Filipino Poker Pro Dominates, Secures Fourth PokerStars Spadie Title
Richard Marquez, widely known as “Hotsauce” in the poker world, made an impressive start to the Okada Manila Millions 2025 by claiming victory in the Warm-Up Event. This triumph marked his fourth PokerStars spadie title, solidifying his reputation as one of the most successful and consistent Filipino poker professionals.
The Warm-Up event, which boasted 117 entries, exceeded expectations by surpassing the PHP 500,000 guarantee with a total prize pool of PHP 749,034 (~US$ 13,050). Marquez’s victory came after a rollercoaster of action, showcasing his resilience and skill under pressure.
A Fiery Start to the Festival
The Warm-Up set the stage for what would be an exciting poker festival at Okada Manila. The event saw intense competition from seasoned pros, but it was Marquez who stood out. Early in the game, he made a crucial move by eliminating Joshua Cordova with a full house, a hand that sent him into the money and set the tone for his future successes.
With the final 17 players all vying for a spot at the final table, the stakes grew higher. The short stacks were constantly shoving, and survival became increasingly difficult with the average stack at just 6 big blinds. However, Marquez had the right mix of luck and skill to push through.
A Thrilling Comeback
At one point, Marquez found himself down to just 4.5 big blinds. But as any poker pro knows, it’s never over until it’s over. Marquez found himself in a pivotal flip against the chip leader, Christian Lortie Cloutier, and emerged victorious. A jack came in the window to help Marquez’s hand, which was enough to beat Lortie’s pocket kings. This flip was a turning point that allowed Marquez to regain his momentum and propel himself into contention for the title.
Soon after, he eliminated Acharya Anant in 7th place with pocket Queens against King-Jack, another sign that Marquez was on the rise. His aggressive play paid off as he surged to the top, eliminating players and maintaining control of the table.
Lortie’s Comeback and the Final Showdown
As the tournament progressed, Christian Lortie, a formidable opponent, mounted a comeback. He knocked out Makoto Miyatake to take back the chip lead. However, it wouldn’t be long before Marquez regained the upper hand. The two clashed again, and Marquez’s resilience shone through when he won another flip to reclaim the lead.
The game reached its climax when Lortie hit a straight on the river to knock Marquez back down, but the Filipino player wasn’t finished yet. He eliminated Minsuk Kim in 3rd place, a move that set the stage for the final hand.
The Final Hand: Marquez Clinches the Win
The final hand was a thrilling conclusion to an exciting event. Marquez held pocket eights, and his opponent, Lortie, held pocket fours. The board came out favorably for Marquez, and his eights outdrew Lortie’s fours, clinching him the first PokerStars spadie of the Okada Manila Millions series.
With the victory, Marquez secured a payout of PHP 181,534 (~US$ 3,160), a well-deserved reward for his impressive play. While Lortie came in second, his efforts earned him PHP 113,500 (~US$ 1,977), a solid return for his deep run in the tournament.
Final Standings and Payouts
The Warm-Up event was a fierce competition, but it was Richard Marquez’s day. Here are the top payouts from the event:
- Richard Marquez (Philippines) – PHP 186,034 (~US$ 3,245)
- Christian Lortie Cloutier (Canada) – PHP 118,000 (~US$ 2,055)
- Minsuk Kim (Korea) – PHP 85,500 (~US$ 1,490)
- Makoto Miyatake (Japan) – PHP 67,000 (~US$ 1,170)
- Tze Yen Wong (Malaysia) – PHP 52,500 (~US$ 915)
- Kanji Futaka (Japan) – PHP 41,500 (~US$ 725)
- Acharya Anant (India) – PHP 33,500 (~US$ 585)
- John Philip Baider (Philippines) – PHP 29,000 (~US$ 505)
- Joseph Magnotti (United States Minor Outlying Islands) – PHP 25,000 (~US$ 435)
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Richard Marquez has once again proven his prowess in the poker world. As the Okada Manila Millions 2025 continues, Marquez’s win has set the stage for more thrilling action. Players will be looking to dethrone the Filipino champion, but for now, he remains the one to beat in this exciting series.
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Source: Pokerstars Official Website.
