APT Phu Quoc 2024: A Historic Poker Festival Breaks Records
The Crown Jewel of Asian Poker
If there was ever any doubt regarding the sheer might of the Asian Poker Tour (APT) as the premier live poker tour in Asia, one glance at the remarkable outcomes from the recent APT Phu Quoc 2024 festival in Vietnam is enough to convince even the most skeptical. Held over ten vibrant days, the event not only attracted poker aficionados from across the continent but also showcased record-breaking statistics that underlined APT’s growing prestige.
A Record-Breaking Festival
The 2024 APT Phu Quoc was nothing short of a resounding success, accounting for 5,938 entries across 78 trophy events. With a staggering total prize pool of VND 104,420,824,349 (approximately US$4,111,055), this year’s festival saw an 86% increase in participation and prize money compared to the previous year’s series in 2023. Such an increase demonstrates the rising popularity of live poker events in Asia and solidifies Phu Quoc’s status as a vital stop on the APT circuit.
Setting New Records
While the festival didn’t set any new overarching records for the tour, a commendable 12 events did establish new highs for tournaments held in Phu Quoc, further elevating the location’s appeal. The Main Event stood out as one of these landmark tournaments, attracting 795 players and generating a prize pool of almost $1.4 million, surpassing the projected guarantee by an impressive 40%.
The Main Event Champion
The spotlight shone brightly on Jinlong Hu, an online WSOP bracelet winner from China, who emerged victorious in the highly competitive Main Event. Hu clinched the title and a monumental prize of US$185,430 after a nail-biting heads-up match against South Korea’s Junseok Oh, who walked away with US$112,795 for his runner-up finish. This win marked Hu’s fourth APT final table appearance, advancing him to 59th place on China’s all-time money list—a remarkable achievement for a player still on the ascent in his poker career.
| Rank | Player | Country | Prize (VND) | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jinlong Hu | China | 4,710,000,000 | $185,430 |
| 2 | Junseok Oh | South Korea | 2,865,000,000 | $112,795 |
| 3 | Do Tien Vu | Vietnam | 2,025,000,000 | $79,725 |
| 4 | Truong Thang Minh | Australia | 1,525,000,000 | $60,040 |
| 5 | David Erquiaga | Philippines | 1,202,500,000 | $47,340 |
| 6 | Wang Haozhao | China | 902,500,000 | $35,530 |
| 7 | Deepankur Gupta | India | 642,500,000 | $25,295 |
| 8 | Chuhao Zhang | China | 445,000,000 | $17,520 |
| 9 | Pham Ngoc Quoc Bao | Vietnam | 352,000,000 | $13,860 |
A High Roller Triumph
Another highlight of the festival was the APT High Roller event, which attracted 139 players, culminating in a historic prize pool of VND 9,707,760,000 (around US$382,195). Malaysian player Jason Lau emerged victorious, claiming a victory valued at $91,730. This win marked a significant milestone in Lau’s career, pushing his overall live tournament earnings to nearly $350,000 and cementing his position as the 34th player in Malaysia’s all-time money list.
| Rank | Player | Country | Prize (VND) | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Lau | Malaysia | 2,329,880,000 | $91,730 |
| 2 | Yu Chung "Nevan" Chang | Taiwan | 1,582,360,000 | $62,300 |
| 3 | Amit Kaushik | India | 1,043,580,000 | $41,085 |
| 4 | Seon Ooi | Malaysia | 862,050,000 | $33,940 |
| 5 | Biao Guo | China | 692,160,000 | $27,250 |
| 6 | Hayato Kitajima | Japan | 542,660,000 | $21,365 |
| 7 | Jennifer Cassell | Australia | 406,760,000 | $16,015 |
| 8 | Yita Choong | Australia | 300,940,000 | $11,850 |
| 9 | Phanlert Sukothachartnant | Thailand | 232,990,000 | $9,170 |
Looking Ahead
As the dust settles from this momentous festival, the staff and team behind APT can finally take a well-deserved break after orchestrating another great success. Although the event marked the end of the schedule for the year, a hint of excitement lingers regarding the 2025 tour schedule, which is on the brink of being announced. Given the remarkable showing at this year’s gathering, Phu Quoc remains an essential stop for poker enthusiasts as APT looks to continue its remarkable journey into the New Year.
Conclusion
The APT Phu Quoc 2024 festival illustrated not only the thriving poker scene in Asia but also the dedication and passion of the players involved. With its record-setting numbers and the intense competition displayed, this event has undoubtedly set the bar high for future tournaments on the APT calendar. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a genre novice, the allure of the next APT gathering is undeniably enticing, as it promises to deliver more unforgettable moments in the world of poker.
