USOP Ha Long Bay | Open Group A: 15 out of 120 entries advance, PHAN MINH leads with 765,000 DUC.

On August 30th, the 2026 USOP Ha Long Bay, Vietnam event entered its fourth day. As the series heats up, the Ha Long Bay Open officially commenced, with Day 1A becoming the main focus. Group A ultimately saw 120 entries, with 18 players cashing and 15 advancing to Day 2. Vietnamese player PHAN MINH DUC sealed the deal with 765,000 chips, becoming the chip leader in Group A.

In addition to qualifying for the next round, PHAN MINH DUC also won the 80 million VND prize exclusive to the Group A chip leader. Chinese player Ma Wenkai also advanced smoothly to the next round, keeping his chances of winning the championship alive.

Group A had 120 participants, with 18 making it into the prize pool.

The Ha Long Bay Open Day 1A officially started at 13:00 local time on August 30.

This group featured a chip leader bonus of up to 80 million VND, further intensifying the competition in the later stages of the tournament. With the tournament reaching Level 11 and registration closing, the final number of participants was 120.

According to the tournament structure, Group A has a total of 18 prize pool spots, but only the last 15 players can qualify for Day 2.

Ha Long Bay Open Day 1A Core Data

The bubble hasn't burst even with 25 hands of simultaneous play, and short-score cards have doubled repeatedly.

The bubble in the later stages of Group A's payout lasted for quite some time.

After the game entered synchronized hands, there were multiple all-ins and calls, but short-stacked players kept doubling up. Until the 25th hand of synchronized hands, the bubble in the 18-player prize pool had not yet officially burst.

At level 18, with blinds at 4,000/8,000/8,000, two tables simultaneously went all-in.

At one table, Malaysian player Ming Kiat raised to 16,000 pre-flop, and Chinese player Jiang Xinxin, in the big blind position, went all-in with only 8,000 chips remaining.

The two sides confront each other:

Public sign:

4♣ J♣ 9♦ A♦ 2♦

MING KIAT hit a pair of Aces on the turn and maintained his lead, eliminating Jiang Xinxin.

Yang Zihao had only 1000 chips left, and his "Full House" score narrowly doubled.

Meanwhile, at another table, Chinese player Yang Zihao, with only 1,000 chips left, was forced to go all-in from the BB position.

Yang Zihao holds 5♣10♥, while his opponent holds J♦Q♥.

Public signs issued:

10♦ 10♠ 3♠ 9♠ 9♥

Yang Zihao ultimately completed a full house using two 10s and two 9s, successfully doubling his winnings. Since Jiang Xinxin from another table was eliminated at the same time, he became the bubble boy in the prize pool of 18 players in Group A.

MING KIAT finished in 16th place, and 15 people advanced to Day 2.

After the prize pool was determined, the competition continued for the final 15 Day 2 slots.

Level 19, blinds 5,000/10,000/10,000, with only 16 players remaining.

Vietnamese player DAC DUNG raised to 20,000 from the UTG position, and MING KIAT went all-in from the Button position with approximately 88,000 chips. Action returned to DAC DUNG, who then called.

Public sign:

A♦ J♥ 9♠ A♣ 3♠

Although Ming Kiat hit nine pairs on the flop, Dac Dung also got a pair of Aces. After the turn card brought another Ace, he further formed a set, and Ming Kiat was eliminated in 16th place.

With this hand concluded, the final 15 players advancing from Group A have been determined.

PHAN MINH DUC becomes the chip leader in Group A with 765,000 chips.

After 15 players advanced, Vietnamese player PHAN MINH DUC ranked first in Group A with 765,000 chips.

In addition to entering Day 2 with a lead, he also won the extra 80 million VND chip king prize set up in Group A. Chinese player Ma Wenkai also successfully sealed his position, securing a spot in the next stage.

The Superstar High Roller Challenge had 54 entries, with the final 9 advancing to Day 2.

Another important event of the day was the Superstar High Roller Challenge Day 1.

The tournament started at 12:30 local time, attracting 54 participants and ultimately producing 9 prize pool slots. After fierce competition until the early hours of the morning, all 9 players secured their places in Day 2.

Superstar High Roller Challenge Day 1 Data

SUKHUM KIWANONT and NGUYEN TUAN NGHIA won the supplementary race.

On the fourth day of the series, two additional matches were held to officially determine the champion.

SUKHUM KIWANONT won the Event #17 High Roller Speed Race; NGUYEN TUAN NGHIA took the Event #20 Super Speed Race.

The Open Tournament Groups B and C each offer a 60 million chip leader prize.

The Ha Long Bay Open will now proceed with Day 1, Groups B and C, with both starting groups offering an additional 60 million VND chip king prize.

Meanwhile, the Superstar High Roller Challenge will enter Day 2 of its final battle, with the last 9 players vying for the championship; Day 1 of the High Roller Series 6-Player Tournament will also take place simultaneously.

PHAN MINH DUC, who emerged victorious from Group A's 120 entries, currently leads the Open with 765,000 chips. With Groups B and C progressing, the main focus for the next stage of the Ha Long Bay Open will be whether a new chip leader surpasses 765,000 chips, and whether more Chinese players will join the Day 2 lineup.

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