Hey, poker playas!
It is now time to reload day 2 of the APT RWM Mystery Bounty Weekend held at Resort World Manila.
The schedule was actually quite lite for APT as it only had 3 events.
The Highroller event was set at 4 PM and 2 flights for the main event. Day 1A starts at 1 and Day 1B starts at 5 PM.
There was even a satty for the main set at 6pm
As we want to focus on the story and not just the results. so here we go!
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APT RWM Mystery Bounty Weekend Day 2
The team of the day was definitely red, it is nice to see familiar faces again on the floor.
From players to the staff and even the event model. seeing some of the old faces creates familiarity and a feeling of being back home.
The main event began with mostly Foreign players. Most of the locals do prefer to start late.
There has always been a difference in both the management style and marketing style of APT and the other organizer. Where one is narcissistic while the APT is much more grounded.
The main event has a very good promotion which is called bubble protection. If you buy in and played at the start of the tournament and you become the bubble for the ITM. You automatically get your buy-in back.
Even the Metro Card Club pushed for such promotion like any player who registers early will get more tournament chips.
While the other organizer tends to be narcissistic in its approach. they would cancel their daily tour if the minimum number of players which is 10 is not met.
It is the player’s problem that the minimum number is not met, not theirs.
Even the dealer’s atmosphere is different. Poker dealers are a very integral part of the game. As APT uses Resort world dealers. they are regular dealers that are just assigned to the tournament.
Hence they were proud to show their love for the APT and without any instruction, they proudly promote the logos of APT. They are proud to deal in APT.
Going back to the event. Most foreigners will play on the main early, although some Filipinos were brave enough to start early. It was a more foreign players base.
Enrico De Rosa who is a regular high stake cash game player and has been making deep runs in the recent tournament was seen on the felt. Joven Huerto was not too shy to fight on the field as well, Iori Yogo the Japanese poker pro who now has a second home in the Philippines was also seen on the felt.
But the action was slowly shifting to the Highroller event. although it started with a few. Later on, the numbers began to rise and the fun got started.
But then again the Filipinos were not too scared of them and they started jumping on the field.
Lester “Hazel” Timonera was ear;y to jump in. Yeah, she admitted and humbly accepted that she may not be ready in such a field, but the desire to get better by facing the harder opponents head-on is astonishing.
The dynamic duo Mike Takayama and Edgar Asehan also joined the fray and they were hungry for battle. Metro Team pro and ActionPH ambassador Vamerdino Magsakay also jumped in.
Godzilla Emman Segismundo slowly swam to the felt. Darren Yu who has been making deep appearances in big events was eager to battle it out with the big pros. Then there was Dave Spade, team captain of ACTIONPH. wanting to win one for this team.
Meanwhile back on the main event. Ralphael Bulaong who has been making serious cash this year was hit by a truck as his nut flush was hit against an opponent straight flush. It was already deep into Day 1A and he lost a significant stack.
Manila Super Series Main event Second placer was also seen on the main event, But it was the BadBoyz Royly that caught our attention as his stare against his opponent on a live hand could really kill.
Back in the Highroller event. the number started thinning down until it hit the final 8.
At it was prize pool base. only 3 players will get into Itm. but 8 players to final table.
The players on the final 8 were
Seat 1 – Mike Takayama the only Filipino to win a WSOP bracelet.
Seat 2 – EJ Guevarra.
Seat 4 – Magnus Karlssen.
Seat 5 – Richar Marquez
Seat 7 _ NIcolo Valenton
Seat 9 – Florencio Capomanes.
There were definitely two heavyweights on the field. Mike Takayama has made many accomplishments including a WSOP bracelet, Asian player of the year, and so on and so forth. the guy has done it all and yet he has no plan to slow down.
While Flo Campomanes is the only Filipino to win the main event of the APPT and Red Dragon. two of the most prestigious event in Asia.
Over the main event, A lot of the players who got busted out on the high rollers decided to jump into the main. Hazel Timonera and Darren Yu jumped in.
The main event finished earlier and the champion of the Highroller was Nicolo Valenton.
1st Nicolo Valenton – Philippines – PHP 165,800*
2nd Magnus Karlsson – Sweden – PHP 154,099*
3rd EJ Guevarra – Philippines – PHP 138,500*
On a side note
One thing we noticed about the Asian Poker Tour is the experience they offer to the winners.
People were commenting that the trophy looks great when you win an event. they make it as grand as possible. Lloyd Fontillas the General Manager and Executive Tournament Director of the Asian Poker Tour still placed the player’s experience first even if they are not making any money.
The awarding ceremony of the APT is still a stage regardless of whether it is a small event. Official photos are still great and you really feel like a champion.
It does make sense as Jeff Mann, CEO, Asian Poker Tour came from a branding background. The team he has now was there from the start. They did not work for a branded company, They built the brand!
They understand what it feels like and made sure to give the best experience possible.
They can also see the larger picture and allow coordinating with other poker media and acknowledge that there is always room to grow.
It is a.new era for poker. and the Mystery Bounty weekend is definitely a great first move by the Asian Poker Tour.
It will definitely be a fun week.
