The Asian Poker Tour (APT) has returned to Phu Quoc, Vietnam, marking a significant moment in its history as the tropical paradise transforms into a bustling arena for high-stakes poker. After a hiatus of over a year, the APT’s comeback to Phu Quoc promises an incredible experience across ten days, with a massive prize pool of VN₫ 44 billion (~$1.7 million) spread over 82 events.
This poker festival, co-hosted with VPT at the stunning Corona Theatre, comes on the heels of APT Manila’s record-breaking success, but Phu Quoc is already setting its own milestones. The opening days have been packed with fierce action, with twenty-five champions crowned within the first four days. The VN₫ 36 million APT Main Event has particularly captured everyone’s attention, boasting a VN₫ 25 billion (~$1 million) guarantee.
Deepankur Gupta Leads the Charge in Flight A in APT
Flight A of the APT Main Event saw an impressive turnout of 189 entries (142 unique players) as poker pros and enthusiasts battled over ten intense, 60-minute levels. Leading the charge was India’s Deepankur Gupta, who finished with a towering stack of 307,800 chips, the only player in this flight to surpass the 300K mark. With 192 big blinds, Gupta’s position in Day 2 looks promising.
Gupta’s journey from online MTTs to dominating live poker events has been nothing short of phenomenal. His recent victories include a major win at the VIPT Hanoi Event #11: Vietnam Open for a career-high ₹41.41 lakh, followed by a successful summer at the Wynn Las Vegas and Venetian DeepStack Championship Poker Series. In September, he captured his first USOP title in a Hyper Turbo event, showing he’s in peak form as he enters Day 2.
Indian Players Making a Mark in APT
India’s poker talent shone brightly in Flight A, with six other players joining Gupta in advancing to Day 2. Notably, Mumbai-based pro Avneesh Munjal secured an above-average stack of 167,100 chips (104 big blinds). Munjal, a consistent performer, recently won a Short Deck event at the VPL Summer Series and participated in the 2024 WSOP, marking him as a versatile threat in both online and live formats.
Additional Indian players who made it through Flight A include:
- Shardul Parthasarathi: DPT Grand High Roller runner-up (109,700 chips)
- Ankit Ahuja: Two-time GPI POY (India) (78,700 chips)
- Kunal Patni: Natural8 India’s Executive Director, fresh off two recent final tables (73,400 chips)
- Dhaval Mudgal: Seasoned pro (51,800 chips)
- Romit Advani: Notable contender (45,600 chips)
Top International Players in the Mix
While India made a strong showing, international talent was equally fierce. Vietnam’s Dong Van Tan closely followed Gupta with 290,500 chips. Other local players advancing to Day 2 included Nguyen Trung Quan (243,900), Bui Le Anh (234,000), and Le Buu Nghia (232,800).
International players with significant stacks include:
- Justin Chu (Taiwan): 147,300 chips
- Peng Chen (China): 144,500 chips
- Motoyoshi Okamura (Japan): 134,800 chips
- Adrien Favre (France): 122,500 chips
Notable players like South Korea’s Gab Yong Kim (97,600), Australia’s John Perry (90,300), and Serbia’s Milos Skrbic (81,200) also advanced, adding diversity and skill to the Day 2 lineup.
Excitement Builds with Additional Flights
Following the success of Flight A, Flight B began at 11 AM local time today, with Flights C and D scheduled for November 13. Late registration remains open until Day 2, allowing for even more contenders to join this competitive Main Event.
Current Top Ten Chip Counts
- Deepankur Gupta (India) – 307,800
- Dong Van Tan (Vietnam) – 290,500
- Nguyen Trung Quan (Vietnam) – 243,900
- Bui Le Anh (Vietnam) – 234,000
- Le Buu Nghia (Vietnam) – 232,800
- Charles Pansoy – 226,800
- Dylan Foster – 217,700
- Vladimir Litasov – 205,700
- Vladislavs Azan – 188,000
- Qi Shun Nian – 184,400
Side Events Heating Up
While the Main Event is the highlight, side events are delivering their share of excitement. Recent winners include Nelson George Dong (Single Day High Roller), David Erquiaga (Omaha Masters), Le Thanh Tung (NL Hold’em – Freezeout), Gregory Liow (Teams Event), Adam James Greenlee (Turbo – PL Omaha High – 5 Card), Minh Dat Dang (Hyper Turbo – High Roller), and Chayathon Wongpipatchai (Tick Tock BOOM!).
What’s Next?
The APT Phu Quoc 2024 has proven to be a high-energy poker festival, and with more players advancing to Day 2, the stakes are only getting higher. With additional events, an incredible lineup of international talent, and a spectacular setting, the APT’s return to Phu Quoc is set to be unforgettable.
Stay tuned for more updates as India’s top players, led by Deepankur Gupta, aim to make their mark in the tournament’s later stages. Will Phu Quoc see another breakthrough performance for Gupta? Only time will tell!