Tsuchikawa wins inaugural WPT National Phl Main Event

MANILA, Philippines -- Faced with one of the toughest decisions to make in a poker tournament, Japan’s Tetsuya Tsuchikawa took his time to analyze the situation, trusted his instincts and made the call of the tournament and was rewarded with his first major championship and US$156,849 (approximately PhP6.9M) in Main Event of the World Poker Tour (WPT) National Philippines here.

His opponent in the final heads-up battle, Kevin Ang of Malaysia, just had to scratch his head and ponder what tells he gave away to induce the Osaka native to call his all-in river bet.

The final hand—which is fittingly the one hundredth hand of the final table—had Ang opening preflop with a minimum raise which was called by Tsuchikawa. The flop showed 7d6c3s (seven of diamonds, six of clubs and three of spades). Tsuchikawa checked and Ang laid out a continuation bet to which Tsuchikawa check raises. Ang called and the turn card revealed a Qs (queen of spades). Tsuchikawa this time opened for a big bet and was quickly called by the crafty 28-year-old from Kuala Lumpur.

The river card showed an Ah (ace of hearts). The now cautious Tsuchikawa checked and Ang responded with an all-in bet putting the pressure on the 49-year-old frequent Philippine visitor.

Tsuchikawa, who had only been playing professionally for five years, then made the bravest call of his career as Ang showed his holdings: 8d6s (eight of diamonds and six of spades for a pair of sixes). Tsuchikawa tabled Ts7s (ten of spades and seven of spades for a pair of sevens).

The Japanese supporters erupted in jubilation as the main who entered the Final Six having the lowest in chips walks away with the title.

“I thank all my friends for supporting me in this tournament,” the soft spoken titlist—who is said to also be fluent in Ilocano.

Ang pocketed US$109,794 (approximately PhP4.8M) for his runner-up finish.

Third place went to another Malaysian in the final table starting chip leader Mun Fei Chow who won US$70,582 (approximately PhP3.1M), while Dr. Yuichi Sumida—also of Japan—claimed fourth place and US$52,283 (approximately PhP2.3M).

Sweden’s Douglas Olsson finished in fifth and receive US$39,212 (approximately PhP1.7M) while Andrew Gaw from Pangasinan took sixth and US$31,370 (approximately PhP1.4M).

Meanwhile, England’s Daryl Green gave his country its second title in the competition by outlasting the Philippines’ Czardy Rivera to capture the first Solaire Cup and get PhP1.3M in process. The final event of the Poker Festival—the $500 No Limit Hold ‘Em (NLHE) 6-Max championship—was still in progress as of this writing.