Short Deck Super High Roller
Day 2 Completed
2023 Poker Dream Manila
Short Deck Super High Roller
Day: 2
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 2
2023 Poker Dream Manila
Buy-in
1,380,000 PHP
Prize Pool
55,000,000 PHP
Entries
41
Level
21
Blinds
0 / 0
Ante
120,000
Players Left
1
Winfred Yu Wins 2023 Poker Dream Manila Short Deck Super High Roller (PHP18,700,000/$364,233)
Level 21
: Blinds 0/0, 120,000 ante
The winner of the most expensive tournament during the 2023 Poker Dream Manila live poker stop in the capital of the Philippines has been crowned. None other than Poker Dream founder Winfred Yu defeated Triton Poker co-founder Paul Phua. It was a fiercely fought heads-up duel after which Yu claimed the bragging rights among high-stakes regulars as well as the golden dragon trophy in the PHP1,380,000 ($25,321) "White Horse Club" Short Deck Ante-Only Super High Roller.
Both received the biggest slice of the PHP55,000,000 guarantee ($1,071,273) in a field of 41 entries, which paid the top six spots. Players from two different countries returned for the live-streamed final showdown in the ballroom of the Newport World Resorts Integrated Resort and it was Yu who eventually prevailed to take home a top prize of PHP18,700,000 ($364,233).
Among the finalists was also Hong Kong's WSOP bracelet winner Danny Tang, as well as the three Malaysians Chen Ming Kong, Jun Wah Yap, and Ming Hong Teoh.
Final Result 2023 Poker Dream Manila Short Deck Super High Roller
| Place | Winner | Country | Prize (in PHP) | Prize (∼ in USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winfred Yu | Hong Kong | 18,700,000 | $364,233 |
| 2 | Paul Phua | Malaysia | 12,920,000 | $251,652 |
| 3 | Chen Ming Kong | Malaysia | 8,250,000 | $160,691 |
| 4 | Danny Tang | Hong Kong | 6,330,000 | $123,294 |
| 5 | Jun Wah Yap | Malaysia | 4,950,000 | $96,415 |
| 6 | Ming Hong Teoh | Malaysia | 3,850,000 | $74,989 |
| Prize Pool | 55,000,000 | $1,071,273 |
Yu entered the final day with a commanding lead but it wasn't an easy ride to victory by any means, as he dropped back into the middle of the pack. Instead, it was Phua who soared to the top and entered heads-up play with the lead. However, one double-up with ace-king versus ace-queen propelled Yu back into the driver's seat and the fiercely contested battle ultimately ended in his favour.
The first casualty on the six-handed grand finale occurred rather swiftly as Ming Hong Teoh was ousted by Danny Tang. Having played just two hands actively, Teoh's pocket kings couldn't hold up against ace-king suited and that spelled the end for the Malaysian. Phua then put a first dent into Yu's lead when he doubled with set versus top pair before taking over the lead.
Jun Wah Yap had survived several short stack all-ins and got it in ahead with ace-queen suited against the ace-ten suited of Chen Ming Kong, but the latter flopped broadway for the knockout. Tang's tournament then came to a crashing end when Phua limped pocket aces and snapped off the shove by Tang with pocket queens.
Kong remained very active in three-handed play but never recovered from doubling Yu, as he doubled his short stack only once before his dominated ace came up short against Phua.
Phua and Yu, who had played against each other in numerous other high-stakes competitions already throughout the years, then battled back and forth for more than two hours. Yu gained the upper hand with a superior ace and ultimately remained ahead with jacks versus ace-eight to claim the trophy.
While this wraps up the PokerNews coverage of the Short Deck Super High Roller Event, the live reporting team will be back the following day to pick up the conclusion of the PHP500,000 Super High Roller before turning the focus on the flagship 2023 Poker Dream Manila Main Event.
Paul Phua Eliminated in 2nd Place (PHP12,920,000/$251,652)
Level 21
: Blinds 0/0, 120,000 ante
Instead of a button limp, Paul Phua jammed for 4,600,000, shy of 20 antes, and Winfred Yu made the call.
Paul Phua: A♦8♠
Winfred Yu: J♦J♣
The A♠J♥9♠10♦8♣ runout gave Phua two pair and Yu scored the final knockout of the tournament with a set of jacks. Triton Poker founder Phua has to settle for second place, which comes with a consolation prize of PHP12,920,000 ($251,652) while Poker Dream founder Yu won the golden dragon trophy as well as a top prize of PHP18,700,000 ($364,233).
A recap of today's action is to follow.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
12,300,000 | 4,600,000 |
|
Busted |
Small Boost for Phua With Two Pair
Level 21
: Blinds 0/0, 120,000 ante
The next limp by Winfred Yu with the K♣6♦ saw Paul Phua check behind the 8♦7♦ and both had a piece of the 10♣8♥6♣ flop. Yu elected to check-call a bet worth 350,000 and the J♦ turn failed to improve either player. They checked to the 7♥ river and Yu gave up the pot with a check, Phua checked it back and collected the chips.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
7,700,000 | -800,000 |
|
|
4,600,000 | 800,000 |
Flush Over Flush Propels Yu Some More
Level 21
: Blinds 0/0, 120,000 ante
Winfred Yu limped the Q♦10♥ and Paul Phua checked with the 7♣6♥. Both elected to check the A♦K♥8♥ flop before Yu checked the 9♥ turn and Phua bet the 9♥ turn for 300,000, which Yu called. Both checked the J♥ river once more and Yu won the pot with the superior flush.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
8,500,000 | 500,000 |
|
|
3,800,000 | -500,000 |
Yu Flops Broadway to Win a Small Pot
Level 21
: 0/0, 120,000 ante
Winfred Yu limpoed with the A♥K♦ and that was met by a check of Paul Phua with the Q♠6♣, which brought a flop of Q♣J♠10♣. Yu made it 160,000 to go and Phua called, as the 9♣ turn was then checked through.
The 8♥ river brought a straight on the board and Yu bet another 500,000, as Phua folded with a bittersweet smile on the face.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
8,000,000 | 1,300,000 |
|
|
4,300,000 | -1,300,000 |
Level: 21
Blinds: 0/0
Ante: 120,000
Both Players Are Back From Break
Level 20
: Blinds 0/0, 100,000 ante
After another unscheduled short break during which the stack sizes had been getting more even, Winfred Yu folded the Q♥8♣ and Paul Phua received a walk with the Q♦7♣.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
6,700,000 | -400,000 |
|
|
5,600,000 | 400,000 |
Up And Down Without any Major Change
Level 20
: Blinds 0/0, 100,000 ante
Winfred Yu limped the J♣10♣ and Paul Phua checked his Q♠6♠ to hit middle pair on the K♣Q♣8♦ flop. Yu checked his open-ended royal flush draw and Phua checked it back. Yu then check-called 150,000 on the Q♥ turn and check-folded the K♥ river when Phua bet 350,000.
Phua then limped the A♦K♣ and Yu raised to 700,000 with the K♦J♦. The trapped limp-jam by Phua followed and Yu folded, as the stack sizes bounced back to where they were.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
7,100,000 | -1,100,000 |
|
|
5,200,000 | 1,100,000 |
Yu and Phua Go to the River
Level 20
: Blinds 0/0, 100,000 ante
Winfred Yu limped in with the K♠7♣ and Paul Phua checked the 8♦7♦. Both hit bottom pair on J♣7♠6♣ and Yu check-called fo 250,000. After the Q♠ turn, Yu checked again and Phua bet 600,000 to claim the pot with the worse kicker.
Another limped pot followed soon after on which both players had a piece of the 9♥8♠7♣ flop. Phua bet 200,000 with A♦9♣ and Yu called with the 9♦8♦ for the top two pair, which brought them to the 7♥ turn.
Phua now checked and subsequently check-called for 550,000 as the 10♦ river completed the board. This time, they checked and Yu collected the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
8,200,000 | 300,000 |
|
|
4,100,000 | -300,000 |