[Side stories] Globetrotter Miroslaw Klys sets new record for most flags; Thanh Tien Dinh leads POF race; Vinh Huu Nguyen draws largest bounty

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Globally renowned brand World Poker Tour (WPT) has been running its Prime series at the Crown Poker Club in Hanoi, Vietnam. The event is currently on its sixth day with games kicking off on May 16 and running through May 29.  Here are some side stories to enjoy.

Miroslaw Klys sets record of 48 flags at WPT Prime Vietnam

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Poland’s Miroslaw Klys made headlines at the festival by adding a 48th flag to his Hendon Mob cashes. The globe-trotting Klys broke a three-way tie to solidify his position as one of the most accomplished players in the world. The record was broken on May 20, 2023 at the Hyper Turbo NLH where Klys came back from less than a small blind to the money in 5th place.

*Interview to follow

How Klys reached ITM

IMG 3363 1Miroslaw Klys

With 18 remaining and only top 5 paid, Klys went all in on the flop with 4h3h then tripled up when it completed 6h4cJh4s8s. Still very short, Klys managed to stay afloat to reach the final table where he tripled up for the second time, holding AcJh over Ad10s and KhJc. On Kly’s third showdown it was a double up with pockets Jacks over pocket Fours, however on his fourth, his top pair was crushed by a straight on the river. He walked away with his first-ever tournament cash payout in Vietnam.

Nguyen Huu Vinh draws the biggest bounty

IMG 3549 1Nguyen Huu Vinh

79 players returned to the Mystery Bounty event, each one eligible for a bounty draw once they eliminated a player. On his third attempt, Day 1C chip leader, Nguyen Huu Vinh pulled the coveted top mystery bounty prize of VN₫ 250,000,000 (~US$ 10,650) and is now guaranteed to earn more than the 4th place prize pool payout. At the time of posting, Nguyen finished 8th for a combined payout of VN₫ 365,000,000 (~US$ 15,550). 

Thanh Tien Dinh takes early lead in WPT Player of the Festival race

With the completion of the first 12 eligible events, the battle for the WPT Player of the Festival title is well underway. Currently leading the pack is Thanh Tien Dinh, who has 775 points for three cashes which includes a victory at the Event 5: Turbo NLH. However, the competition is far from over.

IMG 3579Thanh Tien Dinh

Thanh Hung Tran is nipping at Dinh’s heels, currently occupying the second rank with 725 points. Tran’s two side event victories have significantly contributed to his overall standing. WPT Opener Avneesh Munjal sits in the third position with a total of two cashes, accumulating 630 points. After finishing in 2nd place at the Bounty Event, Chu The Dan catapulted from outside the top 10 and into 4th rank. He sits with 550 points.

More points to be won with the festival ongoing until May 29. This title is well worth the effort with the champion awarded a US$ 5,000 WPT Passport to any 2023 WPT Main Tour.

Rank
Player
POF Points

1
Dinh Tien Thanh
775

2
Thanh Hung Tran
725

3
Avneesh Munjal
630

4
Dan The Chu
550

5
Truong Toan Chan
500

6
Trung Gia Nguyen
475

7
Nhat Ta Vu
450

8
Dhaval Mudgal
425

9
Anh Tuan Nguyen
375

10
Anton Lu
375

triccia

Tags:
WPTVietnam2023

Author: Henry Brown