2024 USOP Grand Finale Hai Phong: Main Event Breaks Records; Amit Kaushik, Ankit Bhansali & Kunal Patni Fuel India’s Strong Finish

The 2024 U Series of Poker (USOP) Grand Finale in Hai Phong, Vietnam, is reaching its climax, and the excitement is palpable. Held in the luxurious Grand Ballroom of the Pullman Grand Hotel, this 13-day poker festival—the largest ever in Vietnam—is a collaboration with the Crown Poker Club. With only three days left, 50 champions have already been crowned, and the competition is fierce.

A strong contingent of Indian players, including some of the biggest names in the country, are present at this season-ending series. And they haven’t disappointed. With 46 cashes, 14 final table appearances, and a title victory, Indian players have made their mark in almost every major event!

Main Event Shatters Records

The USOP Grand Finale Main Event has once again exceeded expectations, drawing record-breaking numbers and delivering thrilling action. Initially set with a VN₫ 40 Billion guarantee, the Main Event smashed its target to reach a staggering VN₫ 59.827 Billion (~$2.35 Million) prize pool. This incredible feat is thanks to an impressive 1,958 entries—almost 1.5 times the advertised guarantee. This new milestone surpasses the series’ previous record by an impressive VN₫ 15 Billion (~$700,000).

Out of this historic field, 240 players returned on Sunday to compete for the VN₫ 9.2 Billion (~$362,700) top prize. The tension was thick as the field narrowed down to a final table of nine, each vying for the coveted Main Event crown.

Korea’s Choi Hun Tae led the pack when the final nine reconvened, holding a commanding stack of 15.30 Million (61 BB). China’s Yankai Zhang was hot on his heels, just a chip behind with 15.225 Million (61 BB). Other contenders included China’s Zhou Ledong (12.50 Million ~ 50 BB), Netherlands’ Joris Michl (10.775 Million ~ 43 BB), Canada’s Ian Modder (6.05 Million ~ 24 BB), China’s Zhi Buhui (5.95 Million ~ 24 BB), United Kingdom’s Jun Li (5.25 Million ~ 21 BB), Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Son (4.15 Million ~ 17 BB), and New Zealand’s Jon Rounce-Sue (3 Million ~ 12 BB).

You can follow the final table action live on USOP`s Facebook page below.

Although no Indian players made it to the final table, they continued to display their skill and determination throughout the Main Event. Seven Indian players advanced to Day 2, and despite facing tough competition, their performance added to India`s tally!

Abhijith Cheruku achieved the deepest run for Team India, finishing 133rd for ₫81 Million (~₹2.71 Lakhs). This was his first cash of the series.

Rising Star Ritwik Khanna placed 136th for VN₫ 81 Million (~₹2.71 Lakhs). This was his fifth cash of the series, bringing his total earnings for the trip to a commendable ₫286.50 Million (~₹9.58 Lakhs).

Kurukshetra-based Amit Kaushik finished just behind Khanna, placing 137th in the USOP Main Event and earning VN₫ 81 Million (~₹2.71 Lakhs). Adding to his impressive run, Kaushik made a final table appearance in Event #45: VN₫ 22 Million Mini High Roller, finishing fourth out of a 96-entry field (79 unique) to win VN₫ 160 Million (~₹5.35 Lakhs). With four cashes in the series, his total winnings now stand at VN₫ 285.50 Million (~₹9.55 Lakhs).

WSOP bracelet winner Young Gun Aayush Arya finished 148th for VN₫ 76 Million (~₹2.54 Lakhs).

Natural8 India Executive Director and Ambassador Kunal Patni continued his reign as the top Indian earner of the series. Patni finished 191st in the Main Event for VN₫ 68 Million (~₹2.27 Lakhs). He also came 20th in Event #40: VN₫ 55 Million High Roller Single Day, adding VN₫ 100 Million (~₹3.34 Lakhs) to his series tally. With seven cashes and total winnings of VN₫ 1.672 Billion (~₹55.92 Lakhs), Patni currently holds the #4 spot in the Player of the Series rankings.

Nageshwara Alaparthy finished 206th in the Main Event for VN₫ 65 Million (~₹2.17 Lakhs)—his first cash of the series.

Deepankur Gupta finished 219th in the Main Event for VN₫ 62 Million (~₹2.07 Lakhs)—his second cash of the series.

Bhansali’s Near Miss and Other Event Highlights

Last week’s Event #27: VN₫ 10 Million Midweek Superstack champion Ankit Bhansali almost clinched his second USOP title in Event #46: VN₫ 16 Million Weekend Deepstack. He ultimately finished third for VN₫ 175.251 Million (~₹5.86 Lakhs) from a three-way deal, getting his total for the series to an impressive VN₫ 899.251 Million (~₹30.08 Lakhs).

Russia’s Denis Semerenko topped the 60-entry field (51 unique) to win Event #46 for VN₫ 206.668 Million from the same deal, while Taiwan’s Chen-Tung Wu finished as the runner-up for VN₫ 183.881 Million.

Two major events of the USOP Grand Finale held their Day 1s on Sunday, with Indian players putting on strong performances and advancing in large numbers.

Event #50: VN₫ 15 Million Megastack, with a VN₫ 2 Billion guarantee, attracted 365 entries, with only 28 players surviving Day 1. Vietnam’s Bui Quang Tung led the pack with 1.675 Million chips, while India’s Harsh Bubna was close behind with 1.405 Million chips, making him the top Indian contender. Vietnam’s Tran Van Kien rounded out the top three with 1.23 Million chips.

Event #51: VN₫ 77 Million High Roller – Sunday Special Mega Boost, with a VN₫ 10 Billion guarantee, attracted 231 entries. After Day 1, only 112 players remained, with Malaysia’s William Teoh emerging as the chip leader with 1.523 Million chips. India`s Kunal Patni was close behind in second place with 1.144 Million chips, looking to add more points to move up in the POS leaderboard.

Other Indian players who bagged chips for Day 2 include Aayush Arya (596,000), Ashish Munot (349,000), WSOP bracelet winner Aditya Sushant (325,000), Amit Kaushik (262,000), PokerStars India Ambassador Siddharth Karia (211,000), India’s poker pioneer and WSOP bracelet winner Aditya Agarwal (154,000), and three-time Poker Dream Main Event champion Nishant Sharma (91,000)!

The series may be nearing its end, but with several exciting events still to come, Team India is well-positioned for further success.

Team India Scores at USOP Grand Finale Hai Phong

USOP Grand Finale Hai Phong Winners

Content & Images Courtesy: USOP & So Much Poker

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