Following the success of its last record-breaking edition, PokerStars LIVE is all prepared to bring back the Manila Megastack 19 edition in September. Players worldwide will come to Okada Manila, Philippines, from September 19 to 29, 2024. They aim to fight for their fair part of a staggering PHP 37,000,000 (~USD 655,810). This tournament promises something for everyone, from novices to big rollers. With 40 prize events and buy-ins ranging from PHP 10,000 (~USD 175) to PHP 150,000 (~USD 2,650).
Manila Megastack 19: The Show’s Star
Offering PHP 20,000,000, the Manila Megastack 19 Main Event takes the top stage in this celebration and is much awaited. The tournament runs from September 25 to 29 and has four beginning flights. It aims to give participants several chances to participate and advance. With unlimited re-entries throughout the beginning flights, the Main Event buy-in is set at PHP 45,000 (~USD 800).
Opening with a 30,000-chip stack—that is three times the opening blinds—players will have considerable freedom to negotiate the 40-minute blind levels on Day 1. Even longer blind levels of 60 minutes in the final table will allow more strategic gaming as the event closes to name a winner on September 29. Apart from the prize money, the top two finishers will also get Championship packages worth at PHP 200,000 (~USD 3,540).
Several milestone qualifiers are offered throughout the program for players wishing to get in on the action for less; buy-ins as low as PHP 6,700 (~USD 115). These qualifying criteria give a more reasonably priced path into the Main Event and allow the chance to turn a little investment into a significant payback.
Essential Dates and Information Of Manila Megastack 19
- Main Event Dates: September 25 – 29, 2024
- Buy-in: PHP 45,000 (~USD 800)
- Guarantee: PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 354,500)
- Flight A: Wednesday, September 25
- Flight B: Thursday, September 26
- Flight C: Friday, September 27
- Flight D (Turbo): Friday, September 27
- Day 2: Saturday, September 28
- Final Day: Sunday, September 29
Rising Popularity: Manila Megastack’s Development
With participant numbers doubling in just five editions, the Manila Megastack series has undergone explosive expansion recently. With 917 entrants, the 18th edition drew prize money of around PHP 36 million (~USD 638,000 earlier this year. Along with PHP 5,651,000 (~USD 100,948), the victor, Henrik Tollefsen from Norway, brought home the much sought-after title.
With a possible four-digit entrance count, this year’s edition is likely to draw an even bigger audience. Should the trend continue, the PHP 20,000,000 promise might very well be broken once more, allowing Manila to have yet another amazing celebration.
Manila Megastack Champions (Last Five Editions)
| Edition | Champion | Prize (PHP) | Prize (USD) | Entries | Prize Pool (PHP) |
| 18 | Henrik Tollefsen | ₱5,651,000 | $100,948 | 917 | ₱36,034,345 |
| 17 | Masafumi Matsushita | ₱3,941,000 | $71,249 | 870 | ₱26,582,850 |
| 16 | Terry Gonzaga | ₱2,051,000 | $37,229 | 533 | ₱16,285,815 |
| 15 | Bell John Perez | ₱2,234,000 | $40,017 | 487 | ₱14,880,285 |
| 13 | Hiroshi Naito | ₱2,840,000 | $54,824 | 435 | ₱12,531,915 |
Beyond the Main Event: Ten Guaranteed Events to Discover
Although the Main Event is the festival’s high point, Manila Megastack 19 has a lot of other interesting competitions. Ten guaranteed events total will be scheduled, adding an additional PHP 17,000,000 (~USD 301,320) to the prize pool overall. The one-day Super Stack event kicks things off, followed by the PHP 3 million (~USD 53,000) guaranteed Kickoff event. There will be at least one assured event per day in the series, therefore guaranteeing constant activity on the felt.
Buy-ins for these side events are under PHP 15,000 (~USD 265), hence even casual players may access them. Among important events are the Mini Main Event, Survivor Knockout, and Megastack Turbo. Apart from financial awards, certain events will include APPT Championship Main Event packages, therefore motivating players to take part.
Notable Guaranteed Events
| Date | Event | Guarantee (PHP) | Buy-in (PHP) |
| September 19 | Super Stack | ₱1,000,000 | ₱12,000 |
| September 19-21 | Kickoff | ₱3,000,000 | ₱16,500 |
| September 21 | Deepstack | ₱1,000,000 | ₱12,000 |
| September 21-23 | Mystery Bounty | ₱2,000,000 | ₱20,000 |
| September 22 | Double Stack | ₱1,000,000 | ₱12,000 |
| September 23 | Super Deep | ₱1,000,000 | ₱12,000 |
| September 24 | Megastack | ₱1,000,000 | ₱12,000 |
| September 28 | Survivor Knockout (₱50K Bounty) | ₱3,000,000 | ₱25,000 |
| September 29 | Mini Main Event | ₱2,000,000 | ₱20,000 |
APPT Manila Championship: Upcoming Event
Should you already be forward-looking, the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Manila Championship will follow the Manila Megastack, scheduled for Okada Manila from October 18 to 27, 2024. This is the biggest Pokerstars tournament in the region, with a huge PHP 152,500,000 (~USD 2.7 million) in guarantees. With a buy-in of PHP 165,000 (~USD 2,920) the APPT Main Event alone offers a PHP 55 million (~USD 974,000 guarantee).
PokerStars LIVE Manila: World-Class Poker Destination
Offering daily tournaments and cash games, PokerStars LIVE Manila is one of the best poker facilities in the Philippines for players visiting Manila for the first time. Situated at Okada Manila, a premium resort with breathtaking views of Manila Bay, a great range of food and entertainment choices, and the biggest gaming floor in the Philippines, the poker room is
Given that Okada Manila is just a short drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), travellers will find it handy. The advised way of mobility to prevent paying too much for taxis is Grab Car.
