APL MAIN EVENT (26,000 TWD)

After six days of intense competition, a massive 1,178-entry field, and over 200 hands across the Final Day games, South Korea's Hyundong Lee has emerged as this season's APL Taipei 2025 Main Event Champion. Clinching his first-ever live title, Lee walked away with NT$ 3,629,173 (~US$ 123,485) in winnings, his career-best score by a wide margin.

"I was worried about having such a bad run throughout the entire season. However, achieving a wonderful result at APL Taiwan gave me renewed confidence in my poker career. It reminded me that perseverance pays off, and that even during tough times, a single good performance can change the outlook completely.", commented Lee in his post match interview.

"At the beginning of the tournament, I suffered a major loss to my stack. That moment was a real wake-up call. The pressure of playing short-stacked compared to the rising blinds forced me to adapt quickly. It pushed me to play smarter and make every move count."

Lee entered the final table sitting middle of the pack, but his path to victory was far from smooth. Early on, he slipped down to a mere five big blinds, seemingly on the brink of elimination with eight players left in the running. But a pair of timely double ups sparked a crucial turnaround, the second coming at the expense of Chung Lee, whose pocket aces bound for the muck. Lee’s run good continued as he scooped another pivotal pot with a made flush against Ha Seong Min, fueling his surge up the leaderboard.

"My strategy was simple: stay calm and patient. I kept reminding myself to wait for the right moment. In poker, sometimes the best move is to do nothing until the right opportunity comes.", added Lee.

With momentum on his side, Lee eliminated Yau Xin Chu in 5th place over a preflop race, propelling him into the chip lead. Lee maintained his advantage as play tightened, and once the field reached three-handed, an ICM deal was struck, locking up the largest payout for Lee. The South Korean contender kept his foot on the gas and eventually sent Chung Lee out in 3rd, heading into heads up play with a near 2:1 lead.

Facing Wu Chiayun, the final duel spanned over two hours, marked by big pots and lead exchanges. Wu managed to pull ahead at one point, but Lee remained composed and regained control down the stretch. On the final hand, Lee shoved from the button and Wu called off his remaining 12.5 big blinds. Holding the edge, Lee’s hand held through a tense runout, eventually securing him the win and sealing his name in APL history.

With newfound confidence, Lee relayed, "If given the chance, I’ll always push to break my own records. I believe in constantly challenging myself to grow. Every new tournament is a new chance to raise the bar higher than before." So don’t be surprised to see Lee chasing more titles on the biggest stages soon, congratulations to all the winners!

APL Taipei Main Event

Date/s: June 11-16, 2025

Buy-in: NT$ 26,000 (~US$ 865)

Guarantee: NT$ 21,000,000 (~US$ 700,800)

Entries: 1,178

Prize pool: NT$ 26,462,592 (~US$ 895,830)

ITM: 177 places

Day 1A: 132 entries, 20 qualified

Day 1B: 78 entries, 12 qualified

Day 1C: 223 entries, 33 qualified

Day 1D: 131 entries, 20 qualified

Day 1E: 409 entries, 61 qualified

Day 1F: 205 entries, 31 qualified

After more than 200 hands played at the final table, the last hand began with Hyundong Lee open shoving from the button. Wu Chiayun took a moment, then committed his remaining 12,500,000, risking his tournament life.

Slightly behind, Wu picked up more outs on a promising A♦ J♣ T♣ flop, but bricked runout A♠ 3♠ , sealing the win for Lee's trip aces.

Wu finishes runner-up, securing over NT$ 3 million thanks to a three-way ICM deal struck earlier in play.

Wu Chiayun opened another 2,000,000 on the button, and this time, Hyundong Lee shot out a raise to 5,500,000. Wu completed, setting up a juicy pot right off the bat.

On flop Q♠ 2♠ J♣ , Lee led with a bet of 3,800,000. Wu called again, but ultimately conceded after Lee pulled the trigger on turn 9♠ .

Wu Chiayun opened another 1,800,000 on the button, and Hyundong Lee defended his big blind. On board K♣ Q♣ 3♣ 3♥ , Wu double barreled 1,200,000, and 2,800,000, enough to get Lee to lay it down on the second street.

Hyundong Lee opened to 2,000,000 on the button, with Wu Chiayun defending his big blind.

The flop came 5♣ 8♠ 8♥ , and action checked through to turn 5♦ . Wu checked again, prompting a 1,800,000 bet from Lee. Wu called to see river 6♠ , but let it go as Lee went for a final 4,500,000.

Hyundong Lee shot out a 2,200,000 raise after Wu Chiayun limped in on the button, and received a call from his final opponent.

The flop came 8♣ 6♦ 3♥ , and Lee continued for another 1,800,000. Wu called once more, yet waived the white flag on turn A♥ after Lee shoved his last 10,400,000 in.

Wu Chiayun continued applying pressure heads up, beginning with a raise to 1,900,000 on the button. Hyundong Lee called in the big blind, and read a flop of J♣ A♦ Q♦ .

Wu fired a 1,800,000 c-bet, followed by a 4,400,000 barrel on turn 4♥ , and closed with a hefty 7,500,000 on river K♣ . Lee check called the first two streets, but gave it up on the end, allowing Wu to pull in another sizable pot.

Following an hour of back and forth, Wu Chiayun has pulled into the lead heading into the break.

Wu opened once more on the button, this time for a larger 1,800,000, and Hyundong Lee made it 5,000,000 in the big blind. Wu responded with a shove for 20,600,000, putting the pressure back on his opponent. Lee went deep into the tank, burning two of his time bank chips before finally letting it go.

Wu Chiayun defended his big blind against Hyundong Lee's 1,200,000 button open, and went on to lead 1,400,000 on flop 7♦ Q♦ 3♣ . Lee called behind, but couldn't get past turn Q♣ as Wu lodged a second 1,500,000 barrel.

Hyundong Lee on the button, limp called a 1,600,000 raise from Wu Chiayun, taking the two to a flop of K♣ T♥ 8♠ .

Wu continued for 700,000, and picked up another call from his opponent. On turn 2♥ , Wu decided to check his option, and give up the fight shortly after Lee pumped up the aggression with a hefty 2,200,000.

Wu Chiayun opened once more on the button, and Hyundong Lee pushed from the big blind. Wu was up to the challenge, risking his remaining 8,350,000.

Wu a favorite to win, had no problems securing the double up on board K♠ 6♣ 4♥ 9♦ J♠ .

Wu Chiayun opened 1,250,000 on the button, and Hyundong Lee completed his big blind.

On board K♥ J♥ 8♦ K♣ , Wu double barreled - 800,000 and 1,400,000, with Lee calling down to the river 4♦ . Wu finally decided to slow down following a third check from his opponent, and take the loss as Lee turned over two pair 8♣ 7♣ .

Wu Chiayun defended his big blind against Hyundong Lee's 1,200,000 button open, and check called another 1,000,000 on flop K♦ 7♦ 8♥ .

Wu checked turn J♠ a second time around, and Lee gave a free pass to river 4♦ . Wu fired a small bet of 500,000, and showed top pair K♣ 2♠ after Lee made the call. Lee however, tabled a rivered two pair 7♠ 4♠ for the win, edging him closer to victory.

This season's APL Taipei Main Event is down to its final two players out of a massive field of 1,178 entries. South Korea's Hyundong Lee holds the advantage over local star Wu Chiayun. While each is already guaranteed at least NT$ 3 million in winnings, the prestige remains up for grabs along with a bonus NT$ 300,000, and the golden APL Main Event trophy.

Chip Counts

Chung Lee defended his big blind against Hyundong Lee's 1,100,000 open, and faced an 850,000 cbet from the aggressor on flop K♦ Q♦ 7♥ . Chung responded with a raise to 2,100,000, and called for his 6,000,000 behind after Hyundong demanded for the rest.

Hyundong 8♦ 7♦

Chung K♣ T♥

Chung at risk against Hyundong's flush draw with top pair, settled for a third place finish as runout 6♦ 8♣ felted a third diamond to complete his opponent's flush.

Only three players remain in the running for this season's APL Taipei Main Event. It's a tight race from here on out, with the stacks nearly neck and neck. South Korea’s Hyundong Lee currently holds a slight edge, but Taiwan’s Wu Chiayun is close behind and well within striking distance.

Chip Counts

Chung Lee defended his big blind against Hyundong Lee's 800,000 button open, and check called another 800,000 on flop J♠ Q♥ 5♥ .

Chung checked turn 2♥ a second time around, and Hyundong made way for a free river , K♠ . Chung leapt at the chance with a bet of 1,200,000, enough to cap the action then and there.

Ha Seong Min opened 800,000 utg, and was met with a 2,400,000 three bet from Hyundong Lee in the small blind. Ha responded with an all-in for his entire 6,100,000, and Lee snapped, putting the day chip leader at risk.

A 50-50 spot, Lee's pocket pair held firm across board K♦ 4♥ 6♠ 4♠ T♦ , busting Ha in the process whilst earning him his career best cash to date.

Hyundong Lee fired an 800,000 button open, and Wu Chiayun called on the big blind. Ha Seong Min decided to go for a squeeze to 2,200,000, pushing Lee out of the way. Wu on the other hand, raised all-in, leaving Ha in quick surrender.

Ha Seong Min pushed all-in on the button for 4,300,000, and was looked up by Hyundong Lee right on the big blind.

In dire need of a double up, Ha collected one as board A♠ K♣ 6♠ K♠ J♥ sealed his win with a full house.

Chip leader Hyundong Lee opened to 800,000, called by Wu Chiayun on the button.

On flop K♠ 9♣ 6♥ , Lee continued for 750,000, and filled up 750,000 more following a raise from Wu. Both checked turn 7♠ to river J♠ , where Wu gunned for a final 2,000,000. Lee paid the price, and mucked as Wu revealed set 6♦ 6♠ .

Hyundong Lee raised 800,000 on the button, and was called by both players on the blinds - Wu Chiayun and Ha Seong Min.

Checked to Lee, he continued for 1,100,000 on flop K♦ J♣ 9♣ . Wu called, while Ha got out of the way.

Action slowed down on turn J♦ , revealing a free river 8♠ . Wu decided to bet 1,575,000, only to get his bluff A♣ 2♣ exposed after Lee put in a crying call with A♠ Q♦ high.

Ha Seong Min bumped up the action to 800,000 on the button, and Hyundong Lee completed his big blind.

Action on board 4♣ 3♥ 5♠ A♥ 6♣ was checked all the way down to the river, where Lee led a hefty 1,400,000. Ha once again, paid the price, and mucked as Lee revealed the nuts 8♥ 7♣ .

Hyundong Lee has picked up more chips following two back to back wins to overtake both Ha Seong Min and Wu Chiayun up the chip leaderboard.

Lee first defended his big blind against Ha's button open, and check called one 650,000 cbet on board 2♥ 3♠ 4♦ K♥ K♦ . No more bets went it following then, shipping Lee the boost with two pair 5♣ 2♣ .

On the next hand, Lee opened 1,000,000 in the small blind folded to him. Wu completed behind, but let it go on board K♦ 9♦ 5♥ Q♣ as soon as Lee gunned for more chips.

Action folded down to the blinds, pushing Hyundong Lee to open raise all-in against Yau Xin Chu behind. Chu stepped up to the plate, risking his remaining 5,150,000.

Slightly ahead, Chu kept his advantage all the way through board Q♦ 5♦ J♥ 6♦ , up until the river A♦ landed Lee a broadway straight to turn the tables and deliver the bust.

Ha Seong Min opened 600,000 on the button, and Hyundong Lee completed his big blind.

Action was checked to turn 5♠ 7♥ 2♠ 5♣ , where Lee led for 550,000. Ha put in the call, and proceeded to take advantage of Lee's river check on K♦ with a 1,500,000 bet. After some deliberation, Lee decided to make the call, only to muck as Ha revealed two pair K♥ 3♥ .

Hyundong Lee defended his big blind against Ha Seong Min's 600,000 cutoff open, and check called a 300,000 cbet on flop 6♣ 7♠ J♠ .

On turn 9♠ , Lee tapped the table once more, prompting Ha to go for a second barrel of 950,000. Lee clapped back with a raise to 2,100,000, and shortly called off his remaining 5,025,000 after Ha moved all-in.

Ha 8♥ 5♠

Lee 8♠ 6♠

Ha drawing dead against Lee's turned flush, took the hit as river 3♠ completed the board, yet still remained up the ranks.

Fresh from a double up, Hyundong Lee scored another one at the cost of compatriot Chung Lee.

Hyundong responded with another push for 2,625,000 against Chung's button open and was snapped by his opponent with the best hand in the deck.

Hyundong riding his momentum however, clutched a miracle runout on Q♠ J♦ T♦ 9♥ 4♣ , quickly landing a straight to earn another win.

Down to a mere five big blinds, Hyundong Lee went with A♣ 9♠ , and likewise was caught in the fire against Wu Chiayun behind.

Lee running behind and at risk, instantly landed the advantage on board A♦ K♦ 5♠ 6♥ A♥ , keeping the table 8-handed.

Chiayun Wu opened 325,000, joined by Seunghyuk Jung on the cutoff along with Hyundong Lee on the big blind.

On flop A♥ 6♥ 4♠ , Wu continued for 225,000, Jung called, while Lee stepped aside. Wu decided not to fire another barrel on turn 6♦ , and fold against Jung's 525,000 bet.

Hyundong Lee opened 250,000 utg, and Chung Lee completed his big blind.

Hyundong continued for 180,000 on flop A♥ 3♥ 6♦ , and followed with another 460,000 on turn 8♠ . Chung check called both streets, and tapped the table on river 8♥ a third time around.

Hyundong decided to take it to showdown, and muck as Chung revealed two pair A♣ 2♥ .

Straight off the bat, Hyundong Lee opened 250,000 mid position, and Yau Xin Chu to his left, fired a three bet to 400,000. Lee called, but quickly surrendered on flop 6♦ 5♠ 2♦ after Chu threw another 400,000.