The chips were flying thick and fast over eight levels of play today but for now Day 1a is within the books. When registration locked out on the end of Level 4 it was 61 poker hopefuls who had pulled up seats but if all was said and done only 23 remained.
While the sphere size could have left just a little to be desired, the strength of it did anything but with stellar players scattered around the tournament floor. The likes of Team PokerStars Pros Yaxi Zhu and Chen An Lin, reigning Asia Player of the Year Alan Lau, current Asia Player of the Year leader board frontrunner Wayne Zhang, last year's third-place finisher Daniel Demicki, in addition to Aaron Lim, Liam O'Rourke and Yuki Ko all some of the action on the tables.
Team PokerStars Pro Yaxi Zhu
Team Pro Yaxi Zhu was unable to outlive the day, running A♠9♠ into the J♠J♥ of Romain Dours and failing to enhance. For teammate Chen An Lin, however, it was a distinct story. He steadily built his stack over the process today and collected some chips with pocket kings against George Guo. Lin will begin Day 2 with 49,300 to play with.
Reigning Asia Player of the Year Alan Lau did not make it through all eight levels, he left us within the dying stages after clashing with Denmark's Rasmus Larsen. Lau's K♠T♣ couldn't overcome Larsen's A♠Q♠ and he departed not up to thirty minutes before play concluded. The person who currently sits atop the APOY leader board, Wayne Zhang, won't be scoring himself any additional points on this event either. He found the exit relatively early into proceedings.
There was one player though that fortune gave the impression to favour essentially the most. It was Albert Paik who ultimately rose to the highest by the top of the day. He seized the chip lead early and maintained it with a really perfect showing at the felt. Paik bagged up 116,800 in chips and can be the only to chase for those within the second Day 1 flight.
Leading the best way: Albert Paik
Now for our 23 survivors it is a day to sit back as Day 1b begins tomorrow. They'll join the lucky ones from that flight and continue the fight back here on Saturday. So that's all from us tonight. We'll be back at it again tomorrow from 12pm local time for your entire live reporting needs. Meanwhile you'll take a look at the whole end-of-day chip counts here, or read up on today's coverage below. -- BK
Day 1a full coverage
8:35pm: The wealthy get richerLevel 8: Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
Albert Paik was already our chip leader. After the hand we just caught - probably the most last of the day - he's cemented his position on the top of the Day 1A pack when play ends.
Four players were within the hand by the turn, and the board read J♥6♣9♠3♦. Rasmus Larsen was first to behave and bet 6,500 into the 10,000-ish pot, just for Paik to re-raise to 15,500. That got the opposite players out the way, but Larsen couldn't resist a glance on the river.
It came the 2♣ and after Larsen checked Paik carefully put out a gamble of 23,500. The Dane gave his hand up and Paik added much more to his stack.
Play is solely about over here on Day 1A. Stay tuned as we'll shortly have a recap of all of the day, including the room's biggest stacks. --JS
8:20pm: 7 hands to goLevel 8: Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
The clock was paused and it's just been announced that we have got only seven hands remaining here on Day 1a. What number of will survive and who will turn out to be the end-of-day chip leader? Stick with us to discovered soon! -- BK
8:15pm: Demecki's the Seoul contenderLevel 8: Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
Poland's Daniel Demecki runs good here in Seoul. Last year he finished third on this very event for KRW63,100,000 ($57,687), and he's doing great here again on the end of Day 1A.
The hand that boosted his stack came after he opened to 2,500 at the button. Yutaka Nakamura made it 5,800 to head out of the small blind, and Demecki made the decision. The 2 saw a 5♠8♠2♦ flop, which Nakamura would check. Demecki saw a possibility to take back the betting lead so led out for 5,000, but Nakamura didn't budge.
The 9♠ turn saw both players check, just as they'd at the 9♣ river. Finally Demecki's 4♦4♠ were beating Nakamura's A♥T♦, and he moved as much as 62,000. --JS
8:10pm: Lau leaves us within the last levelLevel 8: Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
The reigning Asia Player of the Year Alan Lau isn't any longer with us, he found himself all in preflop and behind in a contemporary hand.
It was raised to 2,500 sooner than Lau when he announced all in from the small blind for exactly 15,000 in chips. Denmark's Rasmus Larsen was within the big blind and he called to place Lau in peril. With the initial raiser throwing his hand away, the rest two players revealed their cards.
Lau: K♠T♣Larsen: A♠Q♠
Lau was behind but had live cards. Unfortunately for him he couldn't connect at the subsequent 4♦J♥4♣8♣5♥ board and exited the tournament area within the dying stages of Day 1a. -- BK
8pm: The Ochiai of timeLevel 8: Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
Japan's Satsuki Ochiai has some pretty good timing, that's evidently. He just managed to pick out up a large hand on the perfect time, just as we enter the last level of the day.
The hand started with a 2,000 open from France's Romain Dours, which was called by Xiaoyi He and another player. When it got to Ochiai, he squeezed it as much as 8,200, just for Dours to then move all-in. The opposite guys got out of ways and Ochiai made the call.
Dours: A♠K♣Ochiai: Q♥Q♦
It was the El Classico of races and the flop certainly gave Ochiai the massive advantage. It came the 6♦3♥Q♣, flopping him a set, and the 6♣ turn and 3♦ river bricked for Dours. He had Ochiai covered by about double, so shipped 27,500 towards his opponent.
When all was said and done, Ochiai had around 60,000 while Dours was left with around 30,000. --JS
7:50pm: Alner all in and aliveLevel 8: Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
Tom Alner did appear to have a slow start here today but it surely looks as if he's found his feet in these last couple of levels. It wasn't way back the Brit was hovering across the 10,000-chip mark but he now sits with in the direction of 40,000.
He owes half that stack to the pocket kings he just picked up. Alner was all in for 18,100 preflop and in peril with K♥K♦ against his tablemate's A♥T♥. The 9♥5♠3♦ flop was a comparatively safe one for Alner and he would fade an ace or running hearts in the course of the 9♦ turn and T♦ river to secure himself almost double the starting stack.
We're now within the final level of proceedings so with 40 big blinds to play with, Alner looks good to outlive to Day 2. -- BK
| 8 | 500 | 1000 | 100 |
7:25pm: Alner chips upLevel 7: Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
Tom Alner is a British pro from Bristol, England, but at the moment he tends to grind at the Asia circuit. Within the few years he's had several deep runs, final tables wins on this a part of the world, let alone great scores at the EPT and on the WSOP too.
He hasn't quite managed to get going up to now on this event, but he did just pick up a couple of valuable chips. His opponent had opened to 2,000 from under the gun and it folded right around to Alner within the big blind. He made the call, and the flop came the 2♦T♦8♣. It went check check, leading to the J♥ turn.
Now Alner took the betting lead, stabbing with a 1,200 bet that may be called. Finally, the 5♣ hit the river and the Brit's bet of 2,800 took it down. He's playing 20,200 at this time. --JS
7:10pm: The Team Pro goes strongLevel 7: Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
Chen An Lin is the last remaining red spade within the Day 1A field, and he's doing really well. I just caught him creating a 10,000 call against George Guo's river bet on a J♦8♥5♠J♣2♦ board along with his K♠K♥ - which was greater than adequate to overcome Guo's pair of eights with the jacks. Lin is as much as 67,000 now. --JS
Team PokerStars Pro Chen An Lin
7:05pm: That's quite a statement...Level 7: Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
"If I lose this hand, I'm never playing poker again!"
We've all thought it. We'd have even said it out loud. But I FEEL everyone knows it isn't true. One unlucky hand of poker isn't enough to position you off the nice game forever, and fortunately for Jeffrey Holbrook it isn't something he needed to seriously consider after saying that to his tablemates.
He'd got his chips in good at the turn of a K♣J♠3♠Q♦ board; superb in truth. He had absolutely the nuts with the A♠T♣, and it was while looking forward to his opponent Jeffrey Ho to show his holding that he said the aforementioned quote. There has been a spade flush draw available in the market after all, so he could still lose.
When Ho revealed his pocket sevens though, all was good for Holbrook and he scooped a pleasing double-up pot. He's as much as roughly 36,000 now. --JS
6:55pm: Chan done and dusted by DemickiLevel 7: Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
Douglas Chan just fell by the wayside within the penultimate level here today after a preflop confrontation with Daniel Demicki.
Chan opened the betting to 2,000 before Demicki played back at him for 4,500. Chan came back excessive for 11,000 and Demicki opted to play for it all, moving his whole stack in with enough to hide Chan.
Holding K♥K♦ Chan snapped it off and had a great opportunity to double through Demicki who had A♥K♠.
The flop was a secure 3♠J♣5♦ however the A♠ turn meant it was all but over for Chan. Needing the last remaining king within the deck he couldn't find it because the 3♥ rolled off at the river.
Chan headed for the exit as Demicki continues to construct - now on 87,000. -- BK
6:45pm: Paik picks off PepperLevel 7: Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
Albert Paik could also be our new chip leader early into Level 7 after he eliminated Gary Pepper in a bloated pot.
Pepper kicked off the action from under the gun with a raise to 2,000 before Paik raised it as much as 5,500 from the small blind. Pepper thought of his options before settling on a flat call and the 2 of them went to a flop of 2♣4♦4♥.
Paik continued for 8,000 but Pepper moved all in for 27,700. It wouldn't take Paik long to name and so they opened their hands.
Paik: K♠K♦Pepper: J♥J♣
Paik only had to fade jacks to scoop the pot and eliminate his tablemate and the deck obliged with the A♣ turn and Q♦ river completing the board.
Pepper left the tournament floor as Paik stacked up a mountain that looks to have eclipsed 100,000 in chips. -- BK
| 7 | 400 | 800 | 100 |
6:28pm: Last break of the day
We'll be back in ten minutes for the last two levels of Day 1A.
Have events in Asia inspired you to begin playing poker? Click here to open a PokerStars account.6:25pm: Aces no good again for HolbrookLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Don't feel too bad for Jeffrey Holbrook - he's been dealt Aces four times today, in line with what he just told his tablemates. However, he's lost three of these hands, and the last one was particularly gross.
Canada's Tyler Jennens was all-in with the A♥Q♠ against Holbrook's A♣A♦, but by the river the K♥2♠4♠T♠8♠ board had brought Jennens a flush and another beat for Holbrook. Eww. --JS
Holbrook's still smiling
6:15pm: Pepper shakes AlnerLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
After an open to 1,300, New Zealand's Gareth Pepper made it 3,100 to head. It folded to the UK's Tom Alner within the big blind and he installed a chilly four-bet of 8,000, which removed the unique raiser. Pepper then spiced things up just a little by putting Alner all-in, and the Brit quickly gave it as much as the Kiwi. --JS
6:10pm: Demicki dealing damageLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Daniel Demicki's stack continues to grow after he found himself at the right side of a flip to send a tablemate packing.
The two got around 8,000 each into the center preflop and when the cards were revealed they saw they hand an excellent fight at their hands.
Demicki: 4♠4♥Opponent: A♥K♣
No ace would fall on the 7♦8♣5♠9♠Q♦ runout with Demicki's pocket fours holding to manage the knock out.
"Good hand" said the eliminated player as he left his seat and headed for the exit.
Demicki now has 66,000 in chips. -- BK
6pm: Ho gets a double through KoLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Collin Ho was short - so short that he moved his last 2,450 all-in from early position. Action folded around to the masked Yuki Ko within the small blind and he raised it as much as 4,200 to isolate, however the player within the big blind called too.
There can be a sidepot, but nothing can be added to it. Both players checked down the K♠9♣3♣6♠8♣ board, and finally Ho had the most productive hand together with his K♣J♠. Ko showed the A♦8♦ and that was good to win the small sidepot, because the big blind player mucked. --JS
5:45pm: Big slicks bring a large chopLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Reigning Asia Player of the Year Alan Lau brought it in for a raise to 1,500 before Yutaka Nakamura made a fast three-bet for 3,500. Lau asked how much he was playing and Nakamura moved his hand to expose around 13,500 behind.
It was then that Lau moved all in and was snapped off, but he and Nakamura found they'd almost identical hands.
Lau: A♦K♠Nakamura: A♥K♥
Nakamura had the ever so slight mathematical advantage with the suited hand but subsequently it meant nothing because the community cards fell J♦J♣8♦T♣8♥ for a chopped pot.
Both players were returned what they'd wagered and must be content splitting a few antes. -- BK
5:35pm: Lim is eliminated by LiLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Action folded to Vincent Li, who was fresh from doubling up an opponent within the previous hand when his A♥Q♠ couldn't hit against the 6♠6♥, and so he decided to play again. He opened from the hijack just for Aaron Lim to jam for around 5,000 at the button. When it got back to him, he made a rapid call.
Lim had the K♥J♦, but this time Li was ahead with the A♠T♦. The 9♠6♦8♣ flop changed nothing, however the A♥ turn left Lim drawing dead and he made his exit. Li is as much as around 30,000 now. --JS
| 6 | 300 | 600 | 75 |
5:25pm: Bad couple for NakamuraLevel 5: Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
Japan's Yutaka Nakamura is also wearing a Charlie Brown and Snoopy t-shirt, however the way his last two hands have gone is sufficient to drive a person (Pea)nuts.
OK, maybe it is not that bad, but he has lost two in a row to peer his stack dwindle somewhat. Within the first hand, he was heads-up against Team PokerStars Pro Chen An Lin with the flop showing 3♥8♣5♠. Nakamura bet but was three-bet to 4,500 which he called. A 2♦ turn saw him check to Lin who continued for 6,700 and would win the pot right there.
In the very next hand Nakamura got aggressive against Alan Lau. The latter called the 900 open from USA's Justin Jung after Kamuza Tamaka had done the similar. When it got to Nakamura within the small blind he raised it as much as 3,000 and it folded back to Lau. He then four-bet to 6,700, and Nakamura needed to let it go once more.
He's all the way down to around 20,000 now. --JS
Yutaka Nakamura, with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Woodstock
5:10pm: Pepper pushes inLevel 5: Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
New Zealand's Gary Pepper has had a difficult time finding his feet today, but he might be turning that around after doubling up within the hand just gone.
After an open to 1,100, Pepper moved in from the small blind for a complete of 6,300. It folded back around to the initial opener who shrugged and tossed in a decision before the cards went on their backs.
Pepper: A♥9♦Opponent: 9♥6♥
Pepper had the opposite player dominated and was in great shape to double up. He faded any danger because the board ran out 7♠4♦7♥J♦2♠ and doubled through to around 13,000. -- BK
5:05pm: Holbrook heating upLevel 5: Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
Jeffrey Holbrook is starting to find some momentum after increasing the aggression. He just barrelled an opponent of a tight pot and is doing well to amass chips.
The board showed Q♣Q♥A♠4♥ and after a check from the one other active player, Holbrook made it 2,200 to move. His opponent called and the 4♠ rolled off at the river.
It was checked to Holbrook again and this time he desired to play for 5,000. The opposite player tapped the table together with his cards in a frustrated manner before relinquishing the hand to the dealer.
The pot was pushed Holbrook's way and he now has 41,600 in chips. -- BK
4:55pm: The brakes are on in Level 5Level 5: Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
After the entire chip splashing we have seen thus far today, it is a bit of a shock to look that play seems to have tightened up a bit of. We're at the verge of the blinds getting too big for the fast stacks though, so we're sure action will soon pick back up soon.
In the meantime I've seen Team PokerStars Pro Chen An Lin take down a pot with of venture of 4,500 on a T♣T♦7♣5♦ board; Yuki Ko win one with a 3,100 bet on a 4♠3♠7♦4♥8♦ board; and many sushi being eaten across the room.
Not simply by the players either (he says, chomping on a tuna roll). --JS
4:40pm: Demicki doublesLevel 5: Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
Poland's Daniel Demicki was a late addition to today's field this afternoon. He finished 3rd on this event last year and is moving within the right direction for an additional deep run after making the right kind call to double up.
The cards were spread 9♦5♦5♠J♥J♦ and Demicki had led for 7,000. The one other active player, Taehoon Han, pushed in a tower of chips with enough to hide Demicki's remaining 26,550.
Demicki was clearly torn and went deep into the tank. The verdict was for his tournament life and he wasn't taking it lightly. After a couple of minutes had passed a tablemate called for the clock. A tournament official arrived to tell Demicki he had just a minute left to act.
He used just a few seconds of these sixty to make the decision and when Han tabled A♦K♥, Demicki saw his Q♣5♣ for fives stuffed with jacks was good.
Demicki raked within the sizable pot while Han was knocked all the way down to just over starting stack. -- BK
4:25pm: This one's closedLevel 5: Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
Registration was only open until the tip of Level 4, meaning we've the official Day 1A numbers. A COMPLETE of 61 players opted to play today, and currently 47 remain. TONS OF more are expected to take their seats tomorrow on Day 1B, so remember to get back then and continue to follow the action.
Anyway, there are four more levels left for the day; let's have a look at who can survive. --JS
You can play poker at no cost on PokerStars. Simply click here to open an account.| 5 | 200 | 400 | 25 |
4:15pm: Take a break
Players have stepped clear of the tournament area for a 10-minute break. -- BK
4:10pm: Dours sends Team Pro out the doorLevel 4: Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)
Two Team PokerStars Pros were within the running today but now just one remains after Yaxi Zhu was eliminated by Romain Dours.
Her final hand saw the Team Pro move all in for 7,575 at the button over another player's open to 650 before Dours announced all in excessive. With the initial raiser out of ways Zhu and Dours tabled their cards.
Zhu: A♠9♠Dours: J♠J♥
Zhu had to improve to stick alive and while at the turn she found additional flush outs because the board read 6♠8♣4♣2♠, the 9♦ river couldn't save her. That implies Chen An Lin is the one one still representing the Team Pro contingent.
Dours moves as much as a stack of 44,800. -- BK
4pm: When two Jeffrey's visit warLevel 4: Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)
Jeffrey Ho made a slightly large to 1,300 and it folded around to Jeffrey Holbrook within the big blind. He raised the cost of poker to 4,050 and Ho came along.
The duo saw a K♠9♣7♠ flop and Holbrook continued for 5,500. Ho made the decision taking us to the K♦ at the turn, pairing the board. Holbrook bogged down here but Ho desired to keep the rate up with an insta-bet of 10,000.
Here's where Holbrook went into the tank. That turn was clearly a foul one for him, and in spite of everything all he could do was fold. Ho showed the K♣ "out of respect" and raked within the chips, moving as much as above 50,000 while Holbrook has 22,000 remaining.
"Man, Aces suck today!" said Holbrook, revealing he had pocket rockets. After learning that another player had folded a King pre-flop, he continued "You one-outered me!" --JS
3:45pm: Hitman Huang eliminates two at onceLevel 4: Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)
Yen Cheng Huang just picked up pocket aces in a dream spot - and a three-way all in quickly followed.
According to the players on the table who discussed the hand as two players headed for the exit, Huang opened to 1,000 with A♠A♦ before a shortstacked opponent pushed all in with A♣9♥. The third player awoke with K♠K♣ and smooth-called the jam, before Huang came back excessive with another all in and was quickly called.
Huang was in great shape to send two players packing and did just that because the cards fell T♣T♥6♥4♦T♦. He now sits on 36,300. -- BK
3:30pm: Zhang's player of the year so farLevel 4: Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)
Wayne Zhang currently sits on the top of the Asia Player of the Year leader board and is hoping to secure that tile on the end of the season.
Well, he is not got off to the most productive start here today. Picking up the action at the turn of a Q♥7♣9♣2♥ board, his opponent checked and Zhang put out a big gamble of 4,150. That was then clicked back and raised to 8,300, leading to Zhang throwing his hand away. He has just 10,025 left. --JS
Zhang leads the Asia player of the year race
Ready to enroll in PokerStars? Click here to get an account.| 4 | 150 | 300 | 25 |
3:20pm: Huang hurts MoranLevel 4: Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)
We arrived on the table just because the 7♣K♥6♣ flop was spread out, but judging by the pot size and the way the chips were sitting, it gave the look of there have been a 3 or four-bet 4,500 preflop. Chenyi Huang within the cutoff and Graham Moran were the one two active players.
Both of them checked the flop before the 8♠ turn rolled off and so they both checked again.
The 7♦ appeared at the river and prompted Huang to guide for a comparatively tiny 3,000. Moran counted out 3,000 and fiddled with the chips before throwing them into the pot.
Huang showed A♥A♦ and Moran quickly slid his hand to the dealer while nodding his head.
He fell to 14,700 in chips while Huang now boasts 26,800. -- BK
Graham Moran
3:10pm: He beats Shi and potentially slowrolls himLevel 3: Blinds 150/300
After Max Doronin opened to 750, three players called: Xiaoyi He, the player to his left, and Qizheng Shi within the big blind. The four saw a 3♣A♥3♥ flop hit the felt and Shi led for 1,625. Doronin folded, however the others came along to look the 6♣ turn. Shi fired again for 4,200 and both called once more.
The 2♥ river caused Shi to slow down, checking it to He who took the betting lead with a 10,000 stab. The player to his left, whose name we never caught, called all-in for his last 6,150, and Shi gave up his hand. He took just a little of his bet back and two showed their cards.
Eventually. Neither player desired to show and Shi eventually told them both: "Show!"
He hadn't realised that the player had just called all-in and requested that his opponent show his hand first, which he did with the A♣Q♥. Top pair wasn't enough to overcome He's T♥5♥ for a flush though.
It was a bit a slowroll from He, but nobody on the table gave the impression to mind. Xiaoyi He's stack is now up across the 45,000 mark. --JS
2:50pm: Lau beats Zhu in a battle of the blindsLevel 3: Blinds 150/300
Alan Lau and Team PokerStars Pro Yaxi Zhu just went to war from the blinds. Zhu was within the small and with the board reading a connected 8♠9♠J♦7♥ she checked her strategy to Lau within the big blind.
Lau fired for 2,700 and when Zhu called the 5♦ arrived at the river. After a snappy check from Zhu at the end, Lau gave his decision some thought before dropping 4,000 into the middle.
Zhu leaned over the table and studied the board before making the decision. Lau tabled 8♥6♦ for a rivered straight and Zhu mucked as she dropped to 13,700 in chips.
Lau now has 29,400 at his disposal. -- BK
2:40pm: Doronin's controllin'Level 3: Blinds 150/300
Max Doronin has just won a big pot, doubling through Witoonchart Witcha in what was obviously brutal fashion.
The hand started with an 800 open from Witcha which was called by Doronin and the player within the big blind. The flop came the 2♠A♠8♦ and it checked to Witcha who continued for 2,000. Both players called.
We saw the J♥ hit the turn, and after another check Witcha fired again, this time for 4,500. Doronin paused to count his chips and made the call, as did the large blind player. That took us to the K♦ at the river, and Witcha bet 9,000 after it checked it him to another time. Doronin moved all-in for around 4,000 more and only Witcha called.
Doronin turned over his T♠Q♠ for a runner runner straight having flopped a flush draw, and Witcha looked sick as he mucked. Two hands later and Witcha's small stack was eliminated when he got it all-in with King-Jack against Qizheng Shi's pocket deuces and couldn't hit.
Meanwhile, Doronin may be very healthy now with a stack or approximately 40,000. --JS
2:25pm: O'Rourke rakes oneLevel 3: Blinds 150/300
Liam O'Rourke was just put to a tricky river decision on an excessively busy board.
The community cards were double-paired reading K♦J♣J♥Q♣Q♥ and O'Rourke and Chung were the one two active. With the action on Chung first, he tossed a 5,000-denomination chip into the center as O'Rourke leaned back in his seat.
The bet was for exactly O'Rourke's remaining stack. He paused momentarily but decided to name off for his tournament life, realising it was an even call when Chung threw his hand face down within the muck.
With that hand O'Rourke is back as much as starting stack while Chung is left with only 10,100. -- BK
| 3 | 150 | 300 |
2:05pm: First break of the day
Our Day 1A players are going to take a 10-minute break. We'll be back shortly as we head into Level 3, with two more levels of entry open for the day. --JS
You can win your seat to at least one of countless PokerStars live events around the globe. Click here to open an account and get started.1:55pm: The facility of the continuation betLevel 2: Blinds 100/200
Raise pre-flop, get a caller, bet the flop, win. Poker isn't that straightforward is it?
No, after all it is not. But you would not know that from the last two hands I witnessed. Within the first, a player opened to 550, the button called, Chunkie Liu three-bet to 1,800, and only the unique raiser called. The flop was the J♥Q♦3♠ and Liu continued for 3,300, which took it down.
Then, at the adjacent table, a player opened to 600 and Japan's Kenji Kurashina three-bet to 2,500. Jeffrey Holbrook from the united states called out of the large blind, and the unique raiser folded. The Q♠2♦7♦ flop hit the felt, and a straightforward 2,600 c-bet from Kurashina was enough to get the pot slid his way. --JS
1:45pm: Lau loses chips to ChanLevel 2: Blinds 100/200
The reigning Asia Player of the Year Alan Lau is off to a not up to desirable start here, after dipping below half starting stack within the second level.
In a up to date hand, Lau opening the action to 500 and was met by four callers to peer a flop of Q♥J♠Q♣. He continued for 1,700 and following two folds, Douglas Chan called at the button. New addition to the table, Team PokerStars Pro Yaxi Zhu, was within the small blind but she gave the hand up.
The turn brought the A♦ but unfortunately we missed the action as a player moved all in at the adjacent table. With attention back on Lau, he fired for a last 4,100 at the end after the 9♦ river completed the board.
Chan quickly called and Lau flashed 8♠8♦ for a flopped set but he'd been beaten at the river by A♣T♠ with Chan creating a straight.
Lau now has only 8,175 in front of him while Chan builds to a healthy 37,400. -- BK
Alan Lau
1:30pm: Yippee for Yip as he doubles through ChungLevel 2: Blinds 100/200
It's only the second one level but we've already had a couple of eliminations. The players listed here are in no way afraid to get into the thick of it early on - take this hand for example.
The USA's John Chung opened to 500 from the under the gun, which was then three-bet 1,350 by Hong Kong's Kwok Chun Yip from middle position. It folded back around to Chung and he four-bet, popping it as much as 5,500. Yip made the decision and it was heads-up to the flop. The opposite players on the table stopped what they were doing (mainly their phones) and paid attention, because the pot was already big and also you could sense a larger pot was brewing.
The 9♥3♣6♣ hit the felt at the flop and Chung put out a c-bet of the similar 5,500. Yip carefully and considerately counted out his chips, and announced "All-in."
At this point Chung's confident exterior vanished, and he asked for a count. The quantity in question was just 4,950 more, so Chung was ultimately priced in and made the decision along with his A♣2♣ for the nut-flush draw. That was behind Yip's A♦A♥, but any club would change that.
The 6♦ arrived at the turn and took the A♣ clear of Chung's outs, because it would give Yip an entire house. Finally the 7♥ river was dealt and the massive pot slid to Yip.
Even after that massive loss Chung is left with an above-starting stack of 21,000, while Yip is as much as above 30,000. --JS
1:15pm: Guo your personal wayLevel 2: Blinds 100/200
Canada's George Guo just took down a good pot before the blinds went up, and it began with a the smallest of bets.
He made it 200 to move at the button, and both Japan's Tasuya Terakawa and Chinese Taipei's Chenyi Huang came along from the blinds. The dealer spread a J♦4♣Q♦ flop and Terakawa led out for 350 from the small blind position. That got Huang to offer it up, but Guo didn't go anywhere,
The turn came the 4♠, pairing the board, and Terakawa continued his aggression out of position for 600. Guo thought for a couple of moments, before confidently chucking in a raise to 1,700. That was enough to make Terakawa lay his hand down, taking Guo's stack as much as around 25,000. --JS
1:10pm: More pros we knowLevel 2: Blinds 100/200
Another Team PokerStars Pro Yaxi Zhu was just seen on the registration desk. Presumably she'll be joining teammate Chen An Lin some of the action shortly.
Australian Aaron Lim was also spotted and is set to enroll in the quest. His last live cash was within the Macau Poker Cup 24 High Roller event for HK$233,000 ($29,972) in March. With a complete of $1,995,301 in live earnings, Lim could be trying to eclipse the $2 million milestone in Seoul this week. -- BK
| 2 | 100 | 200 |
12:55pm: Two aces for TaehoonLevel 2: Blinds 100/200
Taehoon Han just added a bit of more to his stack upon getting paid with pocket aces.
We caught the action at the river with the board reading 9♣7♥Q♥3♥T♠ and Han led for a gamble of 1,125. His opponent deliberated momentarily before flicking in a decision only to look he was beat when Han tabled A♥A♣.
Han scooped the pot and now sits with 23,200 to play with. -- BK
12:50pm: Takeshi's castleLevel 1: Blinds 50/100
It's only 45 minutes into Day 1a and we've already seen our first player find the exit.
Despite the 2 within the hand having across the starting 20,000, all of the money looked as if it would go in preflop. The hot evictee held K♥K♦ and was up against the A♣T♦ of Yamashita Takeshi.
The kings looked good until the 5♣4♥A♥ flop left Takeshi's opponent chasing two outs. Neither of these would come because the 8♦ turn and T♣ river completed the board and as our first casualty fell, Takeshi stacked up on the subject of 40,000 as our new chip leader. -- BK
12:35pm: Note to self - don't try to bluff Vincent LiLevel 1: Blinds 50/100
I saw a 4,150 pot (pretty big for this opening level) and two players, unknown to me on the time, both deep in contemplation. Naturally I stuck around to peer the way it went down.
The board showed the 6♠9♥4♣4♠ and a player led out for 2,200. His opponent, who after the hand I FOUND is Hong Kong's Vincent Li, made the call.
The river was the 9♠ and the turn-raiser quickly checked. Li checked it back and waited for his opponent to show his hand - which turned out to be the A♠T♦ for just Ace-high. Thing is, Li had Ace-high too with the A♣J♣. It was a perfect call, and Li took down a healthy pot early here on Day 1A. --JS
12:25pm: Team PokerStars within the buildingLevel 1: Blinds 50/100
Our first Team PokerStars Pro has taken his seat this afternoon. Taiwan's Chen An Lin is flying the flag on his own on the moment, but more of his teammates are expected to reach later or make an appearance tomorrow for Day 1b.
Lin has just taken a seat at Table 6 across from reigning Asia Player of the Year Alan Lau so we'll be keeping a watch out to look in the event that they engage in any battles. -- BK
Team PokerStars Pro Chen An Lin
12:10pm: Nice start for O'RourkeLevel 1: Blinds 50/100
Australian pro Liam O'Rourke is out within the Day 1A field, and he's off to a flying start. After an under-the-gun raise to 300 on a five-handed table, O'Rourke flat called at the button and the 2 saw a 9♠9♦A♦ flop fall. The raiser continued for 425, and O'Rourke went nowhere.
Next up was the T♣ turn, and the betting didn't stop. It was 875 this time around and again that bet was called. Finally the 5♥ landed at the river and both players decided they'd had enough. After each checked, the unique raiser showed the 2♦2♠, while O'Rourke took it down along with his A♥8♥.
O'Rourke, from Oakley, Victoria, had his biggest live profit the 2012 ANZPT Sydney Main Event, finishing runner up for $152,426. He hasn't ever won a live tournament but could be trying to change that here this week. --JS
12:00pm: Shuffle and deal!Level 1: Blinds 50/100
Cards are actually within the air!
We're in for eight levels of play today. Let's examine what number of runners we will get here for the principle Event and who of these can survive the day.
So far we've spotted reigning Asia Player of the Year Alan Lau within the field, we're about to move scouting for some more notables.
Stay tuned! -- BK
11:45am: Day 1A able to go!
It's a hot day here in Seoul, South Korea, but within the Paradise Walkerhill Casino there is a cool, calm atmosphere presently. It isn't going to last though; Day 1A of the APPT10 Seoul is solely QUARTER-HOUR clear of starting, and people cool exteriors will soon heat up because the cards get within the air and the chips start flying.
The buy-in for this main event is ₩3,000,000 (roughly $2,600 US), with registration open until the top of Level 4. There'll be eight 60-minute levels on Days 1A (today) and 1B (tomorrow), so the one question now could be to peer who will make it through to Day 2?
This tournament had 241 runners last year, and boasted a star-studded final table featuring Team PokerStars Pros Celina Lin and Bryan Huang. In any case it was Jason Mo who took it down for KRW165,590,200 ($151,359) and the coveted APPT trophy.
Play could be starting at 12pm local time, so don't go anywhere.
Opening a PokerStars account is straightforward. Click here to get an account in minutes.Key APPT10 Seoul Facts:- 20,000 starting stack- Blinds starting at 50/100 for 200 big blinds- Levels are 60 minutes on Day 1 and there will be eight of them- Day 1A is today and Day 1B happens tomorrow- The sphere will then combine for the primary time on Saturday. We'll reach the money throughout the eight levels of play on Day 2 after which play all the way down to a last table on Sunday. Monday is all in regards to the final.- Full APPT10 Seoul schedule here.
PokerStars Blog reporting team in Seoul: Brad Kain and Jack Stanton. Photos by Kenneth Lim Photography courtesy of PokerStars LIVE Macau.
The APPT Seoul festival at Paradise Walkerhill Casino runs until Monday, June 27th. Full details can be found at the official APPT website page.
Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Asia Pacific Poker Tour]
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