Jeffrey Calma crowned 2019 RVS CUP Main Event champion

Jeffrey Calma’s final day chip count was consistently average to below average most of the game. Going from average stack to short stack, almost busting out then making a comeback with quads on a bust from Jeorge Lagatuz. Onlookers unaware that he would make a break for the win in the later stages of the tournament. For the details of the game play, check out the tournament recap.

This year the RVS CUP Philippine Poker Championship Main Event drew the most number of entries. 665 players, bringing the guaranteed pot up to an astounding Php 6,450,500 prize pool. Coming into the sixth and final day, Calma had the 8th highest stack in chips, 470,000, just behind the 2017 RVS CUP Champion, Christopher Chua ranking 7th in chips, amidst the final 20 players.

The field narrowed down quickly with players eager to get to the final table. Preflop all-ins were the main strategy for gaining chips and momentum. The tournament leader big stack Ivy Patalinghug (1,463,00) fell short at the end, taking the bubble seat just before final table.

11th – 60,000 – Ivy Patalinghug
12th – 60,000- Alvir Inocentes
13th – 50,000- Catalino Abatayo III
14th – 50,000- Gerry Matugas
15th – 50,000- Rey Solis Matabuena
16th – 40,000- Jeorge Lagatuz
17th – 40,000- Christian Adrian Lavares
18th – 40,000- Mark Duenas
19th – 30,000- Arthur Ayuban
20th – 30,000- Moses Saquing

Coming into the final table as short stacks, Calma and Chua fought their way to the final moments. Chua finally busted in 6th place saying goodbye to his chances of winning a second RVS Cup trophy this year. Calma’s chip stack took some major damage, though he also had huge wins, with a second four of a kind hand against 4th place winner Joey Pardales.

As the final table trudged on, players started showing signs of fatigue. And by level 32, they took a break to possibly agree on a chopped pot. At this point Calma and Pardales were battling between the third and fourth place slot. Once they had agreed on the terms of the chop, the players continued and braved on to the end.

Finally at level 34, a major turning point for Calma, he doubled up, and crippled the big stack of Raji Earl Rivera. Sending him home the following hand after in 3rd place.

With both players seemingly in a hurry, heads up play was exciting, though, in just a few hands it did not last long. Calma came out on top, winning Php 966,655 and making him the 2019 RVS Champion!

Final Table Prize Payout (1-4th Place Payouts After The Player Payment Agreement)

1st – 966,655 – Jeffrey Calma

2nd – 1,005,963 – Jun Talosig

3rd – 1,045,343 – Raji Earl Rivera

4th – 882,539 –  Joey Pardales

5th – 295,000 – Rusty Co

6th – 225,000 – Christopher Chua

7th – 170,000 – Gandy Valle

8th – 130,000 – John Riad

9th – 100,000 –  Renniel Galvez

10th – 80,000 – Van Boc