National Cup Championship (15,000 TWD)

The opening day of the Asian Poker Tour Championship (APTC) came to a close with Flight B of the TWD 15,000 National Cup Championship delivering another strong showing. A total of 263 entries (227 unique) took their shot, and by the time the bags came out, 37 players had secured a place in the money and a seat for Day 2.

Added to the 461 runners from Flight A, the field has now climbed to a combined 724 entries. The TWD 12,000,000 guarantee is already under serious pressure, and with two more starting flights still to come, it is shaping up to be one of the most significant National Cup Championships ever held.

Play stretched deep into the early hours inside Red Space, Taipei, before Hong Yu Chen emerged as the clear standout of the flight. Chen bagged a towering 1,056,000, placing him second in the overall counts and making him one of only two players to cross into seven-figure territory so far.

Chen climbed his way to the top of the counts thanks in large part to a huge pot late in the day, where his pocket nines held to score a double knockout. The Taiwanese player comes into this series with only three recorded live cashes according to The Hendon Mob, all from APT Taipei earlier this year, and he now finds himself in prime position for the biggest result of his career.

Another familiar face in the top ten is Frankie Cucchiara, who closed his bag with an even 700,000, putting him fourth in the counts. Cucchiara has long been connected to the Taiwan poker scene through both poker and his personal life, and has been vocal about how much he enjoys being back. Speaking earlier in the day, he was full of praise for the island, calling Taiwan “a gorgeous country with great food and some of the nicest, friendliest people” he has ever met.

He also mentioned how much he enjoys playing inside Red Space after his previous visit, noting that the venue “has a different feel to it, unlike any APT” he has attended. With plans to fire a full schedule and a strong start across both opening flights, Cucchiara looks fully settled in and more than ready to chase something deep this series.

Florencio Campomanes sits just outside the top ten with a stack of 350,000 and will be one to watch when Day 2 rolls around. A longtime regular on the APT circuit, Campomanes has captured four APT titles throughout his career and is one of the tour’s most consistent performers. With his experience and proven track record across Asia, he is well-positioned to mount another deep run.

One player who will need to try again is Sangbeom Lim, who fell in unfortunate fashion on the stone bubble. After several double-ups extended hand-for-hand play, Akeno Keiya shoved the button and Lim called with a smaller stack holidng pocket nines. Keiya had been applying pressure with ten-seven, but a ten on the board sent Lim to the rail in rough circumstances.

Rounding out the notables is Natural8 Ambassador Nevan Chang, who secured a bag worth 240,000. It was a tougher day for his partner, Hua Wei Lin, the other half of the WiN Poker Couple, who was unable to make it through either flight.

The good news for Lin, and for anyone else still looking to reach Day 2, is that three more starting flights await on Saturday, November 15.

For a full APT National Cup Championship Survivor List: Click here.

A♠ always, make sure to check back regularly for all the updates from the championship events here at APTC.

Following several double-ups on the second and third round of hand-for-hand play, Akeno Keiya shoved for over 500,000 on the button and Sangbeom Lim called all in for his last 231,000 in the big blind.

Sangbeom Lim: 9♠ 9♦

Akeno Keiya: T♥ 7♣

Keiya got caught pushing his big stack around, but caught a lucky break after the T♠ J♦ A♣ A♥ Q♥ runout paired Keiya's ten to eliminate Lim on the stone bubble in rough fashion.

The remaining 37 players are now bagging and tagging and will return on Sunday, Nov 16 for the final day.

With 38 players remaining and 37 players earning a berth into the final day, hand-for-hand play will commence until the bubble has burst.

A huge pot just went Hong Yu Chen's way as he eliminated two players at the same time to break the seven-figure barrier!

Chi Wei Lo shoved from early position for 145,000 and Kiyoung Kim shoved just over 200,000 from the small blind. Chen looked down at his cards in the big blind and quickly called.

Chi Wei Lo: A♠ K♣

Kiyoung Kim: A♦ 6♠

Hong Yu Chen: 9♣ 9♦

Chen held pocket nines, and they held strong through the 5♠ T♠ 5♣ 6♣ 7♦ runout, which meant both Lo and Kim hit the rail. Meanwhile, Chen's stack rocketed up to around 1,100,000.

Wai Shing Chan shoved for around 100,000 from middle position and was looked up by Ching Yang Chung from the small blind.

Wai Shing Chan: A♥ Q♣

Ching Yang Chung: A♣ 8♣

Chan was ahead with his superior kicker, and he made it work for him as the T♣ 4♦ A♦ Q♠ 3♦ runout earned him a much-needed double-up with four players until the bubble bursts.

Takashi Mizukami raised to 32,000 from middle position and An Chen Peng moved all in for his last 58,000 on the button. Action folded back to Mizukami, who called to put Peng at risk.

An Chen Peng: K♦ J♥

Takashi Mizukami: 6♠ 6♣

It was a race for Peng's tournament life, and the K♥ J♠ A♥ K♣ Q♥ runout sent a wave of relief over Peng, who was awarded the double up with his full house several spots from the bubble.

A big double-up just went the way of Frankie Cucchiara at the expense of Ben Gur.

The cards were already on their backs and the board had been run, with a pot of around 450,000 on the line, where presumably the chips went in preflop.

Ben Gur: Q♠ Q♥

Frankie Cucchiara: A♦ K♠

On a 7♠ A♣ K♥ A♠ 9♥ board, Gur found himself well beaten by Cucchiara, who had turned the nuts.

Both players had similar stacks, but after they were counted down, Gur was left with just 10,000 to work with, less than a big blind!

"There's always tomorrow," joked Cucchiara.

"I've already done 10 bullets," replied Gur with a smile.

Kenichi Shirai found himself short again and shoved for his last 45,000 from middle position. Jinhee Min also went all in for 142,000 total from the cutoff and everyone else folded to set up a showdown between Shirai and Min.

Kenichi Shirai: A♣ 9♥

Jinhee Min: K♠ K♥

Shirai was in bad shape this time around, and the 3♠ T♦ 2♥ 3♥ 4♦ runout provided no help, eliminating him fewer than 20 spots from the bubble.

Bao Sheng Woon shoved around 60,000 from the hijack and Petur Karlsson also moved all in from the button for a similar stack. Kiyoung Kim was in the small blind and shoved, putting two players at risk.

Bao Sheng Woon: K♥ Q♣

Petur Karlsson: A♠ T♥

Kiyoung Kim: 4♠ 4♣

It was anybody's game preflop, but Kim took a huge leap toward scooping on the 4♥ 5♣ 7♣ flop as he made a set.

A 2♥ turn gave Karlsson a wheel draw, but that bricked on the J♦ river, which left him and Woon on the rail.

Shirai Kenichi went all in for his last 21,000 from middle position and Ting-Chieh Chi three-bet to 50,000 from the cutoff. Everyone else got out of the way.

Shirai Kenichi: A♥ Q♠

Ting-Chieh Chi: 2♥ 2♠

Chi showed his pair of deuces first and Kenichi expressed he was happy to be flipping with his overcards.

Sure enough, the J♥ 6♣ A♣ 7♣ 5♦ runout left Kenichi best with a pair of aces and he kept his hopes of a deep run in the National Cup Championship alive with a double up.

Players are heading on a 15-minute break.

When they return, the remaining 59 players will battle it out for the 37 spots available in the money and on Day 2.

Ching Yang Chung opened to 16,000 from early position and it was folded to Lee Guolin, who shoved for his last 45,000 from the small blind. Chung verified the amount and then tossed in a call, having Guolin covered.

Lee Guolin: J♥ T♦

Ching Yang Chung: A♣ Q♦

Guolin would need some help, but the 5♥ 5♠ K♦ 4♥ K♥ runout kept Chung best with his ace and Guolin was sent out as the final day bubble approaches.

Yeom Dongwk shoved for approximately 20,000 from the hijack and just behind him, Jhih Ming Liao called to put Dongwk at risk. Everyone else folded and hands were revealed.

Yeom Dongwk: A♣ 7♦

Jhih Ming Liao: A♦ K♦

It was bad news for Dongwk, and he stood up from his seat after the K♣ 2♣ A♠ flop gave Liao a commanding lead with aces-up.

The 8♣ turn gave Dongwk some hope after improving him to a flush draw, but the 2♦ river bricked out and he was forced to surrender his chips to Liao.

Huan Yi Chiu raised to 10,000 from under the gun and Takamasa Natsume called all in for his last 6,000 from the small blind. Tyzz Yao Lin called from the big blind and a side-pot was held between him and Chiu.

Lin check-called a 12,000 bet from Chiu on the 8♥ T♠ 2♠ flop and then led out after the 5♠ fell on the turn. Chiu called.

Both players checked down on the 3♦ river and Lin showed T♣ 5♣ for two pair. Chiu showed he held A♠ T♦ for a pair of tens and Natsume revealed K♣ Q♦ for king-high to be eliminated.

Frank Cucchiara raised to 12,000 from the cutoff and Kyosuke Nagami called from the big blind, leaving himself just 4,000 behind.

Nagami moved all in on the A♥ A♣ 6♥ flop and Cucchiara immediately flung in a chip to indicate a call.

Kyosuke Nagami: K♠ 8♣

Frank Cucchiara: A♦ J♥

It was bad timing from Nagami, who found himself drawing dead on the flop against Cucchiara's trip aces.

The 8♦ turn and 6♠ river left Cucchiara with a full house and he collected the rest of Nagami's chips.

Martin Sedlak raised to 6,000 from the cutoff and was called by Huan Yi Chiu in the small blind and Po Yu Su in the big blind for a three-way pot.

Both Chiu and Su checked to Sedlak, who continued for 4,000 on the Q♣ 5♣ 4♣ flop. Chiu called, but Su folded.

The 6♥ fell on the turn and Chiu checked again, prompting a 12,000 barrel from Sedlak. Chiu again called.

Chiu checked a final time after the Q♠ river paired the board and Sedlak moved his last 13,000 into the middle.

Chiu immediately folded and Sedlak was pushed the pot.

Lee Wee Liew opened to 5,000 from early position and was three-bet to 13,500 by Tsung Yen Wan in middle position. Action folded back to Lee, who quickly pushed his entire 44,000 into the middle. Wan also quickly committed his stack to the middle, having Lee covered, and a showdown was held.

Lee Wee Liew: A♥ Q♠

Tsung Yen Wan: J♦ J♣

It was a race that went Lee's way after the 6♦ 9♠ Q♦ 4♠ 2♥ runout paired his queen to earn him the double up.

A three-way all in was already in progress, with Nada Katsuya and Fong Tat Hsiao both all in for around 20,000 from middle position and on the button respectively. Fong Shaing Lee had both players covered from the hijack.

Nada Katsuya: A♥ K♠

Fong Tat Hsiao: Q♦ J♥

Fong Shaing Lee: T♦ T♣

None of the players were heavy favorites, but the Q♣ 9♠ 2♣ K♣ 8♣ runout favored Lee after improving him to a flush for the double elimination.

Frank Cucchiara opened to 3,000 from early position and just behind him, Christopher Mateo three-bet to 8,000. It was then folded to William Ysmael, who shoved for 25,500 from the big blind.

Cucchiara got out of the way, but Mateo called to put Ysmael at risk.

William Ysmael: A♥ K♥

Christopher Mateo: K♣ J♠

Ysmael had Mateo dominated, but got an immediate sweat after the Q♣ T♣ 6♠ flop improved Mateo to an open-ended straight draw.

The 4♥ turn came safe for Ysmael, but the 9♣ river filled Mateo's straight to eliminate Ysmael in dramatic fashion.

Players in the field have been sent on their first 15-minute break of the day.

Oi Lok Wong and Shuma Kimura were in for 12,000 each headed to the flop, which came 9♦ A♠ A♦.

Kimura called a 5,000 bet from Wong and then called a 7,000 bet from Wong after the T♠ fell on the turn.

However, Kimura laid his hand down on the 6♠ river after Wong bet enough to put Kimura all in for his last 14,000 — awading Wong a nice pot.

Tom Maguire and Tom Verbruggen are sitting next to each other in Flight B of the National Cup Championship. Despite both having short stacks, they are all smiles as the first break approaches.

Maguire has around 10,000 in his stack, and Verbruggen isn't doing much better with around 15,000, but there is still plenty of play left. Hopefully, one of the two Toms can start running up a stack and make it through to Day 2.

Howard Tang shoved for his last 12,300 from the hijack and was called by Chang Ju Wu on the button to be put at risk.

Howard Tang: 7♦ 7♠

Chang Ju Wu: A♥ K♠

The Q♦ 6♣ K♥ flop immediately gave Wu top pair, to leave Tang drawing slim.

No miracle came for Tang as the 5♣ turn and 3♦ river changed nothing, sending the rest of his chips Wu's direction.

Pi-Ying Hsu already had a wager of 9,000 in front of him preflop from the small blind and Dickey Tsang announced he was all in for a bit over 20,000 from the big blind.

Hsu paused, clearly not loving his decision, but still decided to stick in calling chips to put Tsang at risk.

Dickey Tsang: Q♦ Q♥

Pi-Ying Hsu: 7♣ 7♦

Tsang indeed had the goods with pocket queens, and the A♠ 2♦ 2♥ 8♥ Q♠ runout needlessly improved him to queens-full to put an exclaimation mark on his double up.

Hua wei Lin raised to 1,600 from under the gun and was called by Wei Huang in the small blind and Junhyuk Kim in the big blind.

Lin continued for 2,000 after being checked to on the 4♦ 8♥ 8♦ flop and both Huang and Kim called.

Huang checked again on the K♦ turn and Kim led out for 4,500. Lin folded, but Huang made it 15,000 to go. Undeterred, Kim announced he was all in and Huang snap-called all in for 37,000 total.

Wei Huang: 4♥ 4♠

Junhyuk Kim: Q♦ T♦

Kim was already drawing dead with his flush against Huang's full house, and the 3♣ river made Huang's double-up official.

Chih Han Hsu raised to 1,500 from the hijack and was called by Deng Kai Deng in the cutoff, Anna Jo in the small blind, and Oi Lok Wong in the big blind.

The flop came 7♣ 4♣ 9♦ and it was checked to Deng, who bet 3,000. Both Jo and Wong called, but Hsu folded.

The remaining three players checked on the 8♦ turn and then Jo led out for 7,500 on the T♦ river. Only Wong called and Jo turned over A♦ 6♦ for a runner-runner flush.

Wong revealed she held J♠ 7♠ for a straight and sent her hand into the muck.

Jing Xiang Chen raised to 1,200 first to act and was called by Gyeongbyeong Lee in the cutoff, An Chen Peng in the small blind, and Po Chieh Chang in the big blind for a four-way pot.

Action checked to Chen, who continued for 1,700 on the 6♥ 8♦ 7♠ flop. Le and Peng folded, but Chang called.

Both players checked after the 7♠ turn paired the board, and then Chang wagered a modest 2,200 on the K♣ river.

Chen looked him up and Chang turned over 8♣ 4♣ for eights-up. Chen showed he held A♠ A♥ for aces-up and added to his stack.

A pot of around 15,000 had already brewed on a board of J♥ T♣ 7♣ 3♥ when Shuma Kimura got his last 20,000 in the middle against Wing Fung Ho.

Shuma Kimura: A♠ J♣

Wing Fung Ho: Q♥ J♦

Both players had top pair, but Ho had kicker problems and needed to find a queen on the river to stay alive. Unfortunately for him, no Ladies appeared as the 8♣ peeled off, which meant Kimura got a full double-up.

Hyosung Kim opened to 800 from the hijack and was three-bet to 2,500 by Gregory Winyard on the button. Chih Wei Lu called cold from the big blind and Kim called as well for a bloated three-way pot.

Action checked to Winyard, who bet 3,000 on the 2♦ 7♠ 7♥ flop. Lu called, but Kim folded.

Both players opted to check on the Q♠ turn and then Lu used up a time bank before firing 15,000 into the middle on the K♣ river.

Winyard shrugged before letting his hand go and Lu collected the pot without showing.

Peter Bennett raised to 800 on the button and found one caller in Chuyi Huang in the small blind for a heads-up pot.

Huang check-called a 900 bet from Bennett on the 4♦ K♠ 6♠ flop and a 3,000 bet from Bennett on the J♦ turn.

Both players checked down on the Q♣ river.

Huang turned over A♠ 7♠ for a busted flush draw, Bennett revealed K♥ 9♦ for a pair of kings and was awarded the pot.

On a completed board of 7♠ T♠ 9♠ 2♣ K♣, with well over 10,000 already in the middle, Wei Min Liu bet 12,000 from the big blind and was quickly called by Tom Maguire, who was in early position.

Liu turned over A♠ 6♠ for the flopped nut flush and Maguire showed he held 7♥ 7♦ for a flopped set before sending his hand into the muck.

Guo Guang Ng raised to 600 from the hijack and was three-bet to 2,200 by An Chen Peng in the small blind. Kiyoung Kim called cold in the big blind and Ng called as well for a bloated three-way pot.

Peng continued for 2,000 on the 7♥ 2♠ 9♦ flop, which got a call from Kim and a fold from Ng.

Kim called a 5,000 bet from Peng on the 6♠ turn and then bet 10,500 after being checked to by Peng on the 5♥ river.

Peng quickly called and Kim turned over A♣ 9♣ for a pair of nines. Peng revealed K♣ K♦ and was sent a nice pot with his kings.

With 28 players currently registered, Flight B of the APTC National Cup Championship is now underway!

The 2025 Asian Poker Tour Championship (APTC) is now officially underway following the start of the National Cup Championship – TWD 12,000,000 GTD earlier today. Flight A, which drew 461 entries by the end of late registration, remains in play and will wrap up once the field is trimmed to 65 left. All players who reach that threshold will lock up a min-cash and earn a seat into the final day.

Flight B, the second of five starting flights, gets underway at 8pm with a breakneck 15-minute level structure, which means entrants can expect plenty of action as players will be forced to make decisions early and often with little room to wait for ideal spots.

A♠ with Flight A, players will begin with 40,000 in chips and Level 1 will open with 100/200 blinds and a 200 big-blind ante. Reentries are unlimited until the close of late registration at the start of Level 11 (~10:45pm). Players who wish to forfeit their stack before the close of late registration may do so in order to reenter with a fresh stack.

Flight B will also conclude once 14 percent of the field remains, at which point everyone will have earned a spot in the money and a seat into the final day on Sunday, Nov 16.

A♠ always, be sure to check back here for continual updates to see who rises — and who falls — in the race for the APTC National Cup Championship title!