HomeGet ready for some nonstop poker fun as the Asian Poker Tour makes landfall in Hanoi, Vietnam! This will be the tour’s first ever visit to the country’s capital with games taking place from June 7 to 19 at the Grand Loyal Poker Club. A total of 25 trophies are up for grabs and a minimum of VN₫ 10 Billion in prizes across three guaranteed events. With the inaugural series hitting the felt in just a few days, make sure to pack your bags and head on over as you won’t want to miss any part of the exciting lineup. Here’s a look at what’s in store and everything else you need to know.
Lineup of events
As always, the schedule has every type of bankroll covered with buy ins from VN₫ 6,600,000 (~US$ 285) to VN₫ 108,000,000 (~US$ 4,657). On the low end are Turbo events and atop the pole are High Rollers events. Among those wedged in between are three lucrative events featuring substantial guarantees. Make sure to mark these down in your planners.
The series opens with the Mystery Bounty VN₫ 1 Billion guaranteed. This thrilling bounty format has grown in popularity as players hunt down the largest mystery prizes. To enter, two flights are offered, both taking place on opening day. Buy in is VN₫ 8,800,000 (~US$ 380). Event runs from June 7 to 8.
Series headliner Main Event VN₫ 5 Billion guaranteed (~US$ 215,610) follows from June 9 to 14. This is the APT’s most highly revered tournament and it is the event everyone aims to conquer. This one will be especially sought after as the champion will be the first ever crowned by the APT in Hanoi. For those new to the APT, the tournament’s deep stack structure with slow escalating blinds allow for plenty of playing time which ultimately rewards the more skilled. In mid April, Vietnamese player Hue Dang shipped the APT Vietnam Phu Quoc Main Event. She will likely be at the festival looking to bag her second title. Good news, the APT has extended Main Event registration an extra hour, closing at the end of Level 11 (previously end of Level 10), which is Sunday, June 12 at 2pm. Buy in is VN₫ 22,000,000 (~US$ 950) with three starting days. For players that sign up at the last second, you still have a decent 20 BB to start with.
Running back to back is the Championships Event VN₫ 4 Billion guaranteed (~US$ 172,488). Similar to the main in structure, its higher buy in of VN₫ 38,500,000 (~US$ 1,660) tends to draw a tight field of players with heavier bankrolls. Registration has also been extended, closing at the end of Level 11 which is Friday, June 17 at 3pm. For players that sign up at the last second, you also have a decent 20 BB to start with.
Speaking of heavier bankrolls, a third of the schedule is marked high rollers, which are eight in total. The most expensive event is the Super High Rollers with buy in of VN₫ 108,000,000 (~US$ 4,657), the two-day High Rollers events cost VN₫ 65,000,000 and VN₫ 86,000,000, and the High Rollers Single Day go for VN₫ 32,500,000 to VN₫ 43,000,000.
Other low to mid ranged events are Turbos, two-day and single day NLH, Head Hunter, Short Deck, Pot Limit Omaha, and crowd favorite Monster Stack which closes the series.
APT Hanoi Loyal 2022 full schedule
Tournament structures
Venue
The Grand Loyal Poker Club is located on the second floor of the Grand Vista Hotel. The poker room has a cool vibe and can accommodate up to 20 tables. It also has its own kitchen, several massage chairs, and an RFID table for live streaming.
Photo by Grand Loyal Poker Club
For the upcoming series, more tables have been added in the ballroom, located one floor above. As for the hotel, it is top notch providing a comprehensive list of amenities for staying guests such as a fitness center, hot tub, bar, indoor pool, massage services, 24 hour room service, and buffet breakfast (optional). During the event, players can avail of special rates however it is subject to availability. Foreigners sometimes have difficulty communicating due to the language barrier; at the hotel, seven languages are spoken namely Vietnamese, French, English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Tourist info
For international travelers, all border restrictions have been lifted however you do have to sign up to the local PC-Covid app for contract tracing during your stay. Once you arrive at the Noi Bai International Airport, the poker room is a one hour ride maximum. The currency is Vietnamese Dong. Exchange counters are available at the airport and at most banks. One more thing to take note of, it is rainy season in the country so make sure to pack a rain jacket.
In addition to playing poker, we do recommend spending time exploring the city on foot, especially the Old Quarter with its trademark narrow streets lined with vendors. Further out, a full day trip to Ha Long Bay is a must.
See you at the tables!