APL MAIN EVENT (26,000 TWD)

That’s a wrap for Day 2 of the APL Taipei Main Event! After a long day of intense play, the field has been narrowed from 176 runners down to just 32 players, each securing a spot in the final four tables and locking up a minimum payout of NT$ 109,300 (~US$ 3,700).

With the NT$ 26,462,592 (~US$ 895,830) prize pool officially in play, the money trickled in today as eliminations stacked up one by one. The chase continues tomorrow, with the NT$ 4,748,692 (~US$ 160,800) top prize still waiting to be claimed.

South Korea's Ha Seong Min leads the charge, having bagged the biggest stack of the night with 3,525,000 (71 BB). Right behind him are fellow countrymen Donghyun Lim with 3,280,000 (66 BB), and Chung Lee with 3,165,000 (63 BB), making it an all-Korean top three heading into Day 3.

Cards are back in the air at noon tomorrow as the race to the final table heats up. Stay tuned as SMP brings you all the latest news straight from the tournament floor!

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

Day 2: 176 players, 32 qualified

Day 3: June 15, 2025

Final Table: June 16, 2025

Hao Chao opened 100,000 utg, and Chun Chi Lai responded with a shove for his remaining 700,000. Chao didn’t hesitate to call, putting Lai at risk as the final hand of the day unfolded.

Already in front, Chao widened the gap on the flop Q♠ 3♣ 5♠ , with the runout T♥ J♦ ultimately securing him the win. With that, Chun became the last elimination of Day 2, bringing the field down to the final 32 players heading into Day 3.

Sumit Sapra moved all-in on the button for 520,000 over Gwanghee Park’s early open, only to get cold called by Pak Leong Mak in the big blind. Park stepped aside, leaving the two to battle it out in what could’ve been the last bust of the day.

No eliminations this time around as Sapra spiked a set on board Q♣ T♠ 8♣ 9♥ K♣ to earn the double up.

Guan Lun Chen opened utg, and was followed by two shoves - Yi Liao for 305,000, and Hao Chao with a much bigger stack. Chen used up all his time banks with nearly all his chips to the test, and eventually open folded A♠ Q♠ , leaving the two to showdown.

Liao at risk of being the Day 2 final elimination, escaped one as board 8♠ 4♥ 2♦ T♣ 3♠ kept his pocket pair ahead all the way through.

Anson Lau opened 80,000 in early position, and shot out a 240,000 three bet from the hijack. Lau responded with another raise to 580,000, putting Tsai in a tough spot. After burning through three time banks, Tsai tossed his hand in the muck and decided to move on to the next deal.

Only one elimination is left on the table,with 32 players set to advance to Day 3. The clock is ticking and the players are stalling, each on the edge of their seats as the Day 2 end nears.

Action folded to the blinds, leaving Zong Chi He to flick in his last 110,000. Seungwon Lee called behind, and shortly accepted defeat as the board Q♠ J♦ 7♦ 2♣ Q♦ ran quads for his opponent.

Another one hit the rail with Yoda Lin being the latest casualty. Lin got it in with pocket tens, but couldn't fade Peng Sen Wu’s ace-king, which connected on a king-high board to seal the knockout.

Sangyun Lee fired a 90,000 open and was met with a shove from Chiayun Wu on the big blind. Lee took the spot, risking his entire 510,000.

Slightly behind, Lee failed to improve on board 5♦ 9♣ T♥ 6♠ T♦ , cutting his Main Event run short.

Jitae Hwa open ripped 505,000 on the cutoff, and Jongkwan Lee made the call right on the big blind.

Flipping for his tournament life, Hwa was crushed to see none of overcards appear on board 6♣ 8♣ 7♠ Q♦ 8♦ , shipping the pot over to Lee as he headed to the rail.

Riding the momentum, Lee struck again the very next hand, claiming a second knockout as Lee Yun Xiang became his next victim.

Uhsang Ahn, down to four big blinds, pushed his remaining 190,000 against Hyundong Lee's cutoff open, and found himself at risk over a race.

Board 2♦ 6♠ 3♦ 6♣ 9♦ missed to connect with either player, leaving Lee to deliver yet another bust.

A same scenario on a different table landed on the felt - Chang Po Chieh at risk for his last 400,000 against Hyundong Lee behind.

Board 6♣ 9♦ 5♦ Q♦ 4♦ this time, delivered a bad beat, awarding Lee the win while Chang bound for the exit.

Yoda Lin pushed 560,000 from the hijack against an utg open, and was challenged by initial raiser Hao Chao.

Lin well ahead, had a bit of a scare after the window card revealed a Q♣ . Luckily, the board finished K♦ 4♥ 8♦ 7♣ , giving Lin relief as he raked in the pot with top pair.

Down to his last five big blinds, Eunsu Park put his tournament life on the line with A♥ 3♥ . Yoo Seokyeol however, woke up with a monster K♠ K♣ on the small blind, and sent Park packing shortly after the board 8♦ 2♥ 6♥ T♣ 5♣ faced up on the felt.

The worst Hold'em cooler in the deck was seen on Table 3 with Jongseon Lee at risk for his entire 795,000 against Uhsang Ahn's rockets.

Ready to bow out, Lee sat back down as the window card showed a K♥ , followed by 5♥ 7♦ 4♦ 5♦ , turning the tables 360 with a full house to crack his opponent's aces.

The pressure is mounting as Day 2 of the APL Taipei Main Event nears its conclusion. Just 41 players remain in the field, with play continuing down to the final four tables (32 survivors) advancing to Day 3. That means we’re just nine eliminations away from the day's close. The pressure’s on, and every pot matters with a NT$ 4.7 million (~US$ 161K) top prize on the line!

Tsai Chia Ta opened 60,000 on the cutoff, and had to take a minute after Justin Chan shoved from the small blind. After some deliberation, Tsai called off his 635,000 stack and found himself in a great spot to double up.

Board ran 4♣ 2♠ J♥ 6♦ 2♣ , leaving Tsai's ace-queen high good for the takedown.

Chan, crippled down to just two big blinds, succumbed to his fate a few hands later. It was Uhsang Ahn who delivered the final blow, winning a race to seal Chan’s elimination in 44th place finish.

Struggling to regain momentum after a bumpy road this Day 2, chip leader Jaehyung Park moved all-in for his last 345,000 from the cutoff. Anson Lau, sitting on the small blind, made the call with a pocket pair to put Park at risk.

Park dominated, found no help on board Q♦ Q♣ K♥ Q♥ 8♦ , sending him out of the Main Event games entirely.

Beng Hong Ker opened utg, joined by Jongseon Lee two seats over and Hyundong Lee on the cutoff.

Flop 4♠ Q♠ A♥ was checked to Hyundong, prompting him to bet 60,000. Ker pushed for 275,000, Jongseon called, and Hyundong completed.

Both players tapped the table on turn 8♦ , revealing a free river 2♠ . Jongseon checked a third time around, and Hyundong went for a final 180,000. Jongseon paid the price with top pair A♦ J♣ , only to slip down as Hyundong revealed a flush 8♠ 7♠ .

For the main pot, Ker's K♥ K♠ also couldn't hold against the spade-heavy board, eliminating him from this season's APL Main Event.

Facing a late position open, Jongseon Lee on the cutoff raised the stakes to 175,000, and Chiayun Wu a seat after raised all-in for 795,000. Initial raiser stepped aside, and Lee slipped in the call.

Two premium pairs on the table, no miracle arrived for Lee on board 2♦ 5♥ 8♣ 5♦ 5♣ , costing him nearly half his stack.

Lee Yun Xiang opened 50,000 on the hijack, and flicked in 120,000 more following an all-in from Yutang Wang on the small blind.

Wang at risk, needed to improve, but missed to do so on board T♠ 2♣ J♣ T♣ 8♣ , leaving Lee's queen-high flush good for the bust.

Huan Yu Chen was seen heading out the door after a massive pocket pair clash against Donghyun Lim left him empty-handed. More than 2 million in chips were pushed Lim’s way, vaulting him to the top of the leaderboard while Chen’s run came to an end.

Pojui Chen open ripped 300,000 utg, and Chu Yong Chun called on the button.

Whilst a bold move, Chen's aggression didn't pay off, having missed to connect with board Q♣ 7♦ 8♣ 8♦ A♠ , sending him quickly to the rail.

Day 2 chip leader Jaehyung Park has slipped down the ranks following a series of short stack losses around the table. Though Park sits below the average 35 big blind mark, Park continues to keep his Main Event hopes alive with a comfortable 27 big blind stack.

On a side note, Park is the sole runner to bag two entries to today's games, his first seat already earning him a minimum profit.

Bidding for a hefty 300,000 pot on board 6♣ J♠ A♥ 8♣ , Huan Yu Chen stroke a 150,000 bet and was check called by Jun Beum Chun. On river Q♠ , Chun checked another time, and tank folded shortly after Huan pushed all-in, not before burning through two time banks.

Hao Chao opened 40,000 on the button, and Seong Uk Huh moved all-in for 322,000 on the small blind. Big blind got out of the way, leaving only Chao to take the spot.

Following a call, the dealer fanned 4♦ 9♦ 3♦ K♠ J♦ , offering no help to Seong's dominated pocket pair for his elimination.

Suparerk Totsaponvisad stuffed his 223,000 stack against an utg open, and was looked up by Jitae Hwa on the big blind. Initial raiser opted out, leaving the two to showdown.

Totsaponvisad hanging on for his tournament life, bagged the double as board 2♣ 2♦ 9♦ 5♥ A♠ missed to pair up Hwa's overcards.

Jaehyung Park opened 40,000 utg, and called Si Ung Kim's 120,000 all-in on the button, putting his opponent at risk.

Kim ahead, locked in the win as board Q♦ 2♥ Q♠ 4♥ 4♣ ran safe for his pocket pair.

Yoda Lin kicked off with a 40,000 open utg+1. Action folded down to Seong Uk Huh on the big blind, who made it 160,000 to go. Lin undeterred, responded with a raise to 450,000, and picked up the pot uncontested after Seong finished the last two of his time banks.

Action was picked up on turn 7♣ Q♠ 8♠ A♦ with a pot of 180,000 stacked alongside. Juhyeon Park led out a 77,000 bet off the big blind and was met with a 225,000 raise from opponent Peng Sen Wu. Park gave it some consideration, but arrived at a fold, shipping Peng the pot.

Suya Lee opened in early position and snapped Chen Cheng Chun's 200,000 all-in behind.

Running a coinflip, Lee's pocket pair held firm on board 4♣ T♦ 7♠ T♠ 7♥ , eliminating Chen from the Main Event games.

Chong Un Kim fired a 32,000 button open, and Chiayun Wu defended his big blind. Action on board 6♣ J♠ Q♠ J♦ 3♠ was checked down to the river, where Kim shot for a final 50,000. Wu called him down with two pair 6♥ 4♦ , exposing Kim's bluff A♠ 4♥ .

Jeong In Jae slipped a 35,000 open in early position, and called Jung Chen's 90,000 three bet over at the cutoff.

On flop 8♣ 2♠ T♠ , Jeong check called another 40,000, but found no reason to continue after Chen fired a 90,000 second barrel on turn 2♥ .

Running short, Sungki Kim pushed his last 108,000 utg, and Hao Chao called on the button.

Board 6♦ 2♦ 8♠ 2♠ 9♠ ran dry for both, leaving Hao's ace-king high good for the bust.

With action folded down to the button, Lam Vu made a move for his last 101,000, and was called by Jaejoong Kim on the small blind. Last to act Gwanghee Park reshoved for a much bigger stack, pushing Kim off the pot.

Vu in rough shape against Park's nutted pair, succumbed to his demise, having failed to catch up on board 5♣ 5♠ 6♦ Q♥ 3♦ .

With an open and a call in front, Sangyun Lee made it 60,000 in the big blind, and was faced with another raise to 120,000 from initial raiser Donghyun Lim. One folded, while Lee made the call, fanning a flop of J♥ 4♦ J♦ .

Lee checked, and Lim bet 160,000, just enough to put his opponent all-in. After giving it some thought, Lee stood his ground, risking his tournament life with ace-high.

Lim 7♥ 7♠

Lee A♥ K♥

Lucky for Lee, the runout A♦ K♣ improved his hand to two pair, sparing him from elimination.

Action folded down to the button, where Sanggyu Lee flicked the switch with a 30,000 open. Shih Hsuan Li on the big blind, made it 100,000 to go, but gave it up shortly after Lee demanded for his 11 big blinds behind.

A healthy 270,000 pot was already stacked up in the middle when action was caught on turn 9♣ 7♦ Q♥ 3♣ . Dicky Tsang continued the aggression with a 90,000 bet and followed with a shove on river 3♦ . Jeong In Jae let it go by the final barrel, relinquishing the pot to his opponent.

Pojui Chen set the pace to 25,000 utg, Ha Seong Min bumped it up to 68,000, and Chu Yong Chun went over the top for 330,000. Chen stepped aside, while Ha made the call, tabling a classic Hold'em flip.

Chu at risk, instantly flopped top pair on board A♣ J♠ 4♠ 9♦ 7♠ , earning him the 60 BB pot. On a side note, Chen relayed to the table that he folded jacks pre, missing out on what could have been a massive boost.

Hyungsoo Lim defended his utg open and called a 70,000 three bet from Hsueh Chung Heng in the small blind.

On flop Q♥ J♥ 9♣ , Lim faced a 50,000 cbet, and responded with a raise to 150,000. Hsueh moved all-in for 100,000 more, and Lim tank called the rest.

Hsueh Q♠ Q♣

Lim 3♥ 3♠

Hailing for a miracle against Hsueh's top set, Lim accepted his fate as the turn A♥ and river 6♦ left his pocket pair entirely in pieces.

Puyen Fang lit up with a 20,000 open in early position and risked 76,000 more following a shove from Tse Pien a seat after.

A 50-50 spot, Tse's overcards won it this time around, having spiked an ace on board 7♠ 5♣ 5♥ A♠ 5♠ for his survival.

Vying for a pot of 190,000 on board T♠ 2♠ 9♥ 9♠ , Jaewook Shin shoved on the big blind for his remaining 113,000, and was looked up by Jongkwan Lee on the button.

Shin J♥ T♣

Lee K♦ J♠

Drawing to both straight and flush outs, neither filled up on river A♥ , awarding Shin the full double up with two pair.

A seires of preflop back and forth between Jonty Obrien and Sanggyu Lee built a huge pile of chips in the middle with Obrien at risk for his entire 331,000 along with his tournament life.

Dominated, Obrien couldn't catch a lucky break on board 5♣ 6♠ 8♠ 7♣ J♥ , propeling Lee past the 1 million mark as he raked in the win.

Action was picked up on turn Q♥ Q♠ 3♣ T♦ with a burly 230,000 pot already in the middle. Donghyun Lim on the big blind, went for a 120,000 bet, and snapped the rest as Jaejoong Kim moved all-in for 260,000.

Kim Q♦ 8♦

Lim A♥ A♣

Down to two outs, Lim found none appear on river 7♥ , sending his rockets towards the muck as Kim scooped up the pot.

Heng Zhe Hu defened his cutoff open and called a 50,000 three bet from Byungho Lim on the button.

On flop A♣ 8♣ 8♦ , Heng faced a 27,000 cbet, and responded with a raise to 55,000. Lim plunged in with an all-in for 132,000, only to be snapped by Heng with trip eights.

Lim A♦ T♦

Heng 8♠ 6♠

Heng well ahead, suffered a bad beat as runout A♠ 9♥ offered Lim a better full house to steal the win.

A series of preflop back and forth between Seunghyuk Jung and Dicky Tsang, landed both stacks in the middle - Jung at risk for his entire 320,000.

Running a classic flip, it was Jung's ladies which took it this time, with Tsang having missed to pair up on board J♥ J♣ 7♥ 3♣ 4♣ , costing him nearly half his stack.

With action folded to the blinds, Hyungsoo Lim raised to 24,000, and Yoda Lin called behind.

Lim continued for 15,000 on flop J♦ 9♦ 2♣ , and found himself in a tough spot after Lin made it 91,000 to go. After burning through three time banks, Lim decided to lay it down, shipping his opponent the pot unchallenged.

Cheng Chao Ting opened 16,000 in early position, and Jung Chen moved all-in for 97,000 on the button. Cheng completed, tabling a flip for a 25 BB pot.

Board T♦ 7♣ 4♦ 7♦ 5♣ ran safe for the pocket pair, keeping Chen in his seat.