The cards are officially in the air as PokerStars LIVE opens its regional flagship event, the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT), with the much-anticipated 2025 APPT Manila Championship now underway!
For the second consecutive year, the series returns to the Philippines, running from October 16 to 27 at the luxurious Coral Lounge inside the world-class entertainment resort Okada Manila.
This year’s festival features an impressive lineup of tournaments, highlighted by a record-breaking US$2.7 million (₱155 million) guaranteed prize pool, reaffirming Manila’s status as one of Asia’s premier poker destinations.
Players from across the globe have gathered in the Philippine capital, bringing together top professionals and enthusiastic newcomers alike — all ready to battle for prestige, trophies, and life-changing titles under the iconic PokerStars banner.
2025 APPT Manila Championship — Full Schedule Overview
The 12-day poker festival features an impressive 81 events with a ₱155,000,000 (~US$2.7 million) total guaranteed prize pool — setting new records for both the APPT and the Philippine poker scene in 2025.
With buy-ins ranging from ₱2,500 (~US$43) to ₱1,000,000 (~US$17,300), the series offers something for everyone — from casual enthusiasts to elite high rollers.
As the cards hit the felt, let’s take a look at what players can expect during this action-packed twelve-day series.
🏆 2025 APPT Manila Championship — Guaranteed Events
The festival opens with the ₱8,000,000 Guaranteed Okada Kick-Off, setting the tone for the entire series.
This event is the first of ten guaranteed tournaments, giving players the perfect warm-up before the high-stakes battles begin.
Below is the complete list of the most anticipated guaranteed events of the series 👇
| Event | Date | Guarantee | Buy-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okada Kick Off | October 16-18 | ₱8 Million | ₱20,000 |
| APPT Open | October 17-20 | ₱20 Million | ₱60,000 |
| PokerStars Red Dragon | October 19-21 | ₱20 Million | ₱70,000 |
| APPT National | October 21-24 | ₱10 Million | ₱35,000 |
| APPT Super High Roller | October 22-23 | ₱10 Million | ₱500,000 |
| APPT CHAMPIONSHIP | October 23-27 | ₱60 Million | ₱165,000 |
| Mystery Bounty | October 23-26 | ₱10 Million | ₱25,000 |
| APPT Mini Championship | October 26 | ₱3 Million | ₱35,000 |
| Sunday Supersonic | October 26 | ₱1 Million | ₱10,000 |
| APPT High Roller | October 26-27 | ₱10 Million | ₱300,000 |
💎 APPT Crystal Shard Trophies
For players chasing prestige, the 2025 APPT Manila Championship features 63 trophy events, with each champion receiving the iconic PokerStars Spadie trophy.
The most coveted awards — the APPT Crystal Shard Trophies — will only be presented to winners of the following marquee events:
🏆 APPT Championship (Main Event)
🏆 APPT Open
🏆 APPT National
🏆 APPT Super High Roller
🏆 APPT High Roller
These crystal trophies represent the pinnacle of PokerStars achievement — symbols of excellence, mastery, and the pursuit of poker glory.
On-Site Player Buzz — Early Arrivals at the 2025 APPT Manila Championship
With registration officially open, players from around the globe have begun arriving at Okada Manila, ready to battle for glory in one of Asia’s biggest poker festivals. The early arrivals showcase a diverse and star-studded lineup — including familiar PokerStars regulars, elite professionals, and exciting new faces.
Spotted on the tournament floor were:
Christian Lortie-Cloutier (Canada)
Edgar Antezana (South Africa)
Slaven Popov (Bulgaria)
Katsuhito Kawai (Japan)
Daniel Lei (USA)
Frank Lillis (Ireland)
Abhijeet Shetty (India)
Alexandru Tudor (Romania)
And representing the host nation, several of the Philippines’ biggest poker stars have also arrived:
Florencio Campomanes — 2019 APPT Manila Main Event Champion
Christopher Mateo — 2024 APPT Cambodia Main Event Champion
Justin Ong — 2025 APPT Manila Main Event Champion
One notable attendee is Kwan Bin “Kevin” Song (South Korea) — currently one of the top-ranked players on The Hendon Mob’s all-time money list with nearly US$4 million in live tournament earnings.
A WSOP bracelet winner and former APPT Seoul High Roller Champion (2012), Song’s presence adds even more prestige to this year’s event.
🍽 Player Perks — Dining & Social Events
While the action intensifies at the tables, the organizers have ensured players can enjoy an exceptional off-table experience as well.
Starting October 18, complimentary food, drinks, and entertainment will be offered at multiple venues throughout the festival, making the APPT Manila Championship not just a tournament — but a full-scale poker celebration.
| Date | Time | Activity | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 18 | 21:00-21:40 | Welcome Food And Drinks / OMEG show | Coral Lounge |
| October 18-27 | 17:00-19:00 | VIP Happy Hour – High Roller players | Chairman’s Lounge |
| October 22 | TBA | Super High Roller buffet | Coral Lounge |
| October 23 | 18:20-19:00 | APPT Championship Main Event Food Spread | Chairman’s Lounge |
| October 24 | 18:00-00:00 | Player’s Party w/DJ Patty Chiu | Okada Manila Fountain |
| October 25 | 18:20-19:00 | APPT Championship Main Event Buffet | Chairman’s Lounge |
| October 26 | 18:45-19:15 | APPT Championship Main Event Buffet | Coral Lounge |
PokerStars LIVE Manila — Cash Games
For the second consecutive year, the PokerStars LIVE room at Okada Manila has been named Best Poker Room (Integrated Resort) by Inside Asian Gaming (IAG).
For players who prefer cash games over tournaments, the venue offers both No-Limit Hold’em (NLH) and Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) tables, catering to a wide range of bankrolls and play styles.
Cash Game Limits & Buy-in Range:
Stakes | Buy-in Range |
|---|---|
₱25 / 50 | ₱1,000 – ₱5,000 |
₱50 / 100 | ₱5,000 – ₱30,000 |
₱100 / 200 | ₱10,000 – ₱100,000 |
₱100 / 200 / 500 | ₱20,000 – ₱200,000 |
₱200 / 500 / 1,000 | ₱50,000 – ₱500,000 |
₱500 / 1,000 | ₱50,000 (No Cap) |
Rake Structure:
Standard tables: 10% rake, with caps based on table stakes
Short-handed tables (5 players or fewer): 5% rake
Whether you’re a casual newcomer or a high-stakes regular, PokerStars LIVE ensures a fair and exciting cash game environment for everyone.
🏨 Okada Manila — The Philippines’ Premier Integrated Resort
Spanning 30 hectares, Okada Manila stands as one of the country’s most iconic luxury destinations, holding the coveted Forbes Five-Star rating.
The resort offers 1,001 luxurious rooms and suites, from spacious Deluxe Rooms to the ultra-exclusive Villa Collection, ensuring a world-class stay for every guest.
Inside the property, guests can enjoy 25 restaurants serving global cuisine, along with premier entertainment options:
🌊 The Fountain — a breathtaking multimedia water and light show
🌴 Cove Manila — the world’s largest indoor beach club and nightclub, offering unforgettable nightlife experiences
✈️ Traveler’s Guide
Visa & Entry:
Most nationalities enjoy visa-free entry to the Philippines, with duration depending on citizenship. Recently, Taiwan and India have been added or extended under visa exemption programs:
Taiwan: 14-day visa-free stay
India: Up to 30 days visa-free entry for holders of valid visas from the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen Area, Singapore, or the UK
Transportation:
Distance: 15–25 minutes by car from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
Entry Requirement: Submission of an eTravel Form, available online or through the eGOVPH App
Getting to the Resort: Recommended ride-hailing apps include Grab, InDrive, and JoyRide, which are more reliable and cost-efficient than airport taxis
Red Dragon Poker APP Officially Launched
The long-established tournament brand Red Dragon Cup has now released its own app — “Red Dragon Poker.”
The Red Dragon Cup is a well-known Asian poker brand with a strong reputation across the region. Originating in Macau, it quickly became one of the most influential poker events in Asia. Red Dragon Poker tournaments regularly attract players from all over the world, offering massive fields and impressive prize pools.
For those interested, we highly recommend downloading the “Red Dragon Poker” app to join more exciting tournaments.