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Indian Players Who Have Won APT Main Event

The Asian Poker Tour (APT) has become one of the most sought-after and popular poker series in the Asian poker circuit. It is known for its massive prize pools, huge entry-fields as well as the grand venues. Did we mention the lucrative and envious APT trophies with the roaring lion?!

The Asian Poker Tour is a major poker tournament series with Asia being its ground focus. The popular series was founded in 2008 and ever since, the series has become one of the most recognised and prestigious poker tours in the region. A group of poker enthusiasts observed that the poker scene in Asia had a massive potential for growth, looking at the interest for the game in the subcontinent. The preliminary goal of the APT has always been to establish a professional and competitive poker environment in the region. Tapping into these areas, APT aims at becoming a premium poker series in Asia just as the World Series of Poker (WSOP) is at the global poker stage.

The first-ever APT series was hosted in Singapore in November 2006. However, the official APT series kicked-off only two years later in 2008. In no time, it gained a lot of popularity among both professional as well as recreational poker players across Asia and gradually attracted participants from all over the world. 

Asian Poker Tour: Everything You Must Know About This Poker Series

Today it is one of the most anticipated and well-known poker series known for its well-organised events, attractive prize pools, and the participation of top professional players from across the globe. Besides, it has also played a vital role in promoting, developing and establishing poker as a sport in the Asian continent.

Over the years, the APT has made it’s presence felt by taking various stops in Asian countries like Phillippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, India, and more. The poker series continues to expand, catering to the players in Asia and beyond with exciting poker experiences and the opportunity to contest for massive cash prizes and make a name for themselves in the game.

About APT Main Event

The APT includes a wide range of tournaments on its schedule. The most notable and staple ones are the APT Main Event and High Roller. They also have several side events with varying buy-ins to suit players of all bankrolls. The most significant and coveted event of any APT schedule is always the Main Event. 

Every season, the APT Main Event attracts a diverse field of players. From seasoned professionals to newbies and upcoming talent, all poker players eagerly aim for the coveted Main Event title along with the massive cash prizes and the envy-worthy trophy that accompany it. The Main Event at the APT is held in the Texas Hold’em format. Players display their best skills, and strategy, putting their best foot forward under pressure while navigating through various days and levels at the multi-day tournament

The unique blend of intense competition and a vibrant social atmosphere is what makes the APT Main Event stand out. Over the years, the Main Event at APT has become more than just a tournament. It has provided the players a stage to socialize and build a community while battling the best in the biz at the tables. It brings together all poker enthusiasts, including players, as well as industry professionals, thus creating a conducive environment that is both competitive and friendly at the same time.

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Likewise, the APT Main Event also garners a lot of media coverage, thus helping it elevate its standing in the poker world. This also helps give players a stage and coverage for their talent and contributes to the growth and popularity of the players and poker as a sport at large.

Over the years, the Asian Poker Tour Main Event has visited various stunning destinations throughout Asia, further adding to its allure. From Macau to the Philippines, the tournament has taken place in some of the most iconic and vibrant cities, providing players and attendees with unforgettable experiences both on and off the poker tables.

Not to forget the shiny huge APT trophy awarded to the Main Event champion. The trophy, which has a roaring lion, signifies the strength and courage that players must show to compete and take down the coveted title. The trophy is a highly desired prize, with many players striving to win one during their poker career.

In conclusion, the Asian Poker Tour Main Event stands as a premier poker tournament, attracting players and fans alike with its competitive spirit, substantial prize pools, and vibrant atmosphere. It represents a convergence of talent, skill, and passion for the game, contributing to the growth and popularity of poker in the Asian region and beyond.

Like any poker series, the Main Event is always the most eyed and prestigious title to win for any poker player. Similarly, the APT Main Events over the years have also been the most sought-after and coveted event on the schedule. 

Abhinav Iyer – APT Ho Chi Minh January 2019 

Abhinav Iyer Wins Highest Live Cash; Bags APT Vietnam ME

India’s first solo bracelet winner Abhinav Iyer took down the Asian Poker Tour (APT) in Ho Chi Minh City in 2019. The event took place from 3rd July to 14th July 2019. Iyer outlasted as entry field of 525 players across the starting flights. He displayed exceptional skill and perseverance throughout the tournament to ultimately claim the title and the top prize of VND 2,269,092,000 ($98,055) prize. His win at in the APT Ho Chi Minh 2019  Vietnam Main Event was a momentous achievement in his poker career.

By taking down the title, he became the first Indian to ever grab the APT Main Event title. He beat Japan’s Daiki Horikawa in the heads-up. The massive prize pool was shared among the top 54 places, who pocketed a min-cash of $1,980. Indian players Eka Vedantham and Dhaval Mudgal also cashed at this Main Event at the 45th and 49th place, for $2,376 and $1,980, respectively. 

Akshay Nasa – APT Ho Chi Minh November 2019 

Akshay Nasa returns from deficit to win APT Vietnam Main Event!

The same year as Iyer, Akshay Nasa went on to claim the Main Event of the November edition of APT Ho Chi Minh 2019. The Main Event of the APT Ho Chi Minh 2019 had a guarantee of VND 8,000,000,000, which was crushed as the final prize pool of VND 8,458,400,000 ($366,060). The APT Ho Chi Minh November 2019 series was held between 7th to 12th November 2019. 

The event saw a total of 436 entries registered, out of which the top 44 places were paid. The min-cash stood at $1,906. Nasa, with his exceptional poker skills and consistent gameplay, claimed the title and pocketed the top prize of VND1,486,560,000 ($64,334). Nasa ended the event in a heads-up deal with France’s Vincent Chauve, who took the runner-up spot for a sum of VND 1,544,200,000 ($66,829).

The APT Ho Chi Minh November 2023 Main Event saw several Indian players run deep. Among them was Ankit Wadhawan, who had a final table finish at the fourth place and took home $26,344. Madhav Gupta bubbled the final table of this event after he was eliminated at the 11th spot for $5,693. Dhaval Mudgal succumbed at the 14th place for a payday of $4,744. Ashish Munot was also seen at this Main Event as he busted at the 30th place for $2,288. Additionally, India’s Vinay Agarwal took the 36th place at this event for a sum of $2,288. 

Shardul Parthasarathi –  APT Hanoi June 2022

APT Vietnam 2022: Shardul Parthasarathi Clinches Main Event Title!

Indians had to wait for almost four years before grabbing its next APT Main Event title. Meanwhile, several Indians claimed other APT titles in the year 2021, but not the Main Event. Finally, the dry spell ended after Indian pro and poker coach Shardul Parthasarathi claimed the Main Event of APT Hanoi 2023. The event was held between 9th to 14th July, 2023. 

The heads-up of this Main Event was, in fact, between two Indians, Parthasarathi and Ashish Munot. Parthasarathi beat Munot in the heads-up and pocketed a handsome $55,516 for his second-place finish. The event heavily crushed the advertised guarantee of VND 5,000,000,000 by a hefty margin, as the final prize pool stood at VND 9,137,400,000 ($394,401). The event paid out the top 48 places. The min-cash paid at this event was $1,681. Parthasarathi claimed the APT Main Event trophy and an APT Championship ring along with the top prize of VND 1,929,250,000 (~₹64.82 Lakh).

Apart from Parthasarathi and Munot, Indian player Jasven Saigal cashed at this event after he finished at the 42nd spot. He claimed $2,017 for his finish. 

Apart from these three champions, several Indian players have made deep runs in the Main Event and have landed close to the title. Besides, many Indian players have grabbed multiple side events titles, too, at the APT Series held over the years. Indian players have a great history of deep runs at the APT. With several APT series lined up this year and many more to come in the years to come, we are sure many Indians will make it big at the series. We will see many more Indian players nail the Main Event title and make the Indian flag flutter high in the Asian poker circuit, thus further strengthening India’s position on the poker map. 

For more news and updates, keep reading Gutshot Magazine. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Telegram.

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