Taiwan, Red SpaceEVENT #1003

2025.11.17 - 2025.11.19Add to Calendar

Asian Poker Tour

Blind level

Level 22: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Entries

40/293

LIVE UPDATES BY APT

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 5:37:03 PM

Japan's Hajime Watanabe Top of the Pack in Flight A of Ultra Stack Championship

Level 22: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Flight A Top of the Pack Japan's Hajime Watanabe

The Asian Poker Tour Championship (APTC) continued today with the opening flight of the TWD 25,000 (~USD 812) Ultra Stack Championship, which drew 293 entries (254 unique), all packing into Red Space 多元商務空間 and battling it out at the tables over twenty 25-minute levels.

After a relatively short bubble period in Flight A, play concluded with a double elimination on the bubble. Filipino Michael Concepcion fell to Japan’s Hajime Watanabe and South Korea’s Hyeonsik Yun was eliminated by Thailand’s Teeraphat Rangkatekarn, ending both their dreams of making the Final Day.

The remaining 40 players have now bagged up their chips to carry through to the final day starting Wednesday, November 19th, and merge with the surviving players from the remaining five flights.

It was Japan’s Watanabe who closed out the flight with the chip lead, bagging a massive 1,831,000 chips. Trailing behind Watanabe was South Korea’s Jaeah Kim with 1,470.000 chips, and hot on Kim’s heels, rounding out the podium in third spot was Hong Kong’s Douglas Tak with 1,396,000 chips.

Flight A Top Ten Chip Counts

Player	Chips
HW Hajime WatanabeJapan	1,831,000(37 BB)
JK Jaeah KimSouth Korea	1,470,000(29 BB)
TC Tak Chun Douglas LuiHong Kong	1,396,000(28 BB)
AP Alfie PoetraUnited States of America	1,349,000(27 BB)
JO Jun ObaraJapan	1,304,000(26 BB)
KH Konstantin HeldGermany	1,277,000(26 BB)
RI Ran IlaniIsrael	1,120,000(22 BB)
KS Kiwanont SukhumThailand	1,071,000(21 BB)
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	1,032,000(21 BB)
HK Hyosung KimSouth Korea	1,020,000(20 BB)

Watanabe picked up a big chunk of his stack by helping to burst the bubble when his pocket aces held against Concepcion’s pocket fives.

Kim & Tak were pretty active throughout the day, continuously building their stacks in various spots, but never really got involved in any huge clashes.

American Alfie Poetra is sitting pretty in fourth spot with 1,349,000 chips and will be hoping to make a deep run to take his lifetime earnings across the USD 1,000,000 milestone.

Jun Obara

Second on Japan’s All-Time Money List and multiple APT title holder, Jun Obara, has a healthy 1,304,000 in chips sitting in fifth spot and will be looking to close in on the USD 7,500,000 lifetime earnings mark.

Multiple APT title holder Thailand’s Sukhum Kiwanont, finished up in eighth place with 1,071,000 in chips and will be aiming to put his hands on his first APT Championship Lion Trophy.

Natural8 Ambassador Hua-Wei Lin made it through the day with 467,000 and will be aiming to take her lifetime earnings to near the USD 750,000 mark.

Natural8 Ambassador Taiwan's Hua Wei Lin

The ever-active and jovial, Rangkatekarn, made it through to his second final day of a Championship Event here in Taipei, after qualifying for Day 2 of the National Cup Championship with a monster stack. The Thai player will bring through 992,000 in chips and sits just outside the top ten.

For a full Ultra Stack Championship Flight A Survivor List: Click here.

There are three remaining flights for the event on Tuesday, November 18th, with two flights also currently playing down to the money at the time of writing. All survivors will merge for the final day on Wednesday, November 19th and play down to a winner.

Keep your eyes glued to the APT blog for all the latest updates from the floor inside Red Space, Taipei.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 1:20:10 PM

Play Concluded

Level 22: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

With the double bust out on the bubble only 40 players have survived to day 2 and will make the money.

These remaining 40 players are now bagging up their chips to take through to day 2 on November 19th.

Stay tuned for a recap of today's action with full survivor chip counts.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 1:17:37 PM

Double Bust Out on the Bubble

Level 22: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

During the hand-for-hand action, two players were eliminated on the bubble.

Everything was decided pre-flop in early position on the bubble of this Flight A. Michael Concepcion, under the gun, opened to 100,000 before being 3-bet to 250,000 by Hajime Watanabe sitting to his left. Concepcion shoved his stack with pocket 5♠ 5♦. Better armed with pocket rockets A♦ A♥, Watanabe called instantly.

The board offered Concepcion no chance, and he stood up before all the cards were fully revealed.

Board: A♣ K♣ 6♠ 6♣ 4♣

Player	Chips
HW Hajime WatanabeJapan	1,831,000(37 BB)
MG Michael Gabby ConcepcionPhilippines	busted

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 1:06:02 PM

Bubble Burst

Level 22: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Teeraphat Rangkatekarn Burst The Bubble

Hyeonsik Yun moved all in for 225,000 from late position and was called by Teeraphat Rangkatekarn on the button. The blinds folded quickly.

Hyeonsik Yun: Q♦ Q♥

Teeraphat Rangkatekarn: A♣ J♠

Not the flop Yun wanted to see when it came T♥ A♦ 2♥ and he needed to hit a queen or running straight cards to stay alive.

The 5♦ on the turn did not help and when the J♣ peeled off on the river Yun was sent to the rail as the bubble boy.

Player	Chips
TR Teeraphat RangkatekarnThailand	995,000(20 BB)
HY Hyeonsik YunSouth Korea	busted

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 12:44:48 PM

Hsu Gets the Double Up

Level 21: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Kai Hsu made it 300,000 to play from under the gun leaving himself just one 1,000 chip behind and action folded around to Hyosung Kim on the button who made the call.

The flop came A♥ T♦ 6♥ and after watching the clock tick down to one second Hsu checked. Kim tossed in a minimum bet of 40,000 and again Hsu let the clock run down before he tossed in his solitary chip to make the call.

Kai Hsu: A♣ 9♦

Hyosung Kim: 5♥ 5♦

The 3♠ dropped on the turn and gave Hsu some additional cards to dodge but when the 7♥ peeled off on the turn he survived for a full double up.

Player	Chips
HK Hyosung KimSouth Korea	745,000(19 BB)
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	701,000(18 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 12:42:36 PM

Huge Double-Up for Weng

Level 20: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

All action started with a pre-flop open from Ka Him Li in early position for 60,000, followed by calls from Ran Ilani in middle position and Zin Wee Lee on the button. Chien Chih Weng in the small blind then shoved her 411,000 chips into the middle. Li folded, while Ilani reshoved his massive seven-figure stack, forcing Lee to fold.

Heads-Up: Weng K♣ K♥, Ilani 8♣ 8♥

The board quickly ended Ilani’s hopes as the dealer flipped a K♦ on the flop, followed by 3♣ 2♣ T♥ 4♦.

Player	Chips
CC Chien Chih WengTaiwan	940,000(31 BB)
RI Ran IlaniIsrael	590,000(20 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 12:25:16 PM

Eady Leaves Cucchiara on Fumes

Level 20: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Frankie Cucchiara

Action folded to Frankie Cucchiara in the hijack who raised to 70,000. Tom Eady on the button pushed in all his time banks and the dealer pulled all of these in before Eady moved all in for 175,000 . The blinds folded and Cucchiara called leaving himself just 51,000 behind.

Frankie Cucchiara: A♠ Q♥

Tom Eady: A♥ 3♥

A dangerous looking flop came for Cucchiara of 6♥ K♣ 8♥. The turn of 2♦ was safe for him but when the 2♥ came on the river Eady made his flush and was sent the pot leaving Cucchiara with a bowl of rice.

Player	Chips
TE Tom EadyUnited Kingdom	521,000(17 BB)
FC Frank CucchiaraUnited States of America	51,000(2 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 12:08:05 PM

Cheng Doubles Through Arthachinta

Level 20: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Action folded to Chao Cheng in the hijack who raised to 140,000, leaving just 20,000 behind. Chamanan Arthachinta on the button then moved all in and had Cheng covered. Cheng snap called.

Chao Cheng: K♣ K♠

Chamanan Arthachinta: A♠ Q♠

Some help for Arthachinta on the Q♦ 4♦ 6♠ flop, but when the K♦ dropped on the turn to give Cheng a set, he was drawing dead. The irrelevant 4♠ came on the river to seal the deal and give Cheng a full double up.

Player	Chips
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	380,000(13 BB)
CA Chamanan ArthachintaThailand	220,000(7 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 12:05:01 PM

Sim’s Hope Vanished on the River

Level 19: 12,000 / 24,000 ante: 24,000

Manapat Chuchaisri

All players folded around the table until it was Eunjung Sim’s turn in the small blind, who pushed her entire stack into the middle and was called immediately by Manapat Chuchaisri, holding a bigger stack in the big blind.

Eunjung Sim: 6♠ 9♠

Manapat Chuchaisri: K♠ J♠

Having lost any hope of hitting a flush, Sim could only rely on a 6 or 9 to stay alive in the tournament.

The 6♦ 2♠ A♥ flop connected with her six and the 3♦ turn still offered her a possible win.

Unfortunately, the brutal river Q♦ gave Chuchaisri a superior pair, ending Sim’s run.

Player	Chips
MC Manapat ChuchaisriThailand	373,000(16 BB)
ES Eunjung SimSouth Korea	busted

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 11:40:29 AM

The Risk Pays Off For Cucchiara

Level 18: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Chao Ting Chen opened first for 20,000 under the gun. On the button, Kim Fernandez 3-bet to 40,000, only to face a 4-bet from Frank Cucchiara in the big blind. Chen wasn’t done—he shoved a 5-bet all-in with K♠ J♦. Fernandez folded, while Cucchiara, covered by Chen, took the risk and committed his entire stack with A♣ 3♠.

The flop smiled on Cucchiara, and he doubled up with a straight completed by the turn on a board 5♥ 8♦ 4♣ 2♣ A♦.

Player	Chips
KF Kim FernandezPhilippines	556,000(28 BB)
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	263,000(13 BB)
FC Frank CucchiaraUnited States of America	200,000(10 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 11:18:26 AM

Break Time

Level 18: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Players are now on another 15-minute break.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 11:06:56 AM

Tang Eliminates Another Player With K J Offsuit

Level 17: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Just twenty minutes after sending Rusty Co to the rail with J♠ K♥, Howard Tang remained firmly in control at his seat, keeping a sharp eye on the action at his table. With a comfortable stack, he continued to pressure the short stacks and once again came out on top in a heads-up confrontation with a K J offsuit very similar to the hand that had busted Co.

This time, Sei Taniguchi fell victim. His pocket pair 5♣ 5♥ couldn’t withstand Tang’s J♠ K♣. The dealer spread a board of 4♣ 7♥ J♦ Q♥ A♦, securing another big pot for Tang.

Taniguchi exits the tournament, leaving 25 more eliminations before the bubble.

Player	Chips
HT Howard TangUnited States of America	495,000(31 BB)
ST Sei TaniguchiJapan	busted

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 11:03:46 AM

Li Takes from Ittiphuritat

Level 17: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Witoon Ittiphuritat

Him Li raised from under the gun to 35,000 and action folded to Witoon Ittiphuritat on the button who made the call.

The flop came 6♥ 9♠ 3♠ and the action went check-check for the dealer to peel off the T♠ as the turn. Li bet out for 25,000 and Ittiphuritat made the call.

The J♠ dropped on the river and both players checked, Li tabled A♦ T♦ for second pair and Ittiphuritat mucked his cards sending Li the pot.

Player	Chips
KH Ka Him LiHong Kong	620,000(39 BB)
WI Witoon IttiphuritatThailand	580,000(36 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 10:40:55 AM

Vasquez Puts the Pressure on Tang

Level 16: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Andres Vasquez

Andres Vasquez raised to 24,000 from under the gun and found calls from Howard Tang on the button, Victor Chen in the small blind and Yee Chan in the big blind.

The flop came 3♠ 7♠ J♦ and it was checked to Vasquez, who continued for 54,000. Tang called, and the blinds both folded.

The turn brought the 6♥ and Vasquez now checked it to Tang, who fired out for 80,000, sending Vasquez into the tank. He used two time banks and then moved all in for 341,000.

Tang went deep into the tank and also used two time banks, debating if to make the call for almost his entire stack. He thought better of it and released his cards, sending Vasquez the pot uncontested.

Player	Chips
AV Andres VasquezColombia	660,000(55 BB)
HT Howard TangUnited States of America	404,000(34 BB)
VC Victor Chen 2Taiwan	205,000(17 BB)
CY Chiaw Yee ChanMalaysia	130,000(11 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 10:38:05 AM

Tang Sends Co to the Rail

Level 16: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Howard Tang

All the action in this hand took place pre-flop.

Howard Tang opened to 24,000 from the cutoff, and Rusty Co in the big blind shoved his entire stack of 130,000 with pocket sevens 7♣ 7♦.

Holding K♥ J♠ and a comfortable stack, Tang elected to call.

The call paid off, as Tang paired his kings when the dealer ran out the board 6♠ 8♥ Q♦ J♦ T♠.

Tang now sits with a stack exceeding half a million in chips, while Co was sent to the rail.

Player	Chips
HT Howard TangUnited States of America	525,000(44 BB)
RC Rusty CoPhilippines	busted

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 10:16:05 AM

Napat “Top” Chokejindachai Ready for Another Run in Taipei

Level 16: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Napat "Top" Chokejindachai

Thai actor and rising poker figure Napat Chokejindachai, better known as “Top,” returned to Taipei this week with the same enthusiasm that has carried him across Asia’s growing poker circuit. His history with APT Taipei goes back to 2023, where he scored both his first APT cash and his first APT trophy, and he has watched the tour evolve rapidly since then. “The biggest change in the APT since then is that it’s more and more fun. Bigger crowd, bigger prize pools. And the structure is very good, too,” he said.

Taiwan itself remains a special stop for him. “Taiwan is always my second home. The people, the food, and of course, boba tea. Just three and a half hours away from Bangkok, it's a superb poker destination,” he shared with a grin. Red Space, the home of this APT Championship series, has also left an impression, though he offered a candid take on the venue. “To be honest, Red Space is a bit low ceiling to me. But after a big renovation, the airflow is a lot better."

Top’s strongest result on the APT stage came later in 2023 at APT Incheon, where he reached the Main Event final table and finished in third place. The final three traded the chip lead multiple times before he ran pocket threes into his opponents' pocket fives. With no help on the runout, he bowed out in third for KRW 222,200,000 ( ~$168,050), which remains his career-best cash to date. Of his eight recorded live final tables, seven have come at APT stops, underlining just how closely his rise in poker has been tied to the tour.

Napat Chokejindachai took third in the APT Main Event in Incheon 2023

Balancing poker with his acting and hosting career has not always been simple, especially with the fast-paced entertainment scene back home. “It’s a bit hard to balance poker life because once you fly away from Bangkok, you lose an opportunity to host a lot of events that occur there. But, sacrifice has to be made to chase your dreams,” he explained. “I wanna be grinding when I’m young and in my early 30s, that's better than flying around in my 50s. So yeah, I only focus on all APT stops and WSOP in Vegas. That should do for a year.”

Top also spoke about the complicated legal situation surrounding poker in Thailand. “It’s indeed a rollercoaster, yes. Our government changes things a lot and fast. We do what we can do as the largest poker community in Thailand, as Taenaatak,” he said. Despite the uncertainty, he remains optimistic about the long-term future. “I don’t mind playing around Asia. It’s better than competing in Thailand, but you have to keep looking back over your shoulder all the time. Let's hope everything is 100 percent clear. If it is, I guarantee it’s gonna be the best poker destination in Asia, or even in the world.”

as for his APTC plans, Top is keeping things straightforward. “My plan for APTC is simple. Have fun and play the best poker of my life,” he said. “As I speak, I’m playing Ultra Stack. Firing one bullet each in Natural Cup and Mystery, but no dice. Will be playing the $3k freezeout and heading back home. Sadly, I can’t play the $10k due to my schedule.”

Top remains one of the most recognizable personalities at stops across the region, and his passion for the game continues to grow with every series. With a packed schedule and a positive mindset, he is ready to make the most of his time in Taipei once again.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 10:12:05 AM

Wu Wins Blind Battle With Flopped Flush

Level 15: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Two Players Go Head-to-Head to See a K♦ A♦ 5♦ Flop

Manapat Chuchaisri in the small blind check-called the 20,000 bet from Chia Yun Wu in the big blind.

Same scenario on the 2♠ turn — check-call from Chuchaisri, while Wu fired 30,000.

When the dealer completed the board with the 8♠ on the river, Chuchaisri checked again, but Wu instantly shoved. Chuchaisri quickly called with top pair A♣ T♠, but Wu had flopped a flush with T♦ 3♦, allowing him to double up. Both players now have very similar stacks, slightly below the average.

Player	Chips
WC Wu ChiayunTaiwan	288,000(29 BB)
MC Manapat ChuchaisriThailand	280,000(28 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 10:09:53 AM

Yeo Doubles Through Sim

Level 15: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Action folded to Jun Yeo on the button, who raised to 20,000 only for Eunjung Sim to three-bet all in from the big blind, and she had Yeo covered. Yeo snap called.

Jun Yeo: K♦ K♠

Eunjung Sim: K♣ Q♣

Some help for Sim on the 4♦ Q♦ 4♥ flop but when the 4♠ turn and 7♣ river bricked out, Yeo was sent the pot for a full double up.

Player	Chips
JY Jun YeoSingapore	223,000(22 BB)
ES Eunjung SimSouth Korea	107,000(11 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 10:06:57 AM

Hsu Takes Out Wang

Level 15: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Kai Hsu

Kai Hsu raised from early position to 20,000, and action folded around to Kim Fernandez in middle position, who made the call. Hao Wang in late position then three-bet all in for 62,000. Hsu four-bet all in to isolate and had Fernandez covered. Fernandez folded quickly.

Hao Wang: 9♣ 9♦

Kai Hsu: A♥ T♠

A safe flop for Wang came of 3♥ 6♣ 8♣ but when the T♦ dropped on the turn he was in trouble and needed help. No such luck on the 3♦ river and Wang was sent to the rail.

Player	Chips
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	440,000(44 BB)
KF Kim FernandezPhilippines	330,000(33 BB)
HW Hao WangTaiwan	busted

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 9:40:24 AM

Action Resumes

Level 14: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Ultra Stack Championship at Red Space Taipei

The 15-minute break is over, and Flight A of the Ultra Stack Championship is back in action at Level 15 and 115 players remain.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 9:36:18 AM

Break Time

Level 14: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Players are now on their next 15-minute break.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 9:20:49 AM

Yun Scoops Massive Pot With Set of Tens

Level 14: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

The pot had already climbed to around 40,000 after the flop 2♥ 8♥ 8♠.

On the turn, the dealer peeled the T♦.

From the big blind, Sho Fujiki fired 28,000. Ryota Tamaguchi under the gun and Hyeonsik Yun in the cutoff both called to see the river.

The last card on the board was the K♠.

Fujiki kept the lead and slid 47,000 chips into the middle. Tamaguchi responded by announcing all-in, and Yun quickly came along. Sensing danger, Fujiki took a few moments, used a time bank, and ultimately folded, leaving the showdown to the two remaining players.

Tamaguchi tabled A♣ 8♣ for flopped trips, but Yun had improved to a superior set, allowing him to scoop a massive pot and send Tamaguchi straight to the rail.

With a stack of 572,000, Yun now has more than double the average stack of 225,000.

Player	Chips
HY Hyeonsik YunSouth Korea	572,000(57 BB)
SF Sho FujikiJapan	138,000(14 BB)
RT Ryota TamaguchiJapan	busted

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 9:10:11 AM

Chop It Up

Level 14: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

The Happy Couple

Noa Aki raised it up to 16,000 from the middle position only to face a three-bet from Aramis Basegio in the next seat. Action then folded back around to Aki who four-bet all in and Basegio had his chips in the middle before Aki could get his in there!

Noa Aki: A♥ A♣

Aramis Basegio: A♦ A♠

No crazy shenanigans on the 5♠ T♦ K♦ K♥ J♥ run out and the pot was chopped.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 9:01:34 AM

Double KO for Fujiki

Level 13: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Sho Fujiki

Sakan Dhangwatnotai raised to 16,000 from under the gun only to face a three-bet all-in to 54,000 from Jose Costa in the next seat. Action folded around to Sho Fujiki in the small blind who also moved all in and had both players covered. Dhangwatnotai reluctantly made the call for his final 13,000.

Sakan Dhangwatnotai: A♣ 9♥

Jose Costa: A♦ T♠

Sho Fujiki: J♠ 9♠

Costa was happy when he saw the 5♠ T♦ K♦ flop and also the K♥ turn but then not so happy when the dealer peeled off the J♥ on the river and gave Fujiki a higher two pair to send both the other players to the rail.

Player	Chips
SF Sho FujikiJapan	233,000(39 BB)
SD Sakan DhangwatnotaiThailand	busted
DC Douglas CostaItaly	busted

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 8:49:46 AM

Kim Calls With Ace High

Level 12: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

The dealer fanned a flop of 9♣ 3♦ 8♠, followed by the 9♦ on the turn.

Chun Shing Lau fired 14,000, and Hyosung Kim called on the button.

The river brought the K♣.

Lau attempted to steal the pot with a bet of 31,000 holding a missed straight draw Q♥ T♠. Kim tanked for a long moment, searching for a clue in Lau’s demeanor, before eventually placing in the calling chip. He also held a missed straight draw, but his hand A♠ J♣ was still ahead of Lau’s. Kim dragged the pot as several players at the table looked on in disbelief.

Player	Chips
HK Hyosung KimSouth Korea	218,000(44 BB)
CL Chun LauHong Kong	73,000(15 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 8:46:18 AM

Cucchiara Lays on the Pressure

Level 12: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Frankie Cucchiara

Action folded to Frankie Cucchiara in late position, who made it 10,000 to play, only to see a three-bet from Yi Wang in the small blind to 25,000. Cucchiara made the call.

The flop came 7♠ J♥ 9♣ and Wang continued for 20,000. Cucchiara called.

The turn brought the 7♥ and now Wang checked to Cucchiara, who fired out a pot-sized bet of 90,000. Wang thought for a while and folded his hand.

Player	Chips
YK Yi Kai WangTaiwan	345,000(69 BB)
FC Frank CucchiaraUnited States of America	330,000(66 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 8:27:01 AM

A Well-Timed Call by Held

Level 11: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

The pair of fives from Nicolas Go was not enough

It had all begun on a flop 5♥ Q♥ 2♠.

Nicholas Go opened to 9,000 from middle position, and Konstantin Held responded with a 3-bet to 44,000. Go completed the difference to see the turn.

The dealer revealed a J♣.

Go continued for 28,000, and Held made the call.

The river brought the K♦.

Go announced all-in. Held took a few moments before calling off his remaining 83,000 with A♠ K♣. That was enough to beat Go’s small pair, as he tabled 5♦ 6♦.

Player	Chips
NG Nicholas GoHong Kong	295,000(74 BB)
KH Konstantin HeldGermany	254,000(64 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 8:26:03 AM

Final Numbers Announced

Level 11: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

The floor have made their calculations and announced that the flight had 293 total entries and play will contine until 41 players remain.

The remaining 41 players will then bag up their chips to take through to the final day on November 19th.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 8:23:37 AM

Paisarnkulwong Puts the Pressure on Co

Level 11: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

In some blind vs blind, action Vachiravit Paisarnkulwong raised to 8,000 in the small blind and was looked up by Rusty Co in the big blind.

The flop came Q♠ 2♥ 5♣ and Paisarnkulwong continued for 4,000. Co made the call and the dealer peeled off the 6♠ as the turn.

The action went check-check and the J♠ came on the river. Paisarnkulwong moved all in for 40,000 and after thinking for a short while, Co released his cards.

Player	Chips
RC Rusty CoPhilippines	94,000(24 BB)
PV Paisarnkulwong VachiravitThailand	64,000(16 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 8:06:18 AM

Mehra Pushes Eady Off the Pot

Level 12: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Rishi Mehra

Rishi Mehra raised to 9,000 from under the gun only for Tom Eady to three-bet to 25,000 from the next seat.

Action folded around to Hua Wei, who called all in from the small blind. Mehra flat-called.

The flop came Q♦ 8♠ 3♥ and the action went check-check for the dealer to peel off the A♣ as the turn. Mehra checked to Eady, who fired out for 16,000. Mehra thought for a short while and then moved all in for 119,000, which sent Eady deep into the tank. The dealer pulled in two of Eady's time banks before he reluctantly folded his cards.

Hua Wei: K♦ T♦

Rishi Mehra: A♦ J♠

No miracle straight for Wei on the 8♦ river and he was sent to the rail.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 7:41:19 AM

Cards Are Back in the Air

Level 10: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

The 15-minute break is over, and the tournament is set to resume at Level 11.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 7:28:53 AM

Break Time

Level 10: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Time For A Kit-Kat

Players are now on their last 15-minute break before late registration and re-entries close.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 7:25:59 AM

Hsu's Set Bests Lim

Level 10: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Kai Cheng Hsu

Under the gun, Sangbeom Lim opened with a 10,000 bet on a flop of 4♦ Q♥ 3♦. Kai Cheng Hsu, seated in middle position, called to see the next card.

The turn came T♣. Lim checked, and Hsu fired 23,000. Lim opted to call.

On the river, the dealer completed the board with a 9♠. Lim checked again, before Hsu decided to put his tournament at risk, pushing his entire stack of 83,600 chips into the middle. Lim found himself in a tough spot, rearranging his chips, setting aside 86,300 to see what he had left, and used one time bank, then a second. Eventually, he called with a pair of Jacks J♣ J♦, a hand that wasn’t enough to take the pot. Hsu revealed 3♣ 3♠, claiming the pot with a set of threes.

Player	Chips	Progress
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	235,000(78 BB)	124,100
SL Sangbeom LimSouth Korea	83,600(28 BB)	-116,600

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 7:18:03 AM

Nuttawt Spikes to Send Lin Packling posted just now by Myles Phago

Level 10: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Hua Wei Lin

WIth the board of 7♠ 9♣ Q♣ 6♣ spread out across the table and around 40,000 sat in the pot, Hua Wei Lin moved all in for her last 9,600. Ittipakorn Nuttawt snap called.

Hua Wei Lin: J♦ 9♥

Ittipakorn Nuttawt: 6♥ 6♦

No help for Lin on the K♣ river and she was sent to the rail.

Player	Chips
IN Ittipakorn NuttawtThailand	187,000(62 BB)
HW Hua Wei LinTaiwan	busted

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 7:06:58 AM

Huang Spikes an Ace to Stay Alive

Level 9: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Frankie Cucchiara raised to 5,500 from the cutoff only for Hsiang Huang to three-bet to 15,000 from the button. Action folded to Brian Ku in the big blind who four-bet to 40,000.

Cucchiara exited stage left and Huang five-bet all in for 90,400. Ku snap called.

Hsiang Huang: A♥ K♠

Brian Ku: T♠ T♣

A safe flop for Ku came of 6♥ 4♦ 8♣ but when the A♣ peeled off on the turn he needed some help. The river bricked out with the 4♥ and Huang was shipped the pot for a full double up and more.

Player	Chips	Progress
YH Yu Hsiang HuangTaiwan	192,000(77 BB)	99,400
FC Frank CucchiaraUnited States of America	94,000(38 BB)	-5,500
BT Brian Tse Hua KuAmerican Samoa	62,000(25 BB)	-95,900

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 7:05:06 AM

Third Barrel From Wu Forces Kanchanapamornpat to Fold

Level 8: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

All players folded to the button, where Kammatep Kanchanapamornpat opened to 4,000. In the big blind, Min Wei Wu three-bet to 17,000, and Kanchanapamornpat called to see a flop of 4♦ K♥ 9♥.

Wu fired a second barrel of 13,000, which was called.

The dealer peeled a 2♠ on the turn.

Wu continued his aggression with a hefty bet of 35,000. This time, Kanchanapamornpat folded, sending his cards to the muck, and Wu scooped the entire pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
MW Minwei WuTaiwan	159,600(80 BB)	33,000
KK Kammatep KanchanapamornpatThailand	94,800(47 BB)	-30,000

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 6:47:51 AM

Agarwal Rivers Ku to Double Up

Level 8: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

With 12,000 sat in the pot, the board read 4♦ 6♠ 5♦ 8♠ and Wei Ku bet out for 10,000 from the small blind. Aditya Agarwal made the call from the button and the dealer flipped over the 6♥ as the river.

Ku moved all in and had Agarwal covered who snap-called, tabling 6♣ 5♣ for a rivered full house which had got there against Ku's straight with 9♥ 7♣.

Player	Chips	Progress
SW Su Wei KuTaiwan	192,000(96 BB)	-14,000
AA Aditya AgarwalIndia	84,000(42 BB)	18,000

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 6:35:30 AM

Kim Doubles His Stack With a Nut Flush

Level 7: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Kiyoung Kim

Ka Chun Kan opened under the gun for 3,500, only to be immediately three-bet to 10,000 by Kiyoung Kim on his left. Derek Chen on the button completed to see the flop.

The dealer spread a J♦ 4♥ 3♠ flop. Kan checked, Kim fired 5,000, Chen called, but Kan folded.

The 9♥ hit the turn. Kim continued with a 25,000 bet, and Chen stayed in the hand.

The river 7♥ completed a three-heart board. Kim decided to show strength, shoving his remaining 78,200 chips into the middle. Chen took some time, used a Time Bank, and finally tossed a chip in to call.

He revealed T♥ T♦, but it wasn’t enough as Kim turned over the nut flush A♥ Q♥ to take the massive pot.

Player	Chips
KK Kim KiyoungSouth Korea	227,000(142 BB)
KC Ka Chun KanHong Kong	37,000(23 BB)
DC Derek ChenUnited States of America	32,000(20 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 6:29:51 AM

Ku Picks Up Chips from Chokejindachai

Level 7: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Napat Chokejindachai

After some pre-flop raising battles had occurred, the pot stood at over 30,000, and the dealer peeled off the flop of A♣ 5♥ 7♠. Wei Ku checked from middle position to Napat Chokejindachai on the button, who fired out for 7,000.

Ku made the call and the 3♥ came on the turn and the action went check-check as it did on the Q♣ river. Ku tabled A♠ T♠ for top pair and was pushed the healthy pot as Chokejindachai mucked his cards.

Player	Chips
SW Su Wei KuTaiwan	237,000(148 BB)
NC Napat ChokejindachaiThailand	96,000(60 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 6:13:44 AM

Leung Doubles Through Charron

Level 7: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Alexander Charron

Sandagdorj Munkhbaatar raised from the button to 2,500, and Alexander Charron flat called from the small blind. Yeung Leung, sat in the big blind, then three-bet to 10,000. Munkhbaatar folded and Charron made the call.

The flop came J♣ 4♣ 5♠ and Charron check-called Leung's 11,000 continuation bet.

The 3♠ peeled off on the turn, and Charron again checked it to Leung, who moved all in for 36,400. Charron pushed in one time bank and then made the call.

Yeung Leung: A♣ A♠

Alexander Charron: 6♥ 6♦

No help for Charron on the 8♣ river, and Leung was sent the pot for a full double up.

Player	Chips
SM Sandagdorj MunkhbaatarMongolia	168,000(105 BB)
YY Yiu Yeung LeungHong Kong	112,000(70 BB)
AC Alexander CharronUnited States of America	54,000(34 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 5:54:16 AM

Li Reveals His Set Of Eights

Level 6: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Yiu Yeung Leung

The pot had grown to around 35,000 on a board 8♦ 6♠ J♣ A♠ 4♦.

Under the gun, Ka Him Li, holding a stack smaller than the pot, decided to shove all in. Yiu Yeung Leung, seated at the hijack, took a few moments to read his opponent before ultimately folding.

Ka Him Li revealed 8♠ 8♣ for a set, showing the table that his move was far from a bluff.

Player	Chips
KH Ka Him LiHong Kong	104,400(87 BB)
YY Yiu Yeung LeungHong Kong	66,900(56 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 5:43:46 AM

Sungwoo Picks Off Kaweesorasak's Bluff

Level 6: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

With over 25,000 up for grabs in the middle, a board of T♥ A♣ 2♣ 9♥ was spread out across the table.

Nattamon Kaweesorasak check-called Son Sungwoo's 12,000 bet and the players saw the 7♣ peel off as the river card.

Kaweesorasak bet out for 25,000 and instantly mucked her cards when Sungwoo tossed in the call and the pot was shipped to Sungwoo.

Player	Chips
SS Sungwoo SonSouth Korea	114,000(95 BB)
NK Nattamon KaweesorasakThailand	68,000(57 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 5:37:42 AM

Level 6 has kicked off.

Level 6: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

After a 15-minute break, the players returned to their seats and resumed at Level 6 with blinds 600 / 1,200 and a big blind ante of 1,200.

Several players have already built a super-ultra stack.

Player	Chips
WL Wongyun LeeSouth Korea	249,500(208 BB)
CW Chia Wei KuoTaiwan	239,200(199 BB)
CY Chien Yun WangTaiwan	200,400(167 BB)
MS Moonho SeoSouth Korea	197,300(164 BB)
LL Lucian LettNew Zealand	164,000(137 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 5:11:57 AM

Break Time

Level 5: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Players are now on their first 15-minute break of the day.

The field has now swollen to over 100 players are is increasing every minute.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 4:58:11 AM

Sevens from Heaven for Cheung

Level 5: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

With about 6,000 sat out in the middle, the flop read K♦ 8♣ 7♦ and Yongcing Zeng led out from the small blind for 3,800. Wai Cheung raised to 8,500 from early position, and Zeng made the call.

The dealer flipped over the 3♥ as the turn, and now Zeng checked it over to Cheung, who bet out for 17,000. Zheng made the call.

The river brought the T♦ and both players checked. Zeng tabled A♥ K♠ but was way behind to Cheung with 7♣ 7♥ and a flopped set.

Player	Chips	Progress
YC Yong Cing ZengTaiwan	480,000(480 BB)	29,500
WT Wai Tyng CheungChina	133,000(133 BB)	-27,500

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 4:40:25 AM

Some Kim on Kim Action

Level 4: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Juwon Kim

There was over 20,000 sat in the middle, and the board read T♠ K♣ 3♦ 8♦. Juwon Kim checked to Jaeah Kim, who bet out for 10,000. Juwon Kim made the call.

The river brought the 9♥ and Juwon Kim checked again to Jaeah Kim who now fired out for 25,000. Juwon Kim thought for a short while and then tossed in the call tabling T♦ 5♥ after Jaeah Kim sheepishly turned over his total air holding A♣ 5♣ and Juwon Kim was pushed the sizeable pot.

Player	Chips
JK Juwon KimSouth Korea	143,000(179 BB)
JK Jaeah KimSouth Korea	33,000(41 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 4:22:53 AM

Lee Doubles His Ultra Stack Thanks to His Rockets

Level 4: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Wongyun Lee

Several players pumped up the action preflop — 2,500, then 8,000, then 25,000 — until Wai Tyng Cheung in the small blind decided to rip his entire stack into the middle with A♦ Q♠.

Holding the bullets A♠ A♥ Wongyun Lee in early position snap-called without a second thought.

The dealer spread a clean runout of 9♠ 5♠ K♦ 3♥ 6♥, bringing no sweat for Lee. His aces held with ease, scooping the full pot and doubling his ultra stack, while Cheung was left short.

Player	Chips
WL Wongyun LeeSouth Korea	201,600(252 BB)
WT Wai Tyng CheungChina	6,900(9 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 4:20:50 AM

Kuo Bullies With a Big River Bet

Level 4: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Three players checked the flop 2♦ J♠ Q♣.

On the 8♣ turn, Eunhye Yang, opening under the gun, took the lead with a bet of 4,500, which was called by Jakkapong Apirattanachot in middle position. From the hijack, Chia Wei Kuo raised to 14,000. Yang and Apirattanachot called to see the river.

The dealer peeled a 4♠ to complete the board. Yang checked, and Kuo fired a massive 45,000-chip bet, putting maximum pressure on his opponents. Both Yang and Apirattanachot released their hands, allowing Kuo to scoop the full pot and extend his stack.

Player	Chips	Progress
CW Chia Wei KuoTaiwan	188,200(235 BB)	32,500
JA Jakkapong ApirattanachotThailand	96,500(121 BB)	-15,000
YE Yang EunhyeSouth Korea	51,400(64 BB)	-15,000

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 4:10:04 AM

Tan Loves the Ladies

Level 3: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Guang Tan raised from early position to 1,500 and found calls from Peter Bennett in the next seat and Wongyun Lee in the big blind.

The flop came T♣ Q♥ Q♣, Tan checked and Bennett bet out for 2,500. Lee folded and Tan made the call.

The turn brought the 4♠ and now Tan check-raised Bennett's bet of 7,000 to 15,000. Bennett called.

The action went check-check on the 5♣ river and Tan tabled A♦ Q♦ and was sent the pot as Bennett sent his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips
WL Wongyun LeeSouth Korea	163,000(272 BB)
PB Peter Bennett (3)Singapore	93,000(155 BB)
TG Tan GuanSingapore	82,000(137 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 4:05:38 AM

Kim Takes from Stroulis

Level 2: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Jaeah Kim

With over 8,000 in the pot, the flop of 8♣ 8♦ Q♣ was spread out by the dealer. Jaeah Kim checked to Konstantinos Stroulis who bet out for 3,000. Kim made the call and both players checked the J♠ which came on the turn.

Rinse and repeat on the A♥ river and Kim tabled A♣ 7♥ to claim the pot.

Player	Chips
KS Konstantinos StroulisGreece	94,000(188 BB)
JK Jaeah KimSouth Korea	88,000(176 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 3:42:01 AM

Choi Picks Up SOme Chips

Level 2: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Action was checked around on the flop of J♥ 2♥ 6♦ and the players saw the A♦ come on the turn.

Guang Tan in the big blind bet out for 1,500 and was looked up by Chi Choi in the cutoff.

The dealer flipped over the T♣ as the river, and Tan now checked to Choi, who fired out a bet of 6,000. Tan thought for a while and then released his cards to send Choi the pot with no showdown.

Player	Chips
CK Chi Keung ChoiChina	110,000(220 BB)
TG Tan GuanSingapore	78,000(156 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 3:35:22 AM

Gyuman's River Overbet Takes Pot

Level 1: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Three players paid 2,000 to see a flop of 4♠ 7♦ 8♠. Juwon Kim, who had opened under the gun, led for 1,000. Jaeah Kim called from the hijack, and Kim Gyuman raised to 10,000 on the button. Juwon Kim called, while Jaeah Kim opted to fold.

The turn brought the A♠, and Juwon Kim fired 8,000, receiving a snap-call from Gyuman.

A fourth spade completed the board on the river with the K♠. Juwon Kim bet 10,000, only for Gyuman to respond with a 55,100 overbet. Juwon Kim didn’t spend much time thinking it over before mucking, and the dealer pushed the pot to Gyuman.

Player	Chips	Progress
KG Kim GyumanSouth Korea	151,000(378 BB)	20,600
JK Jaeah KimSouth Korea	97,000(243 BB)	-1,600
JK Juwon KimSouth Korea	69,000(173 BB)	-19,000

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 3:31:05 AM

Early Action

Level 1: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Juwon Kim

Action is relatively slow to start the day as we await additional players to join the event.

Juwon Kim raised to 800 from middle position and found a call from Kit Lo in the big blind.

The flop came 8♦ 3♥ J♥ and Lo checked to Kim who continued for 800, Lo called.

The turn brought the 6♦ and Lo checked it over to Kim again who bet out for 2,100 now. Lo thought for a while and mucked his hand.

Player	Chips	Progress
JK Juwon KimSouth Korea	104,000(260 BB)	2,200
WK Wai Kit LoHong Kong	83,600(209 BB)	-1,600

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 3:06:06 AM

Cards Are In The Air !

Level 1: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Players have taken their seats with their 100,000-chip ultra stacks, and the dealers have pitched the first hand of the day. Level 1 is now underway, featuring 25-minute levels with blinds at 200/400 and a 400 big blind ante.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

11/17/2025, 2:21:52 AM

Flight A of the Ultra Stack Championship Primed for 11am (TST) Start

Flight A of the Ultra Stack Championship is set to begin at 11am local time at Red Space Taipei.

This will be the first of six available starting flights for this event, which features a TWD 25,000 (~USD 825) buy-in and a guaranteed prize pool of TWD 20,000,000 (~USD 660,000).

Players will start with 100,000 chips, giving them plenty of room to adjust their strategy throughout the 25-minute levels. The tournament will open with blinds at 200/400 and a 400 big blind ante.

Registration will remain open until the start of Level 11, at approximately 3:40pm.

The top 14 percent of players who make it through their flight will already be in the money and will return for the Final Day, scheduled for Wednesday, November 19 at 11am. The champion will also be awarded a bonus ticket to the ATP Championship Main Event.

Stay tuned for full updates as this tournament promises ultra excitement from start to finish!

LIVE UPDATES BY APT﻿

Japan's Hajime Watanabe Top of the Pack in Flight A of Ultra Stack Championship

Flight A Top Ten Chip Counts

Play Concluded

Double Bust Out on the Bubble

Bubble Burst

Hsu Gets the Double Up

Huge Double-Up for Weng

Eady Leaves Cucchiara on Fumes

Cheng Doubles Through Arthachinta

Sim’s Hope Vanished on the River

The Risk Pays Off For Cucchiara

Break Time

Tang Eliminates Another Player With K J Offsuit

Li Takes from Ittiphuritat

Vasquez Puts the Pressure on Tang

Tang Sends Co to the Rail

Napat “Top” Chokejindachai Ready for Another Run in Taipei

Wu Wins Blind Battle With Flopped Flush

Yeo Doubles Through Sim

Hsu Takes Out Wang

Action Resumes

Break Time

Yun Scoops Massive Pot With Set of Tens

Chop It Up

Double KO for Fujiki

Kim Calls With Ace High

Cucchiara Lays on the Pressure

A Well-Timed Call by Held

Final Numbers Announced

Paisarnkulwong Puts the Pressure on Co

Mehra Pushes Eady Off the Pot

Cards Are Back in the Air

Break Time

Hsu's Set Bests Lim

Nuttawt Spikes to Send Lin Packling posted just now by Myles Phago

Huang Spikes an Ace to Stay Alive

Third Barrel From Wu Forces Kanchanapamornpat to Fold

Agarwal Rivers Ku to Double Up

Kim Doubles His Stack With a Nut Flush

Ku Picks Up Chips from Chokejindachai

Leung Doubles Through Charron

Li Reveals His Set Of Eights

Sungwoo Picks Off Kaweesorasak's Bluff

Level 6 has kicked off.

Break Time

Sevens from Heaven for Cheung

Some Kim on Kim Action

Lee Doubles His Ultra Stack Thanks to His Rockets

Kuo Bullies With a Big River Bet

Tan Loves the Ladies

Kim Takes from Stroulis

Choi Picks Up SOme Chips

Gyuman's River Overbet Takes Pot

Early Action

Cards Are In The Air !

Flight A of the Ultra Stack Championship Primed for 11am (TST) Start

Flight A Top Ten Chip Counts

LIVE UPDATES BY APT