$2,500 APPT Manila Main Event Day 1 | 2007 Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) - Manila

08-24-2007 15:17 UTC+8

Negreanu Making Plans

[user46102]

Daniel Negreanu is above average with 13,000 in chips, but his focus seems to be on anything but poker. Daniel has been spending most of his time on the table researching the best golf clubs and driving ranges in Manila. The locals are more than happy to oblige, as I am sure they would rather he be playing golf than playing at his table!

08-24-2007 15:08 UTC+8

Steve Yea Doubles Up

[user46102]

Facing an early-position raise, Korean player Steve Yea raises from middle position and his opponent moves all in. Yea instantly calls with his {A-Hearts}

and is a big favourite over his opponent's hand of {A-Clubs}

.

With a final board of {9-Spades}

Steve eliminates a player and moves to 19,000 in chips.

Tags: Steve Yea

08-24-2007 14:55 UTC+8

A Global Event

[user46102]

Walking the tournament floor, it is fantastic to see players from such a wide array of countries.

The Philippines and Australia are very well represented, but there are also players from Japan, Indonesia, USA, and Canada, as well as all areas of Asia. A truly global event and one that is sure to grow fast.

08-24-2007 14:47 UTC+8

The Classic Confrontation

[user46102]

We only had to wait 15 minutes before we encountered the classic confrontation of aces vs kings.

We picked this hand up on the turn with the board showing:

{9-Hearts}

With both players all in preflop, Carlo Gosselin showed {K-Clubs}

against Nick Blackburn's {A-Spades}

.

When the {K-Spades}

hit on the river, the screams could be heard across the room as Gosselin doubled through to 20,000. Blackburn was left with only 400 in chips after losing to a two-outer and was eliminated shortly afterwards.

Tags: Carlo Gosselin Nick Blackburn

08-24-2007 14:43 UTC+8

Players to Watch

[user46102]

At the front of the room, WSOP champion and PokerStars ambassador Joe Hachem is starting the day with Australian young gun Julian Powell on his table. It will be interesting to see how Powell's agressive style matches up against Hachem's experience.

Daniel Negreanu looks like he has drawn a table of mostly novice players, however he will still have to contend with Australian Internet pro Marcus Collins.

Meanwhile Tony Hachem has managed to find himself on the table of good friend and PokerStars player Emad Tahtouh.

Tags: Daniel Negreanu Emad Tahtouh Joe Hachem Julian Powell Marcus Collins

08-24-2007 14:35 UTC+8

250 and Counting

[user46102]

With 250 players seated and playing, it has just been anounced that entries are still being taken and alternates will be seated during the first level.

08-24-2007 14:33 UTC+8

Cards Are in the Air!

[user46102]

After some brief formalities and impressive opening festivities, Tournament Director Danny McDonagh has made the much-anticipated announcement to "Shuffle up and deal!" and the 2007 PokerStars Manila APPT is underway.

Tags: Danny McDonagh

Level: 1

Blinds: 25/50

Ante: 0

08-24-2007 13:59 UTC+8

Calm Before the Storm

[user38334]

The tournament area at the Hyatt Manila is very impressive, and PokerStars has done a great job fitting out the ballroom. The staff are in place and everything is almost set to go...

08-24-2007 12:48 UTC+8

Inaugural PokerStars APPT Manila About to Commence

[user46102]

Join us at 2 pm local time today (GMT +8) as we bring you all the action from the Manila Hyatt Hotel and Casino.

Players are still flowing in and with the number of entries currently standing at 220, it looks set to be an impressive debut for the PokerStars APPT series.

High profile Team PokerStars members Joe Hachem, Daniel Negreanu and Vanessa Rousso are already registered and it will be interesting to see some of the new faces from the Asian Pacific region. We have already spotted high-limit Japanese player Masa Kagawa so we can expect some serious side action as the tournament progresses.

Stay tuned for all the action, including video interviews, and live reporting direct from the floor of the Inaugral 2007 PokerStars Manila APPT event, including up-to-date chip counts, photos and blow-by-blow updates of the action as it unfolds.