HomeGreat turnout for the CHAMPIONSHIPS EVENT – VND 6 Billion guaranteed with 123 entries in Day 1A. This is the second featured event of the APT Kickoff 2019 Vietnam festival ongoing at Pro Poker Club in Ho Chi Minh City. It will run a course of five days, concluding on January 20 during the festival’s closing day.
Originally intended for nine rounds today, it was decided that players would end one hour early, bag up after 8 levels. This was to ensure that everyone would be able to attend the Players Party at the end of tomorrow’s Day 1B. After the 8 rounds, the field trimmed down to half leaving 60 players advancing to Day 2.
Championships Event Day 1A chip counts
Closing the day strong was Vietnam’s Dinh Xuan Dinh with 245,900. Dinh railed a player during the final hands called to just edge Korea’s Soo Jo Kim in second rank. He sets the bar for the next starting day to come.
Dinh Xuan Dinh
Decorated APT Main Event 2016 champion Kim bagged up 229,200.
Soo Jo Kim
Rounding out the top three was Duy Thanh Dang with 213,800.
Duy Thanh Dang
In addition to the top three, APT 2017 Championships Event decorated champion, Lim Yohwan also bagged a sizable stack of 205,900. These four players were the only ones that crossed into 200k.
Lim Yohwan
Among the notable players also surviving were: Erik Billgren, Duy Ho, Vang Ngoc Binh (High Rollers 1 champion), Dang Van Hien, Huu Dung Nguyen (APT Championships Event winner), Kunal Patni, Phachara Wongwichit (GPI POY 2018 Thailand), Aditya Sushant (WSOP bracelet winner), Dhaval Mudgal, Steve “Joonhee” Yea, and Alan King Lun Lau.
Qualifiers into Day 2 have a day break as they await the results of Day 1B. They return on Friday, January 18 at 1pm for the next stage of the race. For those missing the mark and for those hanging on the rails, Day 1B is up next. Jump on in, don’t miss out on this brewing big pot.
CHAMPIONSHIPS EVENT Day 1B up next
Day 1B of the CHAMPIONSHIPS EVENT – VND 6 Billion GTD (roughly USD 258,800) – kicks off at 1pm on Thursday, January 17. . Buy-in is VND 38,500,000 (~USD 1,660).
Alike the main, the Championships Event is one of our top of the line tournaments equipped with a great structure. Players begin with a deep 50,000 stack, blinds increasing at a slow 60 minute pace. Opening blinds are 100/200. The APT utilizes the Ante Big Blind format.
- The “ANTE BB” format utilizes the ante first rule before the big blind. This rule applies in the event that the big blind player cannot cover the full amount of both the ANTE and BB.
- The “ANTE BB” structure remains the same regardless of the number of players at a table.
The event will run a total of five days from January 16 to 20. See the schedule below:
Day 1A: Wednesday, January 16 (60 out of 123 advanced)
Day 1B: Thursday, January 17 (play 8 levels)
Day 2: Friday, January 18 (play 8 levels)
Day 3: Saturday, January 19 (play to the Final 8)
Final 8: Sunday, January 20
*Registration closes at the start of Level 10 in Day 2.
Bubble protection
Bubble Protection will also be in effect. Two years ago, the APT introduced the Bubble Protection. This is a type of insurance for players on the bubble round. If a protected player falls on the bubble, then that player will receive his/her buy-in back in the form of APT tournament credits. To be eligible, all you need to do is follow these three simple steps:
- Pre-register
- Draw for your seat before starting time
- Have your chips put into play before the first hand is dealt for each starting day
New Pay Table
Alike the main, the Championships Event will also pay out the 10% of the field with heavy payouts for the top three spots.
Full APT Kickoff 2019 Vietnam schedule