10:30pm: Day 1b concludes with Kamel Mokhammad likely chip leader

We're waiting on confirmation nevertheless it looks as if our chip leader from earlier Kamel Mokhammad has maintained his lead all through to the realization of play.

The exact counts of both chip stacks and players remaining are only being calculated now.

We'll have everything you must know once we will be able to. Stick with us!

10:20pm: Final seven hands

PokerStars LIVE Macau's Rex Cheong just gave presumed chip leader Kamel Mokhammad the consideration of drawing to peer what number of hands remain within the night.

Mokhammad pulled the cardboard to indicate that only seven more hands might be played. Stay tuned as we draw to a close.

10:05pm: The floodgates are open

It's the general level of the night now and the eliminations are flying thick and fast because the shortstacks try to either double up or go home before chips are bagged for the night.

We appear to have lost Chen Hao and Alex Ward because the night dwindles on. Also absent from her seat and nowhere to be seen is Kitty Kuo.

On the opposite end of the spectrum in this day and age it looks as if Ukraine's Kamel Mokhammad has worked his way into the chip lead. Mokhammad has just eclipsed the 200,000 chip mark. It isn't long now until we see if he can hold that lead through to the close of play or whether another player will take the highest spot within the dying stages.

Recently eliminated - Kitty Kuo

9:50pm: Level 12 begins, blinds are 1,000/2,000 with a 300 ante

9:40pm: Back to back three-bets for Ichinose

It seems Team PokerStars Pro Kosei Ichinose is ramping up the pressure on those people who are looking to sneak through to Day 2. He just took down two consequent pots with preflop reraises.

The first saw the player within the hijack seat raise to 3,200 before Ichinose bumped it as much as 8,300 at the button. The three-bet prompted his opponent to muck and the Team Pro collected the pot.

The very next hand a player raised to 3,500 under the gun and Ichinose three-bet to 8,500. This sent his opponent deep into the tank as he checked and rechecked his cards. After a couple of minutes the clock was called and the player was informed he has one minute to behave on his hand.

About 30 seconds glided by and the cards were tossed away as Ichinose added much more chips to his stack.

9:25pm: Henrik hits the rail

Henrik Tollefsen's stack were starting to dwindle and he couldn't keep his tournament alive with only an hour left before the realization of Day 1b.

Tollefsen moved all in from early position for his final 20,200 and the action folded around to the player at the button. Motioning his hands to form a triangle the player announced he was all in and with the remainder of the table out of how the 2 tabled their hands.

Tollefsen: 3♥3♦Opponent: Q♣Q♦

Chasing a 3 to stick in it Tollefsen couldn't find one at the 2♦5♠7♦5♣8♣ run out. He leaves us just shy of qualifying for the official Day 2.

9:10pm: Level 11 begins, blinds are 800/1,600 with a 200 ante

9:00pm: The house stretch

Only 90 minutes remain on this Day 1 flight.

It's been an action-packed affair and 359 has been whittled all the way down to 126 so far.

Included in those still in contention are Team PokerStars Pro Kosei Ichinose (34,000), Kitty Kuo (28,600), Alex Ward (27,000) and Henrik Tollefsen (20,200).

Who will push through within the dying stages of the night to say the highest spot on Day 1b? Stick with us here at the PokerStars Blog to seek out out.

8:45pm: Ward wipes out a shortstack

The action folded around to Alex Ward within the small blind and due to the fact that his opponent within the big blind was super short, he slid in enough to hide the effective 5,000 in chips.

The big blind turned up A♠4♥ and announced call only to look that Ward had him dominated with A♥Q♠.

The T♠2♦T♥ flop brought some potential chopportunities however the T♣ turn and 6♣ river saw Ward's ace-queen high hold to eliminate his opponent.

That hand brings Ward's stack as much as 27,000.

8:30pm: Level 10 begins, blinds are 600/1,200 with a 200 ante

8:20pm: Last break of the night

The remaining players have just commenced their final 10-minute break of the night. Play will resume momentarily.

8:10pm: Big fold for Ichinose

Team PokerStars Pro Kosei Ichinose was just put to the test.

He opened the betting to 2,500 before it folded around to a player in middle position. The player opted to push all in for a complete of around 18,000 before the verdict was back on Ichinose.

The Team Pro deliberated on how one can react to the 18 big blind jam but after a couple of moments he announced fold and showed T♠T♣.

Some of his tablemates looked shocked but Ichinose will live to fight another hand.

7:55pm: Room bustling as HK$5,000 event begins

Admittedly the thrill within the poker site had begun to die down after we'd lost over half our starting field, but now the room is packed out yet again with players registering for the HK$5,000 NLH which kicks off in five minutes time.

One man participating is Malaysia's Victor Chong who managed to scrape through to Day 2 of the Red Dragon last night. He finished second-last in chips on the conclusion of play, bagging up 19,700.

Also chargeable for a part of the resurgence in atmosphere is the HK$15,000 PLO event that's approaching to a last table.

US pro Scott Davies was the last entrant into the development and still remains despite joining the sector with half the common stack.

And back to our Red Dragon Main Event, approximately 160 players still remain. Let's have a look at who can survive the night and qualify for the official Day 2.

7:40pm: Level 9 begins, blinds are 500/1,000 with a 100 ante

7:30pm: Tollefsen takes one

We arrived just in time to peer what gave the impression of a preflop three-bet from Henrik Tollefsen, who had 4,200 in chips sitting in front of him. He and another player went to the flop of 7♠A♦J♥.

Both of them quickly checked before the dealer burned and turned the 5♣. Again the action went check-check and the 4♠ landed at the river.

Tollefsen's opponent checked a 3rd time however the Norwegian decided to fireside at it. He led out for 4,000, sending the opposite player into the tank.

Clearly affected by the decision, he took his time trying to the ceiling after which counting out his stack. The player ultimately mucked and Tollefsen added the pot to the 13,000 he had behind.

Henrik Tollefsen

7:15pm: Chen Hao hanging around

The 2014 Macau Millions champion Chen Hao is here today and appears to be picking his spots well despite nursing a brief stack.

After a limp and a consequent raise to 2,200, Hao next to behave moved in for his last 9,900. The limper got out of ways and the verdict was back at the raiser. He momentarily seemed like he was going to name after cutting out the chips for it but eventually threw his cards away.

Hao flashed Q♥Q♦ and his opponent looked pretty happy that he did.

7:00pm: Level 8 begins, blinds are 400/800 with a 100 ante

6:50pm: Kosei cruising

Kosei Ichinose would be the only Team PokerStars Pro within the poker site tonight but he's flying the flag high and continuing to chip up.

We caught a contemporary hand with the board reading 5♥K♦8♠ and Ichinose checking from the massive blind. His opponent fired for 1,100 and Ichinose made the decision. The dealer turned the K♥ and Ichinose checked again.

Then faced with a chance of 1,350, Ichinose bumped it as much as 4,500. His opponent smiled and gave it as much as see the Team Pro collect another pot.

That hand means Ichinose climbs to 27,000 in chips.

6:35pm: Hachem can't hold on

We reportedly recently that 2005 WSOP Main Event Joe Hachem was at the short stack and in need some help but unfortunately for the Australian his Red Dragon dream is over tonight.

Hachem bled right down to 3,800 before pushing all of it within the middle from early position. The player to his direct left called to position him in peril after which a 3rd party moved all in excessive for 10,200.

The initial caller went into the tank and counted out his chips before committing the additional 6,400 and the 3 players turned their hands up.

Hachem needed a large number of help holding A♠2♣ against the 3♣3♥ of the player to his left and the A♦Q♣ of the third runner. The 7♦J♣K♣ did nothing to boost his spirits and the 3♦ turn signalled Hachem was drawing dead.

"Yes!" shouted the player who had turned a collection before his handheld in the course of the J♠ river and he administered a double elimination.

6:20pm: Level 7 begins, blinds are 300/600 with a 75 ante

6:10pm: Take a break

The remaining players have stepped away for a 10-minute break.

6:00pm: Chip counts before break

The chip stacks across the room vary from mountains to molehills.

Here's how a few of our notable players stack up.

Carl Carlsson - 40,000Kitty Kuo - 26,200Kosei Ichinose - 22,000Henrik Tollefsen - 13,300Joe Hachem - 6,600

With the blinds going as much as 300/600 (75) after the break, Hachem could be nursing a shortstack and searching to double up. We'll be keeping an eye fixed out to look if he can score himself that double or if he finds the exit here on Day 1b.

Joe Hachem

5:50pm: Notable knockouts

More and more players are exiting the tournament here on Day 1b including one of the vital familiar faces we had in attendance.

It appears Australian Daniel Laidlaw has left us here today. So too has Tatiana Barausova. The latter made a last table appearance in January's Macau Millions Main Event but cannot muster another impressive finish here this week.

Another elimination today was that folks pro Russell Thomas. It kind of feels he has encountered somewhat of a nemesis here in Macau as his tweet explained.

5:30pm: Level 6 begins, blinds are 200/400 with a 50 ante

5:20pm: Field Update

We're approaching the halfway mark here on Day 1b so let's look at the player numbers.

Yesterday's field of 205 has well and really been blown out of the water. Day 1b has already attracted 353 players to PokerStars LIVE Macau. We still have approximately an hour left of late registration so while it'd be unlikely, it isn't exceptional that the number could grow even further.

We've already lost an estimated 83 of our starting field today. That suggests 270 will continue into the second one 1/2 the day.

Stay with us as Day 1b continues into the night.

5:05pm: Kicker problems

Henrik Tollefsen just lost a pot after bricking an international of outs.

We missed one of the vital action but Tollefsen was within the big blind with 7♦6♦ and saw a flop of 8♠8♦5♦.

The Norwegian had flopped an open-ended straight flush draw or even improved to two-pair when the 7♣ turn arrived.

The 6♠ brought him an irrelevant three pair and he saw the bad news when his opponent tabled T♠7♠ for a similar two pair but with a one-better kicker.

Tollefsen has already seen great success here in Macau previously. He shipped the Macau Poker Cup High Roller in 2014 and emerged victorious within the 2013 APT Macau Main Event.

We'll be maintaining a tally of him this week to peer if another deep run is at the cards.

4:50pm: Level 5 begins, blinds are 150/300 with a 25 ante

4:40pm: Early eliminations

We recently noticed that Juicy Li was now not in her seat. Probably the most photographers informed us that she had previously been eliminated and will not be creating a deep run within the Red Dragon this week.

Another one to fall by the wayside within the early stages here was Lacey Jones. Unfortunaley we missed the action but Jones took to Twitter to update here followers.

4:25pm: Ichinose lone Team Pro; chipping up

We were thinking maybe we wouldn't see any Team PokerStars Pros within the building today, but Japan's Kosei Ichinose has turned up and is already building a stack.

After a player raised to 475 preflop, Ichinose made it 1,400 to head from the hijack seat. The player at the dealer button cold-called and the initial raiser came along to look a flop of T♣J♥9♥.

It was checked to Ichinose and he continued for 2,500. The button called however the initial raiser folded before the A♠ turn rolled off. Both players then checked it through to the J♦ river.

Ichinose took the chance to bet 6,000 and the verdict fell to the button, who was clearly annoyed on the predicament. Checking his cards and screwing up his face he tossed his hand into the muck and Ichinose collected the pot.

With that hand the Team Pro climbs to around 20,000 in chips.

Team PokerStars Pro Kosei Ichinose (pictured left)

4:10pm: Level 4 begins, blinds are 100/200 with a 25 ante

4:00pm: Scheduled break

Players have left the tournament area for a 10-minute break.

3:50pm: Broadway for Kuo

After a preflop raise from Kitty Kuo, Nan Zhao made the decision and players saw a flop of T♦3♣A♥.

Kuo continued for 450 and was called before the A♦ turn paired the board. Both players checked and the Q♥ arrived at the river.

The river prompted Kuo to bet again and she or he fired for 1,400 in chips. Zhao flicked in a decision and saw the bad news as Kuo tabled K♠J♦ for a rivered Broadway straight.

3:35pm: A packed out room as more notables take their seats

"It's an entire house" said APPT President Danny McDonagh over the microphone.

"We've got 32 hold'em tables running, four for the PLO and the money games are filling up" he said.

"A special way to Joe Hachem who has just arrived. He's the person behind the successful PLO tournament here" McDonagh continued.

Speaking after all about 2005 WSOP Main Event champion, Hachem has now taken his seat among today's Red Dragon field.

Joining him as late arrivals are prominent US pro Russell Thomas and the always entertaining Kitty Kuo. Kuo recently finished in sixth place on the Aussie Millions Main Event for $189,018 and can be chasing another huge score here this week.

3:20pm: Level 3 begins, blinds are 100/200

3:10pm: Chen and Mak chop it up

We arrived on the table to peer the board reading 8♥T♥K♣7♣ and Guangcheng Chen firing 500 after a check from Anthony Mak.

Mak then raised it as much as 1,500 and when Chen called they saw the 6♥ river roll off.

Leading again for 1,500 Mak was met with a raise from Chen to 3,500. He quickly called with A♠9♠ for a straight and effectively the similar hand as Chen's T♠9♦.

"Chop chop!" Chen exclaimed because the dealer started to push the pot to Mak. Realising her mistake she divided the chips up and split them evenly between the 2 players.

2:55pm: Limp works for Lacey

Lacey Jones has started the day with a small boost to her stack after a preflop limp and a few post flop aggression.

Jones limped from an early position before Han Shao next to behave followed suit. Jingyuan Li completed from the small blind and Yi Han checked his option before a flop of A♦2♠3♦.

The action checked to Jones who led for 225. Shao called however the other two mucked their hands because the dealer turned the 8♠.

Jones fired again, this time for 500, which was enough to win the pot as Shao gave it up.

Lacey Jones (pictured right)

2:40pm: Level 2 begins, blinds are 50/100

2:30pm: Wang wins one

Yuping Wang just took some chips from Tsz Yeung Ka.

Players were three handed to the flop of J♦5♠9♠ where Wang led for 650 in chips. Ka made the call, and with the player at the button out of ways players saw the T♣ turn.

Wang bogged down with a check to Ka who took the betting lead with a wager of 1,500. After a decision from Wang the dealer flipped up the T♠ river.

Both players quickly checked and Wang tabled K♥T♦ for the winner.

Ka shook his head because the pot was pushed to Wang.

2:15pm: A growing field and some familiar faces

Things are just just beginning here this afternoon and already we've smashed yesterday's field size. Day 1a saw 205 in attendance and only QUARTER-HOUR into Day 1b we've got 289 players on the tables. With a line still on the registration desk we're expecting that number to climb even further because the day progresses.

Of those 289 of their seats we've spotted a few familiar faces. Australia's Daniel Laidlaw is here, as is poker personality Lacey Jones. Also spotted was China's Sixiao 'Juicy' Li.

We've yet to peer any Team PokerStars Pros a few of the field yet. Perhaps they'll employ late registration or appear tomorrow for the general Day 1 flight.

MPC24 Red Dragon Day 1b begins soon

It's time for the second one Day 1 flight of the Macau Poker Cup 24's feature tournament - The Red Dragon!

The poker site this is already filling up with players preparing to make a run at that prestigious title and ambitious trophy. We'll be kicking off today's proceedings at 2:00pm but you'll be able to read all about Day 1a yesterday right here.

China's Chao Yang set the benchmark yesterday by emerging as chip later late within the day. He bagged up 168,700 in chips on the conclusion of play and time will tell if that number will also be bested here on Day 1b.

Once again we'll be following all of the action from the tables today. You should definitely keep your browser locked to the PokerStars blog for the entire live updates!

All photos by Kenneth Lim Photography courtesy of PokerStars LIVE Macau

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Asia Pacific Poker Tour]