TIME TO CROWN THE FIRST METRO 2019 CHAMPION! FOLLOW OUR MAIN EVENT LIVE COVERAGE STARTING AT 1PM

Gideon Galpo wins the Main Event!

It’s all over! Gideon Galpo has claimed the first Metro title of 2019! Galpo was indeed the force to reckon with today. Prior to the final table he knocked out three players to bring in the largest stack to the final 10. His lead was only stolen once, at heads up against Jester Intia. When he reclaimed it, Intia managed to double up but not much more. Galpo sent him to the rail in runner up thus denying a Metro regular the victory. Galpo pocketed P389,000 a+ MSE seat workth P6,500

9:30PM: Jester Intia eliminated in 2nd place
Level 31: Blinds 35K/70K ante 10K

A very noble effort by Jester Intia bringing his stack all the way to heads up and even taking the lead at one point. However, after doubling up Gideon Galpo and dropping to 10bbs, the deficit was too big to overcome. His final hand saw him raise to 185k and Galpo calling. At the flop Kc-5d-6s, Galpo checked, Intia bet 350k, and GAlpo called. On the 8s turn, Galpo moved all inand Intia went ahead an put his tournament life at risk. Galpo with Qd-6d, Intia 9h-6h, both had the same pair but Galpo’s kicker was much better. The kicker played when the 2d river completed the board. Intia pocketed P230,000 + MSE seat worth P6,500.

9:05PM: Jester Intia saved by the river
Level 31: Blinds 35K/70K ante 10K

Gideon Galpo went all in with Ad-Jd, Jester Intia gambled his short stack with Qh-10c, the board came down As-10h-8h-4h-Qs to save Intia from elimination with two pair on the river. Intia climbed to 1.2M.

8:55PM: Gideon Galpo with a huge double up; Intia down to 10bbs
Level 30: Blinds 30K/60K ante 5K

Gideon Galpo is back on top and with a dominating stack. On a flop Kc-Qc-Jh, Jester Intia checked, Galpo bet 600k, Intia shoved, and after several seconds, Galpo called and told his opponent “good luck”. Galpo held 10s-2h for an open ended, Intia had Kh-6h top pair. The turn 9d immediately granted Galpo the straight and he doulbed up to 6.6M. Intia dropped to 700k.

8:45PM: Jester Intia takes the lead
Level 30: Blinds 30K/60K ante 5K

All he needed was one double wrestle the lead away from Gideon Galpo and that’s exactly what Jester Intia did. On a flop Jd-6h-9c and a raised pot preflop brewed in the middle, Intia bet 261k, Galpo shoved, Intia called. Galpo 9d-8s pair, Intia Ad-As overpair. The turn 4c and river Qs completed the board for a double up to Intia to 4.7M. Galpo dropped to 3M.

8:40PM: Heads up! 
Level 30: Blinds 30K/60K ante 5K

From 18 players that started the day, we are down to the final 2 players! One of these fine warriors will become the first Metro 2019 champion. Gideon Galpo leads with 5M in chips and Jester Intia with 2.3M. 

8:35PM: Danvic Ruiz falls in 3rd place 
Level 30: Blinds 30K/60K ante 5K

After doubling up Jester Intia, Danvic Ruiz was down to 10bbs. He got it all in with pocket fours and faced off against Gideon Galpo’s Kh-9d. The board ran 10s-8c-10d-8s-Ac for a split pot. The next hand, it was the reverse with Galopo holding the pocket fours and Ruiz with overcards Kd-Jh. This time the board ran low and Ruiz was eliminated in 3rd place. Ruiz earned P340,000 + MSE seat worth P6,500.

8:30PM: Jester Intia doubles up to 2.5M
Level 30: Blinds 30K/60K ante 5K

Button Danvic Ruiz raised to 250k, big bloind Jester INtia shoved, Ruiz snap-called. Ruiz Jh-10h, Intia As-Kc, the board ran low with no hits for either player for a double up to Intia.He climbed to 2.5M while Ruiz plummeted to around 600k.

7:50PM: Deal reached 
Level 30: Blinds 30K/60K ante 5K

A second attempt at a deal and this time it was a thumbs up. Here are the guaranteed payouts:

Gideon Galpo P350,000
Danvic Ruiz P340,000
Jester Intia 230,000

Trophy and P39,000 set aside for the winner.

7:35PM: Danvic Ruiz spikes the double 
Level 29: Blinds 25K/50K ante 5K

Sick hand just came down between Danvic Ruiz and Gideon Galpo. The hnad saw a 200k raise by sb Ruiz, Galpo shoved, Ruiz called putting his tournament life at risk. Ruiz was ahead with 4c-4s, Galpo with Ah-Qs, the flop ran 3d-Ad-2s for a higher pair to Galpo. The turn 9c kept Galpo ahead, but on the river 5c, Ruiz connected for a straight to bag a huge double up. He now has 2.6M while Galpo dropped to 3.6M. Shortest stacked Jester Intia hoped for a different result for a chance to ladder up.

7:30PM: Remaining payouts

1st P535,000
2nd 270,000
3rd P154,000

7:25PM: Danvic Ruiz loses a chunky one to Gideon Galpo
Level 29: Blinds 25K/50K ante 5K

On a raised pot preflop, the flop fell 2c-9s-4h, Danvic Ruiz bet 50k, Gideon Galpo called. On the 8h turn, Another 50k by Ruiz, Galpo raised to 250k, Ruiz three-bet to 500k, and Galpo called. On the 10s river, Ruiz bet 500k and Galpo called. The aggressor Ruiz showed Qd-Qs but was behind Galpo’s 9h-8s two pair. Galpo climbed to 4.9M, Ruiz dropped to 1.57M

7:10PM: Trifie Montebon falls in 4th place
Level 29: Blinds 25K/50K ante 5K

Trifie Montebon moved all in with Ac-9h and was called by Danvic Ruiz with 5d-5h. No hits on the board for Montebon to send him out in 4th place. He earned P98,000 + MSE seat worth P6,500.

6:55PM: No deal
Level 29: Blinds 25K/50K ante 5K

A deal was proposed but rejected. Game continues. Gideon Galpo with over half the chips in play of around 3.9M, Danvic Ruiz with 1.6M, Jester Intia and Trifie Montebon with around 790k each.

6:40PM: Trifie Montebon doubles up
Level 29: Blinds 25K/50K ante 5K

On a flop 10c-9s-7c, Jester Intia shoved and Trifie Montebon called for his tournament life. Intia was ahead with 2s-2d pair but Montebon had a plenty of outs to help him stay in the running with his Ac-3c hole cards. The turn 8c was one of them, giving Montebon the flush. The river Qs was of no consequence. Montebon up to 800k.

6:30PM: Gideon Galpo grinding down the competition
Level 28: Blinds 20K/40K ante 5K

Gideon Galpo continues to own the felt with his commanding stack which has now grown to around 4.3M with four players remaining. Using his big stack, Galpo picked up a couple of pots. He raised to 150k and was called by the blinds. At the flop 9h-6h-6s, Galpo c-bet 200k and claimed it with no callers. Next hand, he called a 150k raise by Danvic Ruiz and went to see the flop land 4c-2d-2c. Ruiz c-bet 150k, Galpo called. On the Ks turn, both checked. ON the 7s river, Ruiz checked, Galpo bet 400k, and a fold from Ruize to take the pot.

6:10PM: Joel Melchor busts in 5th place
Level 28: Blinds 20K/40K ante 5K

Down to 155k, Joel Melchor moved all in on utg, got called by sb Gideon Galpo, then isolated by Jester Intia with his shove of nearly a million. Galpo folded. Melchor held Qs-9s, Intia with Ac-Ah, the board ran 8h-Qc-6s-10s-Kc to finish Melchor in 5th place. He earned P72,00 +MSE seat worth P6,500.

6:00PM: Jester Intia vs Joel Melchor
Level 28: Blinds 20K/40K ante 5K

Action folded to the blinds, Jester Intia raised to 100k and Joel Melchor called. On the flop 4d-4c-10d, Intia moved all in and well covered the short stacked Melchor. Melchor tanked, asking Intia if he would show on his fold. Intia made no commitment, instead retorted “Gawin mo muna ang gagawin mo tapos gagawin ko ang gagawin ko.” [Translated – “You make your move then I’ll make mine.”]

Intia then called the clock on Melchor. He timed out and mucked while showing his 6-6 pocket pair. Intia returned the gesture showing Q-Q.

5:45PM: Christopher Chua falls in 6th place
Level 28: Blinds 20K/40K ante 5K

Christopher Chua defended his big blind by calling button player Trifie Montebon’s min-raise. At the flop 9s-10c-Qh, no bets landed. On the Kc turn, Chua checked, Montebon bet 130k, Chua shoved, Montebon with the call.

Chua Qd-10d two pair
Montebon Jd-9d straight

The river As completed the board and ended Chua’s run in 6th place. He earned P56,000 + MSE seat worth P6,500.

We are down to 5 players.

5:40PM: Chip counts
Level 28: Blinds 20K/40K ante 5K

Gideon Galpo 3,750,000
Trifie Montebon 1,155,000
Danvic Ruiz 920,000
Jester Intia 755,000
Christopher Chua 436,000
Joel Melchor 264,000

5:30PM: This time Jester Intia tanks to Gideon Galpo 
Level 27: Blinds 15K/30K andte 5K

Chip leader Gideon Galpo claimed a massive pot against Jester Intia. On a raised pot preflop, sb Intia bet 400k on a flop Jc-8c-7s. Button players Galpo called. On the 9c turn, Intia checked, Galpo bet 800k, Intia smooth-called. On the river Kc, check again by Intia, Galpo announced all in with a stack that well covered Intia, Intia tanked. After a few minutes, Galpo shipped it with Intia folding while showing his 8d-8h set. Galpo now at 3.75M which is slightly over half the chips in play.

5:10PM: Trifie Montebon doubles up
Level 27: Blinds 15K/30K andte 5K

Trifie Montebon moved all in with Kc-Ks, Danvic Ruiz called with Ad-Kh, the board ran 4s-9c-2s-10s-3s for a flush to Montebon and a double up to 1.4M. Ruiz down to 745k.

5:00PM: Gideon Galpo tanks Trifie Montebon
Level 27: Blinds 15K/30K andte 5K

On a raised pot preflop, the board ran 2s-10s-7c, Gideon Galpo bet 200k, Trifie Montebon raised to 500k, Galpo jammed, and Montebon tanked. It took some time before Montebon acted. He folded.

4:40PM: Jolas Guerrero runs into aces
Level 27: Blinds 15K/30K andte 5K

Trifie Montebon raised to 60k, Jolas Guerrero jammed, Montebon called. Guerrero Qs-Qc, Montebon with Ad-Ac, the board gave Guerrero a bit of hope as it ran 10s-Jd-5s-2s (for a flush draw), but a red card came on the river 7h to send him packing up in 7th place. He earned P44,000 + MSE seat worth P6,500.

We are down tothe final 6 players.

4:35PM: Geno Gendrano goes up and out 
Level 27: Blinds 15K/30K andte 5K

Short stacked Geno Gendrano enjoyed a double up with his A-7 improving to a full house against A-Q but several hands later, he lost it all to Gideon Galpo. Gendrano all in with Ad-6s, Galpo with 3d-3h, no help arrived on the board. Gendrano earned P36,000 +MSE seat worth P6,500 for his 8th place finish.

4:05PM: Double KO! Izutsu Shojiro and Jimmie Javier kicked out
Level 26: Blinds 12K-24K ante 4K

Just like that, two players bounced out and we are down to 8 players here. The first two casualties were Izutsu Shojiro (9th) and Jimmie Javier (10th). The hand began with Jimmie Javier all in from utg+1, called by both blinds sb Shojiro and bb Danvic Ruiz. At the flop 7d-Ah-9s, Shojiro bet 150k, Ruiz jammed, and with not much behind, Shojiro called.

Shojiro As-10d
Ruiz Ac-4d
Javier Ad-Qd

With everyone holding top pair, it was a kicker race. The turn 5c kept Javier ahead for the main pot and Shojiro for the side pot, but with the river slapping down 4h, Ruiz overtook and shipped it all. Ruiz up to 1.150M. Shojiro earned P28,000 for 9th place and Javier pocketed P24,000 for 10th place. They both were awarded an MSE seat worth P6,500.

3:40PM: Christopher Chua doubles up
Level 26: Blinds 12K-24K ante 4K

Third hand of the final table saw 2017 RVS Cup Champion Christopher Chua ship a double up and more to 1.38M. Action began with Joel Melchor raising to 54k, called by both Izutsu Shojiro and big blind Chua. Ath the flop 8c-Jd-7c, Chua checked, Melchor c-bet 65k, Shojiro all in, Chua all in, and Melchor folds As-Js top pair.

Shojiro Ac-4c nut flush draw
Chbua 10c-9c open ended straight flush draw

Thew turn 6d granted Chua a straight and the river Qs completed the boartd.

3:20PM: Final table

Jester Intia – 1.6M
Jolas Guerrero – 620K
Joel Melchor – 350K
Geno Gendrano – 124K
Trifie Montebon – 420K
Izutsu Shojiro – 1.15M
Danvic Ruiz – 520K
Christopher Chua – 570K
Jimmie Javier – 115K
Gideon Galpo – 1.9M (chip leader)

3:05PM: Bonifacio Mondalo railed in 11th place 

Level 25: Blinds 10K-20K ante 3K

Bonifacio Mondalo enjoyed an early rise in chips but after taking several hits including one against Dan Ruiz, he was sitting with around 10bbs. He found a spot to get it all in. Jester Intia raised to 55k, Mondalo shoved with 211k, and despite Intia sporting a huge stack, he tanked. The call was eventually signaled, Mondalo with Qd-Qc, Intia with Ah-9h, the board ran 5h-3h-10d-As-Js for a higher pair spiked by Intia. Mondalo earned P20,000 + MSE seat worth P6,500.

We have reached the final table of 10 players.

2:55PM: Ahmed Noor falls to Galpo
Level 25: Blinds 10K-20K ante 3K

Earning his third victim of the day was Gideon Galpo. He eliminated Ahmed Noor in 12th place. It was a battle of the blinds with sb Noor calling, Galpo raising on the big blind, Noor all in, instant call by Galpo. Noo was ahead with 3h-3s but had to fade Galpo’s Ah-10h. The board ran Jd-5c-Js-Jh-Ad for a higher full house to Galpo on the river. Noor earned P20,000 + MSE seat worth P6,500.

We are going hand-for-hand with 11 remaining. Final table one elimination away.

2:40PM: Danvic Ruiz avoids the rail on a lucky turn
Level 25: Blinds 10K-20K ante 3K

Not long after his double up through Jester Intia, Danvic Ruiz was all in on a board 9s-8c-3d. Bonifacio Mondalo called. Ruiz turned over As-Qd overcards while Mondalo was ahead with Js-9d top pair. The turn quickly switched them upwith the Qs showing up. The river 4s was no help to Mondalo and he paid the double up. Ruiz now at 470k.

2:35PM: Danvic Ruiz doubles up 
Level 25: Blinds 10K-20K ante 3K

Jester Intia pushed his big stack with 8d-8s and short stacked Dan Ruiz joined putting himself at risk with Ad-10d. The gamble was a good one with the board running Ks-4d-6h-Ah-Kd for a double up to 185k.

2:30PM: Emmanuel Segismundo bumped out
Level 25: Blinds 10K-20K ante 3K

Emmanuel Segismundo may have been the most decorated of the bunch but his bid for the title fell short in 13th place. He moved all in with Kc-Jh and was dominated by Ahmed Noor with Ad-Kd. Noor stayed ahead on a board running Ac-8h-6c-Kh-Qs. Segismundo earned P18,000 + MSE seat worth P6500.

2:10PM: Izutsu Shojiro doubles up
Level 24: Blinds 8K-16K ante 2K

The only foreign national player remaining, Izutsu Shojiro, moved all in with 9c-9d and got called by Ahmed Noor with Ac-Kc. The flip went Shojio’s way with Noor completely missing and Shojiro improving to a full house 10h-3s-8h-9s-10c. Shojiro now at around 620k.

1:50PM: Lemmor Patulot eliminated 
Level 24: Blinds 8K-16K ante 2K

Lemmor Patulot all in with Kh-10c and got called by Danvic Ruiz with Ah-9s. No help came for Patulot instead Ruiz further improved 5c-8s-3h-9d-3s to send Patulot out in 14th place. Patulot earned P18,000 + MSE seat worth P6500.

1:45PM: Gideon Galpo claims another good pot
Level 24: Blinds 8K-16K ante 2K

Gideon Galpo is now well into the million range and more with another pot sent his way. On a board Qs-Kh-As-4h, Jolas Guerrero bet 34k and Galpo flat-called. On the river Js, it was checked by both, Guerrero showed his Ah top pair but was still behind Galpo’s 4d-4s set.

1:39PM: Ellezer Castillo and Philip Baider fall to Galpo
Level 23: Blinds 6K-12K ante 2K

Double knockout for Gideon Galpo with Ellezer Castillo and Philip Baider falling simultaneously. Short stacked Castillo went all in first with his 29k stack, Galpo called. Baider shoved on his turn for another 119k to Galpo. He called.

Castillo Ah-6h
Baider As-10s
Galpo Ks-Kd

The board ran dry 3h-10c-3s-8c-7d. Baider claimed 15th place for P18,000 and Castillo earned P16,000 for 16th place. Both also won an MSE seat worth P6500.

1:35PM: Gideon Galpo doubles up to 930k
Level 23: Blinds 6K-12K ante 2K

Gideon Galpo pushed all in on a flop 7c-Ah-Qc, Izutsu Shojiro called. Galpo held As-Jc, Shojiro Ad-3s, the turn and river 4d and 10s were blanks for the Japanese player for a double up to Galpo. He climbed to 930k.

1:20PM: Carlos Butch “Trashman” Monton set up and out
Level 23: Blinds 6K-12K ante

Carlos Monton went head to head against Jester Intia on a flop 3c-Js-9h. The chips went all in and both tabled two pair. Monton Jh-3h, Intia with better Jc-9c, the turn 7s and river 2h ended the hand and ended Monton’s day early. He earned P16,000 + MSE seat worth P6500 for his finish.

1:10PM: Bobby Nacario busts first
Level 23: Blinds 6K-12K ante 2K

After losing a large portion of his stack to Bonifacio Mondalo, Bobby Nacario was all in several hands later with Jh-9h. He was called by Joel Melchor with 8d-8h. The board ran Ah-9c-8s-6c-Qc to send Nacario out in 18th place. He earned P16,000 + MSE seat worth P6500 for his finish.

1:08PM: Bonifacio Mondalo’s straight gets paid nicely
Level 23: Blinds 6K-12K ante 2K

Bonifacio Mondalo and Bobby Nacario went pound for pound on this board 10s-Ah-7c-Jh-8d that saw progressive bets at every stage. On the river, Mondalo fired 170k and Nacario called then mucked after seeing the Ks-Qc straight. Mondalo crosses into a million with 1.120M. Nacario down to 90k.

 

1:05PM: Jimmie Javier takes from the leader
Level 23: Blinds 6K-12K ante 2K

Jimmie Javier raised to 32k from the button, the blinds folded while utg limper Izutsu Shojiro ( the day’s entering leader) called. At the flop 10h-2h-7s both checked. On the 5c turn, Shojiro checked, Javier bet 27k, Shojiro raised to 60k, Javier took a minute to decide then shoved. Shojiro folded. Javier up to 240k.

1:00PM: Cards in the air! Race to the title begins!

The final 18 players are back in their seats. The race to the first Metro 2019 is on! Good luck to all!

 

After five days of competitive poker action at the Metro Card Club, we are down to the final two tables of the Philippine Poker Tournament Main Event! Unfortunately this time around we weren’t able to eclipse the 2M guarantee however that doesn’t mean the pot isn’t juicy! The eventual winner will pocket P535,000 along with the first Metro title of 2019.

18 players are on the hunt. Action gets underway at 1pm. Blinds resume at 6K/12K with ante of 2K (per player). Average stack is 405,833 with 7,305,000 total chips in play. We will post live updates right here until a champion is declared. So make sure to check back with us every so often.

1	Izutsu Shojiro	17-7	906,000
2	Jolas Guerrero	16-7	803,500
3	Christopher Chua	16-2	569,000
4	Emmanuel Segismundo	17-9	524,000
5	Dan Victorre Ruiz	16-6	520,000
6	Gideon Galpo	17-1	486,500
7	Bobby Nacario	16-3	479,000
8	Bonifacio Mondalo	16-9	434,500
9	Jester Intia	16-4	403,500
10	Trifie Montebon	16-1	376,000
11	Ahmed Noor	17-8	376,000
12	Carlos Butch “Trashman” Monton	16-5	244,500
13	John Philip Baider	17-2	240,000
14	Jimmie Javier	17-4	234,500
15	Lemmor Patulot	17-5	230,000
16	Joel Melchor	16-8	186,500
17	Geno Gendrano	17-3	184,000
18	Ellezer Castillo	17-6	106,000