Day 1A of the Asian Poker Tour's second-ever Manila leg began yesterday with two WSOP bracelet-winners in the midst of the players who had paid the $2,700 to enter the event.
Among the field was 1990 World Series of Poker Main Event winner Mansour Matloubi and Philippines native Toto Leonidas. The latter gave the order to "shuffle up and deal" and play was on.
Overall, 75 runners were there to play the first day, beginning with 10,000 in chips and playing through ten one-hour blind levels. At the end of play, only 19 remained. Arce is the Day 1a leader, followed by Suzuki, Anders Andersson, Derek Hernandez, and Eddie Hearn. They will meet the survivors of Day 1B tomorrow.