Cheng En Hsieh bags the chip lead at Main Event Day 1A
Just under seven hours of play, the Poker Dream Taiwan Main Event Day 1A concluded with ITM reached. Taiwan’s Cheng-En Hsieh bagged up the chip lead with 442,000, equivalent to 37 big blinds. Hsieh stormed to the top of the counts with a higher flush against Son Pham then went on the eliminate Ori Kossonogi and delivered the bubble by railing Wei Chun Cheng on a flip. The qualifiers now have a four night break before returning to the felt on Saturday, June 24 for Day 2.
End of Day 1A – 4 players
| Hsieh Cheng En | Taiwan | 442,000 |
| Ew Wei Min | Singapore | 140,000 |
| Yip Kwok Chun | Hong Kong | 104,000 |
| Lau Wing Yu | Hong Kong | 94,000 |
Read up on the Main Event Day 1A action via the live updates posted below. We will be back on Wednesda7, June 21, 2023 for Main Event Day 1B.
Main Event Day 1A
Date: June 20, 2023
Buy in: TWD 11,000 (~USD 360)
Entries: 78 entries
ITM: 4 players
Chips in play: 780,000
18:50: Cheng Wei Chun bubbles!
Level 19: 6000-12000 ante 12000
After losing a costly showdown, Cheng Wei Chun was down to around 3 bb and managed to double up but on his next shove, he bumped the rail on the bubble. His final hand was 
outflipped by Hsieh Cheng En’s 
on a board 
{kc|}
.
18:45: Ew Wei Min doubles up
Level 19: 6000-12000 ante 12000
On a flop 
and 56,000 in the pot, Ew Wei Min goes all in for 53,000 and Cheng Wei Chun tank-calls. Ew has , Cheng with 
, the turn comes 
and river 
for a double up to Ew.
Ew Wei Min – 162,000
Cheng Wei Chun – 32,000
18:40: Hsieh Cheng En rails Ori Kossonogi
Level 19: 6000-12000 ante 12000
All in preflop, Ori Kossonogi 
behind Hsieh Cheng En 
. The board runs 
to send Kossonogi packing.
Hsieh Cheng En – 310,000
Ori Kossonogi – eliminated
Bubble time!
18:35: Blinds up, 6 remaining
Level 19: 6000-12000 ante 12000
Blinds up again, 6 players remaining. Day 1A plays down to ITM of 5% of the field which is 4 players.
18:30: Ew Wei Min wins the three-way, Chien Hao eliminated
Level 18: 5000-10000 ante 10000
Three way showdown, Ew Wei Min with 
, Chien Hao with , and covering them both is Lau Ming Yu with 
. The board runs out 
, Ew improves to a straight to eliminate Chien and double up through Lau.
Ew Wei Min – 108,000
Lau Wing Yu – 95,000
Chien Hao – eliminated
18:25: Son Pham loses the race, Yip Kwok Chun soars
Level 18: 5000-10000 ante 10000
Yip Kwok Chun shoves from mid position and big blind Son Pham calls for all of his chips. Yip has 
, Pham 
for a flip. The board runs 
to end Pham’s run.
Yip Kwok Chun – 182,000
Son Pham – eliminated
18:20: Son Pham scores two double ups
Level 18: 5000-10000 ante 10000
Son Pham is battling his way back in the game with two called-shoves won to rise to 66,000. His first shove was with over Ew Wei Min’s duty call 
on the big blind. His second all in was 
and Ew called again, this time with . The board was 
.
Son Pham – 66,000
Ew Wei Min – 18,000
18:15: Yip Kwok Chun doubles up through Chien Hao
Level 18: 5000-10000 ante 10000
Chien Hao shoves with and is called by Yip Kwok Chun with . With the board running 
, Yip doubles up.
Yip Kwok Chun – 500,000
Chien Hao – 24,000
18:11: Blinds up, 8 players remaining
Level 18: 5000-10000 ante 10000
Blinds up again, 8 players remaining. Day 1A plays down to ITM of 5% of the field which is 4 players.
18:10: Hsieh Cheng En wins the pot
Level 17: 4000-8000 ante 8000
On a board and 74,000 in the pot, Hsieh Cheng En bets 20,000, Cheng Wei Chun tank-folds.
18:05: Hsieh Cheng En zooms, Son Pham nosedives
Level 17: 4000-8000 ante 8000
On a flop and a pot of 50,000 brewed, Hsieh Cheng En goes all in, Son Pham tank-calls with slightly more chips. When Hsieh opens , Pham is disappointed as he flips open his . The turn and river improve them both to a flush with Hsieh having the higher spread.
Hsieh Cheng En – 180,000
Son Pham – 7,000
17:55: Son Pham doubles up
Level 17: 4000-8000 ante 8000
Son Pham all in with , Cheng Wei Chun hopes to eliminate with . When the board runs 
, Pham fist pumps for the double up.
Son Pham – 104,000
Cheng Wei Chun – 177,000
17:50: Blinds up, 8 players remaining
Level 17: 4000-8000 ante 8000
Blinds up again, 8 players remaining. Day 1A plays down to ITM of 5% of the field which is 4 players.
17:45: Hsieh Cheng En wins the flip
Level 16: 3000-6000 ante 6000
All in preflop, Hsieh Cheng En with kd}, Lau Wing Yu for a flip. With the river pairing up Hsieh 
, he survives and doubles up.
Hsieh Cheng En – 86,000
Lau Wing Yu – 105,000
17:40: Chien Hao lands two double ups
Level 16: 3000-6000 ante 6000
Mid position Chien Hao with less than a big blind goes all in with 
and is challenged by Yip Kwok Chun on the small blind with 
. The board runs out 
for a double up to Chien.
Shortly after, he goes all in again, and again he has , Ori Kossonogi shoves with , no other takers for a two-way showdown. The board runs out for another double up to Chien.
Chien Hao – 63,000
Ori Kossonogi – 65,000
Yip Kwok Chun – 55,000
17:35: Diogo Pinieiro falls to Cheng Wei Chun
Level 16: 3000-6000 ante 6000
Mid position Cheng Wei Chun raises, button Hsieh Cheng En calls, small blind Diogo Pinieiro three-bet jams his last 37,000, Cheng and Hsieh call. At the flop 
, Cheng bets 40,000, Hsieh folds. Pinieiro has , Hsieh with top pair. The turn and river sends Pinieiro packing.
Cheng Wei Chun – 220,000
Diogo Pinieiro – eliminated
17:30: Hsieh Cheng En outdraws Pinieiro
Level 16: 3000-6000 ante 6000
On a board and 56,000 in the pot, Diogo Pinieiro goes all in, Hsieh Cheng En folds. The two meet up again, Hsieh is all in with , Pinieiro with . The board runs out for a double up to Hsieh.
Hsieh Cheng En – 76,000
Diogo Pinieiro – 37,000
17:26: Blinds up, 9 remaining
Level 16: 3000-6000 ante 6000
Blinds up again, 9 players remaining. Day 1A plays down to ITM of 5% of the field which is 4 players.
17:25: Tan Ong Kwan eliminated by Lau Wing Yu
Level 15: 3000-5000 ante 5000
Tan Ong Kwan all in for his last 23,000 with and is put at risk by big stacked Lau Wing Yu with . The board runs out for a straight to Lau.
Down to the final 9 players. ITM at 4 places.
17:20: Ori Kossonogi hardbets Pinieiro
Level 15: 3000-5000 ante 5000
Big pot already brewed and the turn comes . Big blind Ori Kossonogi bets 20,000, button Diogo Pinieiro tank calls. On the river , Kossonogi shoves his last 20,000, Pinieiro folds and hopes for Kossonogi to show but no such luck.
Ori Kossonogi – 108,000
Diogo Pinieiro – 41,000
17:15: Lau Wing Yu rails Elvis Lim
Level 15: 3000-5000 ante 5000
Short stacked Elvis Lim all in with and falls to Lau Wing Yu with on a board of
Lau Wing Yu – 105,000
Elvis Lim – eliminated
17:10: Lau Wing Yu jams for the pot
Level 15: 3000-5000 ante 5000
On a flop , Cheng Wei Chun bets 9000, Lau Wing Yu shoves 39,000. Cheng tank-folds.
17:05: Blinds up, 11 players remaining
Level 15: 3000-5000 ante 5000
Blinds up again, 11 players remaining. Day 1A plays down to ITM of 5% of the field which is 4 players.
17:00: Four-way shove, Ew Wei Min ships, eliminates Lim
Level 14: 2000-4000 ante 4000
Kai Cheng Hsu }ac}
Hsieh Cheng En
Sangbeom Lim
Ew Wei Min
Board runs 
for a four way pick up to Ew and Lim is eliminated.
Ew Wei Min – 130,000
16:55: Diogo Pinieiro rivers it
Level 14: 2000-4000 ante 4000
Diogo Pinieiro was getting ready to go when he saw the board complete 
for a straight with his to dust Ori Kossonogi’s .
Diogo Pinieiro – 94,000
Ori Kossonogi – 60,000
16:50: Ew Wei Min doubles up
Level 14: 2000-4000 ante 4000
Action folds to the small blind Kai Cheng Hsu who pushes his stack with , shorter stacked Ew Wei Min risks it with . No hits on the board for Hsu for snowmen to hold.
Ew Wei Min – 40,000
Kai Cheng Hsu – 28,000
16:45: Son Pham doubles up through Chien Hao
Level 14: 2000-4000 ante 4000
All in preflop, at risk player Son Pham with , Chien Hao with , the board stays clean for a double up to Pham.
Son Pham – 92,000
Chien Hao – 25,000
16:40: Blinds up 13 players remaining
Level 14: 2000-4000 ante 4000
Blinds up again, 13 players remaining. Day 1A plays down to ITM of 5% of the field which is 4 players.
16:20: Blinds up, 14 players remaining
Level 13: 1500-3000 ante 3000
Blinds up again, 14 players remaining. Day 1A plays down to ITM of 5% of the field which is 4 players.
16:20: Hsieh Cheng En vs Diogo Pinieiro
Level 12: 1000-2500 ante 2500
On a board showing 
and 50,000 in the pot, Hsieh Cheng En bets 20,000, Diogo Pinieiro tank-calls. Both players check the river . Hsieh opens , Pinieiro mucks.
Hsieh Cheng En – 136,000
Diogo Pinieiro – 75,000
16:15: Tan Ong Kwan doubles throug Gai Lax Lim
Level 12: 1000-2500 ante 2500
Action folds to the small blind Tan Ong Kwan who shoves with , big blind Gai Lax Lim calls with . The board runs .
Tan Ong Kwan – 58,000
Gai Lax Lim – 10,000
16:10: Sangbeom Lim triples up
Level 12: 1000-2500 ante 2500
Three way action with Sangbeom Lim all in for 6700 and to battle with, Kai Sheng Hsu is all in with , and Hsieh Cheng En hoping to deliver a double bust with . With the board running , Lim spikes a higher pair on the river to triple up as Hsu takes the side pot.
Sangbeom Lim – 22,000
Kai Sheng Hsu – 7,700
Hsieh Cheng En – 90,000
16:05: Chien Hao scores a big pot against Lim
Level 12: 1000-2500 ante 2500
On a board showing and a massive pot in the middle, Chien Hao bets 15,000, Sangebeom Lim tanks then finds the courage to call. Hao opens , Lim mucks.
Chien Hao – 85,000
Sangbeom Lim – 6,700
16:00: Blinds up, 16 players remaining
Level 12: 1000-2500 ante 2500
Tim Yeh all in with runs into Son Pham’s , the board lands 
. Yeh goes bust.
Son Pham – 105,000
Tim Yeh – eliminated
15:55: Ori Kossonogi rails Jonathan Wong, rises to 100K
Level 11: 1000-2000 ante 2000
Ori Kossonogi shoves his big stack on the button with , big blind Jonathan Wong risks his short stack with . The board brings no help to Wong as it runs out .
Ori Kossonogi – 100,000
Jonathan Wong – eliminated
15:50: Hsieh Cheng En up and down
Level 11: 1000-2000 ante 2000
From utg, Sangbeom Lim opens for 4000, button Tan Ong Kwan calls, small blind Hsieh Cheng En three-bets to 13,000, Lim folds, Tan calls. Both check the flop , Hsieh bets 11,000 on the turn and wins the pot.
Immediately following the hand, Hsieh raises to 4000 on the button, big blind Sangbeom Lim calls, then both players check to the river . Lim bets 3000, Hsieh calls, Lim wins the pot with .
Hsieh Cheng En – 70,000
15:45: Blinds up, 18 players remaining
Level 11: 1000-2000 ante 2000
Blinds up again, 18 players remaining. Day 1A plays down to ITM of 5% of the field which is 4 players.
15:40: Random stacks
Level 10: 1000-1500 ante 1500
Nakayama Takumi – 48,000
Joel Hao – 132,000
Sangbeom Lim – 48,000
Hsieh Cheng En – 60,000
Chien Hao – 34,000
Diogo Pinieiro – 130,000
Son Pham – 73,000
15:20: Double KO! Diogo Pinieiro ships a three-way
Level 10: 1000-1500 ante 1500
Three way all in preflop with Tsai Yu You Ci , Diogo Pinieiro , and short stacked Kuo Chun Liang with . With the board running 
, Pinieiro ships it while sending two players packing.
Diogo Pinieiro – 130,000
Tsai Yu You Ci – eliminated
Kuo Chun Liang – eliminated
15:15: Blinds up, 19 players remaining
Level 10: 1000-1500 ante 1500
Blinds up, 19 players remaining. Day 1A plays down to ITM of 5% of the field which is 4 players.
15:14: Hsiea Chang Che falls to Pham
Level 9: 600-1200 ante 1200
More shoves preflop with Hsiea Chang Che sending it all in with . Big stacked Son Pham calls with . The board runs . Pham ships it as Hsiea ships out.
Son Pham 73,000
Hsiea Chang Che – eliminated
15:10: Yip Kwok Chun doubles up
Level 9: 600-1200 ante 1200
Yip Kwok Chun all in with , big stacked Tsai Yu You Ci calls with . With the board running out , it is a double up for the short stack.
Yip Kwok Chun – 34,000
Tsai Yu You Ci – 51,000
15:05: Wei Chun Cheng tanks to Kai Sheng Hsu
Level 9: 600-1200 ante 1200
On a board and 14,000 in the pot, Kai Sheng Hsu shoves his 13,000 stack, Wei Chun hen tanks then folds.
Kai Sheng Hsu – 27,000
Wei Chun Cheng – 25,000
15:00: Jonathan Wong claims a pot
Level 9: 600-1200 ante 1200
On a flop {7}, small blind Chien Hao check-calls Jonathan Wong’s 2,000 bet. On the turn and river , both check, Chien with , Wong wins it with .
Jonathan Wong – 28,000
14:55: Blinds up, 27 players remaining
Level 9: 600-1200 ante 1200
Blinds are up, 27 players remaining. Day 1A plays down to ITM of 5% of the field which is 4 players.
14:40: Gai Lax Lim rails one
Level 8: 500-1000 ante 1000
Another all in preflop with Deng Deng Kai at risk with ah} against bigger stacked Gai Lax Lim with . With the board running dry , Lim ships it as Deng falls.
Gai Lax Lim – 28,000
Deng Deng Kai – eliminated
14:35: Players dropping fast, 30 remaining at new level
Level 8: 500-1000 ante 1000
Blinds are up. 11 players dropped out at the previous level leaving 30 in the field. Day 1A plays down to ITM of 5% of the field which is 4 players.
14:30: Short stacked Tung Wing Wong doubles up
Level 7: 400-800 ante 800
All in preflop, short stacked Tung Wing Wong with and challenger Ho Chun Kit has . The board runs out for a pair spiked by Wong to double up.
Tung Wing Wong – 7,000
Ho Chun Kit – 6,000
14:25: Wang En doubles up
Level 7: 400-800 ante 800
Hand opens with utg+1 Tim Yeh raising to 1600, small blind Song Pham calls, big blind Wang En three-bet jams 6700, yeh folds, Pham calls.
Wang
Pham
Board runs out for a double up to Wang.
Wang En – 10,000
Son Pham – 30,000
14:20: Joel Hao rails Edmond Chim
Level 7: 400-800 ante 800
Joel Hao all in with and Edmond Chim calls for all his chips with . With the board running [10h}, Chim goes bust.
Joel Hao – 10,000
Edmond Chim – eliminated
14:15: Registration closes at 78 entries, play down to 4 ITM
Level 7: 400-800 ante 800
Day 1A registration closed with 78 entries. There are 41 players remaining and will race for one of the 4 spots into Day 2.
14:00: Break time, last chance to register
Level 6: 300-600 ante 600
Break time again, 15 minutes for latecomers to get in Day 1A. Currently 71 entries with Sangbeom Lim leading with 55,500. Buy in is TWD 11,000 (~USD 360), the lowest tier of the Main Event. Registration closes at 2:15pm.
13:45: Diogo Pinieiro scores a huge pot
Level 6: 300-600 ante 600
On a board showing and a huge pot of 15,500, three players check. One player has , Wei Min Ew with , Diogo Pinieiro wins the pot with top pair.
Diogo Pinieiro – 34,000
13:40: Blinds up, 64 entries
Level 6: 300-600 ante 600
Blinds up, 64 entries, this is the last level to enter. There will be a 15-min break after. Registration closes at the start of Level 7 at 2:15pm.
13:35: Sangbeom Lim rails one
Level 5: 300-500 ante 500
Hung Che Wang wakes up with and shoves his remaining 4,500 stack, next to him, big stacked Sangbeom Lim looks down at and snap calls. It is overkill with the board running out .
Sangbeom Lim – 36,000
Hung Che Wang – eliminated
13:30: Aces give Cheng En Hsien a full boost
Level 5: 300-500 ante 500
Cheng En Hsien is all in on the turn with , Raymond Chan calls with , the river is no help to Chan to pay the double up.
Cheng En Hsien – 15,000
Raymond Chan – 9,000
13:25: Chip leaders update
Level 5: 300-500 ante 500
Wing Yu Lau – 44,000
Wei Min Ew – 44,000
Yuanxi Chen – 34,000
Sangbeom Lim – 31,000
Nien Heng Li – 30,000
13:20: Blinds up, 60 entries
Level 5: 300-500 ante 500
Blinds up again, 60 entries now. Registration closes at the start of Level 7 at 2:15pm. Buy in is TWD 11,000. This flight plays down to ITM of 5% of the field.
13:15: Raymond Chan pairs the ace to survive
Level 4: 200-400 ante 400
Raymond Chan is all in with and is up agaiinst Li Wei Kuo with . With the board running , it is a double up for Chan.
Raymond Chan – 20,000
Ki Wei Kuo – 12,500
13:08: Kai Cheng Hsu doubles up with rockets
Level 4: 200-400 ante 400
On a turn board and 6,800 in the pot, Kai Cheng Hsu shoves his 3,300 stack, Inkuei Tan calls. Hsu has , Tan is drawing dead with . The river is .
Kai Cheng Hsu – 13,400
Inkuei Tan – 15,300
13:00: Blinds up, 53 entries
Level 4: 200-400 ante 400
Blinds are up and the field has grown to 53 entries. Registration closes at the start of Level 7 at 2:15pm. Buy in is TWD 11,000. This flight plays down to ITM of 5% of the field.
12:55: Nakayama Takumi drags in a big pot
Level 3: 200-300 ante 300
Three players beef up the pot 4,000 each, the flop lands , Thi Xuan Ha Tran bets 5,100, one player folds, Nakayama Takumi shoves, Tran snap-calls.
Takumi –
Tran
The turn and river improves Takumi to a flush to ship a double up.
Nakayama Takumi – 33,000
Thi Xuan Ha Tran – 3,000
12:50: Hsiea Chang Che rails Deng Deng Kai
Level 3: 200-300 ante 300
Deng Deng Kai three-bet shoves his 6,300 stack and initial raiser Hsiea Chang Che snap-calls. Deng opens and needs help against Hsiea’s . No help comes on a board .
Hsiea Chang Che – 14,500
Deng Deng Kai – eliminated
12:45: Ori Kossonogi check-raises with air
Level 3: 200-300 ante 300
On a flop of and 2,000 in the pot, button Yu Tang Wang bets 500, cutoff Ori Kossonogi check-raises to 1,700. Wang calls. Both players check the turn then on the river Kossonogi leads out for 5,100 and gets called. He opens , Wang mucks.
Ori Kossonogi – 18,000
Yu Tang Wang – 4,800
12:43: Ka Wing Leung shoves for the pot
Level 3: 200-300 ante 300
On a flop and 2,300 in the pot, Ka Wing Leung shoves his 2,900 stack, Kao Leong Wong folds.
Ka Wing Leung – 5,200
Kao Leong Wong – 16,000
12:40: Blinds up, 45 entries
Level 3: 200-300 ante 300
Blinds are up again and so are the number of entries to 45. Registration closes at the start of Level 7 which is at 2:15pm. Buy in is TWD 11,000 (~USD 360).
12:35: Ewe Wei Min doubles up through Siow Han Yee
Level 2: 100-200 ante 200
On a flop and 2,300 in the pot, lojack Siow Han Yee bets 1,300, re-entry player Inkuei Tan folds, button Ew Wei Min raises to 3,500. Siow calls and the turn comes . Ew quickly moves all in for his remaining 5,000, Siow tank-calls and opens , Ew is ahead with . The river is a double up for Ew as Siow plunges.
Ew Wei Min – 19,500
Siow Han Yee – 2,200
12:20: Blinds up, 28 entries, one casualty
Level 2: 100-200 ante 200
A quick first level has gone by. The field has grown to 28 entries. We also did see our first casualty with Inkuei Tan falling to Thi Xuan Ha Tran. She has now doubled her stack to around 20,000.
12:00: Cards in the air!
Level 1: 100-100 ante 100
Cards are now flying at Day 1A of the inaugural Poker Dream Main Event! 21 players quickly pulled up seats and are eligible for a spin on the lucky draw wheel. Th first 100 players of each Day 1 will receive Poker Dream merchandise.
After four days of pre-game action the inaugural Poker Dream Taiwan MAIN EVENT is here! The highlight tournament runs for six days from June 20-25, 2023 featuring a TWD 15,000,000 (~USD 488,470) guarantee. It takes place at the newly erected Asia Poker Arena in Taipei City.
For the first time, the Main Event will offer something unique as it caters to all types of bankrolls. Three varying buy ins will be offered – TWD 11,000 (~USD 360), TWD 22,000 (~USD 720), and TWD 33,000 (~USD 1,080) – and a total of ten flights are scheduled to give players plenty of chance to qualify for Day 2. Here are the Day 1A details.
Day 1A
Buy in: TWD 11,000 (~USD 360)
Play down to ITM which is 5% of the field
Registration closes at the start of Level 7, at 2:15pm
Blinds open: 100-100 ante 100
Level intervals: 20 minutes
Starting stack: 10,000
*Other flights with this buy in are Day 1B, Day 1C, Day 1H, starting times vary so make sure to check the schedule.
Day 1D and Day 1F
Buy in: TWD 22,000 (720)|
Level intervals: 30 minutes
Play down to ITM of which is 10% of the field
Day 1E and Day 1G
Buy in: TWD 33,000 (~USD 1,080)
Play down to ITM of which is 15% of the field
Players are encouraged to attempt for multiple stacks and though your lower stack will be removed from play, you will still collect TWD 120,000 for your second stack. For players that bag up a third stack, you will be paid a combined TWD 250,000 for the two stacks removed.
More incentives for players with the first 100 that sign up per day eligible for a lucky draw with coveted Poker Dream merchandise to aim for – power banks, polo shirts, caps, mini shot clocks, and t-shirts.
Good luck to all!
*All images provided by Poker Dream
Tricia David
Tricia David has long experience as a recreational poker player and has been covering poker events since 2010 for numerous outfits in Asia. She spent one year working part time with Poker Portal Asia then became editor and lead writer for all event coverage of the Philippine Poker Tour (PPT). Under the PPT, she overlooked content for their website, and produced live updates on all their events. In addition, she served as the live and online events website content writer for the Asian Poker Tour. Currently, she does live events reporting in Asia for online news site Somuchpoker and is also one of their news contributors.
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