Philippines, Okada ManilaEVENT #42

2025.12.04 - 2025.12.08Add to Calendar

PokerStars Live

Blind level

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Entries

27/180

Total Chips

5,400,000

Average

200,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 4:03:38 PM

Seunghee Park Claims Commanding Flight B Stack

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Seunghee Park - Chip Leader

Flight B of the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event wrapped up after eleven hours of play. The second starting flight drew a total of 180 entries, and only 27 players survived. Leading the pack was Seunghee Park, who bagged an impressive 611,000 (123 big blinds).

A familiar face at PokerStars LIVE Manila, Park has recorded all of his cashes at Okada Manila since his first result in March 2024. He already owned two Spadies, one from the APPT Championship and another scored just last week at the SuperStack event for PHP 333,192 (~US$ 5,672). Park had already cashed three times this series and added another to his tally by securing the money and finishing the flight on top.

Nils Evers

Second on the leaderboard was Nils Evers, who climbed to the upper tier of the standings shortly after registration closed. Evers steadily accumulated chips throughout the day and picked up a significant boost after winning a five-bet all in against local pro David Erquiaga. He added even more by eliminating Gerald Foo on the soft bubble. Evers bagged 438,000 (88 big blinds) and secured a guaranteed payout.

Yun Rong Cheong completed the podium with 428,000 (86 big blinds), just two blinds shy of Evers. Cheong spent much of the day near the top after the break and continued to build with assertive, pressure filled play.

Top 10 Chip Counts

Player	Chips
SP Seunghee ParkSouth Korea	611,000(122 BB)
NE Nils EversGermany	438,000(88 BB)
YR Yun Rong CheongSingapore	428,000(86 BB)
RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	376,500(75 BB)
RS Ryuki ShiraseJapan	324,000(65 BB)
FL Frank LillisIreland	289,000(58 BB)
LD Lucas DittoItaly	259,000(52 BB)
NI Nobuhiro ImamuraJapan	241,000(48 BB)
WG Wei Guang TanSingapore	210,000(42 BB)
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	206,000(41 BB)

Marvin Dela Cruz

One of the more memorable storylines involved Marvin Dela Cruz, who had already secured 184,000 in Flight A but returned to take another shot. His second attempt did not go as planned. Lu Zhou cracked his queens with eight-five suited after flopping trips. Zhou eventually failed to make it to the bags and was eliminated shortly after registration closed.

Bubble

Bubble Hand

Eliminations came quickly, and the bubble approached in no time. After Gerald Foo’s exit on the soft bubble, it took only two more hands for the money to be reached.

Short stacked Jin Fang Lin open-shoved his final 40,000 with ace-six offsuit, and big blind Ionut Dragomir called with jack-five offsuit in hopes of scoring a knockout. Lin looked poised for a double up, but Dragomir paired on the river.

The room erupted in celebration as the remaining players locked up their cashes. Lin, meanwhile, was left disappointed as the last player to fall before the money.

That concludes Somuchpoker’s coverage of Flight B of the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event. Join us tomorrow for live updates from Flight C.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 3:09:30 PM

That's a Wrap!

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Flight B has wrapped on the Main Event with the elimination of Jin-Fang Lin. Stay tuned to Somuchpoker for a recap of the day's action coming shortly!

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 3:02:43 PM

Jin-Fang Lin Bubbles Flight B

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Jin-Fang Lin

In the second hand on the stone bubble, under-the-gun Jin-Fang Lin moved all in with his 40,000-chip short stack. Action folded to Ionut Dragomir in the big blind, who didn’t look particularly keen to call. After some thought, he put in the small fraction of his stack required, and they went to showdown:

Jin-Fang Lin: A♥ 6♠

Ionut Dragomir: J♥ 5♥

Lin was ahead and simply needed to fade hearts, jacks or fives to stay alive. The 3♥ K♠ Q♦ 8♦ runout looked like it was going to give him the double, but the dream-crushing 5♦ landed on the river, sealing his elimination in 28th and sending the remaining field into the money – all now qualified for Day 2 on Sunday.

Player	Chips
ID Ionut DragomirRomania	145,000(29 BB)
JF Jin Fang LinChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 2:52:39 PM

Bubble Time

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

A short-stacked Gerald Foo has just been eliminated by Nils Evers, officially taking the field to 28. Hand-for-hand play will now commence until the bubble bursts.

Player	Chips
NE Nils EversGermany	295,000(59 BB)
GF Gerald FooSingapore	busted

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 29/180

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 2:34:47 PM

Cautious Play

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Geir Sommerset

With 30 players left and only 27 advancing to Day 2, the pace has naturally tightened. Bigger stacks are holding steady while the shorter stacks start looking for spots to take their chances.

Button Frank Lillis opened to 8,000 and received a call from big blind Wei Guang Tan. Action stayed cautious on the 6♥ 7♠ 4♠ J♦ 9♥ board as both players checked it down, neither seeming to connect with much. Lillis tabled K♦ Q♠ for king-high, which was enough to take the pot as Tan’s 3♥ 2♦ straight draw had come up empty.

In the next hand, Ono Shintaro made it 8,000 from the hijack and was called by Geir Sommerset.

They both checked the 9♦ T♥ 8♥ flop.

Sommerset then led for 20,000 on the 3♦ turn, and Shintaro didn’t need long before mucking.

Player	Chips
FL Frank LillisIreland	250,000(63 BB)
WG Wei Guang TanSingapore	190,000(48 BB)
OS Ono ShintaroJapan	175,000(44 BB)
GS Geir SommersetNorway	80,000(20 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 2:27:12 PM

"Nice Bluff"

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Nils Evers

Button Nils Evers had responded to a raise from David Erquiaga in early position by three-betting to 20,000, and Erquiaga came back over the top with a four-bet to 57,000.

Evers then gathered his entire stack, more than 180,000, and moved all in. Erquiaga went deep into the tank, cycling through counts of his stack, rechecking his cards, and glancing at the tournament display. He’d already committed more than half his stack, and while some might have seen it as a pot-committed spot, he eventually found a fold, much to Evers’ apparent relief.

"Nice bluff," he said toward Evers. Evers stayed silent.

Player	Chips
NE Nils EversGermany	240,000(60 BB)
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	84,000(21 BB)

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 35/180

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 1:57:30 PM

Money Missers

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Bonjae Koo

A selection of players who won’t be advancing from this flight of the Main Event.

Player	Chips
LS Leon StewardPhilippines	busted
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	busted
AA Ajay AbrolIndia	busted
CS Corine ShiSingapore	busted
FP Finn PenderakGermany	busted
SK Somashekar Kurkhepally MahadevaIndia	busted
LE Lenart EcarmaPhilippines	busted
RO Robbie Obrien FisherUnited Kingdom	busted
QX Qi XiaChina	busted
BK Bonjae KooSouth Korea	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 1:44:35 PM

Half an Orbit at 27

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Nikolai Guliaev raised to 7,000 from the button then folded when Gerald Foo three-bet to 17,000 from the big blind.

In the next hand, Reera Hong shoved for around 45,000 from early position and received no customers.

The following hand saw Nils Evers raise to 9,000 from the small blind and big blind Hong let her hand go.

The final hand before table 27 broke saw the most action. Hijack Geir Sommerset raised to 6,000 and was called by small blind Hong.

Hong check-shoved Sommerset's 6,000 bet on the 9♠ 6♦ K♥ flop, and Sommerset tossed in the call. Hong tabled king-ten of hearts, but Sommerset had her pipped with his Big Slick. The 8♠ J♦ runout brought no help and Hong was sent out just 10 spots from the money.

Player	Chips
NE Nils EversGermany	240,000(80 BB)
GF Gerald FooSingapore	191,000(64 BB)
NG Nikolai GuliaevRussia	125,000(42 BB)
GS Geir SommersetNorway	100,000(33 BB)
RH Reera HongSouth Korea	busted

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 42/180

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 42/180

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 1:11:35 PM

David Scoops With Higher Pair

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Rene Mar David

Preflop and flop 8♥ 2♥ 2♣ action built a pot of 14,500, leaving heads-up between big blind Finn Penderak and button Rene Mar David.

On the turn 9♠ , Penderak led out for 10,500, which David called, and then another 11,000 on the riverKd , also called by David.

Penderak showed 9♣ 7♥ a pair of nines, but David held J♥ J♦ a pair of jacks. David scooped the pot and earned a value call.

Player	Chips
RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	87,000(35 BB)
FP Finn PenderakGermany	19,000(8 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 1:03:17 PM

O'Brien Doubles Twice

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Robbie Obrien Fisher

Robbie O'Brien raised to 5,000 and found a call from big blind John Dela Cruz.

Both checked the 9♥ K♣ 2♠ flop to the K♥ turn, where Cruz check-called O'Brien's 5,000 bet.

Dela Cruz then check-raised from 25,000 to 55,000 on the 6♦ river, which O'Brien called. Cruz tabled K♠ T♥ for trips, good for the pot as O'Brien mucked and was left with around 3,000.

In the next hand, O'Brien shoved from the cutoff and Javkhlan Ganbold called. O'Brien's ace-king held up against Ganbold's ace-ten on the dry runout, earning him a small but life-saving double.

The third hand saw Corine Shi open-shove from under the gun and get it through.

In the fourth hand, O'Brien shoved from middle position and was called by Shi in the big blind:

Robbie O'Brien: 2♦ 2♥

Corine Shi: A♣ 3♣

O'Brien's deuces held on the 9♠ 9♣ J♦ 8♣ 9♥ runout, doubling him once more and giving him a marginally more playable stack.

Player	Chips
JD John Dela CruzPhilippines	175,000(70 BB)
JG Javkhlan GanboldMongolia	52,000(21 BB)
CS Corine ShiSingapore	21,000(8 BB)
RO Robbie Obrien FisherUnited Kingdom	18,000(7 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 1:00:08 PM

Ye Uses Stack To Bully Lin

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Jiaxian Ye

Facing a raise, button Jiaxian Ye flat called, and the big blind Jin Fang Lin three-bet to 18,000.

The initial raiser folded, and Ye, the table chip leader, quickly announced all in, using his stack to apply pressure. Lin tanked for a minute but eventually laid his hand down.

Player	Chips
JY Jiaxian YeChina	197,000(79 BB)
JF Jin Fang LinChina	75,000(30 BB)

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 50/180

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 12:38:18 PM

Ditto Commands, Cheong Folds

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Lucas Ditto

Early position, Yun Rong Cheong opened to 4,000 and then called the three-bet of big blind Lucas Ditto for 10,000. Both players checked the flop Q♥ J♥ 8♥ and went to the turn 2♦ .

Ditto led out for 6,000, and Cheong called. On the river K♦ , Ditto fired another 15,000, but Cheong tanked and eventually laid his hand down

Player	Chips
YR Yun Rong CheongSingapore	159,000(80 BB)
LD Lucas DittoItaly	87,000(44 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 12:26:10 PM

Fisher’s Ace Crushes Law’s Hopes

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Robbie Obrien Fisher

Folded to the small blind, Robbie Obrien Fisher shoved, and Cam Law put all of his chips in the middle for a total of 25,500, signaling a call.

Robbie Obrien Fisher: A♣ 6♦

Cam Law: K♦ J♣

Law was behind but still had live cards. However, he failed to connect as the board 9♣ 8♥ 5♠ 8♦ 6♣ produced low numbers. Fisher eliminated Law and scooped the chips.

Player	Chips
RO Robbie Obrien FisherUnited Kingdom	69,000(35 BB)
CL Cam LawUnited Kingdom	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 12:20:55 PM

Turabayev Getting Active

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Alan Turabayev

Hand 1

Alan Turabayev raised to 3,000 and only big blind Dmitrii Belikov stuck in the call.

Belikov check-folded to Turabayev's 4,500 continuation-bet on the 6♦ 7♥ 2♣ flop.

Hand 2

Hijack Leon Steward raised to 4,500 and found two customers in button Xia Qi and big blind Alan Turabayev.

Turabayev check-called and Qi folded to Steward's 5,500 continuation-bet following the 5♥ 3♦ 6♠ flop.

Both opted to check the 3♣ T♥ runout.

"I know it's a bluff, but I have showdown value," Leon said while he figured out his final move.

"You win," Turabayev said, tabling 9♥ 8♥ to Steward's A♥ Q♦, who took the pot with ace-high.

Hand 3

Button Belikov raised to 4,000 then folded to small blind Turabayev's 14,500 three-bet.

Hand 4

Ono Shintaro raised to 4,000 from middle position and received three callers: button Turabayev, plus blinds Hideo Sawai and Zi Sheng Teo.

All four checked the 9♦ 9♥ 5♣ flop, taking them to the 3♦ turn. All three check-folded when Turabayev fired 8,000.

Player	Chips
ZS Zi Sheng TeoSingapore	225,000(113 BB)
AT Alan TurabayevKazakhstan	150,000(75 BB)
LS Leon StewardPhilippines	125,000(63 BB)
QX Qi XiaChina	70,000(35 BB)
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	65,000(33 BB)
HS Hideo SawaiJapan	59,000(30 BB)
OS Ono ShintaroJapan	32,000(16 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 12:16:26 PM

Hong Calls Tan’s River Bluff

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Reera Hong

Under the gun, John Clyde Tan opened to 4,500 and the small blind Reera Hong defended. On the flop T♠ 8♥ 7♥ , Tan fired a 3,500 continuation bet, which Hong check-called.

Both players checked the turn 5♠ and went to the river T♥ . Hong once more checked and then called Tan’s 11,000 river bet.

Hong caught Tan’s bluff and was paid off, scooping the pot while Tan threw his hand in surrender.

Player	Chips
RH Reera HongSouth Korea	122,000(61 BB)
JC John Clyde TanPhilippines	25,000(13 BB)

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 56/180

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 11:58:35 AM

Erquiaga Trips Endo On Every Street

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

David Erquiaga

Folded to the small blind, Takuma Endo limped and then called after big blind David Erquiaga raised to 5,500. Erquiaga then took control, firing all three streets, 4,500 on the flop K♦ 9♥ 3♣ , 9,500 on the turn 3♦ , and 16,000 on the river A♥ , all of which Endo check called.

David Erquiaga showed his hand 5♦ 3♠ for trips, dominating the action and forcing Endo to throw his hand in the muck.

Player	Chips
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	84,000(56 BB)
TE Takuma EndoJapan	29,000(19 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 11:35:46 AM

Chip Leaders

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Player	Chips
ZS Zi Sheng TeoSingapore	225,000(150 BB)
NE Nils EversGermany	197,000(131 BB)
GF Gerald FooSingapore	191,000(127 BB)
RH Ron HoffmanIsrael	183,000(122 BB)
WG Wei Guang TanSingapore	174,000(116 BB)
AA Ajay AbrolIndia	173,000(115 BB)
YR Yun Rong CheongSingapore	159,000(106 BB)
LQ Loc QuachSweden	153,000(102 BB)
CS Corine ShiSingapore	139,000(93 BB)
CL Cam LawUnited Kingdom	136,000(91 BB)
AT Alan TurabayevKazakhstan	128,000(85 BB)
RS Ryuki ShiraseJapan	126,000(84 BB)
JF Jin Fang LinChina	126,000(84 BB)
VT Van Tung NguyenViet Nam	126,000(84 BB)
RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	125,000(83 BB)
LL Li Lok ChingAustralia	123,000(82 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 11:34:21 AM

Quach Doubles Zalac

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Jayden Zalac

A♠ the action was joined at table 26, there was an all-in confrontation between Finn Penderak and John Clyde Tan, where Penderak’s kings held against Tan’s ace-queen on a dry 3♦ 8♠ 7♣ 5♣ 8♣ runout, giving Penderak a life-saving double through Tan.

In one of the next hands, Penderak raised to 3,000 from middle position and received three calls: cutoff Jayden Zalac, button Loc Quach and small blind Rene David.

All four checked the 2♣ 9♣ A♥ flop to see the 6♥ land on the turn. David checked, Penderak bet 7,500, which was called by Zalac, then Quach raised to 35,000, prompting David and Penderak to get out of the way, and Zalac moved his short stack in.

Zalac had A♠ Q♣ versus Quach’s A♣ 7♣. No club or seven arrived on the 4♥ river, giving Zalac a more-than-double through Quach.

Player	Chips
LQ Loc QuachSweden	110,000(73 BB)
RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	95,000(63 BB)
JZ Jayden ZalacAustralia	70,000(47 BB)
FP Finn PenderakGermany	20,000(13 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 11:19:59 AM

Registration Closed!

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Registration is officially closed for Flight B of the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event. Today’s flight drew 180 entries, with 72 players still in action. It appears 27 spots will make the money, bringing Sunday’s Day 2 field to 52 qualifiers so far.

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 74/189

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 74/189

Chip race for the 100-denomination chips.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 10:54:30 AM

Nguyen Adds to his Stack

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Van Tung Nguyen

Van Tung Nguyen opened to 2,500 from under the gun and received a call from next-to-act Po-Hao Liao. Small blind Mohamed Hashim then three-bet shoved for 7,800 and Nguyen four-bet to 17,500 to isolate him, and they went to showdown:

Mohamed Hashim: 6♥ 9♦

Van Tung Nguyen: 7♥ 7♦

Hashim failed to connect his nine, or anything at all, on the T♠ Q♣ 3♣ Q♦ J♥ runout, sending him out with a little time left to re-enter before registration closes.

Player	Chips
VT Van Tung NguyenViet Nam	110,000(92 BB)
PH Po Hao LiaoTaiwan	72,000(60 BB)
MI Mohamed Illyas HashimSingapore	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 10:48:47 AM

Cheong Doubles Song

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Chris Song

Cutoff Yun Rong Cheong raised to 2,600, and Bonjae Koo called on the button. Small blind Chris Song then three-bet to 10,000. After checking his stack, Cheong four-bet to 25,000, which would effectively put Song all in. Song stuck his stack in and they showed their hands:

Chris Song: A♦ A♠

Yun Rong Cheong: K♣ J♥

Cheong had picked the wrong time to pick a fight, and his king-jack failed to improve above Song's bullets on the T♦ T♥ 3♦ K♥ 6♣ runout, giving Song a double through Cheong.

Yun Rong Cheong

Player	Chips
CS Chris SongPhilippines	62,000(52 BB)
YR Yun Rong CheongSingapore	59,000(49 BB)
BK Bonjae KooSouth Korea	45,000(38 BB)

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 76/173

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 10:30:11 AM

Kihyun Throws His Weight Around

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

Kihyun Poong

Hand 1

Poong Kihyun raised to 2,600 from the cutoff and received a call from big blind Aaron Lam.

Lam check-folded to Kihyun’s 6,000 continuation-bet on the 9♠ 8♠ 5♦ flop.

Hand 2

Kihyun raised to 2,600 from the hijack and big blind Ono Shintaro took him on.

Shintaro check-folded to Kihyun’s 7,000 continuation-bet following the T♣ J♠ 2♠ flop.

Hand 3

Shintaro limped from the small blind and big blind Lenart Ecarma checked.

Shintaro bet 1,200 on the K♣ 7♣ 8♦ flop and received a call. Both checked through the A♠ 6♦ runout, and Ecarma was already mucking by the time Shintaro tabled 8♣ 9♥.

Player	Chips
KP Kihyun PoongSouth Korea	43,000(36 BB)
OS Ono ShintaroJapan	42,000(35 BB)
LE Lenart EcarmaPhilippines	34,000(28 BB)
AL Aaron Lam WeimingSingapore	31,000(26 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 10:24:19 AM

Tan Fires Back With Turn Check Raise

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

Johnson Tan

Preflop and flop Q♣ 2♣ 2♠ action between Dmitrii Belikov and Johnson Tan built a pot of 17,800. On the turn K♠ , Tan in the big blind check-raised all in for 39,400 after Belikov bet 11,500.

Belikov tanked for more than a minute before finally folding, awarding the pot to Tan.

Player	Chips
JT Johnson TanPhilippines	68,700(57 BB)
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	63,500(53 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 10:13:16 AM

Watanabe’s Almost All In Sparks Table Laughter

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

Facing a raise from the hijack, Ryuki Shirase from the cutoff three-bet to 6,500.

In the big blind, Katsutoshi Watanabe placed 5,000 into the pot, then tried to pull it back before announcing all in, but the dealer ruled it a call since the chips had already crossed the line. Watanabe nervously retrieved his extra chips, the initial raiser backed out, and Shirase burst into laughter.

On the flop J♠ 2♠ 7♥ , Watanabe surprisingly checked, then folded after Shirase fired 5,000. Shirase continued laughing at his fellow countryman as he dragged the pot.

Player	Chips
RS Ryuki ShiraseJapan	117,000(98 BB)
KW Katsutoshi WatanabeJapan	35,000(29 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 9:59:52 AM

Full House Punishes Saito’s River Bluff

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

Takashi Saito

The flop K♥ 3♦ 4♣ and turn 4♦ were already up, building a pot of about 15,000 in a battle of the blinds between Takashi Saito and Ron Hoffman.

Takashi check called Hoffman’s 6,100 bet. On the river Q♥ , Takashi led out with a shove for 36,000 and Hoffman snap called.

Takashi Saito: A♥ 5♣

Ron Hoffman: Q♦ Q♠

Saito tabled a missed straight draw and turned it into a bluff, but he ran straight into Hoffman’s river full house. Hoffman happily scooped the pot.

Player	Chips
RH Ron HoffmanIsrael	119,000(99 BB)
TS Takashi SaitoJapan	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 86/163

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 9:38:12 AM

Tan Shoves And Sends Laxamana Out

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

John Clyde Tan

Marlon Laxamana

John Clyde Tan opened from under the gun and then fired a four-bet shove after Marlon Laxamana three-bet to 8,000. Laxamana called for all of his chips.

Marlon Laxamana: A♠ Q♥

John Clyde Tan: A♦ K♦

Tan had Laxamana dominated and stayed ahead the entire way as no queen appeared on the board 8♥ 3♣ 2♠ 7♥ 2♦ . Tan dragged the pot while Laxamana was eliminated.

Player	Chips
JC John Clyde TanPhilippines	82,300(82 BB)
ML Marlon LaxamanaPhilippines	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 9:27:17 AM

Set Saves Rakhimov

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

Azizjon Rakhimov

Down to his last 8,900, Azizjon Rakhimov open shoved and to his left Kihyun Poong made the call. No other player entered the pot and the cards were tabled.

Azizjon Rakhimov: T♣ T♥

Kihyun Poong: A♠ J♠

It was a flip preflop, but Rakhimov took the lead on the flop 3♥ 2♠ 6♥ . The turn T♠ improved him to a set while Poong picked up a flush draw. The river J♣ brought no spade and Rakhimov scored a double up.

Player	Chips
KP Kihyun PoongSouth Korea	64,400(64 BB)
AR Azizjon RakhimovUzbekistan	20,300(20 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 9:17:42 AM

Trips Crush Dela Cruz’s Queens

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

Marvin Dela Cruz

After bagging yesterday’s Flight A for 184,000, Marvin Dela Cruz returned, looking to add more.

Folded to the button, Lu Zhou opened to 2,000 and then called the three-bet of Dela Cruz for 5,000. On the flop 8♦ 8♠ 6♦ , Dela Cruz led out and Zhou shoved for 22,600, which Dela Cruz snap-called.

Marvin Dela Cruz: Q♥ Q♣

Lu Zhou: 8♥ 5♥

Dela Cruz showed the queens for an overpair, but Zhou revealed monster trips. Dela Cruz left with two outs but failed to hit on the turn J♦ or river A♠ . He was eliminated, though it mattered little, as he had already advanced to Day 2.

Player	Chips
LZ Lu ZhouChina	67,000(67 BB)
MD Marvin Dela CruzPhilippines	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 98/156

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 96/154

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 8:45:52 AM

Pocket Jacks Knock Out Wye

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Jonathan Looi Tek Wye

Edgar Asehan opened to 2,000, and the button called. On the big blind, Jonathan Looi Tek Wye three-bet shoved for 17,100. Asehan just flat-called, and the button got out of the way, setting up a heads-up showdown.

Jonathan Looi Tek Wye: A♥ T♥

Edgar Asehan: J♠ J♦

Wye needed an ace to survive but failed to find one on the board 3♦ 2♥ 3♣ 6♣ 4♠ . Asehan knocked out a player.

Player	Chips
EA Edgar AsehanPhilippines	53,000(66 BB)
JL Jonathan Looi Tek WyeMalaysia	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 8:41:39 AM

Reisenberger Back from the Dead

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Stefan Reisenberger

Taiichiro Yoshikawa raised to 800 from early position and received calls from button Katsutoshi Watanabe, plus blinds Lenart Ecarma and Stefan Reisenberger.

There were checks around to Watanabe, who bet 1,800 on the 3♣ 2♠ 3♠ flop, before Reisenberger raised to 4,800 - effectively all in minus a single 100-chip. Watanabe thought he’d shoved, put the chips in, and almost exposed his cards before the dealer stepped in.

The 7♥ landed on the turn and Reisenberger tossed in his last chip. Watanabe tabled A♦ 4♦ for a straight draw, but Reisenberger’s A♣ 3♥ had him well ahead. The 2♣ improved him to a boat, securing the double and pushing the pot his way.

Player	Chips
TY Taiichiro YoshikawaJapan	39,000(49 BB)
LE Lenart EcarmaPhilippines	35,000(44 BB)
KW Katsutoshi WatanabeJapan	21,000(26 BB)
SR Stefan ReisenbergerAustria	15,000(19 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 8:33:30 AM

Shintaro Doubles Up In Three-Way All-In

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Ono Shintaro

Three-way all-in already happened on table 23. The shortest stack, Jaeil Lee, had 9,500, Ono Shintaro had 17,600, and Katsutoshi Watanabe had a covered stack.

Jaeil Lee: 6♦ 4♦

Ono Shintaro: A♥ K♦

Katsutoshi Watanabe: A♦ T♦

Shintaro extended his lead after the flop A♠ 4♠ 3♣ , leaving Watanabe drawing dead, but Lee still had outs. The runout 8♠ K♣ ultimately favored Shintaro, who doubled up and eliminated Lee.

Player	Chips
OS Ono ShintaroJapan	46,700(58 BB)
KW Katsutoshi WatanabeJapan	24,500(31 BB)
JL Jaeil LeeSouth Korea	busted

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 98/135

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 8:13:48 AM

Anderson Out by Bullets

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Dakota Anderson

John Clyde Tan opened to 1,300 from the hijack and was called by blinds Dakota Anderson and Kibeom Lee.

Both blinds checked the 3♦ 9♥ 8♠ flop. Tan fired 1,700, and Anderson responded with a check-shove for his remaining 8,000 in chips. Lee got out of the way but Tan stuck in the call:

Dakota Anderson: 8♥ 7♥

John Clyde Tan: A♦ A♠

Anderson wasn't dead in the water, but he'd need some help from the dealer to stay in the game. Unfortunately, the 2♦ 6♠ runout brought none, and he was sent to the rail as Tan absorbed his chips.

Player	Chips
JC John Clyde TanPhilippines	42,000(70 BB)
KL Kibeom LeeSouth Korea	22,000(37 BB)
DA Dakota AndersonUnited States of America	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 8:10:20 AM

Top Pair Crushes Steward’s Draw

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Leon Steward

Takashi Saito opened to 1,200 and called the three-bet shove of Leon Steward for 10,900.

Leon Steward: 7♥ 6♦

Takashi Saito: K♣ 6♣

Steward was visibly frustrated after realizing he was dominated by Saito. Saito then almost locked up the hand after hitting top pair on the flop K♦ J♥ 8♠ . The turn 4♠ gave Steward a gut-shot draw, but the river A♠ missed, and Steward was eliminated.

Player	Chips
TS Takashi SaitoJapan	41,700(70 BB)
LS Leon StewardPhilippines	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 8:06:49 AM

Two Pair for Tan

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

John Clyde Tan

John Clyde Tan opened to 1,500 from the button and received a call only from Ju Won Chung in the big blind.

Chung check-called Tan's 1,500 bet on the 7♥ J♠ 4♣ flop.

Action checked through the 3♥ turn to the 5♥ river, where Chung led for 3,000, and Tan called. Chung tabled A♠ 7♠ for second pair, but he was pipped at the post by Tan's 5♦ 4♦ for two pair.

Player	Chips
JC John Clyde TanPhilippines	35,000(58 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	27,000(45 BB)
DA Dakota AndersonUnited States of America	1,700(3 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 7:56:39 AM

Top Pair Holds Against Bluff

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Ju Won Chung and Dakota Anderson

Under the gun +1, Ju Won Chung opened to 1,200, and on his left, Dakota Anderson called, along with the big blind.

Chung fired a 2,500 continuation-bet on the flop J♦ T♠ 8♥ , and Anderson raised it to 8,000. The big blind got out of the way, and Chung called. Heads-up went to the turn 2♦ , and both players checked to the river 2♣ . Chung once more check-called Anderson’s 8,000 bet.

Anderson showed his hand K♣ 9♣ for a king-high bluff, while Chung revealed tQc J♣ op pair, scooping the pot and leaving Anderson with only 1,700.

Player	Chips
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	44,100(74 BB)
DA Dakota AndersonUnited States of America	1,700(3 BB)

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 101/125

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 7:34:28 AM

Bader Flops Trips

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Brett Bader

Ajay Abrol opened to 1,500 from the cutoff and received calls from blinds Oliver Lirio and Elmer Kalaquian.

Both blinds check-called when Abrol continued for 3,000 on the 8♦ Q♦ 7♥ flop.

All three players checked the J♠ turn to see the K♣ river, where Lirio check-folded and Kalaquian check-raised Abrol's 5,100 up to 11,000, and he swiftly called. Kalaquian tabled Q♠ 8♠ for two pair, and Abrol mucked in frustration. A little while later it was revealed he had ace-king.

In the next hand, Shanbang Shi raised to 1,200 from under the gun and received calls from Abrol in middle position, cutoff Lirio, and big blind Anant Purohit.

Action checked right through the T♣ Q♣ T♥ J♣ 9♠ runout, with Purohit tabling A♦ 6♦ for ace-high, but it was Shi that scooped the modest pot with K♠ 8♠ for a straight.

The third hand saw Purohit raise to 1,000 from the button, and big blind Brett Bader made the call.

Bader check-raised Purohit's 500 bet up to 1,300 on the T♠ 3♥ T♣ flop; Purohit stuck around.

Bader led for 2,600 on the K♣ turn, picking up a call. Action repeated on the Q♥ river for 6,000. Bader flicked over T♥ 4♥ for trips, much to Purohit's frustration.

Elmer Kalaquian

Player	Chips
EK Elmer KalaquianPhilippines	37,000(74 BB)
SS Shanbang ShiChina	36,000(72 BB)
BB Brett BaderUnited States of America	32,500(65 BB)
OL Oliver LirioPhilippines	32,000(64 BB)
AA Ajay AbrolIndia	29,000(58 BB)
AP Anant PurohitIndia	12,000(24 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 7:34:22 AM

River Set Sends Tran Packing

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Thanh Van Tran

Heads-up action between Takashi Saito and Thanh Van Tran built around a 10,300 pot on the middle K♥ T♥ 5♥ 4♠ . Tran checked, Saito shoved, and Thanh snap-called for his remaining 13,900.

Thanh Van Tran: K♠ Q♣

Takashi Saito: J♣ J♥

A flip preflop, but Thanh hit top pair on the flop. Saito still had plenty of outs and then picked up a set on the river J♠ , eliminating Thanh.

Player	Chips
TS Takashi SaitoJapan	59,800(120 BB)
TV Thanh Van TranViet Nam	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 7:19:41 AM

River Pair Secures The Pot

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Simon Cohen

Under-the-gun +1, Simon Cohen opened to 1,000 and called the three-bet of Nikita Ustiuzhanin for 3,500. Ustiuzhanin fired a 2,000 continuation-bet on the flop J♥ 4♣ 2♠ and Cohen check-called.

Both players carefully checked the turn 7♦ and so the river 9♥ .

Cohen showed his hand T♣ 9♣ for a river pair, and Ustiuzhanin showed his hand A♠ K♠ , and Cohen scooped the pot.

Player	Chips
SC Simon Cohen (3)United Kingdom	38,100(76 BB)
NU Nikita UstiuzhaninRussia	20,600(41 BB)

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 97/107

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 92/102

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 6:43:33 AM

Early Leader Takes a Hit In Classic Flip

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Reera Hong

The hands were already on the felt with Reera Hong all in for 29,200 and Jimin Lim holding a covering stack.

Reera Hong: A♥ K♣

Jimin Lim: T♠ T♣

It was a classic flip, but Hong connected immediately with top pair on the flop A♠ 6♠ 5♥ . Lim needed a ten to stay alive, but the runout A♣ 3♥ offered no help. Lim suffered a big blow to his early lead in Flight B.

Player	Chips
JL Jimin LimSouth Korea	63,000(158 BB)
RH Reera HongSouth Korea	59,200(148 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 6:29:00 AM

Table 25 Action

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Seungyeop Han

Hand 1

Justin Kong opened to 1,000, getting a call from Lenart Ecarma, then both folded to Damian Plank’s three-bet shove from the small blind.

Hand 2

Plank, now in the cutoff, opened to 1,000 and Kong called from the big blind.

Kong check-called Plank’s 1,000 bet on the flop. Both checked through the turn and river, with Plank’s king-jack holding up against Kong’s jack-ten.

Hand 3

Bonjae Koo raised to 1,000 from middle position and called Seungyop Han’s three-bet to 1,500 from the cutoff.

Koo check-called Han’s 1,200 continuation-bet on the flop. Both checked the turn, and on the river Koo fired 3,000, enough to take the pot as Han folded.

Player	Chips
BK Bonjae KooSouth Korea	34,100(85 BB)
RO Robbie Obrien FisherUnited Kingdom	30,000(75 BB)
SH Seungyeop HanSouth Korea	25,000(63 BB)
DP Damian PlankGermany	24,000(60 BB)
JK Justin KongSingapore	20,000(50 BB)
LE Lenart EcarmaPhilippines	12,000(30 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 6:26:45 AM

Aces Earn The Double But Trouble Follows

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Javkhlan Ganbold

Under the gun +1, Javkhlan Ganbold opened to 1,000. Cutoff Van Tran Thanh replied with a three-bet to 4000. Small blind Takashi Saito called and the big blind followed suit. Action returned to Ganbold who pushed all of his 17,300 chips into the middle. Thanh released his hand and Saito re-shoved.

Ganbold revealed his cards not realizing the big blind still had a decision. After seeing the monster, the big blind quickly folded.

Javkhlan Ganbold: A♣ A♠

Takashi Saito: 4♥ 4♦

The board 5♥ J♣ Q♣ K♥ 5♣ brought no rescue for Saito and Ganbold secured a clean double up.

However, the celebration was short lived as the dealer called for the tournament director and Ganbold received a two hand penalty for exposing his hand with action pending.

Player	Chips
JG Javkhlan GanboldMongolia	43,000(108 BB)
TV Thanh Van TranViet Nam	32,800(82 BB)
TS Takashi SaitoJapan	15,100(38 BB)

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 73/77

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 6:06:33 AM

Elliott Turns Up The Heat

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Paul Elliott

Hijack Paul Elliott opened to 600 and button Ono Shintaro responded with a three bet to 2100. Small blind Katsutoshi Watanabe put in a four bet to 5100 and both Elliott and Shintaro continued to the flop J♦ 5♥ 2♠ .

Watanabe checked and Elliott fired 3500, prompting Shintaro to step aside while Watanabe made the call.

On the turn T♠ , Watanabe checked again and Elliott moved all in for 15900. That was enough to end the hand as Watanabe folded and surrendered the pot.

Player	Chips
PE Paul ElliottAustralia	38,200(127 BB)
KW Katsutoshi WatanabeJapan	23,800(79 BB)
OS Ono ShintaroJapan	13,700(46 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 5:45:53 AM

An Shoves on Manlapaz

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Seungyong An

Shunsuke Sasaki opened to 600 from early position and received calls from Somashekar Mahadeva in the next seat, cutoff Seungyong An and big blind Michael Manlapaz.

Manlapaz led out for 600 on the Q♦ Q♠ 4♥ flop and only An stuck around.

The 7♦ landed on the turn and Manlapaz check-called An's 3,000 bet.

Manlapaz then led out for 3,000 of his own once the 5♦ completed the board; An didn't make the call.

In the next hand, Mahadeva opened to 600 from early position then called An's 1,800 three-bet, as did Manlapaz in the small blind.

Manlapaz check-called while Mahadeva check-folded to An's 2,400 bet on the 4♣ 3♠ A♦ flop.

An checked the K♠ turn, then shoved for 22,000 when Manlapaz bet 2,500. Manlapaz took stock of his chips before deciding to send his cards back to the dealer, showing ace-queen as he folded.

Player	Chips
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	33,000(110 BB)
SK Somashekar Kurkhepally MahadevaIndia	32,000(107 BB)
SS Shunsuke SasakiJapan	30,100(100 BB)
SA Seungyong AnSouth Korea	24,500(82 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 5:45:17 AM

Oppicini Roller Coaster Stirs The Table

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Alessandro Oppicini

First Hand

The flop J♦ 7♠ 3♣ and turn T♣ were already on the felt with around 22,000 in the middle between Alessandro Oppicini and Wei Guang Tan. Oppicini led for 6,300 and Tan came back with a raise to 25,000, effectively putting Oppicini all in if he continued. Oppicini tanked before finally laying it down.

Curious and tilted, Oppicini asked Tan if he had a set. Tan happily confirmed and Oppicini stood up, visibly upset, pacing around the table.

Second Hand

On the very next hand, under the gun +1, Oppicini returned to his seat, peeked at his cards, and instantly announced all in with his remaining 10100. No one wanted to tangle and he collected the blinds uncontested.

Third Hand

Oppicini opened again, this time to 600 from under the gun. Hijack Hyeokki Lee three-bet to 2,500 and cutoff Albert Muir fired in a four bet to 6,000.

Action returned to Oppicini who quickly folded. Lee confidently announced all in and pushed his entire stack forward. Muir took only about ten seconds before releasing his hand.

Player	Chips
WG Wei Guang TanSingapore	63,200(211 BB)
HL Hyeokki LeeSouth Korea	41,500(138 BB)
AM Albert MuirUnited States of America	25,600(85 BB)
AO Alessandro OppiciniItaly	10,100(34 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 5:40:41 AM

Fresh Faces on the Felt

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	30,000(100 BB)
LE Lenart EcarmaPhilippines	30,000(100 BB)
RO Robbie Obrien FisherUnited Kingdom	30,000(100 BB)
KP Kihyun PoongSouth Korea	30,000(100 BB)
SH Seungyeop HanSouth Korea	30,000(100 BB)
CL Cam LawUnited Kingdom	30,000(100 BB)
MR Mikael RafnUnited States of America	30,000(100 BB)

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 48/49

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 5:21:38 AM

Set Of Jacks Surges Ahead

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Wei Guang Tan

Hijack Wei Guang Tan opened to 700 and both button Abert Muir and big blind Hiroki Kajiwara came along for the ride. Tan fired 1,200 on the flop J♠ 9♠ 7♣ and another 3,000 on the turn 5♣ , with both Muir and Kajiwara sticking around to keep it three way.

Still three handed on the river Q♦ , Kajiwara checked and Tan kept the pressure on with an 8,000 bet. Muir finally released his hand while Kajiwara took a moment before making the call.

Tan revealed J♦ J♣ a set of jacks to claim the pot as Kajiwara slid his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips
WG Wei Guang TanSingapore	51,800(259 BB)
AM Albert MuirUnited States of America	36,900(185 BB)
HK Hiroki KajiwaraJapan	31,200(156 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 5:09:41 AM

Dealer Slip Sparks a Laugh

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Bonjae Koo

Under the gun +1, Bonjae Koo opened to 500 and small blind Ron Hoffman responded with a three-bet to 1,500. Action returned to Koo, who reached for more and fired a four-bet to 5,000. Hoffman thought it over for a moment before deciding to call.

On the flop 9♠ 6♦ 5♠ , Hoffman checked and Koo continued for 7,000. The dealer accidentally announced 700, prompting Hoffman to grin and say that he would call if it were really 700. With the real number confirmed, he let his hand go and the pot slid to Koo.

Player	Chips
BK Bonjae KooSouth Korea	34,100(171 BB)
RH Ron HoffmanIsrael	31,500(158 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 4:53:26 AM

Belikov, Shintaro and Taiichiro Tangle

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Dmitrii Belikov

Hand 1

Ono Shintaro opened to 500 from early position and received a call from Taiichiro Yoshikawa in the small blind.

Yoshikawa check-folded to Shintaro's 800 continuation-bet following the 5♦ 7♣ A♦ flop.

Hand 2

Shintaro opened again, this time to 500, then called cutoff Dmitrii Belikov's 2,300 three-bet.

The Q♣ T♠ 4♠ flop landed and Shintaro checked; Belikov fired 2,500 and Shintaro hung around.

Both checked through the 3♠ turn to reach the 2♦ river, where Shintaro check-called Belikov's 7,500 bet, only to see him table K♣ K♥, which was good for the pot.

Hand 3

Belikov opened to 500 from the hijack and cutoff Yoshikawa plus big blind Shintaro stuck in the call.

All three players checked through the A♥ Q♦ 7♣ flop, sending them to the turn.

The dealer placed the 9♦ down and Shintaro check-folded to Belikov's 1,300 bet. Yoshikawa made the call.

The T♦ completed the board and Belikov led out for 2,100. Yoshikawa thought it over for a few moments before ultimately deciding to lay his hand down.

Player	Chips
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	42,000(210 BB)
OS Ono ShintaroJapan	26,000(130 BB)
TY Taiichiro YoshikawaJapan	24,000(120 BB)

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 34/34

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 4:36:41 AM

Back-To-Back Pots For Evers

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

On the very next hand, Nils Evers opened to 400 and button Ajay Abrol, freshly seated, three-bet to 1,200. Evers made the call and they went to the flop.

Abrol fired 1,000 on the flop 9♣ 7♥ 4♦ and followed up with 1,600 on the turn 6♥ , with Evers check-calling both streets.

On the river 8♦ , Evers checked once more and this time Abrol tapped back.

Evers tabled his hand A♣ K♠ , Abrol revealed his own A♥ Q♠ , and the pot went to Evers with the stronger ace combination.

Player	Chips
NE Nils EversGermany	39,000(390 BB)
AA Ajay AbrolIndia	26,200(262 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 4:35:38 AM

Shi Out-Kicks Ustiuzhanin

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Shanbang Shi

Adam Placek limped under the gun and Shanbang Shi raised to 500 from middle position. Small blind Nikita Ustiuzhanin called, and Placek came along as well.

On the A♣ 9♥ 3♣ flop, Ustiuzhanin check-called Shi’s 700 continuation-bet while Placek got out of the way.

Ustiuzhanin checked again on the K♥ turn and called when Shi made it 1,200.

The 6♥ river went check–check.

“Ace,” Ustiuzhanin said, showing A♦ 4♦, but Shi tabled A♠ T♦ for the better kicker to take the pot.

Player	Chips
SS Shanbang ShiChina	33,000(330 BB)
AP Adam PlacekUnited Kingdom	28,000(280 BB)
NU Nikita UstiuzhaninRussia	28,000(280 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 4:29:08 AM

Pot Pressure Pays Off

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Nils Evers

With 3,000 in the middle and the board Q♠ 8♣ 7♠ 9♣ already spread, big blind Shunsuke Sasaki checked and then called when Nils Evers fired an over-pot bet of 5,000.

On the river 2♥ , Sasaki checked once more but this time wanted no part of it. Evers slid out a full pot bet of 13,000 and earned the fold without hesitation.

Player	Chips
NE Nils EversGermany	34,900(349 BB)
SS Shunsuke SasakiJapan	24,600(246 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 4:28:11 AM

Guliaev Takes Charge

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Nikolai Guliaev

Adam Placek limped in from early position, and button Nikolai Guliaev came along. Big blind Katsutoshi Watanabe raised to 600, and only Guliaev made the call.

The flop came 3♦ K♣ T♣, and Watanabe continued for 700. Guliaev called.

Watanabe checked the 9♦ turn, allowing Guliaev to take the lead for 1,200, which Watanabe matched.

On the J♥ river, Watanabe checked once more. Guliaev fired 2,500, and that was enough to push Watanabe off the hand, with his cards quickly sent back to the dealer.

Player	Chips
NG Nikolai GuliaevRussia	31,500(315 BB)
AP Adam PlacekUnited Kingdom	29,000(290 BB)
KW Katsutoshi WatanabeJapan	28,900(289 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 4:18:28 AM

Early Bird Players

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Player	Chips
NU Nikita UstiuzhaninRussia	30,000(300 BB)
DZ Dauren ZhaparovKazakhstan	30,000(300 BB)
AP Adam PlacekUnited Kingdom	30,000(300 BB)
DP Damian PlankGermany	30,000(300 BB)
KW Katsutoshi WatanabeJapan	30,000(300 BB)
JG Javkhlan GanboldMongolia	30,000(300 BB)
AM Albert MuirUnited States of America	30,000(300 BB)
TS Takashi SaitoJapan	30,000(300 BB)
RH Ron HoffmanIsrael	30,000(300 BB)
HK Hiroki KajiwaraJapan	30,000(300 BB)
JL Jimin LimSouth Korea	30,000(300 BB)
NE Nils EversGermany	30,000(300 BB)
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	30,000(300 BB)
SS Shunsuke SasakiJapan	30,000(300 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/5/2025, 4:09:18 AM

Shuffle Up And Deal!

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

After a slow start, cards are finally in the air for the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event. Just like yesterday, the pace begins quietly, but the energy is already picking up and players are steadily streaming into the room as Flight B starts to take shape.

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 13/13

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/5/2025, 3:18:35 AM

Main Event Continues with Flight B

After a successful opening day that saw 25 players advance to Day 2, the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event rolls on with Flight B taking center stage at PokerStars LIVE Manila inside Okada Manila.

Yesterday’s Flight A closed with Oleg Mordassov topping the counts with a hefty 442,000 in chips, while a number of familiar regulars also booked their seats for Sunday’s final day. Flight B kicks off at 12 PM, giving players another chance to take a shot at the PHP 20,000,000 (~US$ 338,000) guarantee. Everyone begins with a 30,000 starting stack (300 BB) and will navigate 40-minute levels throughout the day. Registration remains open until the end of Level 10, with late entrants still coming in with a healthy 27 big blinds.

Play will continue until the field reaches the money, roughly 15 percent of entries, at which point survivors will bag up and return for Day 2 already in the payouts.

Main Event Remaining Schedule

Flight B: December 5 at 12 PM.
Flight C: December 6 at 12 PM.
Flight D (Turbo): December 6 at 8 PM.
Day 2 and Final Day: December 7 at 12 PM.

Somuchpoker will once again be on the floor bringing you live updates throughout the day.

Event starts 12:00 local time