The 15th installment of Asia's premiere poker series once again features the legendary HKD $11,000 buy-in Red Dragon main event which comes with a HKD $3,000,000 guarantee. In total, 9 Official Asia Player of the Year events will take place ranging from buy-ins of HKD $1,000 to $30,000.

The last MPC had a total of 1,652 players and awarded HKD $9,553,323 (USD $1,225,000) in prize money -- which are both records for MPC: Red Dragon -- over the 9-day poker festival.

Last August, Patrick Lee became the first player from Singapore to take home the coveted Red Dragon trophy after beating the 478-player field on his way to collecting the HKD $1,039,700 (USD $134,155) grand prize. The prize pool was a guarantee-smashing HKD $4,780,000 (USD $612,800) and Lee is expected to return in February to defend his title.
"The Red Dragon event went from 300 players in 2010 to an average of 478 players in 2011." said Fred Leung, PokerStars Country Manager for Macau. "February has traditionally been the largest MPC series each year and everything indicates that trend will continue."

For more information, visit PokerStars Macau.

"Our current agreement to operate PokerStars Macau events and tournaments at Casino Grand Lisboa will expire in March." said Danny McDonagh in a statement. "As a result, the Macau Millions will be postponed for a later date."

McDonagh, the PokerStars Director of Live Operations in Asia-Pacific, added, "The Macau Poker Cup: Red Dragon will take place as planned from February 18 to 26th. We will provide an update on Macau Millions and live poker tournaments in the near future. In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming players to the MPC February and continue to deliver the best live poker experience in Asia."

PokerStars Macau, the largest poker room in continental Asia, is pleased to announce its full special events calendar for 2012. The Asia poker season launches with the Macau Poker Cup: Red Dragon from February 18-26 and features the HKD $11,000 Red Dragon main event which comes with a HKD $3,000,000 guarantee.

"It's been an unbelievable year for the MPC Red Dragon series. We went from 300 players in 2010 to an average of 478 players in 2011...peaking with the February series at 509," said Danny McDonagh, PokerStars Director of Live Operations for Asia-Pacific. "With several exciting changes to our calendar next year, there's still something to be said about tradition. PokerStars Macau has always opened with the Macau Poker Cup where the Red Dragon has a massive following within the region."

Highlighting the 2012 calendar will be the MPC: Red Dragon series in February and July; Macau Millions -- the first tournament in Asia to break the thousand-entry barrier with 1,329 entries -- returns in March; the Macau Poker Cup Championship, the MPC finale, in September; the annual Asia-Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Macau will be held in May; and, the recently announced ACOP will launch its inaugural event in November.

Another noticeable change is the introduction of the ACOP: Platinum Series which will take place in April, June, August, and October. The Main Event is HKD $5,500 and comes with a HKD $500,000 guarantee. In addition, the Top 10 players from each Platinum Series' Main Event will get the chance to win a HKD $100,000 ACOP Main Event entry.

"Despite some success with the MPC Monthly Specials, we felt that re-branding the 3-day series made sense." said Lorie Lagrosas, PokerStars Macau Operations Manager. "The Platinum Series is much more exciting. It offers a bigger guarantee (from $300,000 to $500,000) and winning a 100k seat to the ACOP completely transforms the player perception of value for these weekends."

Players can qualify for FREE to the Red Dragon and other PokerStars Macau events at PokerStars.net. Qualifying tournaments are listed under the "events" tab, and then click "Macau".

Full PokerStars Macau 2012 Calendar (all figures in HKD)
• FEB 18-26: MPC: Red Dragon -- $11,000 Red Dragon Main Event ($3,000,000 Guarantee)
• APR: ACOP: Platinum Series -- $5,500 Main Event ($500,000 Guarantee)
• MAR: Macau Millions 2012 -- $2,200 Main Event ($2,000,000 Guarantee)
• MAY: APPT Macau -- $30,000 Main Event ($6,000,000 Guarantee)
• JUNE: ACOP: Platinum Series -- $5,500 Main Event ($500,000 Guarantee)
• JULY: MPC: Red Dragon -- $11,000 Red Dragon Main Event ($3,000,000 Guarantee)
• AUG: ACOP: Platinum Series -- $5,500 Main Event ($500,000 Guarantee)
• SEP: Macau Poker Cup Championship 2012 -- $20,000 Main Event ($4,500,000 Guarantee)
• OCT: ACOP: Platinum Series -- $5,500 Main Event ($500,000 Guarantee)
• NOV: ACOP (Asia Championship of Poker) -- $100,000 Main Event ($10,000,000 Guarantee)

For complete details on PokerStars Macau events, please visit www.pokerstarsmacau.com

The race for the overall title between No. 1 Shaq Lin and No. 2 Raiden Kan have already been well documented so lets take a look at some of the other aspects of the rating system.

Here are the Top Countries determined by total APOY points (minimum of 4,000 points):

1. Hong Kong -- 33,500 points
2. China -- 30,326 points
3. Chinese Taipei -- 22,363 points
4. Malaysia -- 16,311 points
5. Japan -- 16,286 points
6. Singapore -- 16,260 points
7. Australia -- 11,001 points
8. USA -- 8,080 points
9. Philippines -- 5,975 points
10. Canada -- 4,883 points
11. Macau -- 4,683 points
12. Korea -- 4,592 points
13. UK -- 4,128 points

Here are the Top 5 Players by Country (overall rank in brackets):

Hong Kong
1. (5) Charles Lam -- 2,984 pts
2. (23) Justin Chan -- 1,598 pts
3. (29) Jeffrey Yuen -- 1,328 pts
4. (31) Roy Wan -- 1,295 pts
5. (36) Wai Kin Wong -- 1,262 pts

China
1. (4) Haifeng Xue -- 3,431 pts
2. (10) Xin Rui Lu -- 2,163 pts
3. (12) Alexandre Chieng -- 2,120 pts
4. (14) Yue Xu -- 1,987 pts
5. (17) Xiaobo Zhou -- 1,831 pts

Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)
1. (1) Hung-Sheng "Shaq" Lin -- 6,028 pts
2. (3) Aaron Lin -- 3,984 pts
3. (20) "Robert" Chang-hau Huang -- 1,650 pts
4. (24) Chih Chung Chen -- 1,550 pts
5. (32) Kuo Yang Huang -- 1,292 pts

Malaysia
1. (2) Raiden Kan -- 4,936 pts
2. (18) Victor Chong -- 1,813 pts
3. (22) Charles Chua -- 1,607 pts
4. (40) Jun Wah Yap -- 1,238 pts
5. (46) Wai Hong Wong -- 1,160 pts

Japan
1. (9) Tetsuya Tsuchikawa -- 2,184 pts
2. (25) Seijiro Machi -- 1,534 pts
3. (34) Hirotoshi Nakabo -- 1,280 pts
4. (57) Takahisa Watanabe -- 991 pts
5. (61) Kenichi Takaki -- 959 pts

Singapore
1. (13) Patrick Lee -- 2,064 pts
2. (26) Tai Tan -- 1,494 pts
3. (49) Alvin Peh -- 1,099 pts
4. (51) Bryan Huang -- 1,080 pts
5. (52) Syed Ubhaidilla -- 1,070 pts

Australia
1. (19) Bruce Nguyen -- 1,800 pts
2. (62) Andrew Scott -- 955 pts
3. (65) Johnnie Dichiera -- 900 pts
4. (66) Ioan Lazar -- 900 pts
5. (88) Allen Yassine -- 750 pts

USA
1. (74) Armand Prati -- 840 pts
2. (76) Kai Sheng Yang -- 834 pts
3. (78) Daniel Tarnopol -- 826 pts
4. (82) Brandon Leafblad -- 800 pts
5. (100) Jason Kaja -- 661 pts

Philippines
1. (6) Mark Benasa -- 2,585 pts
2. (53) Neil Arce -- 1,050 pts
3. (92) Gie Angelo Reyes -- 720 pts
4. (122) William Jr Te -- 600 pts
5. (140) Rundulf Gonzales -- 480 pts

Canada
1. (8) Kwan Pao Mah -- 2,365 pts
2. (94) Michael Payne -- 720 pts
3. (127) Carson Choi -- 560 pts
4. (158) James Yeh -- 418 pts
5. (221) Andy Asihwardji -- 250 pts

Macau
1. (7) Ion Sang Song -- 2,510 pts
2. (54) Milton De Spain -- 1,023 pts
3. (71) Mario Castro -- 850 pts
4. (307) Harold Tsakmaklis -- 120 pts
5. (320) Ian Waldron -- 100 pts

Korea
1. (11) Vivian Im -- 2,154 pts
2. (68) Yujung Choi -- 880 pts
3. (129) Sunny Jung -- 544 pts
4. (195) Saehoon Lee -- 320 pts
5. (240) Claudia Yum -- 229 pts

United Kingdom
1. (93) Niall James Seletzky -- 720 pts
2. (99) Josef Fox -- 669 pts
3. (146) Darren Judges -- 480 pts
4. (154) Nicky Tao Jin -- 450 pts
5. (164) Tom Alner -- 400 pts

However, for Taiwanese poker pro Hung Sheng "Shaq" Lin the 11-day poker festival has a different meaning altogether as he attempts to hold on to his top spot on theAsia Player of the Year rankings.

The 2011 Macau Millions champion has held the No. 1 rank for a record 8 months -- previous record by Team PokerStars Pro Raymond Wu at 7 months.

Lin has earned over HKD 1.2 million this season and has final table appearances on all the major Asia tournaments thus far including the February Macau Poker Cup: Red Dragon (3rd), Macau Millions (1st), and Macau Poker Cup Championship (6th).

In any other year, Lin's 6,028 points would be more than enough to sit back and relax with only 14 Official Asia Player of the Year Events left in the season.

However, a red hot Raiden Kan -- who won last month's Macau Poker Cup Championship -- has been in steady pursuit the last two months

"Before the MPCC even started, me and my brother (No. 3 ranked Aaron Lin) agreed that Raiden Kan was the biggest threat for our quest of the APOY. He has lots of experience." said Lin.

No. 2 Kan is the top money winner with over HKD 1.7 million and also has 2 runner-up finishes in September to go with his recent title.

"I've got a big chance now and I'm very confident." said Kan. "APPT Macau is my next goal of course and focusing on that will also get me the Asia Player of the year."

Historically, the leader entering the month of November has gone on to etch their name on the permanent trophy that sits in the PokerStars Macau cardroom.

"It's really a different dynamic this year." said PokerStars Country Manager Fred Leung. "This is the first year where APPT tournaments qualify for APOY points. With the huge fields we're expecting there are going to be big shifts in the standings. I'd estimate around 3,000 points for the Main Event winner alone and there are another 13 Official Asia Player of the Year Events on the schedule to consider."

"Clearly Shaq controls his own destiny with more than a thousand point lead. He's already had a phenomenal season that's worthy of the APOY title. But Raiden's been Malaysia's top ranked player for back-to-back years and if you add that consistency to his current momentum you would be foolish to ignore him."

2011 Asia Player of the Year
1. Shaq Lin (Chinese Taipei) -- 6,028 pts
2. Raiden Kan (Malaysia) -- 4,936 pts
3. Aaron Lin (Chinese Taipei) -- 3,984 pts
4. Haifeng Xue (China) -- 3,431 pts
5. Charles Lam (Hong Kong) -- 2,984 pts
6. Mark Benasa (Philippines) -- 2,585 pts
7. Ion Sang Song (Macau) -- 2,510 pts
8. Kwan Pao Mah (Canada) -- 2,365 pts
9. Tetsuya Tsuchikawa (Japan) -- 2,184 pts
10. Xin Rui Lu (China) -- 2,163 pts

Sure it takes a few nice cards and plenty of luck to win a poker tournament, and Kan will admit that he had both. He will look back to when he was all in on day two with pocket tens against both kings and aces as a defining moment in his tournament as he rivered a remarkable straight to triple up and stay alive.

Even today, he picked up pocket kings on several occasions, made a few sets, and flopped flushes twice - both times getting paid off.

But Kan also had moments where it wasn't so easy. His kings were cracked by the pocket queens of the dangerous Sunny Jung, and he lost ace-jack versus the ace-five of Robert Chang when play was four-handed.

However Kan always remained composed and with his big stack in hand was able to buffer the blows. That is, until play reached heads up. Victor Chong put in a mighty effort as his unpredictable and aggressive style was well suited to heads-up play. Chong fought back and got close to even in chips, but ultimately became unstuck on a cooler flop of [qd][9d][6d]. Chong's [qh][6h] had been topped by the [jd][7d] of Kan and it was all over when the turn and river bricked out.

Earlier in the day, the play was cautious as things got underway with Japanese hope Seijiro Machi looking dangerous until his aggression got the better of him. With the short-stacked Robert Chan already all-in, Machi tried to isolate and steal the side pot with pocket eights only to run into Raiden Kan's pocket kings to be the first casualty of the final table.

The most aggressive players continued to come unstuck as Sunny Jung's rollercoaster ride can to an end in 8th place. Jung and Kan regularly tangled with Jung flopping quad queens against Kan's pocket kings being a highlight of the final table. However Jung called once too often when his pocket deuces were counterfeited to leave Kan's king-seven to take the pot and eliminate Jung.

Richard Hu also fell to the small pair syndrome when he called with pocket threes against the pocket eights of Robert Chang to depart in 7th place, before Hung-sheng Lin found his tournament life on the line. Lin had struggled to get himself into the game with the aggressive Raiden Kan and Sunny Jung seated to his left, but he eventually found a spot to move all in with ace-king. Kan again found a big pair as he made the call with pocket queens which improve to a set on the flop. Lin departed in 6th place to add some valuable points to his Asia Player of the Year campaign.

Charles Lam was dominated and disposed of in 5th place when he shoved queen-jack into the queen-king of Victor Chong, before Chester Lee's courageous run came to a halt in 4th place. Lee had three-bet preflop and then picked the wrong spot to check-raise all in on a [5d][7d][3d] flop. Kan made the call with [ad][8d] for the nuts as Lee found himself drawing dead with his [as][td].

Taiwanese Robert Chang was doing his best to break up the Malaysian domination, and he found one double up, but couldn't make it two despite getting his chips in good. Chang shoved with [ac][7h] and Victor Chong soaked up the atmosphere before calling with [kd][6s]. The board ran out [7c][kh][6h][8s][3h] to give Chong two pair to take it down and we found ourselves heads up.

As already mentioned, Chong had a big chip deficit to overcome and he fought back valiantly but ultimately Raiden Kan was too solid and caught all the right cards when he needed them to collect the trophy and a whopping HK$1,250,000 (approx US$160,000) in prize money!

Final table results

1st Raiden Kan (Malaysia) - HK$1,250,000
2nd Victor Chong (Malaysia) - HK$860,800
3rd Hau Huang Chang (Taiwan) - HK$511,000
4th Chester Lee (Malaysia) - HK$402,700
5th Charles Lam (Hong Kong) - HK$319,300
6th Hung-sheng Lin (Chinese Taipei) - HK$263,800
7th Richard Hu (China) - HK$208,300
8th Sunny Jung (Korea) - HK$152,700
9th Seijiro Machi (Japan) - HK$125,056

That concludes our coverage from the Macau Poker Cup Championship. Many thanks to Danny McDonagh, Fred Leung and all of the PokerStars Macau staff for their hospitality this week as once again the PokerStars Macau Poker Room has hosted a record-setting series of world-class standards.

We'll be back here in just six weeks when the Asia Pacific Poker Tour rolls into town from November 23-27. It should be a huge week and a great finish to the year, so if you haven't already, make sure you jump onto PokerStars and qualify today!

Thanks for following along at home and we look forward to your company next time. Until then, you can jump over to coverage of the LAPT Colombia where my old sparring partner "F-Train" is bringing that one home.

Good night from Macau!

Winners photo courtesy of Kenneth Lim Photography

In an utterly dominant performance, Raiden Kan has carried his overnight chip lead all the way to victory in the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event.

It was a superb performance by Kan who steamrolled his way through his opposition, and despite some hairy moments heads up, he was able to secure the title for Malaysia.

Kan will now narrow the lead of Hung-sheng Lin in the Asia Player of the Year race, setting up a mouth-watering finale at the APPT in November. He also takes home an impressive trophy and a massive HK$1,250,000 in prize money. Congratulations Raiden!

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

8:15pm: Victor Chong eliminated in 2nd place; Raiden Kan wins!

Just as Victor Chong was close to getting back to even in chips, a cooler of a flop has seen the chips go flying as Raiden Kan is emerged as the Macau Poker Cup Championships Main Event winner!

The final hand started with a raise from the button by Kan to 80,000. Chong made the call and then led for 100,000 on the [qd][9d][6d] flop. Kan raised to 300,000 before Chong moved all in. Kan quickly called as the trophy was on the line!

Kan: [jd][7d]
Chong: [qh][6h]

It was two pair for Chong but Kan had flopped the flush! Chong would need a six or queen to survive but the [5h] turn and [3d] river completed the board as Kan celebrated with his rail! It was a little premature as it required a countdown of chips to verify that Kan had Chong covered by just a few hundred thousand.

Raiden Kan wins the title as Victor Chong should be very proud of his 2nd place finish worth HK$860,800.

8:00pm: Colour down?

It's getting very close to even in chips as Victor Chong continued to chip away at a clearly rattled Raiden Kan. In a recent pot Kan opened to 80,000 before Chong three-bet to 165,000 from the big blind. Kan called and they checked the board of [ks][3d][qs][ad][6h] to the river where Chong's bet of 300,000 was enough to take it down.

Following the hand, Kan made a strange request for the orange T25,000 chips to be changed back to yellow T5,000. There are already a tonne of chips on the table and the two players already act slow enough with their decisions, so we were baffled by the request which would slow the game down even further.

Fortunately the request was denied. With Chong slowly getting on top here, and now with most of the orange chips in play, Kan may not have to worry about having too many orange chips shortly.

7:45pm: Big pot for Chong

Victor Chong has rattled Raiden Kan with a huge pot to reduce his once mighty empire.

Chong limped the button and Kan checked his big blind to see a [4d][3c][9d] flop. Both players checked and the turn brought the [2d]. Kan led out for 75,000 before Chong announced a raise to 200,000. Kan thought for a moment and made the call as the [5c] hit the river.

Kan checked and Chong slid out a hefty 575,000. Kan stood from his chair and made a crying call. Chong showed [ah][3s] for a rivered straight as Kan sighed and mucked.

Kan slips to 3.7 million to Chong now up to 2.4 million. Game on!

7:35pm: Chong ships it in

After Raiden Kan got the early ascendancy in heads-up play, Victor Chong has just recovered some chips with a big all-in play.

Kan limped the button and Chong checked his option to see a [as][2s][th] flop. Chong checked and Kan bet 80,000. Chong called and the turn brought the [5d]. Again Chong checked and Kan bet, this time for 150,000. However Chong responded with a check-raise all in! Kan quickly gave it up.

Chong is up to 1.65 million with Kan at 4.45 million.

7:20pm: Heads-up for the title!

After a brief pause to setup the final table area for heads-up play, the players are now back with the trophy on the line! Raiden Kan holds a commanding chip lead as play recommences.

Raiden Kan - 4.65 million
Victor Chong - 1.45 million

7:15pm: Robert Chang eliminated in 3rd place

Robert Chang is the next to the cashier after his excellent tournament came to an end in 3rd place. Chang moved all in from the button for 439,000 and Victor Chang entered into his usual stage show in the big blind. After some banter with his support on the rail (which was quickly reprimanded by Danny McDonagh), Chong stood several times from his chair, looked at the big screen, rechecked his cards and finally announced a call!

Chong: [ks][6s]
Chang: [ac][7h]

Chang held the best hand but the flop of [7c][kh][6h] gave Chong two pair to take the lead. The [8s] hit the turn and the [3h] was the river to leave Chong with the chips as Chang collects HK$511,000 for his 3rd place finish.

7:10pm: Level up, blinds 20,000-40,000, ante 4,000

7:00pm: More for Raiden

Raiden Kan continues to steamroll this final table as he's just taken another nice pot, this time from Victor Chong.

Kan raised preflop to 90,000 in the small blind and Chong called in the big to see a [5h][2d][8d] flop. Kan checked it over to Chong who bet 135,000. Kan thought briefly before he declared himself all in. We knew that Chong wasn't going to hurry over a decision for his tournament life and five full minutes ticked by before he finally released his cards.

Chong slips to 860,000 with Kan now up to a commanding 4.7 million.

6:50pm: Chester Lee eliminated in 4th place

Raiden Kan opened with a raise to 75,000 before Chester Lee three-bet to 185,000 in the small blind. Kan made the call and they saw a monotone flop of [5d][7d][3d].

Lee checked and Kan bet 105,000. Lee responded with a check-raise all in but Kan beat him into the pot with a call. Kan waited for Lee to show his [as][td] first before he revealed [ad][8d] for the absolute nuts! Lee was left drawing stone-cold dead to win, with his only hope being a runner-runner straight-flush to chop. The [jc] turn and [qc] river completed the board to eliminate Lee in 4th place for HK$402,700 in prize money.

Kan's amazing run continues as he's now up to a staggering 4.3 million chips.

6:40pm: Double for Chang

It's been a slow grind since the last break, with Victor Chong especially taking forever to act on many of his decisions. However we've just had an all-in clash with Robert Chang doubling through chip leader Raiden Kan.

It folded around to Chang in the small blind who moved all in for 297,000. Kan insta-called with [ac][jd] and had Chang in trouble with his [ad][5d].

However the board ran out [ks][ah][3s][5s][3d] as Chang thumped the table in delight at spiking his lucky five. He's the odd man out in this foursome as the only Taiwanese player among the three Malaysians, so he'll be relieved to double to 650,000 with Kan still in control on 3.4 million.

6:20pm: Small one for Kan

Raiden Kan opened to 75,000 from under the gun and Robert Chang made the call in the big blind. Both players checked the [6c][kc][ac][3s][6d] board until the river where Kan tossed out 80,000. Chang paid to see but mucked when Kan showed [ah][4h] for top pair.

Kan is up to 3.65 million with Chang down to 300,000.

6:10pm: Play resumes

The four remaining players are back and ready to fight it out for the HK$1.25 million first place prize!

Approximate chip counts at the break:

Raiden Kan - 3,200,000
Victor Chong - 1,300,000
Chester Lee - 1,000,000
Robert Chang - 600,000

5:45pm: Charles Lam eliminated in 5th place

Charles Lam was down to his last 400,000 chips which he moved all in preflop with [qs][jd] following an open from Victor Chong. Only problem for Lam was that Chong made the call with a dominant [kd][qh].

The Lam picked up straight outs on the [9h][8s][5c] flop, but the [7h] turn and [9d] river completed the board. Lam collects HK$319,300 for a fine tournament.

5:35pm: Lee mixes it up

Chester Lee raised the small blind to 55,000 and Robert Chang defended his big blind with a call to see a flop of [2d][7h][3s]. Lee checked to Chang who bet 77,000. Lee made the call before deciding to lead out for 85,000 on the [td] turn.

It was an interesting line and it was enough to confused Chang who folded as Lee flashed the [7c]. Lee again collects a handy pot to move up to 1.1 million. Chang is at about 420,000.

5:25pm: Chips for Chester

Charles Lam opened with a raise to 60,000 before Victor Chong three-bet to 160,000 from the small blind. Action was then with Chester Lee in the big blind, who had been relatively quiet on this final table, but he found voice with a cold four-bet to 374,000.

Lam folded and Chong thought for a few moments before also making a reluctant fold.
A nice preflop pot for Lee without contest as he chips up to 980,000.

5:15pm: Hung-sheng Lin eliminated in 6th place

Asia POTY leader Hung-sheng Lin couldn't really get anything going this afternoon as he was disadvantaged by his table position with the aggressive Raiden Kan and Sunny Jung seated behind him. With play getting short-handed Lin opened up on a couple of occasions to steal the blinds and antes, so when he looked down at [ah][kc] on the button it seemed like a good opportunity to move all in once again. Charles Lam folded his big blind but Raiden Kan woke up with a big pair once again as he made the call with [qs][qd].

The flop landed [th][ks][qc] to give Kan another set but Lin had outs to a straight. The turn bricked the [8h] and Shaq was left screaming for a jack to stay alive. It didn't arrive as the [8c] landed on the river to leave Lin to head to the cashier to collect HK$263,800 for his 6th place finish. Meanwhile Kan is now up to 3.2 million and almost half the chips in play!

5:05pm: Richard Hu eliminated in 7th place

Action folded around to Robert Chang who moved all in for around 240,000 from the button. Richard Hu decided to stick in his last 200,000 from the small blind as Hung-sheng Lin folded his big.

Chang: [8h][8c]
Hu: [3h][3s]

The danger of calling big bets with small pairs was realised as Hu was left needing to spike a three to stay alive. It wasn't to be as the [qh][7d][9d][9h][jd] board left Chang's bigger pair to take the pot and eliminate Hu in 7th place for HK$208,300 in prize money.

4:55pm: Level up, blinds 12,000-24,000, ante 3,000

4:50pm: Sunny Jung eliminated in 8th place

The ride is over for Sunny Jung as his nemesis was once again Raiden Kan.

The action folded to Kan in the small blind who announced himself all in. Jung looked down at [2c][2s] and couldn't resist taking the gamble as he made the call for around 500,000. Kan tabled [kh][7s].

The flop was [qs][qs][jc] which was good for Kan as he picked up counterfeit outs. The turn was the [3s] and now Jung had to fade a king, jack, seven or three to stay alive. It wasn't to be as the [3c] fell on the river to land Kan another knockout blow. Jung collects HK$152,700 for his efforts.

4:45pm: Easy come, easy go

Sunny Jung might need to have his heart tested after the palpitations he suffers during a poker tournament. After doubling up in dramatic fashion moments earlier, Jung has given back most of those chips to Raiden Kan.

We picked up the action with three players at the turn on a [qh][9d][jc][3s] board. Richard Hu checked to Kan who bet 95,000. Jung called as Hu got out of the way as the [7h] appeared on the river. Kan fired another 200,000 and this time Jung made a pretty quick call, but he didn't like what he saw. Kan opened [7s][7d] for a rivered set to take it down.

Kan is back up to 2.2 million with Jung sitting at 530,000.

4:35pm: Sunny flops quads to stay alive!

Raiden Kan opened with a raise to 55,000 from the button before Sunny Jung raised to 190,000 from the small blind. Kan moved all in and Jung made the call.

Kan showed [kh][kc] as Jung threw his head back as he opened [qd][qh]. The Sunny rail were chanting for a queen and their request was answered as a huge roar went up in the PokerStars Macau Poker Room as the flop landed [qs][ad][qc] to give Jung quads! Kan was left needing perfect-perfect but it wasn't to be as the [8d] turn and [jh] river completed the board.

The Jung juggernaut continues as he doubles to 850,000 with Kan back down to 1.8 million.

4:20pm: Kan fires three barrels

We've had some slow hands with players taking a long time to act over their decisions. Granted, it was a big pot that saw Sunny Jung take his time before laying down a big hand against the irresistible force of Raiden Kan.

Preflop, Kan opened for 50,000 with Jung calling once again in position to see a [ad][4h][th] flop. Kan bet out 90,000 and Jung called before the [8d] hit the turn.

Kan fired again for 150,000 and once again Jung made the call. When the river fell the [2s] Kan glanced at Jung's last 430,000 chips before betting 300,000. Jung took a long time before reluctantly folding. Kan is now up to 2.2 million.

4:05pm: Double for Lam

Charles Lam has found a much-needed double up to get himself back into contention. Lam open-shoved for 314,000 from the cutoff with [as][8d] and Sunny Jung made a gambling call in the small blind with [3s][3d].

The rail were calling for a three but the [6s][ac][kh][kd][5s] board paired up Lam for the double up. He's up to 650,000 with Jung back down to 600,000.

3:55pm: Play resumes

Oh boy did everyone need a break after that last hand! Raiden Kan now has a massive chip lead over the field with close to two million chips. Victor Chong is next best with around 1.2 million with Sunny Jung at 900,000. The others will be looking for a double up pretty soon!

The players are back with the blinds up to 10,000-20,000 with a 2,000 ante.

3:35pm: Seijiro Machi eliminated in 9th place

After going for almost two hours, with very few big hands to report, we've just witnessed an absolute corker as Seijiro Machi's aggression has come back to bite him.

The hand started with Raiden Kan opening to 35,000 from early position. Machi called in the hijack before Hau Huang Chang pushed his short stack all in from the button. It was a total of 143,000 and action folded back to Kan. He wasn't content to just call as he raised again and added another 112,000 to the bet. That's when all hell broke loose. Machi decided to move all in for around one million in chips to attempt to isolate the short stack, but it backfired when Kan made a quick call!

Kan: [kc][kh]
Machi: [8s][8h]
Chang: [ad][qs]

With almost 2.5 million chips in the middle preflop, Kan was standing with his hands clenched tightly together, praying to the poker Gods for his hand to hold. The [4s][9s][qc] flop was safe enough but the [ah] hit the turn to give Chang the lead. Kan nodded his head as the side pot was worth so much more. The river fell the [5c] as Chang tripled up to 480,000, Kan won the side pot to side with around two million, as Machi self destructs and becomes our first elimination of the day. He'll be disappointed with his 9th place finish for HK$125,056 in prize money.

3:20pm: Jung and Kan chop

The biggest pot of this final table has ended in rather anti-climactic fashion with a chopped pot between Raiden Kan and Sunny Jung.

Kan opened with a raise to 35,000 with Jung calling in position and Chester Lee coming along from the big blind. The flop landed [qh][kd][8c] and action checked to Kan who bet 70,000. Jung made a quick call as Lee got out of the way.

The turn brought the [3s] and Kan checked it to Jung who bet 104,000. Kan deliberated before matching the bet as the [2d] bricked the river. Kan checked and Jung thought about betting but ended up checking behind.

Kan tabled [js][ts] for a busted straight draw as Jung shook his head as he tabled the same hand - [jd][th]. Chop it up!

3:00: Seijiro looking strong

Japan's Seijiro Machi is cutting an impressive figure on this final table. He's brought his A-game that's for sure, and combined with a mysterious image underneath sunglasses and hoodie, he's got the other players jumping.

Machi just collected a recent pot to move up towards our chip leaders. Sunny Jung opened to 40,000 and Machi called from the small blind before Chester Lee three-bet to 90,000 from the big blind. The price was right for both Jung and Machi to come along to see a [5h][5d][3c] flop.

Machi and Lee both tapped the table as Jung bet out 85,000. Machi then grabbed a double handful of yellow T5,000 chips and slid 220,000 into the middle. Lee escaped as Jung deliberated for some time before also conceding the hand. Machi is now up to 1.1 million and looking very strong.

2:45pm: Small ball

It's been slow going so far on this final table, with Raiden Kan and Victor Chong the loosest players at the table, while Seijiro Machi seems to be picking his spots after he recently put in a nice squeeze re-raise to take down a pot preflop without contest.

Victor Chong did win a small pot recently from Raiden Kan after raising preflop to 35,000 and Kan defended his big blind.

The flop was [qc][2d][as] and Kan check-called for 30,000, before both players checked the [8c] turn. On the [3d] river, Kan again checked and Chong quickly checked behind. Kan showed [qs][9s] for second pair but he was outkicked by Chong's [qh][jh].

2:40pm: Level up, blinds 8,000-16,000, ante 2,000

2:20pm: First blood to Kan

Richard Hu opened with a raise to 25,000 from the cutoff and Raiden Kan defended his big blind to see a flop of [ad][9s][as]. Kan check-called for 35,000 before both players checked the [2c] turn. On the [9c] river, Kan led out for 60,000 and Hu thought for a moment before making the call.

Kan tabled [9d][6d] for a rivered full house to take it down. Kan extends his lead to 1.4 million with Hu slipping to 450,000.

2:10pm: The final frontier!

Welcome back to the PokerStars Macau Poker Room for the conclusion of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event. Our field of 308 has been whittled down to just nine, but only one can be crowned champion and take home the HK$1.25 million first place prize.

Raiden Kan leads the way but there's some dangerous opposition lurking in the wings with the experienced Richard Hu and Sunny Jun, and the number one ranked player in the Asia Player of the Year, Hung-sheng "Shaq" Lin.

Can "Shaq" confirm his place as one of Asia'a brightest poker stars or will a new face take home the title? It will all unfold before us as the MPCC Main Event final table is now underway!

We'll be playing another 30 minutes of Level 20 with the blinds at 6,000-12,000 with a 1,000 ante.

Let's take a closer look at our MPCC Main Event final tablists:

Seat 1: Seijiro Machi (Osaka, Japan) - 616,000 chips

The Japanese are always well represented in Macau, and this time it's 36-year old Seijiro Machi carrying the flag for the land of the rising sun. After being introduced to the game of poker four years ago by his work colleagues and friends , Machi is showing some incredible form this week after taking down the Charity Event earlier in the week for a HK$68,600 score. He's already eclipsed that figure as he eyes off the HK$1.25 million first place prize.

Away from poker, Machi enjoys video games and he enters this final table in fourth chip position.

Seat 2: "Chester" Seng Yong Lee (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - 598,000 chips

Seng Yong Lee, or "Chester" as he is better known, is an amateur poker player from Malaysia with three years experience in the game.

With no tournament record to speak of, this will be Lee's first major final table appearance. Away from poker, Lee enjoys swimming - hopefully he's no fish as he enters the final table perched nicely in the middle of the pack after a strong showing on day two.

Seat 3: Hau Huang Chang (Taiwan) - 466,000 chips

Hua Huang Chang has flown largely under the radar in this tournament, perhaps that's part of his image as he lurks quietly underneath his hoodie. Chang has been playing poker for nine years after first watching the WSOP on television.

Chang is primarily a cash game player and describes his journey to reach the final table as "lucky". He'll need a bit more lucky tomorrow as he enters the final table as one of the short stacks.

Seat 4: Richard Hu (Jiangxi, China) - 566,000 chips

Richard Hu is a 45-year old from China who primarily plays HK$100/200 cash games here in Macau. With five years in the game, Wu is one of the more experienced players on this final table and his resume includes a final table appearance in this very event last year. Hu finished 8th last year for HK$139,000 in prize money and will be looking to go a few places better this time around.

Hu performed strongly on day two where he was responsible for the elimination of the defending champion Julian Hasse. Hu commented that he loves seeing more and more people join in poker in the PokerStars Macau Poker Room and being part of the record MPCC fields.

Seat 5: Hung-sheng "Shaq" Lin (Taipei) - 614,000 chips

The man they call "Shaq" is a 29-year old poker professional who has been playing poker for four years. His dangerous game is largely influenced by the online world, by pros such as Phil Galfond, which is far removed from the experience of many of our other final table players.

Lin is of course the 2011 Macau Millions champion and the current number one ranked player in the Asia Player of the Year, with a record-equalling nine final tables this year, including three just this week. Lin mentioned that he has enjoyed the excellent structure of the MPCC Main Event, with long levels and slow blinds, to allow him to use his skills to their full advantage.

Seat 6: Charles Lam (Hong Kong) - 360,000 chips

Charles Lam is a 30-year old Banker with eight years of experience in poker after his friends taught him how to play in a home game.

Lam has a series of results in Macau to his credit including deep runs in both of the last two APPT Macau Main Events and a 5th place in the Macau Poker Cup February Main Event for HK$254,000 in prize money. These results see him currently ranked in 11th place in the Asia POTY - a position that he will improve upon with a big result on this final table, although he has some work ahead of him as our short stack. Away from poker, Lam enjoys triathlons and basketball.

Seat 7: Raiden Kan (Malaysia) - 1,237,000 chips

The day enjoyed by Raiden Kan on day three is the stuff of fairytales. Kan surged through the pack with some massive cards, epic coolers and huge pots to storm to the chip lead where he never looked back. Kan is a 27-year old poker professional with a string of impressive tournament results, including a win in a No Limit Holdem side event in the May Macau Poker Cup for HK$187,100. This puts Kan in fourth position in the Asia POTY.

Of course Kan hasn't forgotten when he was all in with pocket tens against both kings and aces early on day two, only to river a straight to stay alive. He's taken that good fortune all the way to the final table chip lead. Away from the tables, Kan enjoys travelling and playing Starcraft.

Seat 8: Hyung Sun "Sunny" Jung (Seoul, Korea) - 669,000 chips

Our runaway day one chip leader, Sunny Jung has made it all the way to our final table in third chip position. Jung is a 37-year old poker professional with well over a decade of experience in the game. Primarily a high stakes cash game player in Macau, Jung has reached four final tables in Asia since 2010, including a fifth place in the 2010 APPT Manila Main Event, but has finished no higher than third. He is extremely motivated to finally grab that elusive trophy in this tournament.

Jung plays an exciting brand of poker, which can sometimes result in some wild swings. In his words, "It is exciting and very stressful!"

Seat 9: Victor Chong (Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia) - 981,000 chips

Victor Chong is a 30-year old DHL Premium Reseller from Malaysia with a dozen years of experience as an amateur poker player after starting out as a Limit Holdem player when first exposed to the game in Christchurch Casino in New Zealand. Chong is usually found on the cash game tables and this will be his most significant tournament result.

Chong was virtually our chip leader approaching the end of day two before losing a massive pot on one of the final hands. Chong had the night to dwell on it and responded impressively to now sit with the second most chips entering the final table.

However when we started the day just five eliminations away from the money stage of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event, we weren't expecting to see too much gamble. In fact, we thought we'd see some tight, conservative play as we inched towards the money bubble.

We were so wrong.

Within fifteen minutes of play the bubble had burst. Five minutes later and another two had gone. In the first two levels alone we dropped 18 players - almost half of day's starting field. It was a staggering rate, but hey, we're not complaining. In fact, we admire the courage of those prepared to take their chances to win the tournament rather than just limp into the money.

Chris Edgar was out before we'd even smelt the morning coffee, before a massive double KO on the bubble saw Lester Edoc and Giselle Raloto fall to the set of Hui Min Huang to put the remaining 38 players safely into the money and a guaranteed HK$33,300 pay day.

While everyone was happy with a min-cash it was Raiden Kan who quickly asserted himself as the man to catch in the chase for the HK$1.25 million first place prize.

After eliminating Chris Edgar at the start of the day, Kan quickly jumped to the top of the chip counts when his pocket aces knocked off both Kok Weng Beh and Choong Kian Weng in the same hand, before he surged to giddy heights in massive clash with Gordon Huntly.

The two collided on a [ah][kd][6s][qd] board with Huntly's ace-king two pair crushed as Kan once again had pocket aces for top set. The unlucky Scot departed in 32nd place as Kan now had about 1/6th of the chips in play with 31 players still remaining!

Ivan Tan (36th), Gabyong Kim (26th), Elton Tsang (22nd), Justin Chan (21st) and overnight chip leader Will Jones (20th) all fell as the eliminations continued. Kim was unlucky when his two pair was rivered by the gutshot straight of Charles Lam while Chan can also consider himself unlucky as his [as][6d] lost to the [8h][6h] of Asia POTY leader Hung-Sheng Lin, with all the chips in preflop, when the flop landed [7c][5s][4d] to give Lin a straight.

It's been a remarkable tournament for the man they call "Shaq".

It hasn't come easily in this tournament for Shaq, as he's battled for long periods on the short stack. But a little bit of luck at the right times is all he has needed to reach yet another final table and secure more points towards his Asia POTY crown.

As the field narrowed Lin stepped on the gas with a big double up through Charles Lam, before calling the all-in shove from the short-stacked Michael Ye. Lin's ace-three held against Ye's ten-six to burst the final table bubble in an exciting climax to the day.

Here's how they will lineup tomorrow:

Seat 1: Seijiro Machi (Japan) - 616,000
Seat 2: "Chester" Seng Yong Lee (Malaysia) (PokerStars Player) - 598,000
Seat 3: Hau Huang Chang (United States) - 466,000
Seat 4: Richard Renyong Hu (China) - 566,000
Seat 5: Hung-sheng "Shaq" Lin (Chinese Taipei) (PokerStars Player) - 614,000
Seat 6: Charles Lam (Hong Kong) - 360,000
Seat 7: Raiden Kan (Malaysia) (PokerStars Player) - 1,237,000
Seat 8: "Sunny" Hyungsun Jung (Korea) - 669,000
Seat 9: Victor Chong (Malaysia) (PokerStars Player) - 981,000

Click here for the complete prizepool and payout information

Raiden Kan holds onto the chip lead but can he stop Shaq from winning yet another major title? It's going to be an exciting finale with play set to recommence at 2:00pm tomorrow (GMT+8). Join us once again on the PokerStars Blog as we look to crown Asia's newest poker champion!

Seat 1: Seijiro Machi (Japan) - 616,000
Seat 2: "Chester" Seng Yong Lee (Malaysia) (PokerStars Player) - 598,000
Seat 3: Hau Huang Chang (United States) - 466,000
Seat 4: Richard Renyong Hu (China) - 566,000
Seat 5: Hung-sheng "Shaq" Lin (Chinese Taipei) (PokerStars Player) - 614,000
Seat 6: Charles Lam (Hong Kong) - 360,000
Seat 7: Raiden Kan (Malaysia) (PokerStars Player) - 1,237,000
Seat 8: "Sunny" Hyungsun Jung (Korea) - 669,000
Seat 9: Victor Chong (Malaysia) (PokerStars Player) - 981,000

6:20pm: Simultaneous eliminations to end the day

Once again we've ended the day with a bang as simultaneous eliminations on both tables has seen us reach the final table in a matter of minutes.

First to go was Scot Calcagno. He moved all in preflop with [ad][5c] and was called by Victor Chong and his [as][ts]. The crowd was three deep around the table as we tried to grab a peek of the board and the roar told the story as the flop arrived [ac][tc][5h] giving both players two pair! Calcagno was still left looking for a five but the [7h] turn and [jh] river left him empty-handed.

The crowd then surged about three metres to the left as Hung-sheng Lin had called the all-in shove from the short-stacked Michael Ye. Lin held [ad][3c] as Ye was on the steal with [tc][6c]. The board bricked out [7s][2s][5d][2c][5c] to eliminate Ye and just like that our final table was set!

Raiden Kan will most likely still be our chip leader, but we'll have the official chip counts of the final nine and a wrap of today's action for you shortly.

6:10pm: Chan chopped

Ping San Chan is next to head to the cashier after he tangled with Sunny Jung preflop. Chan was all the button and moved all in with [ac][th] as Jung made the call in the small blind with [ah][qc].

The flop landed [2d][3h][qd] and Chan extended a hand to shake in resignation but the hand was far from over. The turn was the [jc] and Chan picked up outs to a straight. However it wasn't to be as the [9d] completed the board on the river.

Chan is out as Jung moves up to 660,000 chips.

6:00pm: Shaq on the attack

Hung-sheng "Shaq" Lin has just roared back into contention with a big double up through Charles Lam. Shaq had been waiting patiently for his moment to strike and it came with all the chips in on a board of [3h][th][jd][6d].

Lam held [6s][3s] for two pair but Shaq had a better two pair with [jc][td].

The river landed the [qs] and Shaq doubles to 500,000 with Lam back down to 340,000.

5:50pm: Kan flushes Lee's rockets

Jung Chou Lee let himself get blinded down to his last 15,000 in chips before he stuck them into the middle. Charles Lam was the preflop aggressor, raising to 27,000 as Chester Lee and Raiden Kan both came along.

Lee stood from his chair and couldn't watch as the crowd circled in to watch the action unfold in the side pot.

The flop was [4c][td][3c] and action checked to Lam who bet 40,000. Both Lee and Kan made the call as the [6c] hit the turn. Lee looked for helped from his rail before checking to Kan who exchanged some inaudible words with Lam before betting 80,000. Both Lam and Lee folded as Kan won the side pot.

Kan showed [kc][tc] for the flush as Jung Chou Lee shook his head in resignation before opening [as][ah]. Sometimes waiting until your last one big blind and getting pocket aces is just not enough, as the river bricked the [9c] to send Lee to the rail. Kan is now up to a commanding 1.4 million chips.

5:45pm: Lee slows the pace

The pace of play has slowed down considerably recently, mostly thanks to the lovably annoying Jung Chou Lee who is taking forever to act on every decision. Lee has blinded himself down to just a few big blinds, and despite entertaining the crowd with his antics, Danny McDonagh has stepped in to give Lee just one minute to act on every decision.

5:30pm: Level up, blinds 6,000-12,000, ante 1,000

5:20pm: Sunny wheels in a double

Sunny Jung is back up to 500,000 chips after a big double up through Ping San Chan.
We caught the action on a flop of [3c][td][5h]. Richard Hu checked to Chan who bet 45,000. Jung called as Hu got out of the way before the [9s] hit the turn. Both players checked and the river brought the [2d].

Chan led out for 75,000 but Jung declared himself all in for around 150,000 more. Chan made the call and showed [ac][4c] for the rivered straight as Chan flashed pocket aces and mucked.

Jung is now up to 500,000. Chan was down to 42,000 but managed to double up with his [js][6s] flopping a pair against Scot Calcagno's [ah][7c] to double up to 90,000.

5:00pm: Farrington falls

After doubling up his short stack twice to get to 90,000, Jung Chou Lee tanked for ages from under the gun and the clock was even called before he decided his best play was to limp in for 10,000. It turned out to be a genius play, as Fred Farrington and Chester Lee both went all in behind him. Play folded back to Jung Chou who folded [8s][8d] face up as Farrington found his [as][kd] racing with Chester's [qd][qh].

The board ran out [3h][qs][6d][6h][7h] to give "Nemo" even more chips as he's now up to 900,000 as Farrington heads to the cashier in 15th place.

4:45pm: Finding Nemo

Chester Lee opened with a raise to 25,000 from late position before Masato Shimizu moved all in for around 35,000 more from the blinds. Lee was priced in to call with [ac][6c] but he'd need some help against the [as][th] of Shimizu.

The flop was a dry [5d][jh][3c] but Lee caught good on the [6d] turn. The river landed the [9h] to send Shimizu to the rail as Lee, or "Nemo" as he likes to be called according to his friends, climbs to a healthy 700,000 chips.

4:30pm: Play resumes

The final 18 players are back in their seats as we work our way towards the MPCC Main Event final table. Raiden Kan is still well out in front with over 900,000 chips but his lead has narrowed a little with the rise of Richard Hu, Victor Chong and Charles Lam.

While the Main Event continues the PokerStars Macau Poker Room is pumping right now with the HK$6,000 Event kicking off and the HK$10,000 Six-Handed Event recently reaching the final table. Also tonight is the HK$1,000 Ladies Event and the HK$50,000 High Rollers Event to keep both staff and players very busy!

4:00pm: Wang washed

Victor Chong opened with a raise to 16,000 before Zuo Wang moved all in for a little over 100,000. The table folded back to Chong who quickly called with [9c][9s] for the best hand against Wang's [as][9h].

With Chong calling out for his hand to hold the board was spread [4d][qc][6d][6h][4s]. Chong collects as Wang take HK$55,500 for his 19th place. With that elimination the players are now forming the final two tables of play.

3:45pm: Jones falls

It's been struggle today for overnight chip leader Will Jones and his tournament is now over. Following an open-raise from Seng Yong Lee in the cutoff, Jones moved all in from the button or 137,000 with [ks][qd] but Lee made the call with a dominating [as][qs].

Jones was needing a king but the board ran out [th][4d][qh][5s][6d] to leave Jones to head to the cashier as Lee is up to 420,000 chips.

3:35pm: Shaq flops straight to sink Chan

Action folded around to Hung-sheng "Shaq" Lin who moved all in from the small blind to put Justin Chan to a decision for his last 70,000 or so chips. Chan made the call with [as][6d] and found himself in great shape to double up through Lin's dominated [8h][6h].

That was until the flop came down [7c][5s][4d] to the roars from the rail as Shaq flopped a straight to leave Chan in deep trouble. The turn was the [ts] and river the [ks] to eliminate an unlucky Chan and jump Shaq up to 250,000.

3:20pm: Level up, blinds 4,000-8,000, ante 500

3:10pm: Clock called on Shaq

Charles Lam opened with a raise and Hung-sheng "Shaq" Lin called in middle position as the two saw a flop of [7h][2d][7d]. Lam led out for 27,000 and Lin made the call as the [2c] hit the turn.

It wasn't the most impressive board but it was enough for Lam to announce himself all in. Lin had about 190,000 behind and Lam had his opponent covered.

"Shaq" then went deep into the tank with a clearly difficult decision for his tournament. He looked back at the clock and also to his hole cards on several occasions as the minutes ticked by. Eventually TD Danny McDonagh had seen enough and called the clock. Lin waited for the clock to tick down to the final seconds before he released his hand.

Lin saves his last 190,000 with Lam now up to 520,000.

3:00pm: Kan's empire grows as Tsang falls

Raiden Kan has extended his chip lead even further as Elton Tsang was the victim on this occasion.

We picked up the action on the turn with the board reading [ad][7h][5d][5h]. From the small blind Tsang checked to Kan who bet 50,000. Tsang committed to the call, leaving himself just 80,000 behind as the [qs] hit the river.

Again Tsang tapped the table as Kan splashed a bet of 70,000 into the middle. Tsang called relatively quickly but couldn't better Kan's [ah][kd] for top pair. Tsang was left with just 10,000 and was eliminated moments later as Kan climbs over one million in chips.

2:40pm: Hu has it

Tam Truong and Richard Hu have gone to war with Hu landing a massive double up. Hu raised preflop from early position and Truong defended his big blind with a call as the action flop of [8s][6h][qs] came down.

Truong led out for 13,500 and the two exchanged some banter before Hu tossed out a raise of 30,000 on top. Action was back with Truong who added another 100,000 on top before Hu moved all in. Truong was committed by that point and he made the call with [qh][8h] for top two pair but Hu showed [6c][6s] for a flopped set.

The turn was the [kh] which game Truong some life as he added a flush draw but the river bricked the [jd].

Truong was left with just 20,000 and eliminated shortly after as Hu doubled up to 600,000.

2:20pm: Play resumes

The players are back after a much-needed break. It was utter carnage in the first two levels with 18 players dropping away with just 25 now remaining. Raiden Kan is our runaway chip leader with Frenchman Sebastien Clot likely to be next best. Hung-sheng Lin and Justin Chan are also both still in contention.

2:05pm: Gabyong gutted

Gabyong Kim has been sent to the rail with a devastating river blow against Charles Lam. We're not sure of the action, but it was a battle of the blinds where we assume the chips went into the middle on the flop of [th][9s][3d].

Lam held [kc][qc] for overcards and a gutshot, but found himself with just four outs as Kim tabled [tc][3c] for two pair. The turn was the [7s] but the river was the [jc] to deliver Lam his gutshot straight and send Kim to a disappointing exit. Lam is now up to 350,000.

1:50pm: Kim rolls with the punches

It's been a dramatic couple of moments for Korean star Gabyong Kim.

First Kim was all in with [kh][ks] against the [ac][qc] of the short-stacked Masato Shimizu. Kim was in good shape but threw his head back in dismay when the board arrived [ah][9s][5h][3d][4h] as Shimizu doubled up to 180,000.

However moments later Kim recovered some chips back when Chinese player Jing Rong moved all in for about 35,000 from the small blind with [qc][7s] and Kim made the call in the big blind with [kh][td].

The board ran out [ac][9s][tc][ts][6c] to give Kim trips and the pot to eliminate Rong from the tournament. Kim is back up to 200,000.

1:35pm: Raiden flying high as Huntly crashes and burns

Raiden Kan is ready to bag up for the day after winning a monstrous pot against Gordon Huntly to jump out to a massive chip lead and leave the Scot heading disappointedly to the rail.

Huntly raised from under the gun and Kan called to see a [ah][kd][6s] flop. Huntly led the betting for 22,000 and again Kan flat called.

The turn was the [qd] and Huntly fired again for 55,000 before Kan made a small raise to 115,000. Huntly moved all in and Kan instantly called with pocket aces for top set as Huntly was in shock to see that his ace-king was only second best.

The river was the [js] to send Huntly crashing from the tournament as Kan is now close to one million in chips!

1:30pm: Jones riding the waves

Overnight chip leader Will Jones has just endured a mini-rollercoaster ride after losing a massive preflop race, before getting lucky to get some chips back.

Jones opened with a raise before Scot Calcagno three-bet on the button. Jones responded by moving all in and Calcagno quickly made the call with [ah][ks] as Jones showed [5c][5h].

Jones' pair held on the [7d][9h][4h] flop, but the [kh] turn changed things around as the [6c] completed the board.

Moments later Jones' last chips were in preflop with [ah][ts] against Tadashi Yachida's [ad][jd] but the board was a more favourable [tc][4h][9h][td][8s].

Jones is back to 150,000.

1:20pm: Two more gone as Shaq will stay number one

Mario Castro is next to visit the cashier after he picked the wrong time to shove his [7c][7d]. Gabyong Kim made the easy call [as][ad] which held on the board of [qs][2c][9h][6s][3c].

He was soon followed by Haifeng Xue who three-bet shoved for an additional 43,300 following an opening raise to 12,500 from Tam Truong.

Truong made the call with [js][qc] as Xue tabled [8c][8h]. Xue is the only player who could potentially threaten Hung-sheng "Shaq" Lin for the Asia POTY lead, but Lin will now maintain that spot as Xue's tournament came to an end on the [jh][2s][9h][7c][9d] board.

1:10pm: Level up, blinds 2,500-5,000, ante 500

12:50pm: Ivan exits

The fast and furious action continues this afternoon as Ivan Tan has been eliminated from the tournament.

Hau Huang Chang opened to 11,000 from the cutoff before Tan moved all in for a total of 72,000 from the small blind. Chang asked for a count before making the call with [9c][9h] as Tan would need help with his [ks][5s].

The flop was a bare [jd][7s][7d] but Tan picked up flush outs with the [ts] turn. However the river was the [6h] to send Tan to the cashier as Chang moves up to 175,000.

12:30pm: Two more gone as Raiden soars!

We've lost seven players within twenty minutes of play, and its proving tricky for us to keep up with all the carnage! Once again Raiden Kan has done the damage and again it was a double elimination!

The short-stacked Kok Weng Beh moved all in with [ad][9d] and was soon followed by Choong Kian Weng with [as][kd]. However Kan woke up with [ac][ah] as we had another massive three-way all in!

Beh flopped a flush draw but ultimately the board bricked out [jd][6d][7s][2s][4s] to leave Kan with almost 600,000 in chips as Ben and Weng are the first to visit the cashier.

12:25pm: Bubble bursts with double KO!

And just like that we're in the money with the bubble bursting in a huge double elimination!

With a raise to 9,000 in front by Lester Edoc, Hui Min Huang raised it up to 25,000 to go before the short-stacked Giselle Raloto moved all in for her last 21,100. Edoc made the call and they saw a flop of [2h][7s][jd].

The two live players didn't slow down as Edoc led out for 35,000 into the side pot. Huang responded with a raise all in and Edoc called!

Edoc showed [ad][ah] but Huang had flopped a set with his [7d][7c], while Raloto was in trouble with her [jh][qh]. The [5c] turn and [5s] river completed the board to give Huang the pot and send two to the rail.

When the smoke had cleared, and a head count was taken, it was realised that we were down to the final 38 players and into the money...just like that!

12:20pm: Zhou out

In a battle of the blinds, Robert Browne has eliminated Day 1b chip leader Yue Qing Zhou. Browne held [kd][qs] and was racing against Zhou's [8s][8h]. Browne couldn't find a pair but the [ad][jh][js][5h][ts] board delivered him a Broadway straight to send Zhou to the rail.

12:15pm: Edgar eliminated

It didn't take us long to lose our first player of the day as Australian Chris Edgar pushed all in preflop from the small blind with [ac][5s] but ran into Raiden Kan's [qh][qd] in the big blind.

Edgar flopped the lead on the [ah][3s][7h] flop, and the [6c] changed nothing, but [qc] on the river was not a lady that Edgar wanted to meet as he becomes our first casualty of the day.

12:10pm: MPCC Day 3 underway

The 43 remaining players have taken their seats in the PokerStars Macau Poker Room as we get set for Day 3 of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event.

We're in for a few nervous moments as the day gets underway with five of our players about to go home with nothing but a story to tell as only 38 players will get paid. The joys of tournament poker.

PokerStars Country Manager Fred Leung has directed the players to their seats and given the final instructions as the cards are now in the air.

The story of the day surfaced in the dying minutes as Australian Will Jones captured the biggest pot of the tournament in dramatic fashion to steal the chip lead.

It started with a raise from under the gun by Victor Chong and finding three callers to a flop of [3c][3s][9d]. A raising war erupted and when the dust settled Jones' [9h][9s] left Chong's [6h][3h] drawing to the case three. The turn and river bricked out and, just like that, Jones was a surprise chip leader as he bagged up an impressive 387,400.

Jones finished 4th in the recent ANZPT Melbourne Main Event and has been based over here in Macau for some time, grinding away on the lucrative cash game tables. He will admit that he hasn't been running great of late, but perhaps that will all change around swiftly with one big tournament score.

Others to enjoy good days on the felt were Sunny Jung, who carried his overnight lead throughout the day, only to be pipped at the post by Jones, Scotland's Gordon Huntly, Japan's Seijiro Machi, Richard Hu, Raiden Kan and Gabyong Kim.

The number one ranked player in the Asia POTY, Hung-sheng Lin is also still in contention, as is PokerStars sponsored Justin Chan, Nobuhiro Yabuuchi and Singaporean Ivan Tan.

Some of those unable to finish the day includes the last of Team PokerStars in Raymond Wu and Vivian Im. Wu pushed with his ace-jack into an opponent's ace-king, while it was a failed bluff attempt that saw Im out the door. They were joined by the likes of John Tech, Andrew Scott, Kwan "Spiderman" Mah , Neil Arce, Hirotoshi Nakabo, David Steicke and the defending champion Julian Hasse.

Click here for the end of day chip counts

Click here for the Day 3 seating draw

The players will once again be back at 12:10pm tomorrow (GMT+8) to play right down to the final table. As we mentioned five players will miss the money so expect a few nervous moments early in the day until the bubble bursts. Enjoy your evening and we hope that you will join us again tomorrow.