The first-ever poker tournament series PokerStars Festival Manila is currently underway in the city of dreams Manila. The series kicked off on 28th July last month and has already crowned several champions with the Indian poker players picking up four title across various events on the schedule.
1.Viren Kapur Takes Down PokerStars Open
The inaugural event of the series-PokerStars Open attracted 451 entries, creating ₱6,562,050 in prize pool with the top 69 finishers getting paid. Outlasting them all was Viren Kapur who was playing a live tournament after three years. The 29-year-old entered the heads-up play against Kai Paulsen. The two battled it out for a long time before reaching a deal, which assured both players ₱1,001,000 (~INR 12,69,832). Finally, it was Kapur who managed to claim the title along with the PokerStars Open trophy and won ₱1,001,000 in the top prize money.
On the last hand of the tournament, both men went all and stood up. As the board was dealt out, both players turned up their cards. Paulsen made top pair, but Kapur made a winning flush. Kapur shared his emotions after the win saying, “I feel great. Absolutely. I feel fantastic.”
2.Indian-Origin Player Dhanesh Chainani Claims Two Titles
After hot starting run by Viren Kapur, Indian-origin player from Singapore, Dhanesh Chainani made news for bagging not one but two titles.Chainani outlasted the 80-player field in the ₱11,000 NLH – Knock Out event and won ₱169,400 in the top prize money. Up next, he went on to take down the title in the ₱16,500 No-Limit Hold’em – 6 Handed title for ₱198,000.
The ₱11,000 NLH Knock out event drew a total of 80 entries taking the prize pool to an impressive ₱776,000. Besting them all entries was Dhanesh Chainani who defeated local player Francis Villamar and the entire field and walked away with ₱169,400 in the top prize money for his efforts. Another event- ₱16,500 No-Limit Hold’em – 6 Handed drew a total 40 runners taking the prize pool to a cool ₱582,000 and it was again Dhanesh emerging the winner.
3.WSOP Bracelet Winner Aditya Sushant Wins OFC Pineapple Event
Headlining the Indian campaign at the series was the WSOP bracelet winner Aditya Sushant, who won the ₱22,000 Open Face Chinese Pineapple event for ₱227,200 and his first Spadie!
The OFC Pineapple event attracted field of just 18 players taking the prize pool to ₱349,200. The top two places made it to in the money. India’s first WSOP bracelet winner Aditya Sushant defeated Japan`s Katsushima Shinji to take down his first ever Spadie trophy and earned ₱227,200 for superb win.
4.Dhaval Mudgal Finishes 4th for ₱67,000 in the ₱16,500 No-Limit Hold’em
Among other Indians who impressed at the ongoing tournament series-PokerStars Festival Manila was the well-known and PokerMet pro Dhaval Mudgal. Dhaval won ₱67,000 for his 4th place finish in the ₱16,500 No-Limit Hold’em – 6 Handed , which drew a total 40 runners taking the prize pool to a cool ₱582,000. As mentioned above, the winner in this event was yet again Indian-origin player Dhanesh Chainani who beat Thailand`s Udomkanjananan Wipat in the heads-up battle to win ₱137,000 in prize money.
Stay tuned in right for the latest updates and news from the PokerStars Festival Manila.