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12am: Paphawin Laodee eliminated in 10th place (HK$166,500)
Level 26: Blinds – 30,000/60,000 (5,000 ante)
The final table is now set after Paphawin Laodee was taken out by Jack Salter.
Salter brought it in for a raise to 120,000 preflop and Laodee called to see a flop of 10♥ K♦ 10♦ . The action went check check and the Q♣ landed on the turn. Laodee led out for 125,000 and Salter smooth-called to the J♥ river.
Laodee jammed on the end for roughly 500,000 and Salter snapped it off with Qâ™ Q♦ for queens full of tens ahead of Laodee’s A♣ 6♣ for a rivered Broadway straight.
And with that the day concludes with our final nine returning tomorrow at 3pm. We’ll have a full wrap of today’s proceedings shortly right here on the PokerStars Blog!
11:55pm: Qi Lyu eliminated in 11th place (HK$131,000)
Level 26: Blinds – 30,000/60,000 (5,000 ante)
We’ve reached the final table bubble now with Qi Lyu making an exit in 11th place. He failed to win a flip against Tom Alner and came up two shy of a final table appearance.
Lyu moved all in under the gun for 720,000 and when it folded to Tom Alner in the big blind, he checked the tournament clock and paused for a moment before slamming in a call.
“This is a big one” Alner said to his friends on the rail.
It was Lyu’s ace-queen off suit against Alner’s pocket sevens and with a seven in the window on the 9â™ Q♥ 7♦ flop Alner took a stranglehold on the hand. Lyu was down to running cards for salvation but the 2♣ turn and 8♦ river couldn’t save him.
“Unlucky man” Alner said as he secured 2.6 million in chips.
11:40pm: Celina Lin eliminated in 12th place (HK$131,000)
Level 26: Blinds – 30,000/60,000 (5,000 ante)
Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin was just sent packing so close to her 4th Red Dragon final table appearance after a battle of the blinds with Liang Song.
Lin moved all in from the small blind with A♠4♣ and was called by Song in the big blind with K♥ Q♦ . The Team Pro looked safe right up until the river when the cards landed 8♦ 7♣ 10♣ 7♠K♦ .
The king on the end paired Song and was met with a collective sigh from the railbirds who had gathered to sweat the action.
With Lin’s departure we’re now down to 11 remaining.
11:20pm: Liang Xu eliminated in 13th place (HK$107,000)
Level 26: Blinds – 30,000/60,000 (5,000 ante)
We’re only three more eliminations from setting our Red Dragon final table after Liang Xu departs in 13th place.
After a raise to 85,000 Xu three-bet to 265,000 and Wenxiang Chen put in a cold four-bet to jam for 790,000. Xu called it off and saw the bad news as the cards went on their backs.
Xu: Q♠Q♦
Chen: K♥ K♣
Xu was chasing a queen to keep his dream alive but the 6♣ 5â™ 7♦ A♦ 8â™ didn’t deliver. He would have to be content with a HJ$107,000 payday.
11:05pm: Hoi Wong eliminated in in 14th place (HK$107,000)
Level 25: Blinds – 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)
Eliminations are flying thick and fast now with Hoi Wong leaving us in 14th place.
On a flop of 6♥ J♥ 8♥ Wong checked to Benjamin Hamnet who fired for 140,000. Wong then check-jammed and Hamnet called it off to put Wong at risk.
Wong: A♥ Q♣
Hamnet: K♠K♦
Hamnet had the lead but Wong could catch any heart or ace to take it from him. The 10♠turn also added double gut shot straight draw but the 8♣ would ultimately brick off to send Wong home.
10:55pm: Xiaozhou Zhao eliminated in 15th place (HK$107,000)
Level 25: Blinds – 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)
15th place goes to Xiaozhou Zhao who was just felted by Benjamin Hamnet. Nursing a short stack Zhao was all in preflop and had the worst of it.
Zhao: A♥ 9♦
Hamnet: J♠J♥
Zhao picked up some help on the 6♥ 5♣ 9â™ flop but it wouldn’t be enough as the 5â™ turn and 3â™ river rolled off to see Hamnet’s jacks holding.
Zhao headed to the payout desk as Hamnet built to a total of right around 1 million.
10:45pm: Yanzhong Tong eliminated in 16th place (HK$83,300)
Level 25: Blinds – 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)
Yanzhong Tong was the next to go. He found his short stack all in preflop and at risk against Shuai Qiu. Tong pushed for 295,000 with Q♣ J♠and Qiu made the call with 4♠4♥ .
The 3♥ A♥ 2♣ flop was no help to Tong and neither were the 6♠turn or 3♦ river. He leaves us in 16th place and takes home HK$83,300.
10:35pm: Xun Lu eliminated in 17th place (HK$83,300)
Level 25: Blinds – 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)
We’ve lost another one here as Xun Lu departs in 17th place. He got the last of his chips in preflop and was dominated by Tom Alner.
Lu: A♥ 5♦
Alner: A♠Q♥
The 2♥ 3♦ K♦ flop granted Lu a wheel draw and the 6♦ additional flush outs.
“Yes!” Lu cried realising he had picked up a flush draw, “I must win!”
Unfortunately for Lu it wasn’t the case as the 3♣ river paired the board and signalled the end for Lu.
10:25pm: Lucky Lee survives
Level 25: Blinds – 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)
Daniel Lee was just one card away from elimination here until he caught a lucky river to stay in the hunt.
Lee moved his last 510,000 in preflop from the cutoff before Yanzhong Tong moved all in over the top on the button. The blinds folded and players tabled their cards.
Lee: Q♣ 9♥
Tong: A♠A♣
Lee had run into it and needed a lot of help to keep his tournament alive.
The 9♦ 10♦ 2♦ flop brought a little hope with Lee pairing his nine but the 10♥ took away his outs to a queen. The 9♠river, however, saw Lee improve to a full house and with a gasp from the crowd Lee fist pumped with jubilation.
He moves back up to over 1 million in chips while Tong is now short stacking on 310,000.
10:15PM: Updated chip count as play resumes
Level 25: Blinds – 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)
Players are back in their seats and ready to go. Here’s how they stack up.
Table 1
Seat 1) Wenxiang Chen – 635,000
Seat 2) Celina Lin – 455,000
Seat 3) Liang Song – 1,560,000
Seat 4) Daniel Lee – 520,000
Seat 5) Yanzhong Tong – 750,000
Seat 6) Shaui Qiu – 2,225,000
Seat 7) Xiao Bo Zhou – 2,080,000
Seat 8) Liang Xu – 1,290,000
Table 2
Seat 1) Tom Alner- 595,000
Seat 2) Qi Lyu – 950,000
Seat 3) Xiaozhou Zhao – 275,000
Seat 4) Hoi Wong – 985,000
Seat 5) Jack Salter – 1,380,000
Seat 6) Jingxuan Zhu – 1,545,000
Seat 7) Xun Lu – 590,000
Seat 8) Benjamin Hamnet – 590,000
Seat 9) Paphawin Laodee – 755,000
9:25pm: Dinner break
Our final 17 players have stepped away for a 45-minute dinner break.
9:15pm: Hiroyuki Noda eliminated in 18th place (HK$83,300)
Level 24: Blinds – 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
Hiroyuki Noda is the first to leave us since we got down to two tables.
With the board reading Kâ™ 4â™ K♥ 6♦ Noda checked from the big blind before Liang Song moved all in with enough to cover Noda’s last 300,000. Noda took some time with the decision before agreeing to play for it all.
Noda: 4♥ 2♥
Song: K♦ Q♦
Noda was already drawing dead when the 7â™ arrived on the end to make his elimination official. He headed to the payout desk to collect HK$83,300.
9pm: Final two tables draw
Level 24: Blinds – 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
Table 1
Seat 1) Wenxiang Chen – 745,000
Seat 2) Celina Lin – 665,000
Seat 3) Liang Song – 830,000
Seat 4) Daniel Lee – 550,000
Seat 5) Yanzhong Tong – 600,000
Seat 6) Shaui Qiu – 2,100,000
Seat 7) Xiao Bo Zhou – 2,200,000
Seat 8) Liang Xu – 900,000
Seat 9) Hiroyuki Noda – 450,000
Table 2
Seat 1) Tom Alner- 690,000
Seat 2) Qi Lyu – 780,000
Seat 3) Xiaozhou Zhao – 250,000
Seat 4) Hoi Wong – 780,000
Seat 5) Jack Salter – 1,360,000
Seat 6) Jingxuan Zhu – 1,400,000
Seat 7) Xun Lu – 580,000
Seat 8) Benjamin Hamnet – 720,000
Seat 9) Paphawin Laodee – 800,000
8:50pm: Chong eliminated; two tables remain
Level 24: Blinds – 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
We’re down to the final two tables now after Victor Chong bowed out in 19th place.
Qi Lyu shoved for 495,000 on the button and after some deliberation Chong called it off with less in the small blind.
Lyu: 7♣ 7♦
Chong: A♣ 10â™
It was a fair fight but Lyu turned a set on the 9♣ 3â™ 2♦ 7â™ 8â™ runout to take us down to 18 players. We’ll have the seating draw for the final two tables up shortly.
8:35pm: Start-of-day chip leader perishes
Level 24: Blinds – 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
Feng Wen Chen started today with the chip lead but he has left us so close to a final table finish .
Benjamin Hamnet moved all in preflop from early position and Chen called off for his last 150,000 on the button.
Chen: 7♣ 7♦
Hamnet: A♠A♣
Chen needed a seven for a chance at staying alive but he was already walking away from the table after the A♥ 8♥ 4♠flop. The 9♦ meant he was officially drawing dead before the 10♥ river arrived.
He collects HK$71,400 for his efforts here this week.
8:20pm: Lee doubles through Lin
Level 23: Blinds – 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
We recently reported that Daniel Lee doubled up Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin and she just returned the favour.
Lee moved all in from early position for 231,000 and the action folded around to Lin in the big blind. She looked at the tournament clock and gave it some thought before pushing in calling chips.
Lee: A♦ 10♣
Lin: K♦ J♥
Lee was in front and while Lin had live cards she couldn’t hit one on the 6â™ 2â™ 5â™ 8♣ 4♦ runout. Lee’s ace high was good and he doubled up. Meanwhile Lin fell to 610,000 in chips.
8:05pm: Lin doubles through Lee
Level 23: Blinds – 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin now has an above average stack after doubling up through tablemate Daniel Lee.
Lin raised the button before Lee jammed from the big blind with enough to cover Lin’s 378,000. The Team Pro snapped it off and the two turned their hands face up.
Lin: A♥ A♦
Lee: K♦ Q♥
Lin had woken up with pocket aces and they held as the board came down K♠9♦ 9♠6♣ 6♥ . That double up takes her stack to around 770,000.
7:50pm: Qiu rockets to the lead
Level 23: Blinds – 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
Shuai Qiu just took a commanding chip lead here after winning the biggest pot of the tournament against the start-of-day chip leader Feng Wen Chen.
The two had giant stacks when all the money went in preflop. It was revealed to be another cooler when the cards went on their backs.
Qiu: A♠A♣
Chen: K♣ K♦
It was pocket aces versus pocket kings and the hand was almost decided from the A♥ 2♠7♥ flop. Qiu hit top set and Chen would need nothing but running kings to win the pot. The 9♥ turn decided it before the 6♥ arrived on the river as a mere formality.
The dealer cut down the stacks to find that Chen had to match Qiu’s 1.17 million. With that Qiu propels himself to the frontrunners with a total of around 2.4 million.
7:35pm: Mooney makes an exit
Level 23: Blinds – 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
Australia’s Geoff Mooney was the latest evictee here. He found himself all in and dominated by Feng Wen Chen. Mooney had around 340,000 left when he shoved and Chen made the call to put the Australian at risk.
Mooney: A♠Q♣
Chen: A♦ K♣
Mooney needed to find a queen but couldn’t do it on the 2â™ 7♥ Jâ™ 9♣ J♣ runout. He headed for the payout desk as Chen scooped the pot.
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7:10pm: Time for a break
It’s time for the second 10-minute break of the day. Don’t go anywhere!
7:05pm: Lyu lives after sick runout
Level 22: Blinds – 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)
Qi Lyu moved all in preflop before Victor Chong called for almost half his chips. The action was then on Jack Salter who raised enough to cover Chong’s entire stack. Chong deliberated for a moment but ultimately throwing his hand away before Lyu and Salter flipped their hands up.
Lyu had pockets eights but was behind the pocket jacks of Salter. The 10♣ 9♣ 5â™ didn’t offer Lyu much help but the turn, after Salter called for a seven to make things interesting, landed the 7♥ to give Lyu an open ended straight draw. Salter held two of Lyu’s outs but it was the 6â™ that would save Lyu’s tournament life when he made the straight on the end.
The railbirds let out a collective roar at what they’d just witnessed and Lyu returned to his seat to play another hand.
6:50pm: Final three tables as Tu exits
Level 22: Blinds – 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)
Nan Tu finished 10th at the MPC24 Red Dragon in February and he’s come up just a little short of beating that record here this week.
Tu was down to just two big blinds when he got all in preflop against Feng Wen Chen and Shuai Qiu. The action between the two active players was checked down all the way on the 5♥ A♥ 3♣ 2♦ 5â™ runout with Chen’s Qâ™ Q♥ triumphant against Qiu’s 9♥ 9♣ and Tu’s Q♣ 8♣ .
With Tu’s departure we are now down to 27 players remaining.
6:35pm: Qifeng Duan eliminated
Level 22: Blinds – 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)
Qifeng Duan has hit the rail after an all in confrontation with Fang-Kai Yang.
We arrived to see the cards face up with Duan holding A♣ J♦ and Yang with 3♥ 3♣ in front of him. The flop landed Aâ™ 8♣ A♥ and Duan looked set for a double up flopping trips – that was until the 3♦ hit the board on the turn. The fall of the card was met with a celebratory yell from Yang who had made a full house.
The K♥ river couldn’t save Duan and he leaves us a couple of tables short of a final table appearance.
“You can’t lose” quipped tablemate Benjamin Hamnet to Yang as the latter stacked up a total of 270,000.
6:20pm: Three big hands
Level 22: Blinds – 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)
We just witnessed a three-way all in on Table 4. All the chips were in preflop and Feng Wen Chen, Hoi Wong and Xiao Bo Zhou were the active players.
Chen: Q♠Q♣
Wong: A♦ Q♦
Zhou: A♠A♥
“Yes!” cried Wong as the cards went on their backs. He was a favourite to triple up.
“Yes!” cried Zhou when he saw the ace in the window on the K♦ 9♥ A♣ flop. He was then favourite to win the side pot.
The 7♣ turn and the K♠changed nothing and the chips were pushed towards Wong and Zhou. After that mayhem Chen was left with 640,000, Wong with 1.1 million and Zhou with 570,000.
6:05pm: Five-bet jam from Zhu
Level 21: Blinds – 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
Jack Salter has been running over his table recently but he was just forced to let one go against Jingxuan Zhu.
Salter raised from the cutoff to 34,000 before Zhu came back over the top for 84,000 on the button. Salter put in a four-bet to 194,000 but Zhu quickly shoved on him with around 750,000 behind.
Salter’s cards found their way into the muck and he dipped to 920,000 in chips while Zhu collected the pot.
5:55pm: Ye moves into the lead
Level 21: Blinds – 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
It appears that Binyu Ye has taken the chip lead after ending up on the right end of a cold deck versus Xun Lu.
The board read 6♠K♣ 2♦ K♦ and Lu fired for 42,000. Ye put in a raise to 127,000 and when that was met with a call the J♠river peeled off.
After a snap-check from Lu, Ye asked to see his opponent’s stack before making it another 150,000 on the end. Lu called it off with his own full house holding 2â™ 2♥ but Ye had that beat with 6♥ 6♦ .
That cooler took Ye up to the 1.3 million mark and left Lu nursing 210,000 in chips.
5:40pm: Wait Tat Lin heading home
Level 21: Blinds – 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
Wait Tat Lin was eliminated as we head closer to the Red Dragon final table here. He got the last of his chips in preflop against tablemate Liang Song.
Lin: A♦ Q♣
Song: A♠K♦
Lin needed to improve to keep his run alive but couldn’t come from behind when the board ran out 6♦ 7♥ Jâ™ 6♣ 3♣ .
He leaves us while Song builds to 610,000 in chips.
5:25pm: Lyu finds a double up
Level 21: Blinds – 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
Qi Lyu is keeping his head above water after doubling up his short stack through Yanzhong Tong.
Tong shoved for 190,000 from the cutoff and Lyu called off for his last 123,000 to put himself at risk. Lyu had the dominant A♥ Q♣ to Tong’s Kâ™ Q♥ and while Tong flopped a gutshot straight draw on 9♣ 10â™ 9â™ Lyu was able to hold when the 7♦ turn and 6â™ came down.
Lyu gives himself a little breathing room, now with 260,000, while Tong is left with only 67,000 in chips.
5pm: Scheduled break
It’s time for the first break of the day. Play resumes in 10 minutes. s
4:55pm: Lucky double for Lin
Level 20: Blinds – 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)
Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin is still in the hunt for a third Red Dragon title after a cooler turned into a lucky runout.
Wenxiang Chen brought it in for a raise from the cutoff to 26,000 before Lin three-bet to 63,000 from the button. Chen came back over the top for 157,000 before Lin moved the last of her stack in. Chen snapped it off and the cards went on their backs.
Lin: K♠K♣
Chen: A♥ A♦
Lin needed help to stay alive and the J♠9♠5♠flop brought some hope. Improving to a flush draw Lin could hit any spade or a king to take the lead. The 10♥ river was a brick but the 8♠river saw her complete the flush and live to fight another hand.
With that Lin now has around 575,000 at her disposal.
Praying to the Poker Gods – Celina Lin
4:40pm: Salter storms ahead
Level 20: Blinds – 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)
It appears the biggest beneficiary at the table so far today is Englishman Jack Salter. He placed 4th in the MPC24 High Roller event in this very room back in March for HK$722,000 and he looks in good shape for another deep run after seizing the chip lead here.
Salter now has over 1.1 million after crippling Manuel Mascunana in a recent hand.
Salter opened the action with a preflop raise to 28,000 and Mascunana made the call to see a flop of 4♣ 9♠5♦ . Salter continued for 46,000 and Mascunana called again before the dealer turned the 5♥ .
A final barrel for 92,000 from Salter put Mascunana to a decision for most of his 140,000-chip stack. Mascunana counted out his stack and loaded up a call before sliding it into the middle, only to see the bad news. Salter revealed Aâ™ 5â™ for turned trips and Mascunana plummeted to just four big blinds.
4:25pm: Chen chipping up
Level 20: Blinds – 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)
Si Chen just doubled up again after finding pocket kings at the perfect time. He had bled back down to 82,000 and got it all in preflop against Hiroyuki Noda.
Chen: K♥ K♦
Noda: 9♥ 9♦
Chen was in front and stayed that way as the cards fell 7♥ 4♣ A♣ 7♣ 2♠. He now sits with over triple what he started the day with for around 170,000.
4:10pm: Ko KO’d
Level 20: Blinds – 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)
Korea’s Yuki Ko won’t be making a final table appearance in the Red Dragon this week. He was just eliminated at the hands of Yu Li.
Ko moved all in preflop from early position for his final 162,000 in chips before being called by Yu Li in the cutoff. Ko had 6â™ 6♥ but needed help against Li’s 8♥ 8♦ .
The Q♥ A♠5♣ changed nothing and the 8♠turn saw Li hit a set to ensure Ko was drawing dead. Ko tapped the table and left his seat before the inconsequential Q♣ river rolled off and Li climbed to 355,000..
3:55pm: Chen still alive
Level 19: Blinds – 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)
Si Chen started today with only 5.5 big blinds but he just found a come-from-behind victory to double up and keep his tournament alive.
Chen moved all in on the button with A♥ 2♠and Yu Li called from the big blind with the dominant A♣ 3♦ to put Chen at risk. Chen took the lead on the 2♦ A♦ Q♦ flop and managed to fade additional diamonds or a three to stay ahead when the 5♣ turn and 7♣ river rolled off.
Chen slapped the table repeatedly in celebration as the pot was pushed his way and he found a little breathing room.
3:40pm: Chen take chips from Lin
Level 19: Blinds – 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)
Start-of-day chip leader Feng Wen Chen has just eclipsed 1 million in chips after winning a pot against Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin.
It folded around to Chen on the button and he opened to 27,000. The small blind folded and Celina Lin defended her big blind to see a flop of Q♦ 8♥ A♦ .
The action was checked through and the 3♥ fell on the turn. Lin led at it for 27,000 but Chen played back at her with a raise to 83,000. Lin gave it some thought but decided against it and relinquished her hand.
3:25pm: Ying Jiang eliminated
Level 19: Blinds – 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)
Ying Jiang just got hit by a cold deck and was subsequently sent to the rail after running into the pocket aces of Xiaozhou Zhao.
Jiang got all his money in preflop holding a respectable A♦ K♣ but he couldn’t overcome Zhao’s Aâ™ A♥ when the board ran out 2♣ Q♥ K♦ A♣ 3â™ . Jiang flopped a king but the ace on the turn improved Zhao to top set and meant Jiang was drawing dead.
While Jiang left the tournament area, Zhao moved up to a stack of 340,000.
3:10pm: Cheng departs
Level 19: Blinds – 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)
Kelvin Cheng leaves us in the first level here.
He got the last of it in preflop holding K♥ Q♥ against the A♠7♠of Liang Xu. Cheng was behind but shot to the lead on the 5♠J♥ K♦ flop. The Q♠turn brought a spade sweat, however, and unfortunately for Cheng a third spade fell on the 2♠river.
Xu made the nut flush and Cheng tapped the table conceding defeat. He makes his exit as Xu climbs up to 470,000 in chips.
3pm: Cards in the air
And we’re off here on Day 3!
We’ll be playing down until a final table today. Blinds recommence on Level 19 at 5,000/10,000 and a 1,000 ante.
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MPC25: Day 3 set to start
It’s the penultimate day of the MPC25 Red Dragon Main Event!
We’ll see 59 returning in a bid to make their way to secure a seat on the final table tonight before a champion is ultimately crowned tomorrow. That lucky player will take home HK$2,509,000 (including a HK$100,000 2016 ACOP Main Event seat) and the prestigious Red Dragon trophy.
Feng Wen Chen will lead the pack at the start of play come 3pm. He bagged up 997,000 last night to emerge as the frontrunner. Also returning is the sole surviving Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin who begins with 410,000.
For all the live updates direct from the tournament floor be sure to stick with us right here on the PokerStars Blog!
PokerStars Blog reporting in Macau brought to you by Brad Kain. Photos by Kenneth Lim Photography courtesy of PokerStars LIVE Macau.
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