Monday, July 25, 2016

APPT10 Seoul: Day 1B coverage archiveNO Deposit bonus $43

While thousands of miles away my home country of england made its surprising exit from the EU, just today also saw 96 poker hopefuls make their entrance into the APPT10 Seoul main event. A lot of those would make a brexit in their own by the top of the day (a broke exit) as they did not make it through Day 2, and didn't come as regards to the money.

Of those 96 Day 1B entries 38 survived when all was said and done, and so tomorrow they'll be joining the 23 Day 1A survivors as our fields merge for the primary time. The player who led the pack on the end of play today was Chan Tsuh Ming, who used continuous aggression with pre-flop three/four-bets aplenty to accumulate the room's biggest stack. He takes an immense 169,800 into play tomorrow, which crushes Day 1A end-of-play leader Albert Paik's 116,800.

Chan Tsuh Ming apptseoul.jpg

Chan Tsuh Ming will begin Day 2 as chip leader

But let's come back to the money for a moment. Registration closed on the end of Level 4 today, and that meant lets officially wrap up our player numbers and create a prize pool and payout structure. The winner of this event will take home ₩119,097,600 ($101,399 US), and just 18 of the 158 total entries will make the cash. A min-cash on this one is worth ₩5,099,000.

Who played today I hear you ask? Well, let's start with our PokerStars Team Pros. Yesterday, on Day 1A we had two red spades. Just one of them survived. Today we had three within the field....

AND I'm happy to mention that two of the 3 made it through. Celina Lin (22,400) and Bryan Huang (24,800) - either one of whom made the overall table of this very event last year (finishing fourth and second respectively) - have secured a seat on Day 2 tomorrow and can be hoping to make another deep run. Lin doubled up early within the day, while Huang had a tougher time - having to double-up when he got pretty short - yet still made it through.

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for 2016 APPT Macau Day 1b Celina Lin.jpg

Celina Lin through to Day 2

Japan's Kosei Ichinose was the Team Pro to be felted. He made his exit around 3pm today, and while we didn't see the hand that secured his elimination, we did see him playing cash games right in front of where we're sitting for the remainder of the day. What a grinder.

Other players who made it through today include Australia's Michael Egan (72,700) and China's Quan Zhou (51,700). People who weren't so fortunate include Belgium's Bart Luyckx, Peter Chan, Raymond Wu, and Wai Tung Lo.

It's almost a lock that we are going to be bursting the bubble tomorrow, so remember to get back tomorrow for that. Play starts at 12pm once again, and until then we're saying good night from Seoul. Kam sa ham ni da! --JS

Prize pool and payout structure

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Day 1B coverage:

8:25pm: Stop the clock!Level 8: Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

The clock has now been paused so there's only a few more hands left for today. We'll be back with an entire recap of today's play shortly. --JS

8:20pm: Jin still standingLevel 8: Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Jiayi Jin is currently on a quest to make back-to-back APPT final tables, having finished fifth last month in Macau for $519,000HK.

After his tablemate Tong Zhou opened to 2,700, it folded to Jin within the small blind and he moved all-in for his last 16,000. Zhou only had 16,300 behind myself, so if he called this one could be for the entire marbles.

He didn't. Jin scooped the chips and is up to now on track to finish his quest if he survives the general few hands of the day. --JS

8:15pm: Beattie bustoLevel 8: Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Kelvin Beattie submit a fair fight today but he just met his demise within the last level of the day. His final hand saw an open to 2,500, a call, after which Beattie moving all in for 28,400 from the large blind.

"I do not believe I WILL fold this" said the initial raiser, who leaned back in his chair before springing back and moving all in over the top.

With the third party out of ways Beattie rolled over A♠K♣ and was flipping against J♥J♦. The board wouldn't bring any help because the cards landed 7♦4♦Q♣9♠Q♦ and Beattie headed for the exit. -- BK

8:00pm: New chip boss in townLevel 8: Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

As we approach the general stages of Day 1b here a brand new chip leader has emerged some of the pack. That title goes to Chan Tsuh Ming.

Ming currently sits with around 130,000 in chips. The Day 1a end-of-day chip leader Albert Paik only bagged up 116,800 so Ming is definitely on his method to locking up the spot of Day 2 start-of-play frontrunner.

We haven't caught any huge hands from Ming yet, but we've seen him putting the pressure on preflop. His three and four-bet aggressive style is paying dividends in this day and age - let's examine if he can maintain the lead by day's end. -- BK

7:45pm: Huang finds a straightLevel 8: Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang and Michael Egan just partook in a minor battle after going to a flop of 7♥9♦T♥.

After a snappy check from Egan within the under the gun seat, Huang checked behind from the cutoff seat. The 8♦ turn was met with another quick check by Egan but prompted Huang to fireside for 1,700. Egan stuck around and the K♠ arrived at the end.

A third and final quick check from Egan saw Huang barrel for 2,500. The bet was snapped off and the Team Pro showed J♥6♥ for a turned straight.

That hand brings Huang as much as 31,800 and while Egan lost the pot, he's still considered one of our frontrunners with around 92,000 in play. -- BK

APPTSeoul2016 Michael Egan.jpg

Michael Egan

Level Small Blind Big Blind Ante
7 500 1,000 100

7:20pm: Ship it to ShibataLevel 7: Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)

Kouichi Shibata's tournament continues to be alive after he picked up pocket aces at an opportune moment.

Shibata got his last 13,100 within the middle preflop holding A♥A♣ and he was in great shape to double against Ken Okada's A♠K♠. The board didn't present any danger because the cards fell 9♣7♦2♣8♠4♥ and Shibata secured the double up.

He now boasts a stack of 28,300 while Okada is brief on 6,800. -- BK

7:15pm: Iwama's Aces get muted by MutoLevel 7: Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)

Getting dealt pocket rockets near the tip of the day in a tournament is meant to be a stack-booster for the next day, right? But unfortunately for Yoshito Iwama, the Aces infront of him resulted in his demise.

He opened to 2,000 and got a caller in Katsuhiro Muto two to his left. It folded around to Wingfung Tsao within the big blind and he came along too.

A 2♦7♥Q♦ flop hit the felt and Tsao checked to the raiser. Iwama continued for 2,200 and only Muto came along this time. The dealer put out the 2♣ at the turn and now Iwama checked, allowing Muto to take a look at and seize control with a 3,700 wager.

Iwama decided to check-raise though, and bumped the cost of poker to 8,500. Muto just called.

The J♥ fell at the river and Iwama carefully stacked up all of his chips - around 14,000 - and slid them over the road. Muto couldn't call fast enough, but both players turned their hands over like they'd the winner.

Iwama: A♦A♥Muto: 7♦7♠

Muto had flopped a set, and people pesky Aces were well and really cracked. Iwama hit the rail, while Muto stacked up around 55,000. --JS

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7pm: Lin wins versus JinLevel 7: Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)

Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin has found herself at a difficult table. She has APPT Macau final tablist Jiayi Jin on her direct left and teammate Bryan Huang across from her, but that hasn't stopped Lin from taking down pots.

It folded around to Lin within the small blind and she or he limped for 800 before Jin within the big blind raised it as much as 2,100. Lin stuck around and the 2 of them saw a flop of Q♦T♥Q♥.

Lin checked to the aggressor and Jin continued for 2,200. The Team Pro called and the dealer turned the A♥. The action checked throughout the turn and the 3♦ river and Lin flipped over T♣8♠ for the winner.

She moves as much as 24,800 while Jin drops to 38,100.

If the table wasn't tough enough, just as that hand concluded, Australian crusher Michael Egan took a seat. This murderer's row is actually a line as much as watch. -- BK

6:45pm: Huang secures the double-upLevel 7: Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)

PokerStars Team Pro Bryan Huang was getting just a little short, but he just found the easiest time - and the easiest flop - to double-up on.

The board showed the 3♣7♦7♣T♦ and Huang was at the button. His sole opponent within the pot was Ken Hirosawa who bet 3,000 into the roughly 10,000 pot. Huang the moved all-in excessive for 8,300 total, and after some deliberation Hirosawa made the call.

Huang confidently turned over his 7♠6♠ for flopped trips, while all Hirosawa could muster at this stage was the 5♦5♠. The river was the J♣ and Huang boosted his stack to 29,000. --JS

Level Small Blind Big Blind Ante
7 400 800 100

6:25pm: Break O'clock

Players have stepped away for the general break of the day. Action resumes in 10 minutes. -- BK

6:20pm: Hunger strikesLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

Play has bogged down towards the top of this level. In ten minutes I COULD NOT discover a decent hand. You understand what I FEEL the explanation is?

Sandwiches.

Hear me out.

The floor staff have just had an entire load of sandwiches dropped at feed the players who're about to move on their last ten minute break of the day. It's my thinking that none of our remaining players wish to bust out before they may be able to get their hands on a delicious sarnie.

When we return from break, I'm sure the hunger strike might be over and play will pick back up. --JS

6:10pm: A TRICKY grindLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

Tournament poker will also be gruelling from time to time. Potentially long days require stamina and extreme focus to stick sharp and minimize mistakes.

While the APPT offers comfortable eight-hour Day 1 flights, some players still appear to be struggling on the tables. One player, Guoliang Wei, appears to currently be asleep despite the action occurring throughout him. We caught him having a powernap within the last orbit.

Luckily for Wei tonight is the APPT Welcome Party where he's going to have a possibility to unwind from the grind. Or, of course, he could go straight to bed. -- BK

APPTSeoul2016 Guoliang Wei.jpg

Asleep at the job - Guoliang Wei

6:05pm: Country breakdownLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

Now that the tournament is easily and actually locked out we will be able to break down the list of entrants by their representative nation.

In total, players from 26 different countries took part, with Japan way out in front. Japan comprises 35.4% of the sphere while China is available in second place on 19%. -- BK

6:00pm: Zhou ramping up the aggressionLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

Macau regular and prominent player Quan Zhou is fighting fire with fire here today. He has basically doubled his starting stack so far.

In a up to date hand he opened to 1,625 from the hijack seat before the person within the cutoff bumped it as much as 4,100 to head. Zhou desired to play for more, however, coming back excessive to the tune of 11,800.

It didn't take long for the player to relinquish his hand and Zhou collected the pot and stacked up a complete of 39,700. -- BK

5:55pm: Bye bye Belgium; Beattie's stack biggerLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

The sole Belgian on this Day 1B field, Bart Luyckx, have been eliminated after a difficult day which saw him stuck within the shortest stack position for plenty of hours.

Down to only 1,550, he put his last couple of chips in from the massive blind position which was called by over-called by Kelvin Beattie and Masaki Nakano. The flop came the J♠8♥J♥ and Luyckx, who were standing up, jokingly decided to chill down, as though he'd hit the flop hard. Meanwhile, Beattie bet 1,000 and Nakano called.

The turn was the Q♥ and at this point, while Beattie was decided what to do, Luyckx looked up at me and shook his hand, running his finger across his neck. His time on this tournament was seemingly up.

Both checked the turn and at the 3♦ river Beattie led for 3,000. Nakano gave it up, and Luyckx practically mucked before even seeing Beattie's cards (which turned out to be the K♥J♣ for trips.

"Good luck everyone!" said Luyckx as he made his exit. Beattie is now as much as 39,000. --JS

bart luyckx apptseoul.jpg

Have you ever seen a sadder Belgian?

5:45pm: Huang creaming the competitionLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang hasn't really gotten anything going to this point today, but he did just take down a pleasant pot from the person on his left.

On a flop of K♦6♦2♠ Huang led from the cutoff for 1,200. The player at the button took a moment clear of eating the ice cream sundaes on all sides of him and made the decision to look the dealer turn the J♣.

The action then checked through before the third diamond T♦ arrived to finish the board. Huang picked up the betting again, this time making it 1,400, and his opponent went into the tank.

After greater than a minute's deliberation he threw the hand away and immediately went back to eating his desserts. For Huang though; something even sweeter - more chips so as to add to his stack as he moved as much as over 23,000. -- BK

5:35pm: Finland turns a bluffLevel 6: Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

Kimmolavi Puusa was raking in much more chips, including a win with this well-timed semi-bluff.

One a flop of 6♥J♦9♠, Puusa led for 1,800 and got a choice from his sole opponent within the hand, Yuichi Sumida. They saw the T♥ land at the turn and Puusa slowed down, checking it to the player from Japan who put out of venture of 4,500.

It didn't take the player from Finland long to lift. He grabbed four yellow 5K chips and tossed them within the middle, making it 20,000 to go, and Sumida quickly folded.

Puusa then slammed his A♥K♥ face-up at the table, clearly proud along with his semi-bluff. Well, it worked, so why wouldn't he be proud? --JS

Level Small Blind Big Blind Ante
6 300 600 75

5:25pm: Oh no for Lo as he's got to goLevel 5: Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)

After that crushing Kings vs Aces hand earlier (see 3:50pm) Wai Tung Lo was seeking to get his stack back into fighting shape. However, his efforts have proved fruitless as he's just been eliminated from Day 1B.

He opened the pot to 900, getting one caller in Yoshito Iwama out of the small blind. The flop showed the 4♣J♠3♠ and Iwama checked, allowing Lo to install a c-bet of 1,100. Iwama called though, and now Lo had just 9,000 behind.

The turn was the 9♦, which Iwama checked again. Lo thought for a moment before announcing he was all-in, which got snap-called by Iwama together with his 4♠4♦ for a suite. Lo had the K♣J♥ for high pair, and the Q♠ river didn't improve his hand.

It's all over the place for Lo here mostly event. --JS

5:10pm: Bad river for BeattieLevel 5: Blinds are 200/400 (50 ante)

Kelvin Beattie just lost a pot after a costly river card tempted him to make a decision with the inferior hand.

The board was showing 3♠4♣8♣Q♦ when the dealer presented the J♣ river. A seemingly good card for Beattie who held J♠J♥, his newly found set would finally end up costing him money.

That was because Keita Minaguchi held A♣6♣ for the nut flush and after Beattie led on the pot for 1,100, Minaguchi installed a raise to 3,200. Beattie weighed up his options but in spite of everything he committed the chips only to look he was beat. He flashed the rivered set to the table and the pot was pushed Minaguchi's way.

With that hand Beattie drops to 27,500 in chips, while Minaguchi bounces back to 14,800. -- BK

4:55pm: Negreanu's Rocky tactics are catching onLevel 5: Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)

Every year before the WSOP, Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu watches the entire Rocky movies, in a bid to get himself psyched up with the poker eye of the tiger.

It seems that tactic is catching on. Here in Seoul, Tsuyoshi Ishibashi is watching the newest edition to the Rocky saga, Creed, whilst he's playing primarily event.

Tsuyoshi Ishibashi apptseoul1.jpg

Ishibashi seeks inspiration...

Can the japanese stallion keep sparring all over to Day 2? Or will he get...knocked out? --JS

Tsuyoshi Ishibashi apptseoul2.jpg

...from Rocky Balboa/Sly Stallone

4:50pm: Puusa pips Susaka to the postLevel 5: Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)

With the flop showing the 6♦2♦T♠, Japan's Nobuaki Susaka led for 1,700 and Finland's Kimmoolavi Puusa raised that as much as 4,800. Susaka made the decision and we went to the turn.

It was the 7♦ and Susaka checked. Puusa, who had the button in front of him, thought for some time holding a single 5K chip, before just deciding to bet 5,000. Susaka matched the bet and the dealer put out the 4♣ river.

Play bogged down entirely with both checking, so the cards were on their backs. Susaka held the 9♠T♦ for prime pair, but that wasn't ok compared with Puusa's T♣Q♥. His kicker played and he moved as much as 33,000, while Susaka is all the way down to 9,000. --JS

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4:40pm: Takeda takes out XueLevel 5: Blinds are 200/400 (50 ante)

Renxing Xue was our first evictee of Level 5, he found himself all in and in danger preflop against Yusuke Takeda.

Xue held T♥9♥ and while the suited-connected hand had numerous potential, he'd wish to discover a lot of help against Takeda's K♠K♥. The A♦3♦8♠ changed nothing and while the T♠ turn gave Xue a couple of more outs to stick alive, ultimately the J♦ river bricked off and he was sent packing.

Takeda stacked what were once his opponent's chips and climbed to 27,200. -- BK

4:30pm: Payout informationLevel 5: Blinds are 200/400 (50 ante)

Level 5 has begun and the tournament is officially locked out. That suggests numbers was finalized and we have the payout information.

On top of the 61 who registered yesterday there have been another 96 this afternoon - that makes a complete of 157 total entrants. It will likely be 18 of these who will see a return on their investment with the eventual champion receiving a fab ₩119,097,600 (including a HK$100,000 2016 ACOP Main Event entry) and the APPT trophy. -- BK

Level Small Blind Big Blind Ante
5 200 400 50

4:15pm: Scheduled break

It's time again for players to take a break. Coverage will resume in 10 minutes. -- BK

4:05pm: Egan squeezesLevel 4: Blinds are 150/300

Australia's Michael Egan is continuous to construct a stack. He just took down a multiway pot preflop with a large three-bet.

It was opened to 750 from the cutoff and after the player at the button flat called, Egan popped it up from the small ignorant of 3,300.

The initial raiser quickly folded, and while the button postured for a couple of moments, he too let it go. Egan adds that one to his increasing chip count, now with 48,600 in play. -- BK

3:50pm: The coldest of pre-flop coolers sees Lo's chips sent Wei's wayLevel 4: Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)

There was an absolute ton of chips within the middle pre-flop after I arrived at Table 5. How did this happen? How did greater than 60,000 find it's way into the centre of the felt before any community cards have been dealt?

Well, all I DO KNOW is that the action went back to Hong Kong's Wai Tung Lo and he made it 17,100 to head (that feels like a five-bet to us). Then Guoliang Wei raised it again, moving all-in for 44,250.

Lo had a large decision on his hands. Luckily he had Wei covered, so if he called and lost he would still be in. However, the longer he thought, the more anguished he appeared, and his hand was essentially exposed through his actions: it simply needed to be pocket Kings. Right?

But did Wei have Aces? What hands with Wei had Lo already played? Had he seen him bluffing previously? All of these items would was running through Lo's mind as he contemplated his decision. The concept process took a while, see you later that another player called the clock.

With only a minute to go, Lo kept thinking. "AM I ABLE TO show my cards?" he asked the floor, who shook their heads.

With only a few seconds left to head he chucked in a chip signaling a choice. Wei turned over his hand: A♦A♠. And Lo showed his: K♦K♣.

There was no assistance on the board for Lo who dropped to 13,000, while Wei is true up some of the leaders with greater than 90,000. --JS

Thumbnail image for wai lo apptseoul day1b.jpg

Lo's stack takes a blow

3:35pm: Team Pro updateLevel 4: Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)

So far three Team PokerStars Pros have pulled up seats on Day 1b. They include Bryan Huang, Celina Lin and Kosei Ichinose.

Unfortunately for Ichinose it seems that he's met an early demise, with an empty seat now where the japanese pro once sat.

For Huang and Lin, however, they'll be seeking to go back-to-back with impressive finishes in Seoul after both making the general table last year.

Lin placed fourth within the last iteration of this event after a nasty beat from Poland's Daniel Demicki left her reeling. She got the last of her chips in with T♣T♦ against Demicki's K♦3♦ but was sent packing by a runner-runner flush. Lin can be hoping to runner better this week and that appears to be the case to this point. She has almost doubled her starting stack at first of Level 4, now with 36,800 in chips.

Huang went two places better than Lin last year when he scored himself ₩97,820,000 ($89,413) for a second-place finish. He hasn't found much momentum yet, still hovering around starting stack, but it's still relatively early in proceedings.

We'll be maintaining a tally of how they fare this week in Seoul. -- BK

APPTSeoul2016 Bryan Huang.jpg

Team PokerStars Pro and last year's runner up Bryan Huang

3:25pm: Boo hoo for Wu as Chan finishes him offLevel 4: Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)

In our 3:05pm post, we told you the way Peter Chan crippled the stack of Raymond Wu. Not satisfied with that, only some hands later Chan finished what he started and took the remainder of Wu's chips.

They got it all-in (for around 3,000) with Wu's K♣8♠ up against Chan's A♣T♠. The board ran out Q♦A♠9♠K♥7♥, and Wu hit the rail.

That can be Celina Lin's rail, as he went over to inform her of his bad news. The great friends shared a joke before Lin went back to her grind and Wu made his exit. --JS

Level Small Blind Big Blind Ante
4 150 300 25

3:15pm: Bad break for Bart, but no less than the Belgian's not bustLevel 3: Blinds 150/300

Last time I saw Belgium's Bart Luyckx in a pot, he got coolered when his Queens went up against Aces. However, he still had a tight stack left after that hand.

Something much more painful will need to have happened since as he was all the way down to just 1,500 at present. He moved all-in with pocket Kings and got called by Koichi Nozaki who had pocket tens. The board ran out safely for Luyckx and he doubled up, which saw all of his tablemates tap the table. That implies the hand during which he lost most of his chips was pretty brutal. He'll need a number of more doubles before he can settle into his stride. --JS

3:05pm: Chan chops down WuLevel 3: Blinds are 150/300

Peter Chan just crippled the stack of Raymond Wu after moving all in and receiving a choice with a monster hand.

The board read 8♣7♥K♥Q♠Q♣ and Wu checked to Chan who pushed his last 11,475 into the center. Wu studied the board before moving calling chips forward but immediately saw he was beat when Chan revealed 8♥8♦ for a whole house.

The bet at the end was for many of Wu's stack and he now sits with only 3,600 in chips. -- BK

3pm: Beattie gets beaten by ThooLevel 3: Blinds 150/300

There are a couple of US players within the field today, certainly one of whom is Kelvin Beattie. He opened to 700 and located one caller in Mingken Thoo at the button. The pair went to a flop, which was the 6♠5♠K♥ and Beattie put out a c-bet of 700. Thoo called.

The dealer burned and turned the 8♠ and Beattie slowed down, checking it over to Thoo who tried to grab control with a 1,500 bet. Beattie came along though, and we went to the river. It was the 2♥ and the yankee checked over again. Thoo played aggressor again with a 3,500 bet, and this sent Beattie into the tank.

After two minutes of thinking time, by which he looked back at his hand about once every five seconds, Beattie laid it down. --JS

2:50pm: Sasaki takes from TurtiainenLevel 3: Blinds are 150/300

Nobuaki Sasaki started things off with a raise to 750. Finland's Mikkopetteri Turtiainen made the decision and when the remainder of the table folded the dealer spread the 6♥9♣Q♥ flop.

The action went check check and the 2♥ appeared at the turn. Sasaki checked again and Turtiainen wagered 900. Sasaki then switched things up with a check-raise to 2,000. Turtiainen didn't look amused but he flicked in a decision before the Q♠ river rolled off.

Sasaki made it 2,200 at the end which made Turtiainen scratch his chin. The Finn loaded up a decision and pump faked momentarily before committing the chips with a disgruntled look.

Sasaki showed him A♥9♥ for the nut flush and Turtiainen quickly threw his hand face right down to the dealer. After that pot Sasaki now sits with 22,600 while Turtiainen dips to 17,800. -- BK

2:30pm: Lee takes one from LiLevel 3: Blinds 150/300

After Keisuke Hikosaka limped under the gun, Canada's Wonkyu Lee bumped things as much as 700. It folded around to China's Li Cha who clicked it back, making it 1,400 to head. Both players called and it was three to the flop.

It came 9♥A♥T♣ and Cha - who started the hand within the big blind - led out for 3,000. Hikosaka got out the way, but Lee made a fast call, taking us to the 7♦ turn. Now the bet from Cha was 5,500.

Lee started to count his chips - something across the 30,000 mark, which covered Cha's stack. After a minute or so he moved all-in, putting probably the most ladies on this event in danger. She too thought for a minute, but eventually decided to fight another day. After winning the following hand too, Lee now sits with 45,000. --JS

2:20pm: Huang within the houseLevel 3: Blinds are 150/300

We just spotted Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang on the registration desk. He'll be joining the sphere shortly.

Huang likely has a bitter sweet feeling returning to Seoul, after an excellent runner up finish last year left him one shy of the title.

He joins teammates Celina Lin and Kosei Ichinose within the field. We'll be following their progress to look in the event that they can survive to Day 2. -- BK

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
3 150 300

2pm: First break of the day

Players have stepped clear of the tournament area momentarily for his or her first break of the day. Play resumes in 10 minutes' time. -- BK

1:55pm: Lin lays the trapLevel 2: Blinds are 100/200

Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin is off to a robust start here this afternoon. She just took down a pot with some well-timed aggression.

It appeared that the action went three-way to a flop of T♦Q♠4♠ and Lin checked first to behave from the massive blind. The cutoff checked however the player at the button made it 400 to head. Lin opted to play for more, bumping it as much as 1,200.

The cutoff quickly passed however the button came along to look the 3♠ turn. Lin barrelled again, this time for 1,500, and it was enough to get the job done.

She moves as much as a stack of 26,700. -- BK

1:45pm: Muto moves inLevel 2: Blinds are 100/200

We arrived on the table to look the board reading 7♠7♣3♦6♥ and many commotion a few of the players.

There were two active players with the entire money in and while Wingfun Tsao had A♥A♦ he was behind Katsuhiro Muto's 9♣7♥ trip sevens.

"Ace!" Tsao shouted however the dealer revealed the 2♦ river and Muto cheered.

Muto was the player in danger but that hand brings him as much as around 13,000 in chips. Tsao alternatively now with lower than 1 / 4 of start stack on 4,200. -- BK

1:40pm: A COUPLE OF more notable namesLevel 2: Blinds 100/200

Here are two players that will be familiar to you - Peter Chan and Quan Zhou.

Hong Kong's Peter Chan is a typical at the APPT circuit and will even be seen at the EPT stop playings within the high rollers. Clear of the felt he's the chairman of what PokerStars Blog once described as 'the world's most exclusive club'. You'll discover out more about Chan and that privileged gang (which contains Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, Chun Lei Zhou, Antonio Esfandiari, Vanessa Selbst and Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier) here.

He's also a sexy nifty poker player, with greater than $600,000 in live winnings to his name.

peter chan appt10seoul.jpg

Peter Chan's playing today

Another well-established pro in today's field is China's Quan Zhou. With a variety of huge scores in Macau tournaments, plus deep runs at the EPT and on the WSOP, Zhou is definitely a force to be reckoned together with his. $700K+ career results show this. --JS

quan zhou appt10seoul.jpg

As is Quan Zhou

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1:30pm: Egan bounces backLevel 2: Blinds are 100/200

Australia's Michael Egan was off to a coarse start this afternoon, losing almost 1/2 his stack to Takashi Hiranuma inside the first few hands of play. He's made all of it back after which some after a high-quality last hour on the felt.

One of the hands that helped the momentum shift was another battle with Hiranuma. The board read 6♠7♣3♠T♦4♦ and Hiranuma had bet 4,000 into Egan. The Australian moved all in for a complete of 9,050 and it fell back on Hiranuma to speak.

He seemed hesitant to name but perhaps the small size swayed his decision as Hiranuma called to look the bad news. Egan tabled 9♠8♠ for the nut straight as Hiranuma nodded in defeat.

Egan has now climbed back to 27,800. -- BK

1:20pm: Dangerzone alreadyLevel 2: Blinds 100/200

It's clearly not been the most productive start for Japan's Masanori Ishihara. I DO NOT know the way it happened, but his stack has plummeted all the way down to 1 / 4 of what he started with already. Thing is, taking a look at the stacks of his tablemates, it doesn't seem like he's lost one big pot to at least one player, but rather lost several pots spreading his chips around.

He just moved all-in for 4,800 and got no callers - clearly not the outcome he wanted. A double-up may be needed shortly to flee the dangerzone. --JS

1:10pm: More for Ichinose as his momentum buildsLevel 2: Blinds 100/200

Before the blinds went up, PokerStars Team Pro Kosei Ichinose opened to 300 from middle and got two callers: Guoliang Wei at the button and Tsuyoshi Ishibashi from the large blind. The flop came 3♥5♣9♦ and it checked to Ichinose, who continued for 600. Again, that bet got two callers.

The 5♥ turn saw it checked to Ichinose again and he fired yet again for 1,700. That was too big for his opponents who opted to throw their hands away. We've not seen Ichinose lose a pot yet! He's as much as 25,000. --JS

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
2 100 200

12:55pm: Three aces for IchinoseLevel 1: Blinds are 50/100

The action folded around to Masanori Ishihara within the small blind and he raised it as much as 300. Team PokerStars Pro Kosei Ichinose was within the big blind and he defended to peer a flop of A♦9♣T♠.

Ishihara continued with another 300 in chips and Kosei called before the dealer turned the Q♦. Both players checked their options and the A♥ arrived at the river.

Ishihara made it 700 at the end, and while it gave the look of Ichinose was reaching for raising chips, ultimately the Team Pro just called with A♣6♦ for a rivered three of a sort. That was way sooner than Ishihara's 9♥8♥ and Ichinose scooped the pot. -- BK

12:50pm: Another Team Pro in your listLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

Joining Japan's Kosei Ichinose as members of Team PokerStars Pro present here on Day 1B of APPT10 Seoul is none instead of Celina Lin.

The two-time Macau Red Dragon main event winner can have just arrived for this APPT main event, but she's already been within the action inside the festival, playing in a warm-up event earlier this week.

With greater than $600,000 in live earnings, the Twitch superstar is poised for an even run here today. She made the overall table last year in spite of everything! Can she go back-to-back? Here's hoping! --JS

12:40pm: Team Pro arrives to rep the red spadeLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

Japan's Kosei Ichinose is now sitting with a 20,000 starting stack as he's become the primary player to adorn the PokerStars red spade here today (he won't be the one one though - stay tuned for more on that).

Ichinose became a PokerStars Team Pro firstly of last year; already a legend within the online world, he was the primary Japanese player to succeed in Supernova Elite status. "I'm proud to be related to PokerStars as I'VE achieved such a lot within the game by playing at the site," he told us on the time.

Good luck Kosei! --JS

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Ichinose in Macau last month

12:30pm: Tens full for TakashiLevel 1: Blinds are 50/100

Takashi Hiranuma just took a big chunk out of Michael Egan's stack. We arrived on the table to catch what seemed like a three-bet to 900 from Egan, after which a subsequent four-bet to 1,900 from Hiranuma.

Egan called and the flop brought 8♠3♣T♣. Hiranuma continued for 2,500 and Egan called again before the 3♦ turn paired the board.

Then Egan took the betting lead after he was checked to, firing for 3,700. Hiranuma paused momentarily before making the decision and the Q♦ river completed the board.

Both players checked it at the end and Hiranuma revealed T♠T♦ for flopped top set which had improved to a whole house at the turn. Egan nodded and mucked his hand as he was knocked right down to 11,200. Hiranuma is now probably the most chip leaders with around 29,000 at his disposal. -- BK

12:10pm: Egan's eagerLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

One of the more recognisable faces within the crowd at the start of play today is that of Australia's Michael Egan. An all-round beast on the felt, Egan burst directly to the live scene last year with a fifth place finish within the EPT12 Barcelona €50K super high roller, good for €358,900.

He followed that up with a last table on the Aussie Millions in January, ultimately finishing seventh within the $25,000 high roller for $76,094.

We look ahead to seeing how he gets on here in Seoul. --JS

12:00pm: Shuffle up and deal!

Players are of their seats and cards are within the air as Day 1B kicks off. Blinds begin at 50/100 with a starting bank of 20,000.

More notable names are expected to make an appearance today. We're about to scout the sphere and spot who we will be able to spot.

11:45pm: Welcome to Day 1B!

Players have begun wandering in to the poker site here at Paradise Walkerhill Casino as Day 1B is nearly underway.

Yesterday saw 61 players mostly Event race and we're expecting to eclipse that number today as a brand new batch of players pony up the ₩3,000,000 (~$2,600) and chase the Seoul poker crown. They'll be seeking to best the Day 1A end-of-day chip leader Albert Paik who bagged up 116,800.

The plan today is eight one-hour levels so including breaks play will conclude around 8:30pm local time. For now though, it's almost about time to start. Stick with us! -- BK

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Key APPT10 Seoul Facts:- 20,000 starting stack- Blinds starting at 50/100 for 200 big blinds- Levels are 60 minutes on Day 1 and there'll be eight of them- Day 2 is Saturday when the sector will combine for the primary time. We'll reach the money through the eight levels of play on Day 2 after which play right down to a last table on Sunday. Monday is all in regards to the final.- Full APPT10 Seoul schedule here.

PokerStars Blog reporting team in Seoul: Brad Kain and Jack Stanton. Photos by Kenneth Lim Photography.

The APPT Seoul festival at Paradise Walkerhill Casino runs until Monday, June 27th. Full details can be found at the official APPT website page.



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