APPT Manila Main Event Day 1a | 2008 PokerStars.net APPT Manila

11-13-2008 20:03 UTC+8

Chip Leader

Another player was seen walking away from the table, disappointed as Michael Shell stacked his chips. This latest victim was Garry Cantong and as a result of eliminating him, Shell increased his tournament-leading chip count to roughly 92,000.

Tags: Michael Shell

11-13-2008 20:08 UTC+8

Kocher Wheels in a Big Pot

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On a board of {5-Hearts}

Arthur Kocher was faced with a 13,000 bet from his opponent. The pot had already swelled to well over 20,000 and he decided to commit his last 15,700 chips.

His opponent called with pocket nines for the lead as Kocher was drawing big with {A-Hearts}

for flush and straight draws with an overcard.

The river spiked the {3-Clubs}

, giving Kocher the wheel straight and a huge double up. He's now up to 45,000 chips.

Tags: Arthur Kocher

11-13-2008 20:14 UTC+8

The Dinner Bell Tolls

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We've reached the end of Level 7. As soon as the green chips are raced off, we will be on a 60-minute dinner break.

11-13-2008 20:25 UTC+8

Yoon Gets Extended Dinner Break

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On the last hand before the break, Daren Yoon called a preflop raise before shoving his last 1,875 into the middle from the small blind on a flop of {6-Diamonds}

.

His opponent made a quick call with {K-Clubs}

and Yoon would need some major assistance with his {7-Clubs}

.

The

on the turn provided additional outs, but the {5-Diamonds}

ended the tournament for Yoon, putting a sour taste in his mouth as he heads off to dinner.

Tags: Daren Yoon

Level: 8

Blinds: 400/800

Ante: 100

11-13-2008 21:16 UTC+8

Play Resumes

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Players have returned from the dinner break and cards are in the air. We will play two more levels before calling it a night.

11-13-2008 21:18 UTC+8

Time For Dessert?

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It seems many players are still enjoying their dessert with many empty seats in the room as the cards are in the air. Several tables are playing six-handed as Kai Paulsen and Michael Chrisanthopoulos were spotted dashing to their seats in time to receive cards.

11-13-2008 21:30 UTC+8

Shrinkage

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The blinds are somewhat prohibitive now, having risen to 500 and 1,000 with a 100 ante for this level. Not surprisingly, in the first fifteen minutes of the level, the tournament staff have been able to break another table due to eliminations. We're down to six nine-handed tables now.

11-13-2008 21:38 UTC+8

Ang Eliminates Another

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A short-stacked player moved all in from the button for roughly 3,000 and Wally Sombero made the call in the small blind. The action was then with Josh Pang Ang in the big blind and he announced he was all in, much to the disgust of Sombero who has been squeezed on several occasions today.

"Oh my god, I have to lay this hand down again?" sighed Sombero, hinting that he might have once again had ace-king, but after some joking around with Ang he eventually laid it down.

Ang tabled {10-Spades}

against his opponent's {K-Hearts}

and collected the pot when the board ran out {4-Diamonds}

. Ang is now up over 75,000 in chips.

Tags: Josh Pang Ang Wally Sombero

11-13-2008 21:49 UTC+8

Change of Plans

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Tournament Director Danny McDonagh has just announced that since the tournament is moving so quickly, we will only be playing eight and a half levels this evening instead of the originally scheduled nine levels.

Moments after that was announced, half of the lights in the ballroom were switched off, creating a rather romantic dimmed lighting throughout the playing area.

"Don't worry, we're not finished up yet!" announced McDonagh as play continued.