HomeThe Asian Poker Tour wrapped up its season opener at Resorts World Manila with a plethora of exciting moments in the books and the awarding of the first winners of the APT Player of the Series. The APT Kickoff 2017 ran for nine days, from January 11th-19th, with 18 side events and a US$1,650 buy-in Main Event. Here are some of the highlights and big winners of the festival.
Japan’s Takumi Samejima seizes the APT Main Event
APT Kick Off 2017 Main Event Champion, Takumi Samejima
Amateur poker player, Takumi Samejima, is undoubtedly the newest rising star. Competing in just his third ever live tournament, Samejima overcame a very tough Final 8 with three past APT Main Event champions all hungry for his chips. Despite entering the heads up round on a chip deficit, he took full control to deny Filipino pro Czardy Rivera his second championship title. This was Samejima’s first ever title and ITM. He earned the single largest cash prize of US$38,020, the APT Championship Trophy, and the first APT Championship Ring of 2017.
Japan’s Yoichi Uesugi wins the APT Player of the Series
Yoichi Uesugi receives the APT POS ring, exclusive watch and trophy from RWM Director – Gaming Operations Arturo Basa
APT regular, Yoichi Uesugi, became the first APT Player of the Series champion. Although he didn’t champion any of the events, his deep run in some of the big ones earned him the highest cumulative points of the festival. Uesugi cashed in four events: 8th place at the Main Event, 4th place at the High Rollers, 5th place at the Main Event Warm-up, and 5th place at the MSW Deep Stack Turbo. Uesugi was awarded the APT POS winner’s trophy, an APT POS customized ring, an exclusive luxury watch, and he qualifies to the APT Game of Champions. Uesugi also leads the APT Player of the Year 2017 standings.
APT POS 2nd Placer Anthony Gabitan receives his trophy from RWM Director – Gaming Operations Arturo Basa
Taking second place in the APT POS was Filipino player Anthony Gabitan who trailed Uesugi by a very small margin. Gabitan placed 9th at the Main Event, had two other cashes, and his first ever APT title at the No Limit Hold’em 2 event. He was awarded an APT POS 2nd place trophy and he qualifies to the APT Game of Champions.
Filipino pro Lester Edoc bags three titles and finishes 3rd in the APT POS
RWM Director – Gaming Operations Arturo Basa awards the trophy to APT POS 3rd Placer Lester Edoc
Filipino pro Lester Edoc bagged a whopping three trophies at the festival. He came out swinging at the Main Event Warm-Up, followed it up with another victory at the WeLoveSport.com event, and closed out the series winning the Deep Stack Hyper Turbo event. He also cashed at the MSW event with a 4th place finish. With his achievements, he secured 3rd place in the APT POS. He was awarded an APT POS 3rd place trophy and he qualifies to the APT Game of Champions.
Iori Yogo returns with a win at the High Rollers event
The APT POY 2016 champion Iori Yogo had a dry start but got on the board at the final hour. He shipped in the High Rollers event for a US$18,350 payout.
The Asian Poker Tour would like to extend a big congratulations to all the champions! We would also like to thank everyone for their support at the APT Kickoff 2017. We hope to see all of you at our next event, the APT Daegu 2017 in South Korea!
You can relive the APT Main Event in the Live Updates page. We also have links to all the exciting stories at the festival.
Main Event stories:
Takumi Samejima takes down the APT Main Event
GACKT rules Day 1A
Benjamin Gonzva tops Main Event Day 1B
Czardy Rivera emerges as the leader in Main Event Day 2
Czardy Rivera on top of Main Event Day 3, leads Final 8
Final 8 players
Links to Side Event winners:
John Tech wins NLH Welcome Event
Byun Choul Seung wins Ante Up for Charity
Lester Edoc claims the Main Event Warm-Up
Hung Sheng Lin wins the Head Hunter Event
Kai Paulsen wins the OFC Pineapple Progressive (new event)
Wang Ping Yuan wins NLH 1 Day event
Jan Bolotaolo wins the MSW event
Lester Edoc wins second trophy at the WLS event
William Kang wins the No Limit Hold’em 1
Tien Quyet Pham wins the Deep Stack Turbo
Final seven side event winners of the APT Kickoff 2017
You can watch the Final 8 action of selected side events in the APT Twitch channel.
Daily highlights of the festival are also available for your viewing enjoyment at the APT YouTube channel.