Only an hour into today’s proceedings and already three have fallen by the wayside.
In an unexpected turn of events, despite the prevalence of shortstacks, the first casualty among our final seven was second in chips to start the day – China’s Weiyi Zhang.
Zhang then put in a four-bet to 550,000 before staring Cheng down.
Cheng didn’t falter though, refusing to shy away from a five-bet to 1,300,000 in chips. Zhang snapped all in over the top for a total of 2,520,000 and was called off instantly.
Zhang: A♦ K♦
Cheng: K♥ K♣
Zhang was chasing an ace to avoid elimination but the board didn’t cooperate. The cards fell 9♥ 6â™ 2♦ 4♣ 6♦ with Cheng’s pocket kings holding to knock Zhang out in seventh place for HK$310,280 (US$40,019)
Next to fall short of the APPT Main Event title was our sixth place finisher who found the exit in brutal fashion. China’s Fan Zhao moved all in for 460,000 after an under the gun open to 65,000 from Zhenru Xie, who called the jam to put his opponent at risk.
Zhao: K♦ K♣
Xie: Q♠Q♣
Zhao had Xie crushed and the flop of 3♥ K♥ J♣ saw him hit top set to almost lock up the hand. The Aâ™ turn, however, brought a Broadway sweat, which the 10♣ river completed to see the sick run out ending Zhao’s title hopes. Zhao will have to be content with HK$381,000 (US$49,139) for his sixth place finish.
Kuo opened the betting with an under the gun raise to 90,000 before Cheng put in a button raise to 240,000. After cutting his chips out Kuo then moved all in for his last 895,000 and was quickly called.
Kuo: 10♠10♥
Cheng: A♣ Qâ™
The flop of 8♣ 5♣ 5â™ was safe for Kuo but the A♥ peeled off on the turn to pair Cheng and dampen Kuo’s chances of survival. The 9♣ river couldn’t save him to see only four left on this final table. Kuo receives a payday of HK$490,000 (US$63,197) for his deep run.