7 Max Championship (80,000 TWD)

Choi Eng Loong capped off an incredible run by winning the Asian Poker Tour Championship (APTC) 2025 7-Max Championship, securing a career-best TWD 4,275,460 (~USD 138,150). The two-day contest drew 313 entries, with just 107 players earning a seat on Day 2 to chase a piece of the impressive TWD 21,634,560 (~USD 702,420) prize pool.

Being the first-ever 7-Max event held at APTC, the tournament set a new benchmark for the series. The energy inside Red Space, Taipei never dipped as players traded pots, swapped momentum, and navigated the deeper structure on their way toward the final table spotlight.

For Loong, the victory continues an incredible 2025 campaign. He had already posted a strong result earlier this year in the Asia-Pacific region, finishing third for USD 90,614. This 7-Max win now stands as the biggest cash of his career, and he also picks up a ticket to the APTC Main Event worth TWD 311,000 (~USD 10,000).

Day 1 saw many notable players hop into the field including Shiina Okamoto, Joseph Cheung, Lucia Navarro Martinez, Biao Ding, Hannes Jeschka and Natural8 Ambassador Kitty Kuo. Many of them bagged and tagged and started the second and final day with sizeable stacks.

The bubble came in ferociously, as only 39 made the money. Despite building up a stack throughout the early hours of play, Jongkwan Lee was the unlucky bubble boy and was eliminated in a brutal knockout against Abraham Ceesvin, after he admitted he “got lucky” picking up on the board.

The eliminations then came thick and fast, and it wasn’t long before the final table was reached. Shun Yi Zheng just missed out on making it after being pipped out in a brutal series of events. Zheng was fed the dream and saw hope of a double up, but it was quickly snatched away by the eventual champion.

Play was paused, and the final table went eight-handed, with Loong entering the final table as chip leader. Seungmook Jung was hot on his tail, as he sat in second going into the final table.

Jung saw a lot of late-night action, which included taking the stack off Anusorn Asiralertsiri with pocket aces just before reaching the final table. Busting Christian Harder with pocket kings and sending him out in 13th place, also helped build his stack.

The first elimination of the final table saw Dinesh Alt get knocked out in eighth. He got all his chips in with pocket sixes on a rainbow flop, against Asiralertsiri’s ace-king. Unfortunately for Alt, a king on the turn sealed his fate, and he was sent to the rail.

Jung was next to fall in seventh place as he lost a chunk of his stack in a hand against Ran Ilani and then jammed the small blind into Asiralertsiri, who was in the big blind. He snapped him off and Jung was behind with queen-four off suit. Jung picked up a queen on the flop, but was against Asiralertsiri’s king-jack suited, and the turn and river saw a jack and king, respectively.

It was then the end of the road for Benjamin Leblond after pairing his ten-eight suited on the flop, but he was out-kicked by Ilani, sending him home in 6th place.

Action stagnated for a while until John Perry secured a double-up from the then chip leader Loong. Perry managed to hold with a pair of tens, as Loong bricked out after flopping a straight draw. His luck ran out just one hand later, Perry slid out in fifth place after getting his stack in against Loong again and missing the runout.

The final four battled for around 15 minutes until it was time for Asiralertsiri to surrender their remaining stack and take home the fourth-place payout. Asiralertsiri went down to his last million chips, which was around eight big blinds in Level 30, and shoved over Ilani’s open. Ilani called and showed nine-deuce offsuit, and picked up a nine on the turn. Although Asiralertsiri picked up a pair on the river, fours weren’t enough to save him.

The final three saw the first pivotal hand even out the stack with Jeschka doubling through Loong, going into the last stages of the tournament. Ilani was just stretching to the top position sitting with the largest stack. Jeschka lost a fair chunk of their stack against Ilani after he picked up a better pair on the river.

That sequence led to them ending their day in third place after Jeschka took on Loong in the very next hand. Loong opened the button and called a jam by Jeschka, for just under ten big blinds. Loong’s rail were calling for the flush to come in after the flop brought in a heart-draw for Loong, and the two of hearts turn, secured him the pot and busted Jeschka.

Heads-up saw Ilani go in as the favourite, sitting with significantly more than half the chips in play. Loong was happy to play and put up a fair fight, and kept the momentum up, as he had done for the majority of the final table. Loong and Ilani battled for around 45 minutes before the Malaysian player spun up a stack and took the lead.

It wasn’t long before Loong was at risk for his tournament life. Ilani limped the small blind and Loong checked from the big blind. There were a number of bets on each street, which eventually got to showdown after Loong three-bet shoved on the river. Loong had rivered the flush, but Ilani couldn’t get away from his straight.

With Loong then sitting with around 75% of the chips in play, it was a matter of minutes until Ilani was the one at risk. Loong called Ilani’s shove and was ahead with ace-queen against his opponent's ace-seven. Loong turned a queen, and the seven on the river wasn’t good enough to save Ilani, which meant he left the tournament in second place.

This concludes coverage of the 7-Max Championship at APTC 2025, but live reporting will continue with the Ultra Stack Championship and PLO Championship Final Days on Wednesday, Nov 19, both kicking off at 11.15 AM. There will also be fresh action as the four-day Natural8 National Cup Championship event gets underway, with live coverage starting when cards hit the air at 3 PM local time.

Stick with us on the APT blog as we follow the action live from the Red Space Event Centre in Taipei across the next two weeks – highlighting the epic showdowns and bad beat stories.

Choi Eng Loong of Malaysia defeated Ran ilani of Israel in a marathon heads-up duel, outlasting a stacked field of 313 entries to earn the lion trophy for the inaugural 7-Max Championship, a USD 10,000 APC Main Event seat and the top prize of TWD 4,275,460 (~USD 138,815).

A recap of the entire event will follow soon.

Three hands into the level, Ran Ilani raised to 500,000 and Cheo Eng Loong re-raised to 1,350,000.

Ilani thought for a moment and declared all-in for his remaining chips.

Loong made the snap-call.

Choi Eng Loong: A♣ Q♠

Ran Ilani: A♦ 7♣

The flop of 4♠ 5♥ J♠ kept Loong ahead.

The Q♣ turn sealed the deal and had Ilani drawing dead. Loong and Ilani were already congratulating each other before the 7♥ hit the river.

In the 6th hand of Level 32, Ran Ilani limped and Choi Eng Loong checked.

Both players saw a flop of 9♦ 5♥ 4♠, where Loong check-called the 225,000 bet of Ilani to open a 3♥ on the turn.

Both checked again, and the dealer opened a 6♥ on the river. Loong led for 775,000 and Ilani then raised it up to 3,900,000.

Loong took a moment to assess and then shoved all in for a total of 5,100,000, risking his tournament life.

Ilani tanked, threw in a time bank, and eventually made the last-second call, flipping over 8♣ 7♠ for a very long straight.

Loong turned over K♥ 2♥ for a flush, which earned him a huge double to take the chip lead.

Following the break, the tournament director announced that the blind levels would increase after every 10 hands.

Heads-up play will resume after a 15-minute break.

Heads-up play between Choi Eng Loong and Ran Ilani has been a back-and-forth battle of trading pots with no one really getting a big advantage.

Ilani has the bigger stack, but it hasn't really cracked through Loong.

In the final hand before the break, a pot of 2 million was in the middle with a complete board that showed 6♥ K♠ 4♣ A♦ 6♣.

Loong checked his option and Ilani fired 2,105,000. Loong took a moment before jamming all-in for 4,275,000.

Ilani took a moment but eventually made the call.

Loong tabled 7♠ 6♠ for trip sixes. Ilani showed T♥ 6♦ for trip sixes.

Both shared the same kickers and split the pot.

Back to the drawing board after the break.

Hannes Wieland Jeschka got through a jam on the button and picked up both the blinds, but he was still looking down at a just under ten big blind stack.

In the next hand he was in the big blind and faced a 330,000 open from Choi Eng Loong on the button and responded by moving his remaining 1,570,000 into the middle.

Loong called, and Jeschka looked across the table to find himself just ahead.

Hannes Wieland Jeschka: A♦ T♣

Choi Eng Loong: Q♦ 9♥

Loong ran well on the J♥ K♥ 6♥ flop, having picked up a heart flush draw. Loong's rail were calling for "Hearts!"

The dealer peeled the 2♥ turn card, securing Loong the pot. There was no coming back from Jeschka and he was eliminated before even seeing the J♠ river.

The players were then at heads-up.

Ran Ilani limped from the small blind and Hannes Wieland Jeschka checked the big blind.

The 3♣ 6♦ 8♦ flop saw both players check to the 8♥ turn.

Ilani checked again, but Jaschka bet out 320,000. Ilani quickly called, taking them to a 9♣ river.

Action was check-called by Ilani, after facing a 750,000 bet by Jaschka. Ilani asked how much Jeschka had behind before flicking in the chip to call.

Jeschka showed 6♣ 2♦ for a pair of sixes, but Ilani had hit a nine on the river to put him ahead and secure the pot.

Hannes Wieland Jeshcka opened for a minimum and Choi Eng Loong jammed all-in, covering Jeshcka.

Jeschka made the snap call.

Hannes Wieland Jeschka: T♥ T♣

Choi Eng Loong: A♠ 8♥

Board ran 2♦ 2♥ K♦ K♥ J♠.

Jeschka's tens held to give him a critical double.

Four-handed action folded to the blinds. Big-stacked Ran Ilani raised to 300,000 and put the pressure on Anusorn Asiralertsiri on the big blind.

Asiralertsiri shoved back for his last 1,000,000 and Ilani made the mathematical snap-call.

Anusorn Asiralertsiri: Q♦ 4♦

Ran Ilani: 9♦ 2♠

The board ran 6♣ K♥ 5♦ 9♣ 4♠.

Asiralertsiri looked poised to double up, but a nine on the turn paired Ilani and held on to eliminate Asiralertsiri in 4th place after a deep and meaningful run.

The hand after John Perry doubled through Choi Eng Loong, the pair went head-to-head again.

Perry opened to 240,000 from under the gun and Loong three-bet to 450,000 on the button. Perry called and the players looked to the flop.

The J♣ 2♠ 7♣ flop saw Perry check, Loong bet 300,000 and Perry call.

An 8♣ turn saw things ramp up as Perry check-jammed after Loong bet 475,000. Loong snap-called and the pair flipped their cards.

John Perry: A♣ T♣

Choi Eng Loong: A♦ J♥

Perry was hunting for clubs, but the 8♠ river didn't bring in the much-needed flush, snatching away his chance at the title.

With just four players remaining, Loong was sitting with nearly double the stacks of every other player.

John Perry opened to 1,000,000 from the cutoff and Choi Eng Loong moved all in and covered Perry's 1,345,000 stack.

Perry made a quick call and the pair flipped their hands.

John Perry: Q♦ T♦

Choi Eng Loong: K♥ Q♣

Loong was ahead and the 3♦ J♠ T♣ flop brought in plenty of sweat for the rail on both sides.

Perry's rail were shouting for a brick "Seven", which came in on the 7♥ turn.

"And another" shouted the rail, but the 2♦ was also good to secure Perry the double.

The stacks between the two players evened out, and Perry knocked Loong off the top spot... at least for that hand.

Ran Ilani opened for 240,000 and Benjamin Leblond defended his big blind.

The flop came 2♥ T♥ 5♠.

Leblond checked his option and Ilani bet out 180,000.

Leblond then shoved all-in for over 1,000,000 and Ilani snap-called without even asking for a count.

Leblond tabled T♦ 8♦ for a pair of tens while Ilani showed Q♦ T♣ with a better kicker.

The runout of 5♣ 9♥ failed to improve Leblond, ending his run in the event.

There was around 750,000 in the middle and a board that showed T♠ Q♠ 7♣ 5♦ K♥.

Ran Ilani fired 650,000 and Seungmook Jung made the call.

Ilani turned over Q♣ T♥ for two pair and Jung paid it off after mucking his hand. Jung was crippled to 800,000.

In the next hand, action folded to Jung on the small blind who jammed for all his chips and was snap-called by Anusorn Asiralertsiri on the big blind.

Seungmook Jung: Q♠ 4♥

Anusorn Asiralertsiri: K♦ J♦

The flop of 5♠ Q♦ 3♠ gave Jung the lead. However, the J♥ turn and K♣ river gave Asiralertsiri a two-pair, ending the journey of Jung in 7th place.

With action stagnating, the average stack has dropped from 33 big blinds, to just over 20 big blinds.

There have been a number of open-jams from the blinds but not much post flop action.

Choi Eng Loong has been taking advantage of the tighter play by opening a lot of hands once the action had folded around to him.

In a recent hand, Choi Eng Loong opened to 200,000 from middle position and Seungmook Jung called from the cutoff.

The players saw a 9♣ 3♦ 5♣ flop and checked to the K♦ turn.

Loong bet 350,000 and Jung called.

The A♣ river saw Loong use a time bank before moving all in. Jung picked up a stack, placed it just behind the line, but ultimately mucked his hand.

Loong lost some chips are partaking in a number of sequential hand and being forced to fold.

He defended the big blind against an under the gun open from Ran Ilani and mucked his hand after facing a bet by Ilani on a A♠ 7♥ A♦ flop.

Loong also opened to 215,000 from the cutoff and faced a 900,000 three-bet from Jung, to which he folded.

Despite this, Loong still sat at the top of the counts, having plenty to play with.

In another battle of the blinds, small blind Choi Eng Loong limped and Ran Ilani checked on the big blind.

The flop arrived 3♠ J♥ 8♦ and both checked.

The turn came Q♥. Loong fired 225,000 and after some thought, Ilani made the call.

The river came Q♠ and just before the clock expired, Loong announced "750" - which was a pot-sized bet and also the same bet that got Seungmook Jung on the fritz.

Ilani tanked and stared down Loong, which was very reminiscent of the earlier intense stare Jung also gave.

After four time banks spent and a lot of staring, Ilani eventually folded.

Action folded to the blinds for a brawl.

Hannes Wieland Jeschka raised to 220,000 and Benjamin Leblond defended the big blind.

Flop arrived 5♣ 7♦ 6♦. Jeschka opened for 170,000 and after some consideration, Leblond shoved his chip all-in for 660,000.

Jeschka gave it some thought before finally mucking.

Player has resumed for the final seven still in the 7-max championship.

After the break, Choi Loong remains at the top of the counts, with Ran Ilani in close second.

Benjamin Leblond will be looking to make as spin as he retook his seat with just under ten big blinds.

The remaining 7 players take a short 15-minute break.

Cards will be back in the air at 11.50pm (CST).

Anusorn Asiralertsiri opened for 160,000 from early position. When action came to Dinesh Alt on the big blind, he almost shoved, keeping back a solitary chip worth 5,000.

When Asiralertsiri called and the chips were counted, he was left with 30,000.

The flop arrived Q♦ 4♣ 3♠. Alt threw the last chip in and Asiralertsiri called.

Dinesh Alt tabled 6♥ 6♦ versus the A♠ K♥ of Asiralertsiri.

Alt was a bit elated to be ahead.

However, the turn threw a K♣ to give Asiralertsiri the lead and the 7♥ completed the elimination of Alt to his dismay and those of his supporters.

Meanwhile, Asiralertsiri's rail were celebrating.

Choi Eng Loong opened for 160,000 on the cut-off and Anusorn Asiralertsiri defended the big blind.

The flop arrived 2♠ 7♥ 6♠. Asiralertsiri check-called the 225,000 bet of Loong.

The turn showed a K♣. Asiralertsiri checked and then folded when Loong pushed 460,000 forward.

Since reaching the final table, the action slowed significantly, with limited action getting past the flop.

Jeschka has been slowly chipping away at the table and got through a Jam in the small blind against his neighbor Benjamin Leblond.

Leblond also picked up a few chips after John Perry opened under the gun and Leblond moved his stack across the line.

A recent hand saw Seungmook Jung open to 160,000 from an early position, and Choi Eng Loong defended the big blind.

The pair saw a J♥ T♠ 5♠ flop, and Loong snap checked.

Jung bet 325,000 and Loong mucked his hand.

Choi Eng Loong opened for 125,000 from the hijack and was matched by Seungmook Jung on the button.

The flop came 2♣ A♠ 5♠. Loong led out for 100,000 just right in time before the clock expired. Jung made the call just right before the clock expired.

The dealer peeled a K♥ on the turn. Again, Loong made a last second bet of 325,000 and Jung followed with a last second call.

The river came 7♣. Loong made use of a time bank before making a dramatic announcement of "760,000" and pushed his chips in the middle.

Jung spent a time bank and tried to get a read on Loong. He then spent another time bank, and another and another - the nervous energy of Jung very palpable.

All this time, Jung's face had his famous angry-frustrated look and he kept murmuring, "I can't get any information on this..." and he threw in a fifth time bank, looked at his chips, wondered if unicorns really existed and decided to fold.

A visibly frustrated Jung took a deep breath and reiterated rather loudly, "I can't get any information. If it was you! (pointing to Ran Ilani), you! (Benjamin Leblond) or you! (John Perry) - I would snap call!"

Perry answered, "Leave me out of this!"

Jung stood away from the table to take a breather and the table breathed a little easier. Meanwhile, Loong calmly stacked his pricey loot.

A few hands into the final table, Loong Choi Eng limped from the small blind and Ran Ilani checked the big blind.

The 4♠ 5♠ 3♦ flop was checked to the 2♦ turn.

Eng checked, Ilani bet 65,000 and Eng called.

The 3♠ river saw Eng check, and Ilani check behind.

Eng took the pot after showing his 3♥ 2♥ boat, with Ilani choosing to muck.

After a brief final table photo shoot, a short break and a quick migrate to the classy featured table on the main stage, the remaining players are ready to continue their fight for the 7-Max Championship Lion trophy, the USD 10,000 APC Main Event Seat and the top prize of TWD 4,275,460 (~USD 138,815).

A♠ of now, the remaining final table players are guaranteed at least TWD 537,400 (~USD 17,450).

Seated (L to R) John Perry, Choi Eng Loong, Ran Ilani, Benjamin Leblond

Standing (L to R) Dinesh Alt, Anusorn Asiralertsiri, Hannes Wieland Jeschka, Seungmook Jung

The final table of the inaugural 7-Max Championship is now set. Although the event is a 7-max, the final table will consist of eight players.

These are the chip counts entering the final table:

Players take a short break whilst they re-draw for the unofficial final table.

Action is expected to resume at 10.30pm (CST).

Shun Yi Zheng opened to 120,000 from the cutoff and Hannes Jeschka moved all in on the button for 990,000. Zheng called. He covered Jeschka by only 30,000 and the players flipped their hands.

Shun Yi Zheng: 9♠ 9♦

Hannes Jeschka: A♠ J♠

Initially, it was a misdeal, and it was thought that four cards were picked up for the flop. With one discarded as the burn card, and no cards yet face up, the dealer fanned the flop.

The 9♥ J♣ 3♥ Q♣ was seen, with still one extra card in play. With both a nine and a jack visible, all four cards were turned back over and shuffled. The floor removed one card, and the anticipation was felt across the table, with Zheng needing to see the nine back on the flop.

The re-dealt flop came Q♣ 3♥ J♣ and there was no nine, meaning it was no longer in play.

Zheng didn't improve on the 6♦ turn, not the 8♦ river, and was left with 30,000.

The table were all in shock and discussed how "Disgusting" the runout was. One player remarked, "Oh, that's rough."

Zheng found himself in a four-way pot in the next hand and managed to climb back up to 140,000 after winning at showdown after the action was checked to showdown.

Zheng was then in the big blind in the next hand. John Perry opened to 120,000 from the cutoff and and Loong Choi Eng three-bet on the button to 350,000. Zheng moved the remainder of his chips into the middle, and Perry called.

The 2♣ 5♣ 7♣ flop was check-folded by Perry after Eng bet 150,000, leaving the players to flip their hands.

Shun Yi Zheng: J♥ 4♦

Loong Choi Eng: A♦ Q♥

Eng stayed ahead, and it was the end of the road for Zheng as the T♦ turn and K♣ river was dealt.

Eng ended the hand being the chip leader going into the final table.

Kah Yew Teng opened for 100,000 from under the gun and Anusorn Asiralertsiri defended his big blind.

The flop arrived 7♣ 6♣ 3♥. Asiralertsiri checked his option, and Teng continued for 75,000. Asiralertsiri then raised all in, and Teng snap-called.

Teng peeled open K♠ 7♠ for top pair while Asiralertsiri showed Q♣ 4♣ for a flush draw.

The turn gave a 9♣ and Teng stood up from his chair, knowing he was drawing dead.

The river 9♦ was of no consequence and Teng graciously exited to a round of "GGs" from the table.

Short stacked Kah Yew Teng moved all-in and risked his last 320,000 and Tsz Him Chan made the call.

Teng showed A♦ K♦ versus the J♣ J♠ of Chan.

The flop came 8♦ 5♦ 7♦, giving Teng the nut flush.

The runout of Q♥ 4♦ gave Teng the much-needed double up while crippling Chan.

In the next hand, Chan moved all in for his remaining 370,000 and was matched by Anusorn Asiralersiri.

Chan opened A♦ K♦ versus the J♣ J♥ of Asiralertsiri. The coincidence brought some laughs from the table.

However, it was no laughing matter when then board ran 2♦ 5♦ 3♥ 7♠ 9♠.

While Chan had several outs on the flop, the rest of the runout bricked him out, eliminating him finally in 12th place.

The pot between Anusorn Asiralertsiri and Seungmook Jung had ballooned to over 750,000.

The board showed 8♠ 2♦ T♥ Q♥ 6♦.

Jung led out for 530,000 after the river dropped and Asiralertsiri put in the chips to call.

Jung peeled open A♠ A♣ and Asiralertsiri mucked and tapped "nice hand" while completing the payment.

After doubling up, Abraham Ceesvin found himself in another hand and at risk.

Ceesvin opened to 100,000 on the button and Ilani Ran defended the big blind.

The pair saw a 2♣ 3♦ 9♠ flop and Ran checked. Ceesvin bet 70,000 and Ran called.

The 2♠ turn saw Ran check-call Ceesvin's 200,000 bet.

A 3♥ completed the board, Ran checked, Ceesvin picked up a stack of his chips and said "All in".

Before he could place it down on the felt, Ran snap-called and showed his A♣ 3♠ for trips.

Abraham Ceesvin: A♠ A♥

Ilani Ran: A♣ 3♠

Ceesvin showed his pocket aces and stood from the table, letting out a sigh. There was no getting away and another player at the table remarked,"GG... Unlucky man!"

It was a brutal end of the road for Ceesvin, but he will no doubt be back at the tables in no time, as he's a familiar face on the APT circuit and recently shipped the APT Jeju Main Event just a few months ago.

Seungmook Jung opened for 110,000 and Tsz Him Chan three-bet jammed all-in for 285,000.

Jung made the call.

Tsz Him Chan: A♣ 5♣

Seungmook Jung: K♥ Q♥

The flop arrived 7♥ 8♦ J♥, bringing some "oohs" from the table.

The runout of 6♣ 4♦ gave Chan the win and he gave a resounding "YES!" as he made a critical double up to get out of life support and breathe again.

Abraham Ceesvin open-jammed in the hijack for his remaining 285,000 in the first hand after the break. He kept his promise and said he waned to "Gamble" just after the break.

Kah Yew Teng re-jammed from the cutoff and the remaining players quickly got out of the way, allowing the players to go heads-up to showdown.

Abraham Ceesvin: T♥ T♠

Kah Yew Teng: A♣ T♣

Ceesvin remarked, "Pocket nines?....I was hoping for pocket nines" before looking at Teng's hand.

Ceesvin kept ahead with little sweat on the 5♥ 8♦ 8♣ J♥ 2♣ runout, and sat back with a more comfortable stack.

In the last hand before the break, Abraham Ceesvin was down to his last 280,000 and asked the blinds if they wanted to "Gamble, Gamble?" before looking at his hand.

Another player said, "No, we play normal."

When the action came around to him, Ceesvin checked his cards, flipped over five-deuce and said "Ahh, maybe after the break."

The remaining 12 players will return to play at 9.00pm (CST).

Seungmook Jung opened and called the all-in shove of Christian Harder.

Christian Harder: A♦ J♥

Seungmook Jung: K♦ K♥

Board ran K♠ 5♣ 8♦ Q♥ 3♥.

Jung flopped a set and went on to win it. Harder was hoping his stack wasn't covered, but a quick look at the counts and Jung had a lot more big denomination chips to easily cover him.

Christian Harder heads to the rail with TWD 326,300 (~USD 10,600) in 13th place.

Anusorn Asiralertsiri opened to 80,000 from the cutoff and Abraham Ceesvin called on the button.

The A♥ 6♥ Q♠ flop saw Asiralertsiri continue for 75,000 and Ceesvin called.

A 2♣ turn prompted Asiralertsiri to move 125,000 into the middle, which saw Ceesvin make another call.

The 9♠ completed the board and Asiralertsiri bet 310,000. Ceesvin went into the tank and took around two minutes to make the fold, passing another pot to his opponent.

Action folded around to Abraham Ceesvin in the small blind who raised to 375,000, putting Kah Yew Teng all in, in the big blind.

Teng quickly called, and Ceesvin let out an "Ahhh" in frustration before showing his hand.

Abraham Ceesvin: 4♠ 2♦

Kah Yew Teng: K♠ T♥

Teng held on the 7♣ Q♦ K♦ 2♠ 5♦ runout, and got the needed double up, putting him back into the game.

Kah Yew Teng shoved all-in from early position for his last 205,000. Tsz Him Chan re-jammed over the top to isolate and did so successfully.

Tsz Him Chan: Q♣ Q♥

Kah Yew Teng: 3♥ 3♦

It looked bleak for Teng, but then the poker gods guided the dealer to give a board of 3♣ A♦ T♠ 4♥ T♣.

Teng spiked a set on the flop which brought some "oohs" from the table and then ended up with a full-house to make a critical double-up.

Ran Ilani opened for 70,000. Seungmook "7-High" Jung three-bet to 300,000. Ilani fired back with a four-bet all-in, covering Jung's stack, he snap-called.

Ran Ilani: A♣ K♣

Seungmook Jung: A♦ K♦

Everyone was all smiles and chuckling UNTIL...

Board came J♥ 5♦ T♦ 9♣ 7♦.

Jung rivered a flush and in classic 7-High friendly-funny trash talk, he starts going off - "These Europeans think they can come to Asia to take our money. Hell no!"

Laughters all around even from Ilani, who had to give up a huge chunk of his stack.

Shun Yi Zheng opened to 60,000 from the hijack, and John Perry called on the button. Loong Choi Eng also defended the small blind.

Jereld Sam Enzhi was in the big blind with 30,000 already committed but had 35,000 behind. Enzhi opted to call, after using all 4 of his time cards, taking the players four-ways to the 4♠ 8♦ K♥ flop.

Action checked around slowly to Zheng who bet 55,000. Perry and Eng folded, leaving Enzhi to make the decision. He peered at the other all in and call at the other table, hoping to ladder, but once he saw it was a chop, he threw his last chip in.

Jereld Sam Enzhi: T♣ 4♥

Shun Yi Zheng: A♥ 8♠

Enzhi had hit bottom pair on the flop, but Zheng had him beat with middle pair.

There was no coming back on the J♠ turn and J♥ river, and Enzhi was eliminated in 14th place.

A battle between the blinds with Seunghyun Michael Nam on the small blind versus Shun Yi Zheng on the big blind.

The complete action leading to the river was missed, but we know the chips were all-in when the board completed 2♥ 3♦ 4♦ J♦ 4♥.

Nam had the all-in button in front of him along with a formidable 9♦ 9♥.

However, it was not enough to keep him alive with Zheng turning over 7♣ 4♣ for trip fours, eliminating Nam.

Action folded to Benjamin Leblond on the small blind, who jammed all-in for his last 180,000.

Big blind Dylan Foster peeked at his cards, took a moment to consider, then put in the chip to call.

Dylan Foster peeled open Q♦ 5♦, which caused Leblond to exclaim, "What the *$&#$%@!"

Benjamin Leblond showed A♠ K♠

The board ran 9♦ 8♥ 5♠ 7♣ A♦.

Foster made a pair on the flop to overtake Leblond, which most probably had him screaming a louder WTF in his head, although he didn't voice it out loud.

Luckily, the poker gods were kind and brought an ace on the river, giving Leblond the win and a much-needed double-up to 360,000.

In the next hand, Leblond opened for 55,000 on the button and Jesse Wigan defended.

Both players checked the flop of 5♦ T♠ J♣

Wigan tapped his option on the 4♥ turn and folded when Leblond fired for 50,000.

Wigan was left with a stack of 200,000 and would be seen leaving his seat a few moments later.

Jereld Sam Enzhi opened to 50,000 from under the gun and Shun Yi Zheng called from the cutoff. Mingchen Zhang three-bet to 150,000, leaving himself with 25,000 behind.

Enzhi called, Zheng folded, and the players saw the J♥ 5♣ 4♦ flop.

Enzhi bet out 25,000, forcing Zhang all in, and he called without hesitation.

Mingchen Zhang: Q♣ Q♥

Jereld Sam Enzhi: 9♥ 9♣

The 6♠ turn and A♦ river didn't change the outcome, and Zhang saw a clean double.

The final hand of start-of-day chipleader Akshay Nasa was missed, but his walk to the rail was caught as he missed his opportunity to make it all the way to the championship.

GG, Nasa!

Michael Seunghyun Nam opened to 50,000 from early position and Christian William Harder called on the button.

Hannes Wieland Jaschka three-bet jammed for his 465,000 stack being covered by both possible opponents. Nam folded, and Harder called, having 250,000 behind and not at risk.

Hannes Wieland Jaschka: 9♣ 9♦

Christian William Harder: A♠ J♦

Jaschka was ahead but didn't particularly like the T♦ Q♥ 3♦ flop.

There was no joy for Harder and missed the straight draw on the 6♦ turn and 5♥ river.

Abraham Ceesvin raised from early position for the minimum 50,000 and Tsz Him Chan defended from the big blind.

The dealer peeled open a flop of 6♥ 2♠ 4♦.

Chan check-called the 30,000 bet of Ceesvin and a 9♥ was opened on the turn.

Chan checked again while Ceesvin muscled a bet of 140,000, forcing Chan to surrender.

A pot sat at around 300,000 on a board of 5♠ K♣ 6♦ J♥ 5♣.

Hannes Wieland Jeschka tapped his option from under the gun over to Shun Yi Zheng, who fired 200,000.

Jeschka let the clock tick a while before finally surrendering his hand.

Dinner break is over. Let's find out who is hungry for a championship. 21 players remain!

Someone will be crowned in a few.

The final three tables have returned after their dinner break, with Shun Yi Zheng leading the way.

The full live seat chart can be viewed HERE.

The remaining 21 players are now on a 60-minute dinner break.

Cards will be back in the air at 6.45pm.

Tsz Him Chan had all his chips at risk against the huge stack of Jason Li.

Chan had gone on a tug of war with Li, raising from the button with Li defending the big blind.

When the cards were opened...

Tsz Him Chan: A♦ 9♦

Jason Li: A♥ K♠

Board came 4♣ 4♥ J♦ 6♦ 9♥.

Li was on his way to knock out Chan, but Chan found his three-outer on the river for a life-saving double up.

A delicious pot worth around 280,000 was scattered around a flop of 2♦ 6♠ T♦.

Small blind Jereld Sam Enzhi checked his option over to Hannes Wieland Jeschka, who sat on the button and fired out 90,000.

Enzhi took a moment before pushing forward 205,000 in chips for a re-raise.

Jeschka made a quick assessment of his stack and counted off the chips to call.

The dealer opened a J♠ on the turn.

Enzhi let the moment sit before finally announcing "All-in"

Jeschka immediately mucked even before the chips of Enzhi could cross the betting line.

Insert - Enzhi fist-pump.

Insert - Jeschka tapping "nice hand."

Hannes Wieland Jeschka opened to 40,000 from under the gun and Daniel Kunteng Ao moved all in from the small blind, covering Jeschka's stack by 99,000. Jeschka had 253,000 behind and made a quick call.

Hannes Wieland Jeschka: A♦ J♠

Daniel Kunteng Ao: J♦ J♥

With an Ace appearing in the window, there was little hope for Ao on the A♥ 6♣ 5♦ 9♠ K♣ runout, with Jeschka securing the double up.

Ao moved his change into the middle in the next hand. The pair went head-to-head again, with Jeschka being the only caller.

Hannes Wieland Jeschka: K♦ 7♦

Daniel Kunteng Ao: J♦ 9♠

Jeschka picked up again on the flop, and Ao stood from the table after seeing two sevens fall, giving Jeschka trips.

The full 7♥ 2♥ 7♣ 9♥ 8♣ board was dealt and Ao was left to walk away from the tournament area.

Players were already at showdown, with Alexanddru Cinca at risk on the button for his remaining 170,000.

Abraham Ceesvin was in the small blind and covered Cinca. Kah Yew Teng was also all in for only 27,000 less than Cinca and at risk in the big blind, again covered by Ceesvin.

Kah Yew Teng: T♣ T♦

Alexanddru Cinca: A♣ 4♣

Abraham Ceesvin: A♦ T♥

Teng was ahead, and things stayed that way on the 6♦ J♠ 9♠ 8♥ K♥ board.

Chien-Hua Lo opened to 32,000 from under the gun and action folded around to the Akshay Nasa who started the day as chip leader.

Nasa moved all in from the small blind for around 470,000. Lo was covered by Nasa, and it was on him to call off his remaining ~200,000 stack.

Lo moved his chips across to call, and the players turned over their hands.

Chien-Hua Lo: J♥ J♦

Akshay Nasa: K♠ 9♠

Lo was looking to hold but the king-high flop sored Nasa into the lead.

Lo couldn't come back on the K♥ 6♥ Q♦ 5♠ Q♣ run out, and was sent home in 31st place.

A pot of around 80,000 was in the middle beside a flop that showed Q♣ 2♣ 6♥.

Playing the hand was Benjamin Leblond on the hijack position against Seunghyun Michael Nam, who defended the big blind.

Nam tapped his option over to Leblond, who put out a bet of 25,000.

Nam bade his time and then announced a raise to 72,000 just before the clock expired.

Leblond gave that quizzical look, took a peek into his cards and then bid them farewell back to the dealer.

Alexandru Papazian shoved his last 210,000 in the middle and Choi Eng Loong did a bit of calculation before making the call to defend his blind.

Alexandru Papazian: A♦ 4♦

Choi Eng Loong: 7♦ 7♥

The board ran out A♥ T♣ 5♣ J♥ T♠.

An ace on the window gave Papazian top pair to overtake Loong and held to make a critical double-up to take him off life support and give him breathing room.

Jason Li opened for 25,000 from the hijack and Jun Obara three-bet to 62,000 on the cut-off. Action folded back to Li, who made the call.

The flop arrived A♠ 5♥ 4♦. Li check-called the 23,000 bet of Obara and both were shown a 7♥ turn.

Li tapped over again to Obara, who bet with more muscle to the tune of 77,000. Li mucked.

Hogyun Kang opened to 25,000 from early position and Abraham Ceesvin three-bet to 60,000 on the button. Kang four-bet jammed and pushed in his remaining stack, which was around 130,000.

Ceesvin snap-called and turned over his pocket aces.

Hogyun Kang: 7♣ 7♥

Abraham Ceesvin: A♠ A♥

There was no coming back for Kang as the dealer fanned the A♦ T♣ 9♥ 9♣ 4♥ runout.

Shun Yi Zheng and Jason Li had built a pot of 100,000 beside a board that showed 4♣ K♠ 3♣.

Zheng and Li both checked to open a 2♠ turn.

Again, they played the clock but decided to check on the river 7♣.

Zheng peeled open A♦ 4♦ for a set of fours, which was good enough for Li to muck.

Abraham Ceesvin opened for 24,000 on the button and Ran Ilani defended the big blind.

The dealer fanned a flop of 5♠ 6♣ Q♦. Ilani check-called the 21,000 bet of Ceesvin to open a J♣ on the turn.

Ilani tapped his option again and Ceesvin didn't shy from pushing 46,000 forward.

Ilani mucked and awarded the pot to Ceesvin.

Alexandru Cinca sat on the button and was up against Kah Yew Teng, defending the big blind.

In front of them was a complete board that showed 6♥ J♣ 8♣ Q♣ 9♦ beside a sizable pot worth 120,000.

Teng led out for 35,000 and Cinca counted off a stack of 105,000 to push forward.

Teng tanked for what seemed like an eternity, peeking at his cards, looking across to Cinca, wondering how little dwarves could raise battle axes twice their size, then decided to fold.

When Teng's cards hit the much, Cinca belted out a resounding, "Whoo!" as he scooped the pot.

Dylan Foster was on the button and looking at the 3♥ 9♣ T♦ flop. The pot stood at around 80,000 and Anton Widjaya was his opponent in the big blind.

Widjaya checked the flop, Foster bet 20,000 and Widjaya called to see the 3♣ turn.

Widjaya bet out 40,000 and Foster called, taking them to the J♥ river.

The river was quickly checked by Widjaya, and Foster checked behind, taking them to showdown.

Widjaya showed K♦ 9♥ but was just pipped by Foster as he turned over his K♣ T♣.

The remaining 35 players are on a short 15-minute break.

Action will resume at 3:45 PM.

Having just eliminated Steven Louis Chew in what was described after the hand as the "Ultimate Cooler", Jason Li's stack had doubled again, maintaining his status as the chip leader.

The board read Q♣ J♠ 2♥ 8♥ T♥ and Chew was already walking away from the tournament with his hand face down in the muck. Li had A♥ 2♥ which he secured the win with the flush, but Chew's cards weren't seen.

Li was playing plenty of hands and action saw him open on the button to 20,000 just a few hands later and Daniel Ao defended the big blind.

The T♥ 7♠ 5♦ flop was checked to the T♣ turn.

Action was checked to the Q♣ river and Li checked. Ao bet 130,000 and Li let it go, folding his hand and passing some chips back to the table.

The eliminations came fast and furious, and the tournament directors didn't even have time to play hand-for-hand to announce that the event was nearing the bubble burst. It just happened.

The floor director had to make a roll call of players to check who still had their seats. There wasn't even a big announcement of "Congratulations, you are in the money. It just happened.

With some careful investigation, the Bubble Boy has been revealed and it was none other than South Korea's Jongkwan Lee.

According to reports from APT Jeju 2024 Main Event Champion Abraham Ceesvin - he and Lee were involved in a huge pot where Ceesvin jammed all-in with an open-ended straight draw and Lee called holding a set.

Ceesvin, however, rivered his straight and as he admits, "I got lucky!"

Then, the following hand, with Lee's stack severely crippled, he shoved with Ax 9x and Ceesvin completed the elimination, winning the flip with pocket sixes.

The field shortens, and some monster stacks are emerging from the crowd.

Jason Li looks to be the current chip leader and is sitting with 768,000.

Shun Yi Zheng is second in chips, looking down at a 680,000 stack.

Jun Obara, Dinesh Alt and Daniel Kuntenf Ao are all still sitting comfortably and looking to make the money.