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

11-13-2008 13:55 UTC+8

Programming Note

[user75032]

Space is somewhat limited in the 6th floor ballroom of the Hyatt Hotel, where this tournament is taking place. Tables started out ten-handed as a result, but as players are eliminated, we're moving to nine-handed play.

Level: 2

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0

11-13-2008 13:36 UTC+8

The Feature Table

[user75032]

Something we haven't yet mentioned -- because this is the grand final of the Filipino Poker Tour, the tournament is being filmed for production on television. A feature table has been set up in an adjacent ballroom. The person currently "captaining" that table is none other than Manila poker pro David Saab.

Saab recently reraised an early position raiser (and one caller) from 200 to 650. Both other players called. Everyone checked through the {K-Diamonds}

flop. On the turn {9-Spades}

, the first player to act bet 1,200 and was called only by Saab. The river fell {3-Hearts}

. Saab's opponent checked, then folded when Saab bet 1,500.

After the hand, Saab let out a low whistle and smiled.

"What'd you have?" his opponent asked.

"I can't tell you that," replied Saab. "It was only 1,500. You should have called and found out!"

"Ace-king?" his opponent persisted.

"I can't tell you!" Saab repeated. "Maybe I had 2-3."

Tags: David Saab

11-13-2008 13:24 UTC+8

Early Swings

[user75032]

It's been an interesting first forty minutes for Josh Pang Ang. He took a few early hits to his chip stack to drop to less than 6,000. Then he played a raised pot from middle position along with the players in the cutoff and on the button. With approximately 1,600 in the middle and the board showing {8-Hearts}

, the button player made it 3,200 to go. Ang shoved all in for 5,425, folding the cutoff. The button asked for the total and then threw in the chips for a call. Ang was in the lead with {Q-Clubs}

, but his opponent showed a very dangerous {A-Hearts}

. The

on the turn gave the button a few more outs, but none of them hit. The river was the {9-Clubs}

, allowing Ang to double up and climb past the starting stack.

Tags: Josh Pang Ang

11-13-2008 13:23 UTC+8

Table Dynamics

[user67765]

In a field that's full of locals and little known qualifiers it's interesting to find that a couple of players have some tough table draws to start their APPT Manila campaign. Josh Pang Ang has found that the seat to his direct left has been filled by Bryan Huang who has a string of consistent APPT cash finishes to his belt this year.

Also over on table two we find that three Aussies have all been seated together, with Rodney Davidson assuming seat six, James Broom to his direct left in seat seven and APPT Macau High Rollers runner-up Andrew Scott in seat ten.

11-13-2008 13:10 UTC+8

Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila

[user67765]

Our hosts for the APPT Manila event today are the luxurious 5-star Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila. Overlooking Manila Bay in the Malate district of Manila, the Hyatt is within walking distance of many of Manila's attractions, including historical and cultural places of interest, and is right at the heart of Manila's business and shopping areas. With casino entertainment over multiple levels, today we find ourselves setup in one of the hotel's ballrooms providing plenty of space for players (and media!). For this event we also have a "feature table" which is being filmed in a TV studio which has been setup in a nearby room.

11-13-2008 12:55 UTC+8

Poker Booming In The Philippines

[user67765]

The fourth leg of the 2008 PokerStars.net Asia Pacific Poker Tour brings us to Manila in the Philippines. Poker in the Philippines is currently experiencing a huge surge in popularity thanks to the local Filipino Poker Tour which has brought many players to this event today. The FPT has already seen Mike Tyler, Kent Del Rosario, Neil Acre and Joshua Rivera capture huge victories this year as the tour reaches its climax with its season ending Championship here at this event.

Last year the APPT Manila event attracted 255 players and it looks like this event will go very close to reaching that figure once again.

11-13-2008 12:45 UTC+8

Who's Here?

[user67765]

We have around 140 players in today's field with that number increasing as entries are still being accepted. We've already spotted quite a few notable players in the field including David Saab, James Broom, Michael Chrisanthopoulos, Josh Pang Ang, Bryan Huang, Dave Lee, Larry Pashak, and APPT Macau High Rollers runner-up Andrew Scott. There are also close to 40 PokerStars.net online qualifiers playing today.

11-13-2008 12:41 UTC+8

Shuffle Up and Deal!

[user75032]

Cards are in the air and we're underway.

Level: 1

Blinds: 25/50

Ante: 0