2015 PokerStars.net APPT Macau Main Event Day 1b: Jia Liang Jumps Into the Lead
As expected, the second starting day of the Season 9 Asia Pacific Poker Tour Macau HK$25,000 Main Event at PokerStars LIVE Macau at City of Dreams attracted a bigger field than Day 1a, but last year's record attendance was missed by just one participant. Along with the 207 players from Day 1a, the 286 entries of Day 1b created an overall field of 493 entrants in total.
Out of those, the top 59 spots will get paid at least HK$43,600 whereas the winner can look forward to a shiny silver PokerStars trophy and a first-place payout of HK$2,525,000. In the best position to make a run at the top prize is Jia Liang, who soared into the lead in the last level of the night. Liang knocked out two opponents, including Victor Chong in the last five hands, and bagged up impressive 198,200 chips.
Top 10 Day 1b Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jia Liang | 198,200 |
| 2 | Ke Jing Li | 160,800 |
| 3 | Sihai Jiang | 155,000 |
| 4 | Ronald Chun Long Yu | 150,200 |
| 5 | Fan Zhao | 146,000 |
| 6 | Wenxiong Luo | 132,000 |
| 7 | Jun Bao | 121,300 |
| 8 | Geng Liu | 110,000 |
| 9 | Wing Cheong Chong | 104,400 |
| 10 | Yat Wai Cheng | 101,800 |
Notables that didn't make it through Day 1b included the entire HK$50,000 Freezeout top four in Sheng Sun, Jack Hu, 2014 World Series of Poker Asia Pacific Main Event champion Scott Davies and Kim Wittendorff. Likewise, poker legend Johnny Chan, who recently won the Poker King Club Grand Opening Charity Event, found himself on the rail.
Celina Lin suffered a shocking exit after less than half an hour into the tournament. The action started with Gab Yong Kim raising to 250 from the cutoff and Lin calling from the small blind. The J♣Q♣7♠ flop saw Lin check-call a continuation bet from Kim before the 2♦ dropped on the turn. Lin checked once more and Kim threw out 750. Lin then came over the top for 2,000 only to be faced with another raise to 7,500. She then opted to move all in for just short of starting stack and was snap called.
Lin: J♥Q♥
Kim: 7x7x
Lin had run her top two pair into the set of Kim and would find no help on the 5♠ river resulting in her being one of the first casualties of the day.
Lin's fellow PokerStars Team Pros Brian Huang and Vivian Im soon joined her on the rail. Likewise, Team Online member Randy "nanonoko" Lew also busted in cruel fashion, while Steve O'Dwyer had a tough day and eventually claimed 50,900 chips upon bagging and tagging.
Other Day 1b big stacks include Ke Jing Li (160,800), Sihai Jiang (155,000), Ronald Chun Long Yu (150,200), Fan Zhao (146,000), Wenxiong Luo (132,000) and Geng Liu (110,000). After eight 60-minute levels, just 112 players advanced, which means along with the Day 1a survivors, 188 players will return to the tables at 14:00 local time on Friday.
Another eight levels will be played, and the money should is expected to burst around end of Day 2. The action will recommence in Level 13 with the blinds at 600/1,200/200, and the PokerNews Live Reporting Team will be back to provide all key moments of another exiting day from the felt.
While you wait, check out this interview with Winfred Yu, President of the Poker King Club, about moving his poker room to The Venetian:
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