In an electrifying finale at the 2024 U Series of Poker (USOP) Grand Finale in Hai Phong, Vietnam, Ankit Bhansali made history by becoming the first Indian player to secure a title at this prestigious event. Held at the luxurious Pullman Grand Hotel’s Grand Ballroom in collaboration with Crown Poker Club, the 13-day series has been a poker extravaganza, drawing intense competition from around the world.
Team India’s Remarkable Performance at the USOP
This year’s Grand Finale has been a remarkable chapter for Team India, already boasting 28 cash finishes and seven final table appearances within the first six days. But it was Bhansali who provided the breakthrough India had been eagerly waiting for, marking the country’s fourth USOP title of 2024. This win further solidified India’s growing influence in the Asian poker scene.
Bhansali’s Confident Entry and Strategic Play
Bhansali, fresh off his first live tournament victory at the DPT Grand ₹35K NLH Bounty in Goa, entered Event #27: VN₫ 10 Million Midweek Superstack with the confidence of a seasoned pro. The event attracted a massive 465 entries, all vying for a share of the generous prize pool, but Bhansali navigated the field with a blend of strategic brilliance and luck.
The Thrilling All-Indian Heads-Up Showdown
What made the final showdown even more exhilarating was that it was an all-Indian heads-up battle, with Bhansali facing Kunal Patni, the executive director of Natural8 India. Patni, a poker legend with a slew of accomplishments, had already captured the USOP Hanoi 2023 Event #34: VN₫ 66 Million High Roller title and made deep runs in every event he participated in this series. Many thought he would add yet another title to his list of accolades, but Bhansali had other plans.
Bhansali Claims His First USOP Title
The two Indian powerhouses engaged in a high-stakes heads-up battle, with both agreeing to a deal to reduce variance. In the end, Bhansali emerged victorious, claiming his first-ever USOP title along with a career-high VN₫ 724 Million (~₹24.15 Lakhs) payday. This victory was even sweeter for Bhansali as it marked his first cash and final table finish in this series.
Kunal Patni’s Impressive Run and Earnings
While Bhansali’s victory was a momentous achievement for India, Kunal Patni’s performance was equally remarkable. Though he fell short of the title, Patni earned VN₫ 666 Million (₹22.22 Lakhs) for his efforts, marking his third final table appearance and fourth cash of the series. With a total of VN₫ 1.358 Billion (₹45.30 Lakhs) in earnings, Patni remains the highest-earning Indian player at the USOP Grand Finale to date.
Several other players from Team India made deep runs and achieved impressive results:
- Aditya Sushant: Finished 10th in Event #16: VN₫ 20 Million Mini Main Event for VN₫ 241 Million (~₹8.04 Lakhs)
- Siddharth Karia: Finished 14th in Event #16: VN₫ 20 Million Mini Main Event for VN₫ 181 Million (~₹6.04 Lakhs)
- Ashish Munot: Finished 4th in Event #29: VN₫ 14 Million Big Stack: Big Buy In for VN₫ 102.50 Million (~₹3.42 Lakhs)
- Ritwik Khanna: Finished 9th in Event #29: VN₫ 14 Million Big Stack: Big Buy In for VN₫ 40 Million (~₹1.33 Lakhs)
- Kartik Ved: Finished 4th in Event #25: VN₫ 22 Million Mini High Roller for VN₫ 98.20 Million (~₹3.28 Lakhs)
The Stage is Set: An All-Indian Heads-Up Showdown
In a thrilling heads-up duel at Event #27: VN₫ 10 Million Midweek Superstack, India’s Ankit Bhansali faced off against Kunal Patni in what became an unforgettable all-Indian showdown. The poker world was buzzing, as Patni, the Natural8 India Executive Director and brand ambassador, had been on a hot streak, with many expecting him to cruise to another victory. But Bhansali, armed with his sharp skills and confidence, had different plans.
Bhansali’s Journey to the Final Table
Bhansali, fresh off his first-ever live tournament win at the Deltin Poker Tournament Grand in Goa. Just two months earlier, entered the event with a burning desire to make his mark on the international stage. Having secured ₹4.34 Lakhs in his career-best score at Goa, Bhansali was now looking to push his limits further. And in Hai Phong, he did just that.
The Epic Heads-Up Battle
Bhansali outlasted Patni to secure his first USOP title, along with a massive VN₫ 724 Million (~₹24.15 Lakhs) payday. This victory wasn’t just about the title. It marked a new high in Bhansali’s poker career, shattering his previous earnings record and cementing his place as a rising star in the poker world.
Kunal Patni’s Strong Showing
While Bhansali was the last man standing, Kunal Patni’s performance was equally impressive. Despite falling short of his second USOP title, Patni walked away with a healthy VN₫ 666 Million (~₹22.22 Lakhs). Even though he couldn’t clinch the win this time, Patni’s consistent dominance in the South Asian poker scene remains unquestioned.
Midweek Superstack Prize Pool Soars to VN₫ 3.934 Billion
The Midweek Superstack event itself was a massive success, surpassing all expectations. Initially carrying a VN₫ 900 Million guarantee, the tournament saw an overwhelming 465 entries (326 unique players). This propelled the prize pool to an incredible VN₫ 3.934 Billion. The top eight finishers were guaranteed a share of this prize pool, and among them, India’s Sumit Sapra also made his mark. Sapra finished 54th and bagged VN₫ 16 Million (~₹53,000), adding to India’s overall impressive performance in the event.
Final Table Results (VN₫)
- Ankit Bhansali – VN₫ 724,000,000*
- Kunal Patni – VN₫ 666,000,000*
- Khoi Nguyen – VN₫ 358,000,000
- Duy Anh Pham – VN₫ 245,000,000
- Xiangyu Zhao – VN₫ 190,000,000
- Yuanxi Chen – VN₫ 159,000, 00
- Sang Jun Lee – VN₫ 130,000,000
- Chun Chieh Liu – VN₫ 104,000,000
- Phi Hung Do – VN₫ 83,000,000
*denotes a heads-up deal
China’s Ma Haohui Wins Mini Main Event (VN₫ 2.835 Billion)
Event #16: VN₫ 20 Million Mini Main Event proved to be a poker extravaganza. Far surpassing all expectations—something of a trend throughout this season-ending series! What began as a tournament quickly became a poker phenomenon. Attracting a jaw-dropping 1,116 entries and smashing the VN₫ 15 Billion guarantee. This massive turnout resulted in a prize pool of an astounding VN₫ 19.729 Billion, setting the stage for intense competition.
The final day was nothing short of a pressure cooker, with players enduring hours of intense battling. In the end, China’s Ma Haohui emerged victorious, claiming the prestigious USOP trophy. He won an incredible VN₫ 2.835 Billion first-place prize following a heads-up deal. Vietnam’s Ha Va Thien fought valiantly and secured an impressive VN₫ 2.60 Billion for second place.
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