Yandong Liu leads after Day 1A of the MPC25 Red Dragon

The first MPC25 Red Dragon Day 1 flight has come and gone after today saw players plow through 12 levels of play. When late registration was locked out it was 248 who had pulled up seats - an excellent sign that shall we potentially break the sphere record for 2 series running.

The Day 1A field back in March was only 205 runners when the MPC24 Red Dragon proved itself the largest freezeout tournament within the Asia-Pacific (ultimately garnering a field of 1,075). With that during mind organizers are optimistic for back-to-back record breaking runs.

Today's story, however, belongs to Yandong Liu. He stayed off the radar for many of the day before creating a late charge to bag up the chip lead within the closing stages. Liu was the one player to eclipse the 200,000-chip mark, carrying out with 203,600 on the conclusion of play.

Day 1A chip leader Yandong Liu

We couldn't discover a record of any live cashes for Liu but he has put himself in an even position to potentially change that here this week. Liu would be the one to chase for those taking a shot at Day 1B tomorrow.

Meanwhile 54 others have guaranteed themselves a spot joining Liu on Day 2 come Wednesday. A few of folks that made the cut include Dong Guo (166,800), Wei Zhou (66,500), Pete Chen (58,000) and Tom Alner (44,000).

For others though it was a tale of woe as many fell by the wayside. Chen-an Lin was the one Team PokerStars representative to enroll in the Red Dragon field today but his tournament came to an end during Level 5.

Similarly the reigning champion Ying Lin Chua couldn't hang on. He lost all but two big blinds when his pocket aces were cracked by Ssu Yu Yeh's set of jacks. He got the last of it within the middle within the very next hand with pocket deuces but couldn't hold and was sent packing.

Eliminated - Ying Lin Chua

Now it is time for our Day 2 qualifiers to have two days rest while two more flights of poker hopefuls wander in to the room here at PokerStars LIVE Macau. We'll be back again from 2pm tomorrow for the entire action of Day 1B. Meanwhile you'll view the whole list of end-of-day chip counts right here.

We hope you'll join us tomorrow!

10:15pm: Five hands remaining on Day 1ALevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Current chip leader Yang Dong Liu was given the distinction of drawing for the last remaining hand count. He pulled a five so that's what number of more hands our players will plow through before play concludes.

It won't be long now before we discover out who survives to Day 2 and if Liu can hold onto the title of chip boss just a bit longer. Stick with us for an entire wrap of the day's proceedings shortly!

10pm: Liu leading the wayLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Yang Dong Liu has usurped the chip leader throne with a late charge here to now sit with a mountain in front of him. Liu was the primary to eclipse the 200,000-chip milestone, now sitting with 215,000.

We're into the overall level of the night now and Liu is comfortably in front at this point. Let's have a look at if can maintain his lead. Here's how he stacks up on the subject of every other players.

Yang Dong Liu - 210,000Jason Shao - 170,000Dong Guo - 160,000Elmar Torrente - 130,000Pete Chen - 58,000Tom Alner - 24,000

9:40pm: Hebtte hit by bricksLevel 11 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)

Frederic Hebtte opened to 3,400 from early position before the player within the small blind moved all in for his last 21,200. With the verdict back on Hebtte he appeared torn as he sat within the tank. After two minutes of deliberation Hebtte made a disgruntled call to look his T♦9♦ was flipping against 5♥5♣.

The 7♦J♠5♦ flop was huge for Hebtte. While he didn't technically hit, he improved to both flush and gut shot straight draws. The Q♠ turn improved him again to an open ended straight draw but without reference to the entire outs, the 3♣ river meant he would lose the hand and around three quarters of his stack at the side of it.

9:20pm: Wei aheadLevel 11 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)

A giant outburst of varying emotions just came from a table within the corner of the poker site. We rushed over to look what the entire commotion was about and saw three players with their hands face up - two of whom were out in their seats before heading to the exit.

Zhao Wei was the one that had finished them both off after what seemed to was a sick runout. Wei had A♥A♣ for the nuts at the Q♠A♠3♦A♦5♥ board, sooner than Q♥Q♦ for queens full and Q♣3♣ for a flopped two pair.

Wei raked within the pot with a grin as his tablemates were split between staring in disbelief and discussing how sick the hand was. With those added chips Wei now sits with 64,000 at his disposal.

9pm: Alner takes a hitLevel 10 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)

Tom Alner has had an even day on the felt to this point but he just encountered a setback after a preflop confrontation. Alner got it in with a shortstack but unfortunately for the Englishman he had run right into a monster hand.

While Alner held a good A♦T♥ he was up against K♥K♦. He found top pair at the 6♣T♦4♥ flop however it wouldn't be enough because the 8♥ turn and 9♥ river meant the overpair would hold.

Alner still has 39,000 to play with despite losing that hand.

8:40pm: Zhang finds a doubleLevel 10 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)

Hailun Zhang had dipped into the risk zone but now has some breathing room after doubling his short stack.

After a preflop raise to 2,800 from late position, Zhang moved all in from the small blind for around 11,000. The jam was quickly called and players tabled their cards.

Zhang: K♠Q♥Opener: K♣9♣

Zhang had the lead and held it because the board ran out [6s[]ts]6♣A♥Q♣. He climbs to 23,000 and now has almost 20 big blinds.

8:20pm: Final break of the night

The remaining players are taking minutes respite. We'll be back soon!

8:15pm: Falcon flying highLevel 9 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Michael Falcon has established himself because the chip leader within the latter stages of Day 1A here. After still hovering around starting stack during Level 5 he has done well to push forward and assert his dominance.

Dong Guo was capable of just take some chips from him, however, with a turn raise in a contemporary hand. The board read 5♣4♥5♠T♠ and after Falcon fired for 9,000 Guo came back excessive for 21,500. Falcon let it go and while he lost that pot, he still maintained the chip lead with just shy of 100,000 in play.

There's a brand new sheriff on the town - Michael Falcon

7:55pm: Big turnoutLevel 9 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Late registration was closed out after Level 6 so we now know that we have got a complete of 248 entrants here on Day 1A.

An impressive turnout and the good news is that after the Red Dragon field record was broken back in March with a complete of 1,075, Day 1A only attracted 205 runners to the felt. With that during mind organizers have high hopes of setting another record here this week!

7:35pm: Alner at the riseLevel 8 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)

It was almost three years ago to the month when Tom Alner won the Red Dragon Main Event for HK$823,000. He's back in Macau this week to have another run on the title. Alner may be fresh off an MPC24 final table within the same event and is already building a stack here today. He opened the betting preflop with a raise to 1,700 and when it folded around to the player within the big blind he opted to defend.

The flop fell 9♣7♥5♥ and Alner continued for 1,800 when it was checked his way. The bet was met with a decision and the dealer turned the 6♥. The action went check check and the 2♥ arrived at the river.

The big blind checked a last time before Alner tossed 5,000 into the center. That was good to win the pot and Alner stacked up 36,000 in chips.

Tom Alner

7:15pm: Hebbte holds for a triple upLevel 8 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)

Belgium's Frederic Hebbte is stacking up chips after almost tripling up against two players

The three got the entire money in on a 7♦6♠5♦ flop with Hebbte holding Q♦Q♣ for the most productive of it but still with a couple of cards to vanish as his opponents held 9♠9♦ and 8♠8♦.

"High card. High card. High card" Hebbte chanted after the 3♠ turn arrived.

The deck obliged because the 6♥ river completed the board and locked up the pot Hebbte. He sent one opponent home and took a bit from the others stack as Hebbte catapulted himself as much as a stack o 47,000.

6:55pm: Wu dominates DongLevel 7 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

Jack Wu brought it in for a raise to 1,200 and both Dong Guo and the player within the big blind called to look a flop of 9♣4♥4♠. It was checked to Wu and he continued for 1,900. Guo called, and with the third party out of the way, the dealer turned the T♥.

Wu checked his option this time and Guo took the betting lead with a barrel for 4,500. Wu moved all in excessive for under a minraise but it surely was clear Guo have been caught out when he slid his give up to the dealer.

Wu tapped the table moved as much as over 20,000.

6:35pm: Liu lives onLevel 7 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

We would like to mention we spotted MPC23 runner-up Shao Po Liu but saying he made himself known might be a more appropriate way of putting it. Liu was cheering boisterously as we made our excess of to look the fallout of a large hand.

It gave the impression to be a three-way all in with the board reading K♦2♦7♣6♥J♣. One hand was already within the muck, one player was showing A♠K♠ and Liu was sitting with K♥J♠ in front of him. He'd caught a lucky river card to maintain his tournament dream alive, and wasn't shy about celebrating.

Liu regained composure and offered condolences to the player he had knocked out and the opposite tablemate he had just taken a large pot from. That pot was worth approximately 42,000 in chips and Liu stacked it up after the dealer pushed it his way.

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6:10pm: Scheduled break

It's that point again. Players are actually on a ten minute break.

6:00pm: Reigning champion Chua feltedLevel 6 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)

The MPC24 Red Dragon champion Ying Lin Chua was here today to take a look at and defend his title but unfortunately he has found the rail earlier than the halfway point here on Day 1A.

It was a one-two punch that saw Chua eliminated, with back to back hands rendering him first crippled after which finished off. The primary hand he had his pocket aces cracked by Ssu Yu Yeh's J♥J♣. With the board showing 7♠5♥J♠3♥ Yeh moved all in for around 5,000 and was snapped off by Chua before he saw the bad news. The river was a brick and Chua's stack was decimated all the way down to 800 for less than two big blinds.

He called all within the very next hand after Jun Yi Ong raised to 900 before him. The player within the big blind also flicked in a choice and the 3 of them went to a flop of Q♠Q♣3♥. The action was checked but if the T♠ turn rolled off the massive blind led out. Ong quickly folded and Chua saw his 2♥2♣ was no good versus 5♣3♣.

Ying Lin Chua won't be going back-to-back

5:45pm: Wei Lin wins one from DaryananiLevel 6 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)

We arrived on the table to peer the turn action because the cards read 5♦3♣2♦4♣ with two players active. It was on Haney Daryanani first and he fired for 2,000 of his approximately 10,000-chip stack.

Wei Lin was at the button and with the verdict on him, he thought of it for a large amount of time, after which played back at Daryanani for 4,500. Daryanani threw his hand away shortly as Lin was shipped the pot and moved as much as 37,000 in chips.

5:30pm: Falcon fires into TianLevel 5 - Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)

Denmark's Michael Falcon has moved back as much as around starting stack after taking a pot from Jun Tian. The community cards showed J♦5♦A♠3♠6♥ and Falcon dropped 4,000 worth of chips into the middle.

Tian reached for his cards but then sat for around 30 seconds weighing up his options. After all he selected a fold and Falcon raked one in to construct his stack back to around 14,000.

5:15pm: Chen-an Lin sent packingLevel 5 - Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)

There is now an empty seat where Team PokerStars Pro Chen-an Lin once sat. Rumour has it he was spotted leaving the tournament floor.

We'll keep watch over Twitter or see if we will be able to track him right down to discover exactly what happened.

Presumed eliminated - Team PokerStars Pro Chen-an Lin

5:00pm: Guo getting it doneLevel 5 - Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)

Dong Guo was one of the most more active players today. He just took down another pot after an enormous flop and a pair of value bets.

The flop read 8♠3♦A♠ and Guo bet 1,150 before Mangling He raised to 2,900. Guo opted for a choice and so they went to the 7♥ turn. Despite the flop check raise Guo led at it for one more 2,000 and this time Mangling He just called.

The 6♦ arrived at the end and Guo made a last wager of 2,700. Mangling He made a fast call but he threw his hand within the muck even quicker when Guo tabled A♣A♦ for prime set.

That hands sees Guo move as much as 34,000 in chips.

4:45pm: Stay energized!Level 4 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)

The Macau Poker Cup has a super schedule that excludes too many particularly long days but fatigue on the table can still play an element in a player's success.

Lucky for those here within the PokerStars LIVE Macau room, Red Bull, the event's official energy drink provider has lived as much as their name. They've stocked out fridges filled with Red Bull varieties across the tournament floor - available to the players freed from charge!

We've already spotted a heap of players making the most of the free Red Bulls. We'll see if that extra energy kick can assist them on the felt here on Day 1A.

4:25pm: Daryanani doubles through MudgalLevel 4 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)

Haney Daryanani appeared like he was having a coarse start this afternoon but he's back with a fighting chance after doubling up through Dhaval Mudgal.

The two got the entire money in preflop, both holding monsters, but Daryanani with way the most productive of it.

Daryanani: A♠A♥Mudgal: A♣K♥

Daryanani was looking good to double up and his aces held because the cards fell Q♣5♦2♥5♥T♣. He stacked up a complete of 18,000 while Mudgal was knocked back to around 9,000 in chips.

Still within the hunt - Haney Daryanani

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4:00pm: First break of the day

Players have stepped clear of the tournament area for a scheduled break. Coverage will resume in 10 minutes.

3:50pm: Field update and ACOP announcementLevel 3 - Blinds 100/200

We're only 10 minutes clear of our first break of the day and the sphere has continued to construct. Up to now 221 players have taken seats and by our count eight of these have already been eliminated. With the hole Day 1 flight typically the smallest, things are looking good for an additional massive turnout here this week.

Late registration continues to be open and can remain that way until Level 6 concludes at around 6:20pm.

As our remaining 213 players prepare to head on break it is a good time to remind you in regards to the upcoming Asia Championship of Poker beginning next month. Asia's richest poker festival sees world class players from all around the globe flock to Macau to vie for poker glory and enormous prizes. You'll take a look at the schedule and skim what's in store right here.

3:30pm: Jang puts the pressure onLevel 3 - Blinds 100/200

Hosung Jang is steadily climbing after playing back at Ming He.

While we missed the beginning of the action, Jang had 1,250 out in front of him, and with blinds at only 100/200 it's probably safe to imagine it wasn't a gap raise. Ming He was at the button and he made it 3,650 to go.

Jang desired to play for more and he announced all in with enough to hide He's 10,500 behind. He deliberated for over a minute but ultimately he threw the hand away.

Jang scooped the pot and climbed to 26,000.

3:10pm: Ong owns YehLevel 2 - Blinds 50/100

Jun Yi Ong just collected a pleasing pot after a well-sized river bet into Ssu Yu Yeh.

The board read T♠9♣7♥5♥J♠ and Yeh, first to act, checked after a while within the tank. Ong flicked a single 5,000-denomination chip into the center and the verdict was back to Yeh.

She counted out her own stack and shuffled her chips for around a minute before committing to a decision. Ong turned up T♥8♥ for a rivered straight which was good to take it down. Yeh dipped to 7,000 in chips.

2:55pm: Cooler leaves Ling crippledLevel 2 - Blinds 50/100

We just witnessed a sick hand on Table 20. The cards were spread 2♦5♠5♣A♦A♠ and Jia Xiang Ling had tabled A♥9♥ for a runner-runner full house. Little did he know he was drawing dead from the flop until Hailun Zhang revealed 5♥5♦ for flopped quads.

A tablemate snapped a photograph together with his phone because the sizable pot was pushed over to Zhang. He's now considered one of our front runners with 28,000 as Ling drops to just 1,000 in chips.

2:40pm: Action early as Guo gives it upLevel 1 - Blinds 25/50

It's only the primary level here but that hasn't stopped players from pushing all in with their whole stacks.

We arrived on the table to peer three tablemates enthusiastic about a raising war, certainly one of which was Dong Guo. He had 1,050 out in front of him but Mangling He had bumped it as much as 2,150 after him. It folded around to the player at the button who installed another raise to 3,350.

"Is that a raise? F**k!" Guo said with fun before throwing his hand away.

Mangling He wasn't fazed though, pushing all in for just about starting stack to place himself in danger. The button didn't hesitate long before relinquishing his hand and He collected the pot.

2:20pm: Notable names some of the packLevel 1 - Blinds 25/50

There are already 178 players who've pulled up seats this afternoon. With six levels of late registration that number is anticipated to climb.

Those already spotted at the felt include reigning champion Ying Lin Chua, APPT Manila final tablist Seongsu Kong and prominent poker pro Dong Guo.

The lone Team PokerStars Pro is Chen-an Lin who is often joined by more teammates soon.

2:05pm: Shuffle up and deal!Level 1 - Blinds 25/50

Cards at the moment are within the air for Day 1A.

There can be 12 40-minute levels today so play will conclude around 10:30pm tonight. Players start with 15,000 in chips and Level 1 is 25/50.

Now it is time to hit the tournament floor - stay tuned!

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1:30pm: Day 1A starting soon

We're only HALF-HOUR clear of kicking things off here on this MPC25 Red Dragon Main Event!

A huge field is anticipated this week and our first batch of players at the moment are wandering in to the poker site here at PokerStars LIVE Macau. Those poker hopefuls can be ponying up HK$12,000 and chasing a slice of the HK$6,000,000 guarantee and looking out to take home probably the most coveted trophy in poker.

The action gets underway at 2pm local time. Stick with us all week here at the PokerStars Blog to your live coverage needs direct from the tournament floor.

PokerStars Blog reporting in Macau delivered to you by Brad Kain. Photos by Kenneth Lim Photography courtesy of PokerStars LIVE Macau.

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