Another exciting Macau Poker Cup series has come to a close and a new champion of Asia has been crowned. It's exciting to see new players emerge and although we already knew of Nicky Tao Jin as a fierce online competitor, today marks a breakthrough victory for him on the live poker scene that will elevate this young gun to even greater heights.

We started out earlier today with just 18 players remaining from a record field of 635 for the Macau Poker Cup: Red Dragon Main Event. Nicky Tao Jin was the second shortest stack in the room and victory was a long way from his mind. Leading the way was another fresh face as Jay Tan was attracting plenty of new fans as she looked to make her own mark on the Asian poker scene.

Unlike yesterday where Tan ran hot, today she couldn't get much going, but managed to navigate her way to the final table as the field was halved within just a few short hours. Previous Macau champions Denny Yu (16th) and Julian Hasse (13th) were among the casualties and when Japan's last hope Satoshi Yabota was eliminated in 10th place our final table was formed.

Russia's David Martirosyan was a clear chip leader while Brit Craig Eichmeier had navigated his way into second place, thanks largely to a three-outer against Jay Tan on the final table bubble which pushed her back into the pack.

Nicky Tao Jin had squeaked his way to the final table as the absolute short stack of the field. He had moments where he had threatened to get back into contention, but it appeared a case of one step forwards, two steps back, as a run of luck deserted him. But that all changed once the final table got underway as Jin went on an almighty heater.

Within the first few hands, Jin had doubled up and then eliminated Shao-hung Lee in 9th place after catching good with his [as][9h] against Lee's [ah][td]. Jin jumped up the leaderboard as Indian Abhishek Goindi also started to make his presence felt as the most aggressive player at the table.

A deadlock emerged with eight players remaining, with no one budging an inch as they eyed off the pay jumps all the way to the top prize. Eventually something had to give and it was Po En Ho who was out in 8th place when his [kc][6d] couldn't hold against Ke Chen's [jd][td]. Two more tens on the flop and Ho was headed to the cashier.

The floodgates then opened as Ke Chen lost a race against Nicky Tao Jin to be out in 7th, before Jin caught a set with his pocket sixes to eliminate Zuo Wang and his [ah][th]. Wang's 6th place finish comes on the heels of his final table at the recent APPT Macau Main Event as he continues to prove himself as a player to watch here in Macau.

Jay Tan remained quiet and finally found a spot to move all in with her [ah][4h] but Abhishek Goindi woke up with [jd][js] and made the call. The board ran out [ts][kd][8c][td][6s] as a gracious Tan was happy enough with her 5th place result.

The four remaining players continued to apply the pressure with plenty of three and four bets, but as the blinds continued to rise, it was a matter of time before we'd see a big preflop pot. It came when David Martirosyan three-bet shoved with [jd][9d] at the wrong time as Abhishek Goindi made the call with [ah][kc]. The board of [Kd][8s][4s][5s][2c] paired up Goindi to see the Russian out in 4th place.

He was quickly followed by Craig Eichmeier. Again it was Nicky Tao Jin who did the damage when he won another race, this time with [ac][7h] against [5d][5c] . We were told that this was Eichmeier's first ever live poker tournament. He handles his chips pretty well, and he played a great tournament, so we're not sure how true that is. In any case he should be thrilled with his 3rd place finish.

That left us heads up, with Nicky Tao Jin holding a narrow lead over Abhishek Goindi. After a deal was struck we were hoping for a quick heads-up match, and it only took three hands for a cooler of a flop to do the damage.

After the two players took a [2c][3d][4d] flop, the chips went flying and when the dust settled it was Jin's [2s][2d] for bottom set which was in total control against Goindi's [3c][4c] for top two. The turn and river bricked out to see Goindi eliminated and leave Nicky Tao Jin as the Macau Poker Cup Red Dragon Champion!

Final Table Results:
1st Nicky Tao Jin (China) - HK$1,092,500* + $100k ACOP Entry
2nd Abhishek Goindi (India) - HK$1,056,500*
3rd Craig Eichmeier (UK) - HK$554,000
4th David Martirosyan (Russia) - HK$409,000
5th Jay Tan (Hong Kong) - HK$315,000
6th Zuo Wang (China) - HK$252,000
7th Ke Chen (China) - HK$205,000
8th Po En Ho (China) - HK$157,000
9th Shao-hung Lee (Chinese Taipei) - HK$126,000

* denotes deal

Full prizepool and payout information

Congratulations to Nicky Tao Jin and to all of our prize winners.

A big congratulations and thanks must also go to Danny McDonagh, Fred Leung and all of the PokerStars Macau staff for yet another wonderfully successful poker series. It's always great fun coming to Macau and on behalf of players and media alike, we greatly appreciate your hospitality. We'd also like to thank Ken and Long from Kenneth Lim Photography for their efforts behind the camera throughout the week.

That concludes our coverage from Macau, but stay locked into the PokerStars Blog for ongoing live coverage of the biggest and best poker tournaments in the world. In the Asian region, the next big event will be the APPT Seoul which kicks off at the Walkerhill Casino from March 8th-11th. It's not too late to qualify, so jump onto PokerStars today! We hope to see you there!

8:30pm: Cooler flop busts Abhishek Goindi in 2nd place; Nicky Tao Jin wins!

After a deal was struck we were expecting some fast play, so we weren't that surprised to see a big hand develop on just the third hand of heads-up play. However when the cards were tabled we realised there was nothing fast about it. It was just a good old fashioned cooler.

Nicky Tao Jin had the button and opened with a min-raise. Abhishek Goindi made the call with the flop came down a baby [2c][3d][4d]. It looked innocent enough but it was the trigger for fireworks!

Goindi checked and Jin continued for 260,000. Goindi came back with a check-raise of an additional 400,000 as a massive pot was brewing. Jin didn't slow down as he added another 800,000 to the bet. Goindi moved all in and Jin insta-called!

Goindi: [3c][4c]
Jin: [2s][2d]

What a cooler! It was top two pair for Goindi but incredibly Jin had flopped bottom set! Jin would need to fade a three or four and the title was his. The turn brought the [js] and the river was the [td] as Jin embraced good friend Bryan Huang as they roared in delight at winning the title!

It was a great effort by Goindi who was strong throughout play today as he takes home HK$1,056,500 for his tournament.

Meanwhile Nicky Tao Jin becomes the second play to qualify for the $100k Asia Championship of Poker as he wins HK$1,092,500 and the title of MPC Red Dragon champion!

That concludes our live updates but we'll be back with a complete wrap of today's action for you shortly.

8:20pm: We're heads up!

We're now heads up in the Macau Poker Cup Red Dragon Main Event!

After a quick break, the players have agreed to a deal based on chip counts. The chip counts are:

Nicky Tao Jin - 5,265,000
Abhishek Goindi - 4,105,000

And the players have agreed to the following deal:

Nicky Tao Jin - HK$1,092,500
Abhishek Goindi - HK$1,056,500

The final table has now been setup and play will continue with players playing for the trophy and entry into the $100,000 Asia Championship of Poker in November.

8:00pm: Craig Eichmeier eliminated in 3rd place

We were told that this was Craig Eichmeier's first ever live poker tournament. He handles his chips pretty well, and he played a great tournament, so we're not sure how true that is. In any case he should be thrilled with his 3rd place finish.

The end came when he moved all in from the big blind for his last 2.17 million chips. Nicky Tao Jin had raised the small blind, and after a few minutes in the tank, he committed to the call with [ac][7h]. Eichmeier tabled [5d][5c] and the race was on!

The dealer spread the board of [ad][jh][9c][jd][7d] to give Jin three pair which was more than enough to take it down. Eichmeier picks up HK$554,000 for a great tournament.

7:45pm: David Martirosyan eliminated in 4th place

We're down to three after David Martirosyan was sent bouncing to the rail in fourth place. With the blinds so high, the chips were moving around quickly as the players were forced to make a move.

After Abhishek Goindi opened with a raise to 240,000, Martirosyan moved all in for around 1.5 million. Goindi made a quick call with [ah][kc] for the lead as Martirosyan showed [jd][9d] and would need some help.

He didn't find it as the board ran out [Kd][8s][4s][5s][2c]. Martirosyan hits the rail in 4th place for a HK$409,000. Goindi is now into the chip lead with over four million chips.

7:20pm: Play resumes

The four remaining players are back in action following the break with the blinds now about to put massive pressure on the short stacks.

Approximate chip counts:

Nicky Tao Jin - 3,160,000
David Martirosyan - 2,420,000
Abhishek Goindi - 1,945,000
Craig Eichmeier - 1,850,000

7:10pm: Ten-minute break

7:00pm: More for Martirosyan

David Martirosyan raised it up an additional 100,000 from the small blind and Nicky Tao Jin made the call to see a flop of [2h][7d][tc]. Martirosyan continued for 135,000 and Jin made the call before both players checked the [5d] turn.

On the [qs] river, Martirosyan bet out 255,000 and it was enough to take it down. Martirosyan has made a nice comeback to get to 2.4 million with Jin down under 3 million.

6:50pm: Martirosyan straightens Eichmeier

David Martirosyan oped-shipped it all in for 1.1 million with [jh][th] and looked in deep trouble when Craig Eichmeier made the call in the small blind with a dominant [ac][jd].

Eichmeier was looking for an ace to seal the deal, and he found it, but the [8c][9d][ah] actually gave Martirosyan outs to a straight to stay alive. And that's exactly what happened as the [qh] appeared on the turn. The river was the [8s] to see Martirosyan double up to 2.3 million with Eichmeier slipping to 1.725 million.

6:30pm: Jay Tan out in 5th

After running hot yesterday, Jay Tan was icy cold today as she just couldn't find any spots or cards to get much going on this final table.

Tan eventually made a move as she pushed all in for 925,000 with [ah][4h] but Abhishek Goindi made the call with [jd][js].

Tan, and all of her railbirds, were calling for an ace but the board bricked out [ts][kd][8c][td][6s]. Tan wasn't disappointed, but rather thrilled to have come this far with her great run ending in 5th place.

6:15pm: Wang out as Jin soars!

The noise level in the poker room has shot through the roof as big action on our final has seen yet another elimination.

Zuo Wang is the man to go as Nicky Tao Jin continues his giant-killing run. It was a battle of the blinds with all the chips in the middle preflop as Jin pushed with [6h][6d] and Wang made the call with [ah][th].

The board was spread [qh][9d][2h][6s][kh] to give Jin a set for the knockout blow as Wang adds another final table to his resume with a 6th place finish.

Nicky Tao Jin is now up to 4.2 million and has two-thirds of the chips in play five-handed!

6:10pm: Level up, blinds 40,000-80,000, ante 10,000

6:05pm: Ke Chen crippled and eliminated

Nicky Tao Jin opened with a raise to 120,000 from under the gun before Ke Chen three-bet to 285,000. Action folded back to Jin who declared himself all in with Chen making the call.

Jin showed [5h][5d] and the race was on against Chen's [ac][qc].

Chen caught an ace on the [ah][4s][3s] flop, but roars went up around the poker room when the [6c] turn and [7d] river completed the board to give Jin a running straight!

Chen was left with just 100,000 in change as Jin doubled into the chip lead with around 2.5 million.

Chen's last 100,000 was all in moments later with [kd][4c] and he was called by both blinds who checked down the board of [2s][6h][8h][2h][qd]. Nicky Tao Jin opened [qh][jd] for a rivered pair to take it down and eliminate Chen in 7th place.

5:50pm: Playing back at Ke

Play has again tightened up with not a lot of action to report.

Ke Chen has lost a few chips after having to surrender to the aggression of his opponents. First Chen folded to the three-bet of Abhishek Goindi, before trying a three-bet of his own against Zuo Wang.

Wang opened to 120,000, Chen popped it up another 155,000 but Wang responded by moving all in. It was another 695,000 to Chen to call but he let it go. Chen is down to 1.35 million with Wang up to the same amount.

5:30pm: Chen breaks the deadlock, Ho on the rail

Finally, we've lost a player as Po En Ho has become our 8th place finisher. Something had to give eventually! Ho was down to his last 350,000 which he moved all in from the button. Ke Chen re-shoved from the small blind to isolate and the cards were on their backs.

Ho tabled [kc][6d] but surprisingly held the best hand as Chen couldn't fold his pretty [jd][td]. The call turned good when the board was spread [ac][th][ts][5c][7d] to give Chen trips to take it down. Ho picks up HK$157,000 for a fine tournament.

5:10pm: Play resumes

The eight players are back and ready to break this deadlock!

Approximate chip counts:

Abhishek Goindi (India) - 1,850,000
David Martirosyan (Thailand) - 1,500,000
Craig Eichmeier (UK) (PokerStars Player) - 1,500,000
Jennette "Jay" Tan (Hong Kong) - 975,000
Ke Chen (China) - 950,000
Nicky Tao Jin (UK) (PokerStars Qualifier) - 880,000
Zuo Wang (China) - 830,000
Po En Ho (China) - 750,000

5:00pm: Ten-minute break

4:45pm: Confusion for Eichmeier

Pe En Ho opened for 80,000 from the button before Craig Eichmeier announced a raise and pushed 105,000 into the middle. Some curious looks followed as the TD informed Eichmeier that the minimum raise was to 120,000.

A confused Eichmeier obliged and Ho made the call to see a flop of [jd][9d][3d]. Eichmeier led out for 140,000 and ended the drama as Ho let his hand go

Moments later Eichmeier raised to 100,000, found one caller, before David Martirosyan three-bet to 250,000 from the blinds. Eichmeier moved all in and his opponents released to see Eichmeier up towards 1.5 million approaching the break.

4:25pm: A double for Po

We seem to have stagnated on eight players as the short stack of the field has again doubled up. Po En Ho moved all in for 340,000 following an opening raise to 80,000 from Nicky Tao Jin.

Jin didn't like it, but he felt the price was good for him to call with [8d][6c]. Unfortunately he didn't bet on being up against a crushing hand like [8s][8h]. Jin would need a virtual miracle but it didn't come on the [3s][as][5s][qh][kc] board. Ho doubles to around 750,000 with Jin back down to 820,000.

4:15pm: Slow going

Not a lot to report of late, as the players seem to have settled into their groove and are currently playing a game of cat and mouse. Abhishek Goindi and Ke Chen were previously the most aggressive players on the table but they seem to have backed off the accelerator a little recently.

David Martirosyan has moved into the chip lead after winning a small pot with set on a four-straight board against Po En Ho to leave him on the short stack.

Approximate chip counts:

David Martirosyan (Thailand) - 1,900,000
Abhishek Goindi (India) - 1,800,000
Craig Eichmeier (UK) (PokerStars Player) - 1,200,000
Nicky Tao Jin (UK) (PokerStars Qualifier) - 1,100,000
Zuo Wang (China) - 1,000,000
Ke Chen (China) - 900,000
Jennette "Jay" Tan (Hong Kong) - 800,000
Po En Ho (China) - 500,000

4:00pm: Level up, blinds 20,000-40,000, ante 5,000

3:45pm: Goindi surges

India's last hope, Abhishek Goindi, has gone from short stack to chip leader within a matter of minutes and most of those chips have come without a showdown.

Nicky Tao Jin opened with a raise to 60,000, which was re-raised to 150,000 by Zuo Wang before Goindi took his time and cold four-bet an additional 335,000 from the big blind. Both opponents quickly folded.

Next hand Goindi got into another preflop war, this time against Ke Chen.

Chen opened to 85,000 from the hijack before Goindi three-bet another 125,000. Chen responded with a four-bet of his own of an additional 305,000 but Goindi immediately moved all in over the top for an extra 730,000. Chen thought for some time before eventually folding as Goindi climbs to 1.85 million. Chen is down to one million.

3:25pm: Goindi gets there

Abhishek Goindi doesn't seem afraid to put his chips in the middle and it's paid off on this occasion as he's got a little fortunate to double up.

Goindi open shoved for 450,000 from middle position with [ac][8s] and David Martirosyan made the call next to act with [as][kc].

We've seen a lot of dominated ace situations today and again this time it went the way of the underdog as the board arrived [7s][6h][7d][8h][2d]. Goindi doubles up to 950,000 to be back in business as Martirosyan drops to 1.7 million.

3:15pm: Jin storms up leaderboard as Lee is eliminated

It seemed that Nicky Tao Jin wasn't getting a whole lot of luck earlier in the day, but that may have changed around now that the final table is underway as he has gone from
short stack to contender in two hands.

First Jin landed a double up through Abhishek Goindi. Jin moved all in for 350,000 following the opening raise to 70,000 from Goindi who made the call. Jin tabled [ah][qd] which was the best hand against Goindi's [as][jh].

The board ran out [2s][2d][8s][7h][kd] to give Jin the double up to 770,000 with Goindi slipping to 450,000.

Next hand and Jin raised the button to 60,000 before Shao-hung Lee moved all in for 470,000 from the small blind. Jin called with [as][9h] but this time he trailed the [ah][td] of Lee. But the board was kind as it ran out [9d][5s][7d][ks][5h] to pair up Jin's kicker to take down the pot. He's now up to 1.2 million as Lee collects HK$126,000 for his 9th place finish.

3:00pm: Final table lineup

Seat 1: Po En Ho (China) - 705,000
Seat 2: Ke Chen (China) - 1,500,000
Seat 3: Craig Eichmeier (UK) (PokerStars Player) - 1,300,000
Seat 4: Jennette "Jay" Tan (Hong Kong) (PokerStars Player) - 900,000
Seat 5: Abhishek Goindi (India) - 850,000
Seat 6: David Martirosyan (Thailand) - 2,125,000
Seat 7: Nicky Tao Jin (UK) (PokerStars Qualifier) - 310,000
Seat 8: Shao-hung Lee (Chinese Taipei) (PokerStars Macau Qualifier) - 430,000
Seat 9: Zuo Wang (China) - 1,100,000

The clock has been wound back to the start of this level with the blinds at 15,000-30,000, and an ante of 5,000.

The players have been introduced to the crowd and the cards are once again back in the air!

2:45pm: One double, one elimination as our final table is set

Action on both tables has seen two all ins - one resulted in a suckout to double up, the other was a suck-resuck that ended in an elimination to see us now reach the final table.

The double up went the way of Craig Eichmeier. He opened to 60,000 before Jay Tan three-bet to 177,000 on the button. Eichmeier thought long and hard before announcing all in, but Tan instantly called with [ah][kd] to be in a dominant position against Eichmeier's [as][th].

Everything in this tournament so far has gone Tan's way, but this time it went to her opponent on the [9s][7s][td][5d][5h] board. Eichmeier doubled to about 1.3 million with Tan down to around 900,000.

On the other table similar action was going down between David Martirosyan and Satoshi Yabota. Martirosyan opened to 60,000, Yabota re-raised to 160,000, Martirosyan shoved and Yabota made the call.

Yabota showed [ks][qc] but trailed the [ad][kh] of Martirosyan. Yabota caught the flop of [qh][tc][6h] as it looked like we were going to have simultaneous double ups. However the [jc] put Martirosyan back in front with a Broadway straight. Yabota needed an ace to chop but the [6d] landed to see him bow out in 10th place as Martirosyan jumps into the chip lead with over two million in chips!

There will now be a brief pause as the players set up for the final table.

2:25pm: Play resumes

The final ten have returned to the tables with one more elimination required before we redraw for the official MPC Red Dragon final table.

Ke Chen is in control of his table and is clearly the most aggressive player which appears to be frustrating some of his opponents. Chen has around 2 million chips, with David Martirosyan next best with around 1.4 million. Overnight chip leader Jay Tan has stayed away from most of the action so far today and has dropped into third place with 1.3 million.

2:15pm: Ten-minute break

2:00pm: No luck for Jin

Satoshi Yabota has found a much-needed double up but he had to do it the hard way against Nicky Tao Jin. Yabota moved all in preflop and Jin made a big call with [kh][qd] to have Yabota's [kc][4d] crushed. That is, until the community cards were dealt and the [5d][ks][4s][as][9d] gave Yabota two pair for the double up.

Yabota is up to 750,000 as Jin was left shaking his lead with around 250,000.

1:50pm: Chen applies maximum pressure

An interesting hand has just gone down between Ke Chen and Abhishek Goindi to leave the Indian scratching his head and Chen raking in even more chips.

It started with Craig Eichmeier opening to 55,000 from middle position. Goindi called on the button and Chen defended his big blind to see a flop of [7h][2s][5h]. Chen decided to lead out for 108,000 which confused Eichmeier as he took his time before folding. Goindi's decision was a little clearer as he quickly called to see the [9s] appear on the turn.

Chen thought for a minute or two before announcing himself all in! Goindi had about 800,000 behind which was about double the pot, and after several minutes of thought he flashed his cards to the rail and folded reluctantly.

Chen is back up to around two million and in total control of his table.

1:40pm: Kang out in 11th

Korean Dong Woo Kang has been eliminated to leave us with ten players remaining in the MPC Red Dragon Main Event.

Our day one chip leader moved all in preflop with [3d][3h] but found himself crushed by the [6h][6d] overpair of Nicky Tao Jin.

The board was spread [qh][7d][5c][kc][9d] to leave Jin's sixes in front and eliminate Kang in 11th place. We now need one more elimination to reach our official final table of nine players.

1:35pm: Double double

We've seen a couple of double ups as the short stacks attempt to fight back here at the MPC Red Dragon Main Event.

First it was Shao-hung Lee who moved his last 123,000 from the small blind with [kh][3d] with Nicky Tao Jin liking the price with his [qs][4d]. The board landed [9h][8h][th][9c][ks] to double up Lee to about 280,000.

It was then Abhishek Goindi's turn to double up, and it was a big one at that. Goindi open-shoved the button for a total of 548,000, or nearly 23 big blinds, and Ke Chen thought long and hard before making a gambling call in the big blind with [kd][qh]. He trailed Goindi's [ad][5h] and it stayed that way on the [qc][4h][as][5d][jh] board. Goindi doubles to 1.15 million with Chen back to the pack with around 1.45 million.

1:15pm: Level up, blinds 12,000-24,000, ante 4,000

1:10pm: Bad news for Germany

We're down to 11 players already as our two German players have headed to the cashier to collect their loot.

Julian Hasse was out in unlucky 13th place when he shoved from the big blind following an open-raise from David Martirosyan on the button. Hasse held [as][jd] but Martirosyan made the call with [ad][qh]. The board ran out [ts][qc][jh][4c][th] to eliminate Hasse from the tournament.

He was joined on the rail moments later by fellow German Bjoern Wiesler. Action folded to Ke Chen in the small blind, and he maintained his image as the most aggressive player in the tournament, by moving all in. Wiesler made the call with [ah][6h] as Chen tabled a less-than-average [4h][3c]. However live cards were enough for Chen as he connected on the [qh][qc][4c][2d][4s] board. Wiesler is out in 12th place for HK$75,000, as Chen climbs to 1.75 million.

1:00pm: Hasse hurting

MPCC champion Julian Hasse has his tournament hanging by a thread, but he's somehow still alive in his quest for a second major title in Asia.

Hasse was crippled in a big three-way hand that saw Zuo Wang more than triple up. Hasse moved all in from the button with [ks][th] and received calls from Wang in the small blind with [ad][9h] and Nicky Tao Jin in the big blind with [9d][9c].

The board ran out [4c][as][tc][ah][jd] to triple up Wang to 550,000 and although Hasse won the side pot, he was still left with just 40,000. They were all in next hand with jack-ten and he managed to triple up after spiking a pair of tens on the river to have a pulse once more with around 150,000 chips.

12:45pm: Three down

The eliminations are coming thick and fast, and that's just the way we like it.
Denny Yu was first to go when he shoved his [ks][9c] and was called by David Martirosyan who held [as][qs]. The board ran out [8c][6c][2c][5h][5d] to leave Martirosyan's ace-high in front to take it down and eliminate Yu in 16th place.

He was soon followed by Darian Tan who moved all in for 235,000 from the small blind with [4h][4s] and was called Craig Eichmeier in the big blind with [ah][5d]. Tan was on his feet hoping for his pair to hold but the cruel river on the [6d][2s][7h][8c][4c] gave Eichmeier a straight to take the pot. Tan gets the pay jump to HK$56,500 for his 15th place.

Finally Xiao Xu was sent to the rail. We were unable to grab the action but it was recalled to us that Xu shoved his [as][js] and was called by the [ac][8s] of Nicky Tao Jin. An all diamond flop contained a lethal eight which paired Jin and was enough to dispatch of Xu in 14th.

Jin has been on a tear so far this afternoon and is now close to one million in chips! Look out!

12:30pm: Verma vanquished as Jin is back in contention

Sailesh Verma is the next to go after he three-bet shoved from the big blind, following an open-raise from Nicky Tao Jin. It was an additional 226,000 to Jin who made the call with [6s][6d] to be racing with Verma's [ad][th].

The board ran out [4h][9s][2h][jd][2d] to leave Jin's pair in front to eliminate Verma in 17th place. Jin is now up to 660,000 and back in contention.

12:15pm: Level up, blinds 10,000-20,000, ante 3,000

12:15pm: Cai cut

We've had our first casualty of the day with Yan Cai eliminated in 18th place.

Cai was the short stack of the field so when he looked down at [as][qd] in the small blind, it looked like a good spot to move all in. Ke Chen had opened the action with a raise to 45,000, and he quickly called it off with [9c][9s].

The race fell the way of Chen as the [kh][7c][th][5d][5h] board missed both players.
Cai collects HK$47,500 for a fine tournament as Chen moves up to 1.4 million.

12:10pm: We're underway!

The final day of the Macau Poker Cup Red Dragon Main Event has arrived with 18 players returning for the chance at life-changing money. All of them have dreamt of becoming champion but only one can walk away with the title.

The likable Jay Tan is out in front, but can she carry her lead all the way to her first major title? It won't be easy with previous champions and dangerous opponents lurking in the wings.

The players have unbagged their chips and the cards are now in the air!

Tan turns up the heat in the Macau Poker Cup

Another long day in the PokerStars Macau Poker Room has seen our field reduced to the final 18. They've come a long way from the starting field of 635 players, but the reality is that there is still a loooooong way to go to reach the top prize of HK$1,320,000.

Starting the day with 212 players, we first had to endure the money bubble before surging towards the final table. Along the way there were many casualties, with Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin unfortunately the first out the door when her pocket jacks ran into an opponent's pocket queens.

The hard luck story of the day belongs to bubble boy Joseph Lind who had his pocket tens cracked by an opponent holding a speculative [8h][7h]. To rub salt in the wound it was a third ten on the river that completed his opponent's straight to leave Lind empty-handed and the remaining 81 players joyous.

Following the dinner break, the carnage continued as the players took their chances at building a big stack. Ke Chen caught a miracle three-outer to become the first to the million chip mark, but late in the day the story was with the golden run of Jay Tan. The lady in pink was red hot as she caught big pairs, sets and even made quads to send opponent after opponent to the rail. It was a thrilling run and she will assume the chip lead with 1,487,000 chips when play recommences tomorrow in the quest of her first major poker title.

Click here for End of Day 2 chip counts

Click here for Day 3 Seating Draw

Tan won't have it easy though with several dangerous players still lurking including previous MPC champion Denny Yu (549,000), MPCC champion Julian Hasse (350,000) and high stakes online player Nicky Tao Jin (194,000).

Play will get underway at the bright and early time of 12:10pm (GMT+8) as we look to crown Asia's first champion of 2012. We look forward to your company then!

12:40am: Yabuuchi busts to bring Day 2 to a close

Nobuhiro Yabuuchi has missed out on reaching the final day of play here at the MPC Red Dragon after his elimination in 19th place to bring our day to an end.

Yabuuchi moved all in preflop for around 100,000 with [qs][qc] as Abhishek Goindi made the call with [ad][kh].

The board of [as][8c][6c][8s][9h] paired up Goindi's ace to eliminate Yabuuchi from the tournament. With that, the players are now bagging, tagging and heading home for some much-needed rest. It's likely that Jay Tan will be our chip leader with over 1.5 million, but we'll have confirmation of chips for you shortly.

12:30am: Jay passive with Big Slick

With so many chips in front of her, Jay Tan would be feeling a little frustrated right now for not being more aggressive with her [as][kh]. When facing a raise to 46,000 from Dong Woo Kang, Tan decided to flat call on the button to see a [qh][3s][jd] flop. Kang open-shoved for 185,000 and Tan was forced to make a reluctant open-fold of her hand, but Kang flashed the same hand - [ac][kc]!

12:20am: From red to white hot

"Quads! Quads! Quads!" squealed Jay Tan after eliminating yet another opponent. She has gone from red hot to white hot as Tong Seng Lew has felt the brunt of her form.

Lew moved all in preflop for his last chips with [ac][kh] and thought he was racing with Tan's [ts][td], but the way this girl has been running, this was a race she was never going to lose. Not only did she win, but she did it in style, making quads as the board ran out [tc][6h][kd][th][3d].

Lew is out with Tan now up to 1.55 million.

12:10am: Darian doubles up

Darian Tan was one of the short stacks in the room but a desperate double up has kept his title hopes alive. Tan moved all in for 80,000 from middle position and play folded around to Ke Chen who called in the big blind with [ac][5d] as Tan would need help with his [jh][9h].

Tan had to wait until the river but he finally got there with the [2h][5h][6s][4d][7h] board delivering a flush for the double up. He moves up to 180,000.

12:05am: Down to 18

We've just received word that we'll be playing down to the final two tables this evening before we wrap things up. That means four more eliminations before we're outta here!

12:00am: Red hot Tan

Following the break, Jay Tan has gone on one hell of a heater as she has steamrolled her way to the tournament chip lead.

After winning a big pot with pocket aces against Denny Yu, Lee then proceeded to take out previous MPC champion Patrick Lee.

Lee raised to 38,000 from early position with Tan calling on the button to see a [4s][td][7d] flop fall. Lee tossed out 50,000 before Tan moved all in. Lee called off his last chips quickly but didn't like what he saw. Lee opened [kh][kc] for an overpair but Tan tabled [4h][4c] for a flopped set!

"Wow," sighed Lee, as the [5d] turn and [ac] river completed the board. A great run by the previous MPC champ as he is eliminated from the tournament.

"Am I dreaming?" laughed Tan as she moved up to a massive 1.4 million. Seated to her direct right is Ke Chan who holds 1.2 million as the top two stacks in the room. Expect fireworks!

11:45pm: Play resumes

The final 23 players are back with likely one to two more levels to play before we call it an evening.

Ke Chen remains a clear chip leader with around 1.15 million in chips.

11:35pm: Ten-minute break

11:30pm: Update from the High Rollers

While the Main Event is getting to an exciting stage, many of the casualties have jumped over into the HK$30,000 High Rollers Event which kicked off earlier this afternoon. With a four-hour late registration period, the tournament has only just been locked out with 81 runners taking to the felt including many notables such as David Steicke, Johnny Chan, Jeff Rossiter, Raiden Kan, Gordon Huntly, Michael Marvanek and Hirotoshi Nakabo.

The top ten players will finish in the money with first place worth HK$591,500.

11:25pm: No victory for Victor

The run of Victor Chen has come to an end. He committed his last chips with [tc][3c] but was called by a dominating ace-ten.

An ace on the flop was more than enough to silence Chen, literally, and send him to pick up HK$34,500 from the cashier for his 25th place finish.

11:15pm: More chips for Ke Chen

Ke Chen has taken out another opponent to add more chips to his empire.

A short-stacked player moved all in from the button for around 90,000 with [kd][qh] and Chen made the call in the big blind with [ad][9c].

The board ran out [ah][3s][8d][6h][td] to pair up Chen's ace and send another player to the cashier. Chen is sitting with about 1.15 million chips.

11:00pm: Victor won't be tempted

Victor Chen is down to just 50,000 in chips, but he wasn't going to be tempted to put them in the middle in a recent battle of the blinds. Chen called a preflop raise but the action was checked to the river on the board of [jc][kd][jh][4s][7h].

Chen's opponent splashed out enough on the river to force Chen to a decision for his tournament but he eventually folded. His opponent flashed the [js].

"I knew you had trips!" exclaimed Chen as he waits for a better spot to commit his last four big blinds.

10:40pm: Jay hits a jack

Jay Tan opened with a raise from the button to 25,000 before Denny Yu three-bet to 60,000 in the big blind. Tan made the call and they took a flop of [jh][6s][9s].

Yu quickly grabbed 90,000 and plonked them across the betting line, but just as quickly Tan announced herself all in. Yu rocked back in his chair for several minutes and after the count came in at 114,500, Yu decided to gamble.

Yu opened [qc][8h] for a gutshot straight draw and overcard as Tan was in front with her [js][kh] top pair. The turn brought the [3c] and the river the [7c] to see Tan double up.

"I knew he was three-betting me light!" exclaimed Tan as she stacked up 540,000 with Yu slipping to 610,000.

10:35pm: Level up, blinds 6,000-12,000, ante 2,000

10:15pm: Lu Chen jacked by Ke Chen

We grabbed a count of Danny Yu's stack to see him with 850,000 which was the biggest in the room...that is, until Ke Chen just landed a seven-figure pot to storm into the chip lead in dramatic fashion.

We arrived on the flop of [7d][5c][ah], with either a bet or a raise of 60,000 in front of Chen. His opponent was Lu Chen who emphatically declared himself all in.

Ke went deep into the tank for several minutes with a huge decision for most of his 450,000 chips. Ke and one other player were the only ones seated at the table as everyone else took the opportunity to stretch. Even Lu was up walking around the table casually, before being told to stay in his chair and protect his cards.

Ke broke the silence by suddenly verbalizing a call as he opened [as][js], but it was no good as Lu slammed his [ad][ks] on the table.

Ke's bad call was rewarded when the [jd] hit the turn to spike him the three-outer as Lu let off a series of expletives in disgust. The river was the [th] and Lu was bounced out of the tournament as Ke Chen moves up to 1.15 million in chips! Wow!

10:00pm: Sailesh sails ahead

It was the right time for Sailesh Verma to look down and find pocket aces. A player had moved all in before him and Verma quickly followed for his stack of 135,000. The table folded around and Verma's [ad][ah] was up against his opponent's [as][qd].

The board arrived [6s][ts][th][7c][7d] to double Verma to 290,000 to leave his opponent in deep trouble.

9:50pm: Tan takes out Liu

Hongjun Liu opened with a raise to 20,000, leaving himself not much more behind, but he was quickly forced to commit those chips when Jay Tan moved all in from the big blind.

Liu opened [as][9s] with his tournament life on the line but Tan tabled a powerful [ad][qc].

The board was spread [qh][2h][ah][4h][6c] which gave Liu a heart sweat for a chop but it wasn't to be. He's out in 35th place as Tan moves up to 360,000 chips.

9:45pm: Payout information

We've updated the prizepool and payout information for those eliminated so far. That information can be found at anytime from the menu links on the right-hand side of the page.

9:35pm: Play resumes

The final 39 players are back at the tables following the break as we look to try and get as close to the final table as possible.

8:50pm: 45-minute dinner break

Change of plans #2. We will be taking the dinner break now with 39 players remaining. Back in 45!

8:35pm: Wiesler's one out

German Bjoern Wiesler is somehow still alive in this tournament, but he had to survive a three-way all in and spike a one-outer on the turn to do it!

Wiesler was all in with his [ts][tc] and got action from two opponents - one with [ad][kd] and the other was Cai Yan who held [ac][as].

Yan had them both covered and was looking for a double KO, but the board ran out [7c][5d][5h][th][8h]. Victor Chen commented that he folded a ten, so that left Wiesler with the one-outer. He triples to 250,000 as Yan is down to 130,000.

8:25pm: Chen hangs tough

Victor Chen has found a much-needed double up to find a little breathing room from the rising blinds and antes.

Chen moved all in from the big blind following an open-raise to 18,500 from Bjoern Wiesler in middle position. It was 29,000 more to Wiesler and he made the call with [kh][qh] but found himself well behind the [ah][qs] of Chen.

Chen was on his feet and calling for an ace, but he didn't need it as the board ran out [3s][5d][6s][3d][qd]. Chen doubles to 102,000 with Wiesler back to 110,000.

8:15pm: Recent eliminations

Some of those who recently visited the cashier include David Steicke (67th), Brent Charles (63rd), Winfred Yu (60th), Andrew Feldman (52nd) and Alvin Cheam (49th).

8:00pm: Delayed dinner

It's just been announced that dinner will be pushed back one hour. There will be a ten-minute break after this level, then we'll play one more hour before taking dinner at 10pm local time. We believe that the reason for this was to do with staffing.

7:50pm: Level up, blinds 4,000-8,000, ante 1,000

7:45pm: Finding the mark

"We've looked at the cameras and we've narrowed it down to two players," exclaimed TD Danny McDonagh as he gave a stern warning to the players on table four.

Apparently players were marking cards and the deck had to be changed.

"We've had no problems on any other table, just this one!" McDonagh added. "I don't want to have to disqualify anyone!"

7:35pm: No luck for Yum

Claudia Yum's tournament has come to a screeching halt as the Macau regular has been bundled out in unfortunate fashion.

After opening with a raise to 17,000, she called the all-in bet of her opponent when he shoved for a total of 122,000. Yum held [ac][kh] and was in dominant shape against [ad][jd] but the board went against her as it fell [as][3h][jh][td][9h].

Yum shook her head in dismay and was left with just 35,000 chips which disappeared shortly after.

7:25pm: Big slick = big stack

Yet another chip leader has emerged with Lu Chen now holding the biggest stack in the room after winning a massive coin flip.

It was a button versus big blind battle, with Chen needing to connect with his [ad][kc] against his opponent's [th][td].

The flop of [ks][ah][qs] smacked Chen pretty hard as he called for "low cards" knowing that a jack or ten would send the pot to his opponent. The turn was the [8h] and river an equally safe [3d] to leave Chen with a monstrous stack of 500,000 chips as he did a few star jumps in the aisle to celebrate!

7:10pm: Tan on top

The players are starting to drop away rapidly with 70 now in contention for the MPC Red Dragon title. One of those is Jay Tan who has jumped up towards the top of the chip count leaderboard after the elimination of Alex Aram.

We arrived on the turn to see Tan bet 25,000 at a board of [3d][2d][9h][4h]. Her opponent, Alex Aram check-raised all in for around 40,000 more with Tan quickly calling with [ah][jh] for straight and flush draws. She could also add overcards to her outs when Aram tabled [th][9s] for top pair.

The river landed the [js] which was enough for Tan to take it down and eliminate Aram.
"How could I fold?" chirped Tan. "Like, how many outs did I have?"

Tan is now up to a commanding stack of 380,000.

6:50pm: Play resumes

With the money bubble out of the way, expect some carnage now!

We'll be playing another two hours before we take a dinner break, just before 9pm local time.

6:40pm: Ten-minute break

6:40pm: Lind bubbles!

The clock was paused as hand-for-hand play extended beyond the end of the level, but it didn't take too long for the bubble to burst, and we couldn't have written the script to be more dramatic if we tried.

We passed by Joseph Lind in the lobby the other day and his buddy made a comment that Lind was going to win the tournament. Well, unfortunately the bubble is about as far from that bold statement as possible.

Lind was desperately unlucky, when he moved his last ten big blinds into the middle with [Th][Td] and got a surprisingly loose call from the small blind with [8h][7h].

When the flop landed [9d][qc][6s] to give the big stack an open-ended straight draw, you could feel the pain coming. The [2h] turn wasn't it, but the [ts] river was a devastating blow to Lin as he bubbles the MPC Red Dragon Main Event in 82nd place.

With that, the players have been sent on a ten-minute break.

6:25pm: Bubble time

We're now on the official money bubble. 81 players are about to be very happy. One player is not.

There is also a relatively new rule here in Macau, which we'd love to see implemented in other tournaments. Players must be seated when the first card is dealt, as opposed to when the last card is dealt. If they are not seated, then their hand is dead. This is a great way to ensure players stay in the seats and do not roam around the tournament floor.

6:20pm: Huntly out

Gordon Huntly was down to just 10,500 in chips when he moved all in with [qc][9d]. Andrew Feldman made the call in the big blind but tabled the same hand - [qs][9h]. There were no surprises on board and Huntly improved his stack slightly by chopping the antes.

Huntly's hopes to avoid the bubble were then riding on king-jack when he moved all in for around 12,000 moments later. However Norwegian Mikal Blomlie made the call with king-queen which held when the board bricked out.

Huntly is out as we are now at 83 players, and just two places from the money.

6:15pm: Hasse doubles

Julian Hasse's quest for a second major title here in Macau is back on track after finding a handy double up. Hasse's last chips were in preflop with [ac][kh] which held against an opponent's dominated [ah][js] on a board of [7h][4c][8c][6h][qd].

Hasse is now comfortable on the bubble with a stack of 90,000.

6:10pm: Yabuuchi's bigger boat

PokerStars sponsored Nobuhiro Yabuuchi is now in good shape to make a deep run here for Japan after winning a three-way all-in pot. We're not sure when the chips went into the middle, but Yabuuchi's [ah][as] raked in the chips against ace-queen and a short stack's five-deuce on a board of [qh][5c][ac][qs][jh].

Yabuuchi is now up to 210,000 but it's not quite with the chip leaders as the UK's Craig Eichmeier has moved up to 300,000.

6:00pm: Hirotoshi runs into rockets

Disaster for the effervescent Hirotoshi Nakabo as an ill-timed move approaching the money bubble has resulted in his elimination from the tournament.

Action folded to Nakabo in the small blind and he moved all in for around 60,000 chips, or around 15 big blinds. The big blind took a moment to peek at his cards and incredibly looked down at [ah][ac] to make the easy call. Nakabo was devastated as he opened his [kd][8d] and walked from the table.

The board ran out [ts][9d][2c][8c][6c] to leave the aces in front. The chips were cut down and Nakabo discovered that he was narrowly covered. Taking it well, he wished his table good luck and departed the poker room.

We now have 87 players remaining and just a handful of eliminations from bursting the bubble.

5:45pm: Ding for Ming

Ni Ming is now up towards 300,000 after his pocket kings got paid off in style. Ming had three-bet to 20,000 following a raise and call, but his opponent responded by moving all in. Ming called with his [ks][kc] to be in great shape against [jh][th] which held on the board of [9d][2c][2h][8s][9c]. Ming is now a clear chip leader.

5:40pm: Level up, blinds 2,000-4,000, ante 500

5:35pm: Chop for Lee

Patrick Lee's recently found chips were put to the test on a board of [8s][9d][7s][6h]. Tan bet out 12,000 and his opponent raised to 26,000. Lee responded by moving all in but his opponent made the call.

Lee opened [as][td] and his opponent showed [ah][ts] for the same hand. Straights all around, chop it up!

5:30pm: Tan flush with chips

Malaysian Darian Tan is into the chip lead after eliminating a short-stacked opponent. The chips were in preflop with Tan's [as][ks] in control against his opponent's king-queen.

When the board was spread there was a queen on the river, but it didn't matter as Tan had already flopped the nut flush to collect the pot and move up to 260,000 chips.

5:15pm: Ma sticks around

Marcus Ma was one of our chip leaders on day one, but it's been tougher times today. Maybe his luck has turned around after a much needed double up.

We arrived to see Ma raking in a pot of around 65,000. We're not sure what his opponent had, but Ma had caught the best pair with his [kc][qc] on a board of [7d][2h][5c][kh][9s].

5:00pm: Cavaliere crushed

Gustavo Cavaliere has been bundled out of the tournament in unfortunate fashion as Patrick Lee's quest to become a two-time MPC champion is on track.

The chips were in preflop with Cavaliere looking good with his [ah][ac] up against Lee's [qd][qs], however a roar went up in the room when Lee spiked a set on the [6h][8h][td][qh][3s] board. After a countdown of chips, Lee just had Cavaliere covered to send him to the rail. Meanwhile Lee is all smiles as he moves up to 155,000.

4:40pm: Play resumes

The players are back with around 115 still in contention for the MPC Red Dragon title.

There is no runaway chip leader but Ni Ming would be close to the lead with around 200,000, while Nicky Tao Jin has also climbed up the leaderboard to now sit with around 160,000.

4:30pm: Ten-minute break

4:15pm: Cheam gets frisky

We rushed to the table of Kazakhstan's Roman Paxyutkin after he let off a loud scream after copping a brutal beat against Australian Alvin Cheam.

Paxyutkin had opened with an early-position raise and action folded around to Cheam in the small blind who decided to move all in for close to 60,000. Paxyutkin made the call with [as][kd] as Cheam had been caught making a move with his [qs][2s].

The flop was a safe [8c][4c][jh] but Paxyutkin let out a shriek of dismay when the [qd] appeared on the turn. The [2h] river was salt into the wound to see Cheam double up to 120,000 with Paxyutkin slipping to 98,000.

"I misread my hand, I thought I had ace-queen," commented Cheam with a wry smile.

4:00pm: That's not a good sign...

"If you suspect collusion players, call me over," Danny McDonagh just announced to the room. We haven't ever noticed any problems with collusion in tournaments in Macau but there must've been something that McDonagh spotted to warrant the announcement.

As we start to get close to the money, soft play is certainly something to be aware of in any poker tournament. There are now 120 players remaining, with the top 81 to finish in the money.

3:45pm: Chong swims on the river

We were attracted to the table in the far corner of the room following an almighty roar from Victor Chong.

The October MPC runner up was in his feet and celebrating as we rushed over to see what had gone down. It was a perfect river card for Chong to keep him alive in the tournament as his [kd][qc] found a pair on the [6d][4s][8s][2h][qd] board to better his opponent's ace-nine.

Chong is up to 60,000.

3:30pm: Level up, blinds 1,200-2,400, ante 400

3:20pm: Charles sets up

Candian Brent Charles is now in good shape after flopping a set in a multi-way pot. We arrived on the turn with one short-stacked player already all in, and a second player considering the all-in bet of an additional 27,200 from Charles.

The board read [jh][9s][kh][3c] and eventually the player folded as Charles' [9h][9c] was too good for the short stack's [ks][6s] as the [5s] completed the board. Charles is up to 60,000.

3:15pm: Crucial win for Chen

Victor Chen has just collected a vital pot after a preflop clash fell his way. Chen was deep in thought when we arrived at the table and facing an all-in bet of an additional 19,700. It looked like Chen was going to fold but out of nowhere he splashed the pot with calling chips and anxiously opened [kd][qs]. He found himself with live cards against [ad][9d].

"King queen!" prayed Chen, knowing that he only had about ten big blinds left if he lost the hand, and his prayers were answered when the board ran out [qc][6d][6c][5h][2s].
Chen sends one to the rail to move up to a stack of 74,000.

3:05pm: Bardah busto

Ronnie Bardah's good fortune didn't last long. After eliminating a short stack just moments ago, Bardah four-bet shoved preflop with [as][kc] but his opponent, Antonio Domingues, made the call with [kh][kd].

The board ran out [ks][ad][5h][6h][js] to see Domingues' stack of 69,900 doubled. Bardah was left with under 2,000 in change which disappeared shortly after.

2:55pm: Roman calls clock on himself

On Day 1a we wrote a hand about Roman Paxyutkin and him calling the clock on Andrew Scott. Well today, he's done it again, but this time the person he called the clock on was himself!

We arrived on the turn on the board of [as][6s][7h][3h] with Seng Ngai Lam all in for his tournament life. It was 69,200 to Paxyutkin who was in the tank pondering the decision.

"Why you limp preflop," Paxyutkin said.

"I tell you once you fold," replied Lam.

The two continued to exchange from friendly banter in broken English before Paxyutkin called the clock on himself to force a decision. After it ticked down, he eventually folded as Lam showed [ac][9s].

2:40pm: Ronnie rules

The chips are starting to move around, with the short stacks forced to make desperate attempts to double up or die trying.

American Ronnie Bardah has just taken advantage of that, taking down a nice pot to eliminate the short-stacked Norman Fung.

Following an open to 4,800 from Sailesh Verma in early position, Fung moved all in for his last 7,900 from the small blind before Bardah isolated from the big blind by declaring himself all in for 53,200. Verma thought for a few moments before folding as Bardah found his [td][tc] in good shape against Fung's [ad][ts].

The board was spread [7c][2s][5d][qh][8d] to leave Bardah to take it down and move up to around 70,000.

2:30pm: Level up, blinds 1,000-2,000, ante 300

2:30pm: ID check

One player who is here is German Bjoern Wiesler. However he has not been allowed to take his seat as he has been unable to show any ID and there is no one here who can verify his identity.

After a heated argument with TD Danny McDonagh, the decision was firm. Show some ID or you can't take your seat.

We're not sure why Wiesler has no ID or why he can't go and get it, but McDonagh is currently on the phone trying to help find someone who can verify his identity.

It's a good lesson for all players in Macau - remember to bring your ID!

2:25pm: Sleep in?

The earlier start time seems to have thrown a few people out of whack, with several bags still sitting on their tables unopened. One of them belongs to UK pro Andrew Feldman who is yet to make an appearance today.

2:20pm: Well that didn't last long

We've had our first casualty of the day and unfortunately it was our last hope for Team PokerStars in Celina Lin.

On her way to the exit, Lin was kind enough to recall the details to us. Facing a raise to 3,600, Lin moved all in for around 28,000 with pocket jacks but her opponent made the call with pocket queens. Lin couldn't find a third jack to stay alive and was sent to the rail.

"Oh well, back to bed!" sighed Lin.

2:15pm: Format change

After 40 minute levels on the opening day, players will now enjoy one hour levels on Day 2 which should give them a little more breathing room.

We'll be commencing play with 20 minutes left in Level 11, with the blinds at 800-1,600 with a 200 ante.

2:10pm: It's go time for Day 2

Welcome back to the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino in Macau for our continued coverage of the Macau Poker Cup Red Dragon Main Event. Our field of 635 players has been whittled down to just 212 who have returned to the PokerStars Macau Poker Room to battle it out.

It could be another lengthy day today as we probably need to get down towards 30 or so players by the end of the day. No doubt that will take a while.

Day 1B chip leader Hoi Ian Mak from Macau will enter Saturday's Day 2 with 123,500 chips which puts him in a virtual four-way tie with Korea's Dong Woo Kang (125,200) and Chinese players Ning Qin (122,100) and Lu Chen (121,100) for the overall lead.

Team PokerStars is represented by the queen of Asian poker in Celina Lin who had a strong day yesterday before stumbling towards the end of the day. She'll start today with 28,700 and will be keen to rebuild to make a run at the money for the top 81 players.

The players have found their way to their seats and Fred Leung has given instructions to shuffle up and deal as Day 2 is underway!