xin Ann Lim, who fired 8,000. Lim took a moment to reflect and finally made the fold.

Player	Chips
XA Xin Ann LimMalaysia	53,000(177 BB)
MK Minseok KimAustralia	40,000(133 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 11:32:18 AM

Flush Over Flush

Level 3: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Hsuan-Cheng Lai and MC Yeldarb Mantos built a pot of over 20,000 beside a board that showed T♥ 4♣ J♥ T♣ 2♥

Mantos fired 8,500 to the pot and Lai made the call.

Mantos showed 4♥ 7♥ for a cute flush, but was only second to the monster K♥ Q♥ of Lai.

Player	Chips
HL Hsuan LaiTaiwan	65,000(217 BB)
MM Mcyeldarb MantosPhilippines	31,000(103 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 11:29:53 AM

Shah's Top Pair Loses Minimum

Level 3: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Chirag Shah opened from middle-position and got three-bet to 1,800 by Jester Initia next to him. Shah called and the flop came down J♦ 4♥ 3♥ .

Shah checked and the aggressor continued with a 1,200 bet. The Indian player called once more.

On the Q♠ turn both players checked.

On the T♣ river both players checked again.

Shah tabled K♥ J♥ but could not beat Initia's A♣ J♠ .

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 11:24:36 AM

Lin Busts Lee

Level 3: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Chia-Ying Lin

Takuya Inoue raised to 800 from early position. Sangmin Lee did a no-look all-in for his last 5,000. Chia-Ying Lin made the call as did Inoue.

The three players were shown a flop of 5♥ K♠ 7♥ Inoue checked his option to Lin, who fired out 10,000. Inoue folded.

Lee peeled over T♣ 5♣ while Lin showed a monster K♥ K♣

The 9♣ 7♣ only improved Lin's hand to a full-house and Lee gave up his seat and most probably headed to the cage to re-enter.

Player	Chips
LC Lin ChiaTaiwan	75,000(250 BB)
SL Sangmin LeeSouth Korea	busted

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 11:07:59 AM

Ye Does Damage To Rubianes

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Vincent Rubianes

Vincent Rubianes raised to 500 from early position. Cut-off Zhifan Ye re-popped it to 1,300. Rubianes matched and both players were shown a flop of 7♣ 4♥ 3♣

Rubianes checked over to Ye, who didn't shy away from putting 1,200 in the middle. Rubianes called to open a 9♠ on the turn.

Rubianes check-called the 4,000 bet of Ye to proceed to the A♠ on the river. This time around, Rubianes surrendered to the 11,000 bet of Ye.

Player	Chips
ZY Zhifan Ye (2)China	53,000(265 BB)
VR Vincent RubianesUnited States of America	41,500(208 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 11:05:36 AM

Soontanont Takes Family Pot

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Minseok Kim raised to 500 and found 5 callers behind for a six-way family pot.

The flop showed 4♣ 7♣ 9♠

Action was checked to Nattawat Soontanont, who fired 1,500 and found no other customers.

Kim improves his stack to 52,500.

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 11:03:17 AM

No Better Flop For Stojkov

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Mirko Stojkov

We started the action on the flop where Dmitrii Urban bet 1,000 in position against Mirko Stojkov who made the call.

The turn went check-check so by the river the board read T♥ 9♦ 9♠ J♦ 8♦ . The Aussie Stojkov Bet out 6,700 and Urban did throw in the call.

Stojkov tabled T♦ 9♥ . His flopped full house beat Urban's Q♣ high straight.

Player	Chips
MS Mirko StojkovAustralia	53,000(265 BB)
DU Dmitrii UrbanRussia	42,000(210 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 11:01:01 AM

Lai Grabs Change From Manuel

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Geronimo Manuel raised to 500 and was three-bet to 1,500 by Hsuan-Cheng Lai. Manuel called to see a flop of 5♠ 2♣ 9♠

Manuel checked his option and Lai didn't shy from firing another 1,500. This time Manuel folded.

Player	Chips
GM Geronimo ManuelPhilippines	41,000(205 BB)
HL Hsuan LaiTaiwan	38,000(190 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 10:58:52 AM

Karvounis' Big Valuebet Gets Called

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

We picked the action up on the turn where George Karvounis second barrel against Ronn Mesina in the big-blind, who made the call.

By the river the board read A♥ 8♦ 3♦ Q♦ T♣ and after Mesina's check, Karvounis put out a hefty bet of 10,500.

After some thinking time Mesina decided on a call, just to be shown the bad news as Karvounis tabled K♦ J♦

Player	Chips
GK George KarvounisUnited States of America	57,000(570 BB)
RR Ron Ryan MesinaPhilippines	28,000(280 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 10:56:04 AM

Soontanont Wins A Sizable Pot

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Minseok Kim, Kei Okuda and Nattawat Soontanont were looking down at a flop of 3♦ 7♦ Q♠ with nearly 8,000 already in the pot.

Kim checked his option to Okuda, who fired in 2,000. Soontanont re-popped it to 7,000. Kim stepped out of the way. Okuda deliberated for a while before personally handing over the 2,000 to Soontanont while the dealer shipped the rest of the pot.

Player	Chips
NS Nattawat SoontanontThailand	48,000(480 BB)
MK Minseok KimAustralia	36,000(360 BB)
KO Kei OkudaJapan	33,000(330 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 10:54:27 AM

Chen Wins One Against Rubianes

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

After an early-position limper and an open of 600 by Chi Chen made Vincent Rubianes it 2,000 to go. Chen called and it went heads-up to the K♣ 9♠ 7♦ . Action was on Rubianes who put out a 2,200 bet. Chen called once more.

The turn was the T♦ and both players elected to check.

The J♥ was the river and Chen took his chance to put out a bet himself. His 3,000 was enough to make Rubianes fold.

Player	Chips
CY Chi Yu ChenTaiwan	48,000(480 BB)
VR Vincent RubianesUnited States of America	33,200(332 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 10:51:10 AM

Respect!

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Vincent Rubianes raised to 300. Hiroya Iwamoto re-raised to 1,000. Chi Yu Chen liked his cards so much that he made it 3,100.

Rubianes and Iwamoto surrendered to give Chen an easy flopless scoop.

Player	Chips
VR Vincent RubianesUnited States of America	44,000(440 BB)
CY Chi Yu ChenTaiwan	38,500(385 BB)
HI Hiroya IwamotoJapan	37,000(370 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 10:49:01 AM

Kim Takes From Talordpong

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Action fell to Juno Kim at the cut-off, who made a raise to 300. Prommim Talordpong made the call on the button and only the two players took to a flop of 6♣ T♥ J♥

Kim bet 700 and Talordpong matched to see a 4♥ turn. Kim threw in 900 and Talordpong gave up.

Player	Chips
JK Juno KimUnited States of America	45,000(450 BB)
PT Prommin TalordpongThailand	38,300(383 BB)

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 10:47:47 AM

Shuffle Up And Deal!

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

This is it!

Flight D - the last flight of the APT Manila Classic 2025 Main Event - is under way. Cards are in the air with 19 early birds taking to the felt for a marathong 10-levels of poker. The first six levels will be played at 30-minute intervals while the last four levels will be at a duration of 45 minutes.

Some regular names of the APT Tour that are seeing action in Flight D include: Ilia Timofeev, Mirko Stojkov, Matthias Lipp and Thomas Lee.

More players are still expected to register before the 12MN deadline.

Good luck to all players!

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 10:41:39 AM

Flashback: Daniel Lee's Thrilling Victory at the 2024 APT Manila Main Event

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Daniel Lee

as the APT Manila Classic 2025 Main Event heats up, let’s take a look back at one of the most unforgettable performances in APT Manila history.

The 2024 APT Manila Main Event shattered records with 1,081 entries, making it the largest APT Main Event ever held in the Philippines. The tournament also featured the biggest guarantee in Philippines' poker history — a massive PHP 100,000,000 (~$1.7 million) prize pool.

Emerging victorious was Daniel Lee from the United States, who claimed the PHP 15,060,000 (~$256,020) first-place prize after an incredible final table comeback. Lee started the day as the chip leader, but at one point, found himself down to just eight big blinds before mounting a stunning comeback. He ultimately defeated South Africa's Edgar Antezana in a heads-up battle after the two agreed to adjust the payouts.

Daniel Lee sweats the final hand with Edgar Antezana

"It feels so surreal," Lee said in his post-match interview. The former San Francisco-based software engineer, who left his job to pursue poker full-time, admitted he got a little lucky, but his determination and strategic play ultimately led him to victory.

"I love the game, I have a deep passion for it. This deep run makes it all worth it!" Lee shared, reflecting on his rapid rise in poker after less than a year as a full-time player.

The final table saw its fair share of dramatic moments, with Lee fighting his way back from near elimination. Ferdinand Lu, John Costiniano, and Antezana all had their moments, but in the end, it was Lee’s resilience and strategic execution that secured the title.

With APT Manila 2025 now in full swing, will we see another historic Main Event this year? Stay tuned as we bring you all the action live!

SMPSMP

2/11/2025, 10:36:36 AM

Last Chance For APT Main Event!

Flight D of the APT Manila Classic 2025 Main Event is about to begin. This is the last chance for the poker players to earn a spot for Day 2 by surviving 10 levels of poker action and having some chips at the end.

For an affordable buy-in of PHP 60,000 (~USD 1,030), players can grab an opportunity to win their share from a generous guaranteed prize pool worth PHP 60,000,000 (~USD 1,030,000). Apart from making history and winning a life-changing sum of money, the Main Event champion also gets to bring home a coveted APT Golden Lion trophy.

Three flights have already concluded with survivors from those flights assured a seat for the Main Event Day 2 tomorrow morning. Now, it's the time for the players of Flight D to fight for their spot.

Stay with us as we give you live updates and reports from all the Main Event poker action.

Flight D begins at 18:00 local time on February 11, 2025.