APT Phu Quoc 2024: Team India Ends Series With a Flourish; Amit Kaushik Grabs Podium in APT High Roller; Kumar V C Kishor & Anurag Rawat Win Titles

The Asian Poker Tour (APT) Phu Quoc 2024 just wrapped up, and it was a spectacle! Held at the luxurious Corona Resort & Casino in partnership with the Vietnam Poker Tour (VPT), this year’s event was one for the books. With a record-shattering 5,938 entries from 840 unique players representing 47 countries and regions, the festival awarded a staggering VN₫ 104.42 Billion (~$4.11 Million) in prize money across 78 action-packed events. This represents an 86% surge in both unique entries and prize money compared to the previous year, making it the largest and most rewarding APT Phu Quoc festival ever!

The numbers are in for the #APTPhuQuoc2024 with the ten-day series proving to be the @AsianPokerTour‘s largest and richest Phu Quoc festival ever.🔥
The series saw 840 unique entries from 47 countries and regions, generating a total of 5,938 entries across 78 Trophy Events, all… pic.twitter.com/Bgtc2qTJpW

— Asian Poker Tour (@AsianPokerTour) November 17, 2024

And who stood out amongst this global gathering of poker talent? Team India, of course!

Vietnam remains a favoured battleground for Indian poker players, and Team India delivered another outstanding performance in Phu Quoc. These players continued their reign over the Asian poker scene, racking up an impressive 41 scores, with 20 final table appearances, and a remarkable six titles. They truly saved their best for last, concluding the series with a flourish. The final day saw them achieve 11 scores, including six final table showings and two titles, ending their APT Phu Quoc journey on a high note.

Amit Kaushik’s Near Miss and Other Indian Highlights

One of the most gripping stories of the final day was Amit Kaushik’s incredible run in the VN₫ 2.50 Billion GTD Event #67: VN₫ 80 Million APT High Roller. The Haryana-based pro was on the verge of winning his first live title since taking down Event #5: VN₫ 3.4 Million Turbo at USOP Da Nang last November. Kaushik played a solid game, but unfortunately, his pocket eights were cracked by Yu Chung “Nevan” Chang’s pocket sevens in the final stages, leading to a heartbreaking third-place finish.

Despite the setback, Kaushik earned a remarkable VN₫ 1.044 Billion (~₹34.72 Lakhs) – his fifth-best live score. This was his fifth cash and third final table appearance of the series, bringing his total series winnings to VN₫ 1.40 Billion (~₹46.58 Lakhs). His consistent performance throughout the festival established him as one of the top Indian earners.

Adding to India’s presence in the High Roller, Ankit Ahuja, a two-time GPI (India) Player of the Year, picked up his second cash of the series with an 18th-place finish worth VN₫ 130.08 Million (~₹5.12 Lakhs). This brought his total series earnings to VN₫ 167.13 Million (~₹5.56 Lakhs), contributing to Team India’s impressive tally while earning him valuable points for the GPI POY (India) 2024 race.

While Kaushik and Ahuja delivered strong performances, the VN₫ 80 Million APT High Roller title ultimately went to Malaysia’s Jason Lau, who claimed a career-best VN₫ 2.330 Billion (~$91,730) along with the prestigious Bronze Lion APT High Roller Trophy. Lau outlasted Taiwan’s Yu Chung “Nevan” Chang in a closely contested heads-up battle, with Chang taking home VN₫ 1.582 Billion (~$62,300) for his runner-up finish.

Big congratulations to Jason Lau from Malaysia for clinching victory in the #APTPhuQuoc2024 High Roller! He outlasted a field of 139 entries to take home the coveted Bronze Lion APT High Roller Trophy and a top prize of VND 2,329,880,000 (~USD 92k). 🏆

And that’s a wrap on 2024!… pic.twitter.com/BVNY3zWbTv

— Asian Poker Tour (@AsianPokerTour) November 17, 2024

Kumar V C Kishor and Anurag Rawat Triumph

In a moment of personal triumph, Kumar V C Kishor delivered a career-defining performance in Event #75: VN₫ 6 Million Micro Main Event. He seized his first-ever live title and maiden APT trophy, earning a personal-best VN₫ 146.892 Million (~₹4.89 Lakhs). This victory brought his total series winnings to VN₫ 203.142 Million (~₹6.76 Lakhs).

Anurag Rawat also made headlines on the final day. Following his podium finish in Event #70: VN₫ 3 Million Turbo – Bomb Pot for VN₫ 18.35 Million (~₹61,000), he went on to claim an outright victory in Event #81: VN₫ 5 Million Hyper Turbo. Like Kishor, Rawat locked in his maiden live title and a career-best VN₫ 66.748 Million (~₹2.22 Lakhs), boosting his series tally to VN₫ 85.098 Million (~₹2.83 Lakhs).

Adding to the Indian success in Event #81, Harsh Bharti finished fifth for VN₫ 17.67 Million (~₹59,000). This was his fourth cash of the series, bringing his total earnings to VN₫ 81.72 Million (~₹2.72 Lakhs).

Natural8 India’s Executive Director Kunal Patni, already a two-time winner at the series, further solidified his reputation as one of the most consistent performers in Indian poker. He notched up his seventh cash of the trip in Event #76: VN₫ 40 Million High Roller – Last Chance, finishing third for VN₫ 220 Million (~₹7.32 Lakhs). As the only Indian to capture two APT trophies at this series, Patni’s impressive run saw him amass a staggering VN₫ 1.990 Billion (~₹66.26 Lakhs) in winnings, making him the highest-earning Indian player at the festival.

More Indian Success Stories

The VN₫ 2.50 Billion GTD Event #56: VN₫ 11 Million Double Stack also witnessed a strong showing by Indian players. WSOP bracelet winner Young Gun Aayush Arya led the charge with a fourth-place finish worth VN₫ 286.54 Million (~₹9.53 Lakhs) – his only cash of the series. Dhaval Mudgal finished 18th for VN₫ 41.76 Million (~₹1.39 Lakhs), taking his total series winnings to VN₫ 100.17 Million (~₹3.33 Lakhs) from three deep runs. Amit Kaushik rounded out the Indian scores in this event, finishing 35th for VN₫ 21.49 Million (~₹72,000).

Goa’s Myron Pereira came agonizingly close to securing India’s seventh title of the series in Event #79: VN₫ 25 Million Turbo – High Roller. He finished runner-up, earning VN₫ 111.74 Million (~₹3.72 Lakhs). This was his second runner-up finish and third cash of the series, boosting his series tally to VN₫ 198.59 Million (~₹6.61 Lakhs).

Team India Scores at APT Phu Quoc 2024

APT Phu Quoc 2024 List of Winners

Jason Lau Triumphs in Event #67: VN₫ 80 Million APT High Roller (~$91,730); India’s Amit Kaushik Gets Unlucky to Finish 3rd (~₹34.72 Lakhs)

The VN₫ 2.50 Billion GTD Event #67: VN₫ 80 Million APT High Roller was nothing short of epic. This high-stakes showdown attracted a field of 139 entries, generating a record-breaking prize pool of VN₫ 9.708 Billion (~₹3.82 Crores).

The tension was palpable as 28 players returned for the final day with only the top 20 to get paid, each with their eyes on the coveted title and the lion’s share of the prize money. However, only one could emerge victorious, and this time, Malaysia’s Jason Lau etched his name into APT history.

Lau’s win had been a long time coming. He’d FT-ed this particular event (Mega Lion APT events) five times before, even finishing fifth and sixth in his last two APT High Roller appearances in Manila and Taipei. This time, he was determined to go all the way. And boy, he delivered, going all the way to collect a career-best VN₫ 2.330 Billion (~$91,730) payday and the prestigious Bronze Lion APT High Roller trophy!

Lau navigated his way through a field of formidable opponents, including notable names like Dylan Foster, John “Bert” Perry, David Erquiaga, and Clement Chau, who all bowed out before reaching the money. The bubble burst in dramatic fashion when Hong Kong’s Si Ng Pun fell victim to Jennifer Cassell’s rivered straight flush, guaranteeing the remaining players at least VN₫ 130.08 Million (~$5,120).

Lau continued his ascent, outmaneuvering seasoned professionals and rising stars alike. He ultimately faced Taiwan’s Yu Chung “Nevan” Chang in a nail-biting heads-up showdown. With a 4-to-1 chip advantage, Lau held the upper hand, but Chang, a seasoned high-roller with eight titles to his name, wasn’t going down without a fight.

The heads-up battle lasted 14 hands. In the final showdown Chang, holding , needed help against Lau’s . But the poker gods had other plans. The board ran out , and Lau spiked an ace on the river to snatch victory!

“This event has been very special for me,” Lau exclaimed after his win, beaming with joy. “This is my fifth final table for this event, and obviously the third one back-to-back from Taipei, Manila, and now Vietnam, which is my home, so it’s a much more special meaning for me to win it here.”

He even shared a heartwarming anecdote about his wife’s birthday, adding a personal touch to his triumph. “It was actually my wife’s birthday yesterday, so I definitely need to make up for it,” Lau confided with a chuckle. “She’s already back in Saigon, but I will go back tomorrow and definitely celebrate very well. I really thank her for supporting me all this while.”

Chang, despite falling short of his ninth high roller title, graciously congratulated Lau and walked away with a hefty VN₫ 1.582 Billion (~$62,300) for his efforts!

Amit Kaushik’s Unlucky Turn of Events

While Lau was celebrating, India’s Amit Kaushik was experiencing the bitter taste of defeat. The Haryana-based player, who previously won Event #18: Deep Stack Hyper Turbo at the APT Summer Festival Hanoi – VSOP in July 2022, had his sights set on his second APT trophy.

Kaushik concluded Day 1 with 473,000 chips, ranking 11th among the 28 survivors returning for the final day. Despite a slow start, Kaushik found his rhythm as the day progressed. A pivotal moment came when he eliminated Justin Tsui in 14th place for VN₫ 155.32 Million (~$6,115). His big breakthrough occurred in Level 22, where he won a crucial pot against Nguyen Duy Thuc, surging into the chip lead with 2 Million (50 BBs).

When the final nine players assembled at the table, Kaushik was in a strong position, holding 2.585 Million (51 BBs)—just behind chip leader Yu Chung “Nevan” Chang with 2.610 Million (52 BBs). The Indian pro continued to play methodically, gradually building his stack. A standout hand against eventual champion Jason Lau saw Kaushik river a flush to climb to 3.40 Million (57 BBs).

However, as the blinds increased, Kaushik faced setbacks. In Level 26, two major pots—one against Lau and another against Chang—reduced his stack to 1.40 Million (14 BBs). Despite the adversity, Kaushik fought back, rebuilding his stack to 2.50 Million (16 BBs) when only three players remained.

However, in a cruel twist of fate, Kaushik’s tournament life ended with a brutal bad beat on the 100th hand of the final table. Holding , he moved all-in for 1.10 Million from the button, only to be called by Chang’s from the small blind. The flop kept Kaushik in the lead, but the on the turn flipped the script, improving Chang’s hand to a set. The on the river completed Chang’s full house, eliminating Kaushik in third place.

Despite the heartbreaking finish, Kaushik earned a respectable VN₫ 1.044 Billion (~₹34.72 Lakhs) – his fifth-largest live score. This was his fifth cash and third final table of the series, bringing his total series winnings to VN₫ 1.40 Billion (~₹46.58 Lakhs) and solidifying his position as one of the top Indian performers at the APT Phu Quoc.

Ankit Ahuja Joins the Fray

Kaushik wasn’t the only Indian making waves in the High Roller. Ankit Ahuja, a two-time GPI (India) Player of the Year, also put up a valiant fight. He started Day 2 with a middling stack of 255,000 chips and managed to navigate his way to the money. Unfortunately, his run ended in Level 21 when his was outdrawn by Nguyen Duy Thuc’s , which rivered a better two-pair on the board. Ahuja finished in 18th place, earning VN₫ 130.08 Million (~₹5.12 Lakhs) and bringing his total series winnings to VN₫ 167.13 Million (~₹5.56 Lakhs).

You can catch the final day’s live stream coverage below, complete with thrilling commentary from Vidur Singhal, Buffalo Sam, and Stephen Lai.

Final Table Chip Counts

1. Nevan Chang – 2,610,000 (52 BBs)
2. Amit Kaushik – 2,585,000 (52 BBs)
3. Jennifer Cassell – 1,805,000 (36 BBs)
4. Phanlert S – 1,590,000 (32 BBs)
5. Hayato Kitajima – 1,565,000 (31 BBs)
6. Jason Lau – 1,175,000 (24 BBs)
7. Guo Biao – 1,075,000 (22 BBs)
8. Sean Ooi – 895,000 (18 BBs)
9. Yita Choong – 610,000 (12 BBs)

Final Table Recap

The action started fast and furious. Right off the bat, Kaushik opened with , only to face a three-bet from chip leader Nevan Chang holding the same . Kaushik wisely folded.

Yita Choong, the short stack, found an early double-up with against Phanlert S’s . But the tides quickly turned.

Chang, wielding , raised all-in from the small blind. Phanlert S, with less than nine big blinds, called with . The flop was a dagger to Phanlert’s heart, sending him out in ninth place.

The very next hand, Sean Ooi and Chang clashed. Ooi’s faced Chang’s . The flop came , giving Ooi an open-ended straight draw. Chang shoved, and Ooi, feeling lucky, called. The turn and river bricked for Chang, and Ooi scooped a massive pot with a four-card flush.

Chang, not to be deterred, bounced back by eliminating Yita Choong in eighth place. Choong shoved with , but Chang woke up with and sent Choong to the rail.

Jason Lau, a seasoned pro with five final table appearances in this event, started as a short stack. But he was about to embark on an incredible run.

Jennifer Cassell, the only woman at the final table, moved all-in with . Chang, with , isolated her, and the board ran out with no help for Cassell, eliminating her in seventh place.

Lau then found a crucial double-up against Kaushik. Lau’s faced Kaushik’s . The board brought a king on the river, giving Lau a flush and a much-needed boost.

Chang continued his aggression, eliminating Hayato Kitajima in sixth place with against Kitajima’s .

Lau, seemingly on a mission, found himself all-in again, this time against Chang. Lau’s needed help against Chang’s . The river delivered a miracle straight for Lau, catapulting him into contention.

He then eliminated Guo Biao in fifth place with a straight, his momentum growing with each hand.

Sean Ooi, down to his last few chips, shoved with . Lau looked him up with . The flop offered no help to Lau, but the turn brought a , giving him outs to a straight. And then, the river: ! Lau’s straight sent Ooi packing in fourth place.

Kaushik, Chang, and Lau were the last three standing. Kaushik, despite a valiant effort, was short-stacked. Chang held the lead, but Lau was the one to watch.

In a dramatic hand, Lau doubled up through Chang with against Chang’s . The board brought a straight for Lau, leaving Chang crippled.

Kaushik, sensing an opportunity to ladder up, shoved with . Chang called with . The flop kept Kaushik in the lead, but the turn brought a cruel , giving Chang trips. The river completed Chang`s full house, and Kaushik exited in third place.

Lau entered heads-up play with a commanding chip lead against Chang. But Chang, a resilient player, fought back, doubling up early.

The duel continued for 14 hands, with both players exchanging blows. Finally, in a climactic hand, Lau’s faced Chang’s . The board ran out clean for Lau, securing his victory and the VN₫ 80 Million APT High Roller title!

Final Table Results (VND)

1. Jason Lau – VN₫ 2,329,880,000
2. Yu Chung “Nevan” Chang – VN₫ 1,582,360,000
3. Amit Kaushik – VN₫ 1,043,580,000
4. Sean Ooi – VN₫ 862,050,000
5. Biao Guo – VN₫ 692,160,000
6. Hayato Kitajima – VN₫ 542,660,000
7. Jennifer Cassell – VN₫ 406,760,000
8. Yita Choong – VN₫ 300,940,000
9. Phanlert Sukonthachartnant – VN₫ 232,990,000

Kumar V C Kishor Claims Maiden Live Title in Event #75: VN₫ 6 Million Micro Main Event (~₹4.89 Lakhs)

Adding to India`s success, Kumar V C Kishor has emerged victorious in Event #75: VN₫ 6 Million Micro Main Event, claiming his first-ever live title and a career-best VN₫ 146.892 Million (~₹4.89 Lakhs).

Kishor navigated his way through a competitive field of 114 entries (90 unique), maintaining his composure under pressure. He outlasted all challengers, including Switzerland’s Remo Marti who finished as the runner-up, taking home VN₫ 99.26 Million (~₹3.91 Lakhs).

This impressive victory, combined with his deep run in the Main Event where he finished 127th for VN₫ 56.25 Million (~₹2.21 Lakhs), brought Kishor’s total series winnings to VN₫ 203.142 Million (~₹6.76 Lakhs), marking a successful and memorable run at the APT Phu Quoc.

Final Table Results (VND)

1. Kumar V C Kishor – VN₫ 146,892,400
2. Remo Marti – VN₫ 99,260,000
3. Qi Shun Nian – VN₫ 64,520,000
4. Prommin Talordpong – VN₫ 53,420,000
5. Sumpatha Jadee – VN₫ 43,090,000
6. Tran Khac Tuong – VN₫ 33,980,000
7. Alexey Ledenev – VN₫ 25,980,000
8. Akopian Mikael – VN₫ 19,560,000
9. Ho Yin Wong – VN₫ 14,600,000

Anurag Rawat Snags First Live Title in Event #81: VN₫ 5 Million Hyper Turbo (~₹2.22 Lakhs)

Anurag Rawat has announced his arrival on the live poker scene in a big way! Fresh off his podium finish in Event #70: VN₫ 3 Million Turbo – Bomb Pot, he etched his name in APT history with a stunning victory on the last day of the series by conquering Event #81: VN₫ 5 Million Hyper Turbo. He overcame a field of 46 entries (38 unique) in a lightning-fast showdown, claiming his first-ever live poker title and a career-best prize of VN₫ 66.748 Million (~₹2.22 Lakhs).

This win was a sweet moment for Rawat, who proved that he’s no longer just an amateur. Before this trip, Rawat’s only recorded live cash was from a decade ago at the 2013 India Poker Series ₹10K NLHE Doubles Chance He’s now a champion, and his total series winnings of VN₫ 85.098 Million (~₹2.83 Lakhs) are a testament to his newfound success.

The final table was a tense affair, but Rawat kept his cool. He faced off against Russia’s Fedor Mamaev in a heads-up battle and quickly sealed the win, claiming the top prize and his first APT trophy, leaving Mamaev to settle for the runner-up spot and VN₫ 46.14 Million (~$1,817).

Adding to the excitement, Harsh Bharti, another talented Indian player, finished fifth in the same event, earning VN₫ 17.67 Million (~₹59,000). This was Bharti’s fourth cash of the series, bringing his total earnings to a respectable VN₫ 81.72 Million (~₹2.72 Lakhs).

Complete Payouts (VND)

1. Anurag Rawat – VN₫ 66,748,000
2. Fedor Mamaev – VN₫ 46,140,000
3. Bun Uthaitirat – VN₫ 29,450,000
4. Meedech Meepolprapai – VN₫ 22,580,000
5. Harsh Bharti – VN₫ 17,670,000
6. Jongyeon Kim – VN₫ 13,740,000

Content and Images Courtesy: Asian Poker Tour