New Zealand's Jon Rounce-Sue took down the inaugural APTC Taipei 2025 TWD 93,000 (~USD 3,000) Natural8 Cup Championship event for an impressive TWD 7,538,480 (~USD 243,180) and claimed the exclusive Pewter Lion APT Trophy. The four-day event drew in a huge field of 490 players, creating a total prize pool of TWD 39,372,480 (~USD 1,270,089), smashing the TWD 31,000,000 guarantee.

With late registration open throughout day 1 and the first levels of day 2, there was time for many to jump in and try their luck. Suengyeol Kim was the unlucky short stack heading in towards the bubble and he was down to his remaining 5,000 which was just under one big blind (8,000). It was looking unlikely for him to survive the bubble as he was forced all in from the big blind. He saw two opponents come along for the ride but managed to chop the pot and survive.

Ultimately, only 71 made the money, and it was Wun Long Liu who ran out of luck on the bubble after seeing their remaining chips go into the middle holding king-ten offsuit and running into pocket nines. They didn’t see any improvement and saw their time run out in the last hand of Day 2.

Many battled through day 3, with notables such as Natural8 Ambassadors Sparrow Cheong and Kitty Kuo representing the talent in the field.

Cheong only made it through the first few hands of the day before being eliminated, along with APT Jeju 2025 Main Event Winner, Abraham Ceesvin, and epic bubble survivor, Suengyeol Kim.

Japan’s Shiina Okamoto was also seen on the felt and cashed in 19th place. She jumped straight into the Women’s Championship Event, chasing her third Women’s Championship title.

After around nine hours of play, action stopped with South Korea’s Dohang Na who was eliminated in 10th place for TWD 484,400 (~USD 15,625) after getting in his remaining 16 big blinds with ace-queen off on the turn with a flush draw, but missed, which helped Kuo gain her podium position going into the final day.

Netherlands’ Rob Hollink sat at the top of the final nine, holding just under twenty percent of the chips in play. Action started steady but Philippines' Christopher Mateo was first to show dominance when he retook the lead off Hollink after chipping away at the table during a number of consecutive early final-table pots. Rounce-Sue then took the reins and pulled away from the pack, bullying players out of the pot.

The table tightened their belts, and a lot of players were making big folds with pocket pairs when pressured.

Australia's Julian Warhurst was the first to fall at the final table and was eliminated in 9th place after getting in four of his five big blinds from early position with queen-jack offsuit. He was heads-up with Mateo, and his final chip went in on the flip. He was behind and stayed behind against Mateo’s ace-queen, leaving him to hit the rail.

It wasn’t long before Taiwan’s Kitty Kuo took a tumble after she went up against Rounce-Sue and missed after three-betting with her ace-king offsuit. The Natural8 Ambassador got her final seven big blinds in after facing an open from Christopher Mateo, and ran into his kings holding ace-king offsuit. The pair had battling at the same table for more than half of Day 3, and while Mateo couldn’t seem to hold up against Kuo’s aggression, that all changed today as he ultimately ended her run.

Just 2 hands later, South Korea’s Chang Seog Chae took on Mateo and crumbled his stack down to nine big blinds after Mateo missed his flush draw and Chae took the huge pot with a pair of kings. Mateo waited for his opportunity and got his remaining stack in under the gun with pocket threes. Unfortunately for him, there were two callers, with Yun coming out on top and knocking him out in 6th place for TWD 1,238,200 (~USD 39,940).

Romania’s Adrian State made an epic comeback to secure his place at the final table after going down to his last few big blinds, but spun back up to make the final table. He hit the rail in fifth place after seeing a slow bleed of chips on the final table, as he didn’t pick up too many hands. His tournament ended after he open-called a jam by Rounce-Sue who had him covered. His lead fell flat on the river, and he hit the rail in 5th.

Japan’s Hajime Watanabe had a great final-day run, laddering from entering the day eighth in chips, but ending the day in 4th place. He steadily upped the pressure on his opponents, chipping up, but got knocked back down by Hollink when he nearly doubled him up, getting his ace-queen in against Hollink’s ace-king.

It was all to play for heading into the final three. With Hollink holding the most chips, he was able to knock down and steal a fair amount from his opponents.

South Korea’s Bawoo Yun’s stack tumbled after Hollink rivered a straight, taking Yun for a ride after he had flopped a set of threes. Yun went down to his final four big blinds and lost the battle with ace-seven against Rounce-Sue’s nine-seven after he flopped a nine, eliminating him in 3rd place.

Rounce-Sue and Hollink went into heads-up relatively evenly stacked, with just over three big blinds separating them, both sitting around fifty big blinds deep. There were just 10 minutes of heads-up action, which contained five hands, before it all came to a close.

Hollink had the lead to start, but Rounce-Sue got to work and didn’t let up. After limping the small blind, Rounce-Sue bet into Hollink on the river, forcing a fold and taking the chip lead. Rounce-Sue took more in the next hand as Hollink limped and gave up on the river after sticking around for most of the streets.

It was Rounce-Sue who emerged victorious, taking the crown after the final hand of the day saw Hollink tank-call with pocket sevens against Rounce-Sue’s pocket tens. Rounce-Sue improved, and Hollink was drawing dead by the turn, ending his epic run in the tournament and sending him home with a second-place cash worth TWD 4,749,900 (~USD 153,220).

Jon Rounce-Sue reflected on his mindset heading into heads-up play, saying, “I thought there was going to be a lot of gameplay because my opponent is very aggressive and a very tough player. I was just very lucky to get a call with tens versus sevens at fifty big blinds, it was standard poker that went my way.”

When asked about his win, he said, “It was basically anyone’s game, and I was lucky to come out the other side. I am very grateful.”

Speaking about playing the 10,000 Main Event after winning a pass, he shared, “Yeah, I’ve played a few 10Ks here and there, it should be a good field. I came to play the Main Event, and this was just a side event that I’m lucky I won.”

He added, “I’m really looking forward to the Main Event. It should be a good mix of players, a big field, and a lot of fun.”

Winning this event sets a new personal best live cash for him, surpassing his previous USD 111,098 score from 2023, when he finished second in the WSOP International Circuit Main Event.

To celebrate, he said, “Me and my friends have all come over from Australia, so I’ll take them out, go out with them, and maybe go on a nice holiday to relax afterwards. But I’ll focus on poker for now — I’ll figure the rest out after.”

This concludes coverage of the APTC Taipei 2025 Natural8 National Cup Championship. Be sure to return to the APT blog tomorrow (Monday 24th Nov.) as the landmark Main Event kicks off at 11 am. APT will be on the ground to cover all the key table action live from the Red Space Event Centre in Taipei, so be sure to stay locked into the live updates.

After nearly 6 hours of final table action, Jon Rounce-Sue of Australia was the last one with all the chips after defeating Rob Hollink of the Netherlands in a quick heads-up battle.

A total of 490 entries generated a TWD 39,372,480 ( ~USD 1,270,080), surpassing its original TWD 31 million guarantee.

Rounce-Sue's victory awards him the champion's purse of TWD 7,538,480 ( ~USD 243,180), an APTC Main Event ticket worth TWD 311,000 (~USD 10,000) and a coveted APT Lion trophy.

A complete event recap will follow shortly.

Hand #132: Rounce-Sue opened for 400,000 and Hollink three-bet to 1,300,000.

Rounce-Sue jammed all-in for 11 million.

Hollink tanked and called, risking his last 8.5 million.

Hollink tabled 7♦ 7♠

Rounce-Sue was ahead with T♥ T♦

Flop came A♥ A♦ Q♥, keeping Rounce-Sue ahead.

The dealer gave a T♠ on the turn, improving Rounce-Sue to a full house with Hollink drawing dead.

Rounce-Sue raised his arms in celebration, knowing he secured the Natural8 Cup Championship.

Hollink was up on his seat and congratulated Rounce-Sue before the 2♠ river was finally dealt to officially end the event.

Hand #128: Jon Rounce-Sue called on the small blind and Rob Hollink checked.

Both checked the 9♣ A♥ K♦ flop and the 5♥ turn.

The dealer gave a 6♣ river.

Rounce-Sue bet 1 million and Hollink folded.

Hand #129: Hollink called. Rounce-Sue checked.

Both checked the 8♠ A♠ A♦ flop.

The turn arrived 3♠.

Rounce-Sue led for 300,000 and Hollink matched.

A 5♥ showed on the river. Rounce-Sue fired 600,000 and Hollink mucked.

Hand #130: Rounce-Sue raised to 400,000 and Hollink defended.

Flop showed T♥ Q♠ 5♠.

Hollink check-folded to the 350,000 c-bet of Rounce-Sue.

Hand #131: Hollink raised the minimum and scooped the big blind.

Following the elimination of Bawoo Yun, we are now entering the final heads-up showdown between Rob Hollink of the Netherlands and Jon Rounce-Sue of Australia.

Hand #127: Jon Rounce-Sue jammed all-in on the small blind and Bawoo Yun made the call, risking his last 800,000 to defend the big blind.

Rounce-Sue showed 9♠ 7♣

Yun tabled A♣ 7♠

Board ran 9♣ 4♥ K♦ 3♣ K♥.

Rounce-Sue was dominated pre-flop, but paired his nine on the flop and went on to win the hand, ending the run of Yun in third place.

Hand #121: Rob Hollink opened to 325,000 on the button and Bawoo Yun defended the big blind.

The Q♦ 2♣ 6♦ flop was quickly checked to the 2♥ turn.

Yun check-called after Hollink bet 275,000.

A 3♥ river saw Yun check, Hollink move in 375,000 and Yun called.

The players chopped the pot, both holding a six.

Hand #122: Jon Rounce-Sue opened on the button to 325,000 and Hollink called.

The 4♦ 9♦ Q♥ flop saw Hollink check, and Rounce-Sue bet 300,000.

Hollink quickly pushed 1,000,000 into the middle to raise, which saw Rounce-Sue fold.

Hand #123: Yun raised to 320,000 on the button and both the blinds called.

The T♠ 4♣ 8♠ flop was checked around to the 3♠ turn.

Hollink bet 700,000. Rounce-Sue called and Yun took a little more time but also stuck around.

A 7♦ river prompted Hollink to check, Rounce-Sue bet a full stack of white chips worth 2,000,000. Yun called and Hollink got out of the way.

Rounce-Sue showed J♥ 9♦, having rivered the straight. Yun couldn't let go of his 3♦ 3♣ set, and was heavily knocked down in chips.

Hand #124: Rounce-Sue jammed on Yun from the small blind and picked up 320,000.

Hand #125: Rounce-Sue raised on the button to 400,000 and Hollink called.

A 7♣ 7♥ A♥ flop was Hollink check-call a 275,000 bet by Rounce-Sue.

Action went check, check to the river, seeing the 3♣ 5♦ complete the board.

Hollink bet 900,000 and Rounce-Sue called. Hollink took with A♠ T♣ which held up against Rouce-Sue's Q♥ Q♣.

Hand #126: Hollink limped the small blind and Rounce-Sue checked.

The 6♠ 9♣ 7♣ flop was checked to the 9♥ turn. Hollink bet small, which was enough to get the fold.

Hand #116: Jon Rounce-Sue opened for 325,000 on the button. Rob Hollink defended the big blind.

Flop showed K♣ 7♥ 7♦

Check-check showed a 3♥ turn.

Hollink led for 200,000 and Rounce-Sue matched.

An A♠ river came and both checked.

Hollink's J♥ 2♥ was no match for the K♠ J♠ of Rounce-Sue.

Hand #117: Bawoo Yun raised to 325,000 and scooped the blinds.

Hand #118: Rounce-Sue limped the small blind and Yun checked.

Both checked the K♠ 7♣ T♣ flop

Turn showed 6♦ and Rounce-Sue check-called the 175,000 bet of Yun.

The 2♦ came on the river. Yun fired 350,000 and Rounce-Sue called.

Yun showed T♦ 8♥ and Rounce-Sue didn't bother.

Hand #119: Yun limped on the small blind and Hollink raised to 560,000. Yun folded.

Hand #120: Rounce-Sue found no callers on his big blind.

Hand #111: Bawoo Yun opened on the button to 320,000 and Jon Rounce-Sue called from the big blind.

The 6♦ 9♦ A♦ flop saw Rounce-Sue check-call after Yun bet 200,000.

A♥ J♥ river saw players check to 9♥.

Rounce-Sue bet 925,000 which sent Yun into the tank. He found a fold, passing Rounce-Sue the pot.

Hand #112: Rob Hollink raised to 325,000 on the button and Bawoo Yun called from the big blind.

Hollink bet out another 325,000 on the A♥ J♣ J♦ flop. Yun quickly folded his hand.

Hand #113: Yun raised to 460,000 from the small blind and Hollink defended the big blind.

The 7♦ 9♠ 4♠ flop was continued by Yun for 575,000 and Hollink mucked.

Hand #114: Yun raised the button and Rounce-Sue defended the big blind.

The 7♣ K♠ 8♥ flop was check-called by Rounce-Sue after Yun bet 250,000, taking them to the 6♥ turn.

Both checked to see a free 6♠ river.

Rounce-Sue checked once more, and Yun did the same, with Rounce-Sue taking the pot with two pair, holding T♥ 8♣. Yun mucked his Q♥ 2♥.

Hand #115: Hollink opened on the button and took the blinds.

Hand #103: Rob Hollink raised to 320,000 from under the gun and scooped the blinds.

Hand #104: Bawoo Yun limped in the small blind and Hollink checked on the big blind.

Flop showed 9♦ 4♠ 5♥.

Yun checked then folded to Hollink's 160,000 bet.

Hand #105: Jon Rounce-Sue got a walk.

Hand #106: Rounce-Sue limped in the small blind and Yun checked.

Flop showed J♦ 5♦ 5♠.

Rounce-Sue opened for 160,000 and Yun matched to open a 7♠ turn.

Check-check saw the 8♦ on the river.

Rounce-Sue led for 275,000 and Yun surrendered.

Hand #107: Rounce-Sue raised to 325,000 on the button and Hollink defended the big blind.

Flop showed Q♣ A♣ 2♣.

Both checked to see an 8♦ on the turn.

Rounce-Sue pushed 440,000 forward and Hollink pushed his cards to the dealer.

Hand #108: Hollnk limped on the small blind and Rounce-Sue checked.

Hollink check-called the 160,000 bet of Rounce-Sue to open a 6♦ turn

Hollink check-called again, but this time for 450,000.

The river showed a 2♠.

Hollink fired 600,000 and Rounce-Sue tanked before folding.

Hand #109: Rounce-Sue raised to 400,000 and Yun gave up his big blind.

Hand #110: Rounce-Sue raised to 325,000 on the button and Hollnk defended blind.

Both checked the flop of J♣ 7♣ Q♠.

Turn showed 5♦ and Hollink fired. Rounce-Sue surrendered.

Hand #102: Action folded around to chip leader Jon Rounce-Sue in the small blind who jammed on Hajime Watanabe, covering his remaining 595,000 stack.

Hajime Watanabe: K♠ 9♥

Jon Rounce-Sue: Q♠ 2♥

Watanabe flopped well, and improved to a pair of kings, and he was looking hopeful of the double.

The 4♠ turn brought in the backdoor door straight draw, and a sweat for both.

A 3♥ river rocketed Rounce-Sue further into the lead and left Watanabe to pick up his bag and leave the tournament area.

Hand #98: Action folded to Rob Hollink on the button who raised to 325,000.

Hajime Watanabe three-bet to 1,500,000 on the big blind.

Hollink shoved all-in and Watanabe snap-called and was at risk for his last 4 million.

Watanabe tabled A♦ Q♥

Hollink peeled A♠ K♣

Board ran 6♥ 4♦ 5♣ J♥ 2♠

Watanabe couldn't find a miracle and got severely damaged.

Meanwhile, Hollink catapulted to the top of the chip leader board.

Hand #99: Rob Hollink raised to 320,000 from under the gun and Bawoo Yun defended the big blind.

Flop arrived 2♥ K♠ A♣.

Yun check-called the 300,000 bet of Hollink to open a 9♠ turn.

Both checked and a J♠ was shown on the river.

Yun fired 450,000 and Hollink called.

Yun showed A♠ Q♠ for a pair of aces while Hollink flipped over K♥ J♥ for two-pair to boost his stack even more.

Hand #100: Action folded to the blinds. Yun limped on the small blind and Hollink checked.

Yun led for 175,000 and Hollink led this one go.

Hand #101: Rounce-Sue got a walk.

Hand #96: Hajime Watanabe opened to 320,000 from the cutoff and Rob Hollink defended the big blind.

The pair saw a A 6 3 flop and both checked to the T turn and 7 river.

Both didn't put any more in the middle and checked to showdown, with Watanabe showing A 5 to take the pot with top pair against Hollink's T 9.

Hand #97: Bawoo Yun opened to 320,000 from the cutoff and saw no callers.

Four players remain and will have a 15-minute break.

Hand #95: Rounce-Sue raised to 250,000 from the cutoff. Bawoo Yun called on the small blind.

Chae decided to move all-in on the big blind for his last 2 million chips.

Rounce-Sue stayed away, but Yun stayed on.

Chae showed Q♥ J♥

Yun tabled A♦ Q♦

Board ran 7♣ K♥ 5♣ 7♠ A♥.

Chae could not improve and finished in 5th place.

Hand #91: Jon Rounce-Sue raised to 250,000 from under the gun. Rob Hollink shoved all-in from the big blind for 1,600,000.

Rounce-Sue tanked and then pushed a stack to call.

Rounce-Sue showed 4♦ 4♣

Hollink showed A♠ 8♦

Board ran J♦ 6♠ 9♣ 7♦ T♦

Hollink rivered a straight to make a massive double up.

Hand #92: Action folded to the blinds. Hollink limped on the small blind and Rounce-Sue raised to 350,000.

Hollink gave this one up.

Hand #93: Chang Seog Chae pushed all-in on the cutoff for 1,600,000 and didn't find any callers.

Hand #94: Action folded to the blinds and Hajime Watanabe limped on the small blind.

Bawoo Yun raised to 375,000 on the big blind and Watanabe gave up.

Hand #86: Jon Rounce-Sue opened to 250,000 from under the gun and action folded around to Rob Hollink who defended the big blind.

Action was checked through the T♠ 9♠ 6♦ A♠ Q♣ to showdown.

Rounce-Sue's pocket eights were enough to take the small pot against Hollink's seven-six offsuit.

Hand #87: Hajime Watanabe opened pocket deuces to 240,000 from under the gun but saw no callers.

Hand #88: Bawoo Yun opened to 240,000 from under the gun and Jon Rounce-Sue three-bet to 850,000 from the small blind. Yun mucked.

Hand #89: Action folded to Jon Rounce-Sue who opened to 250,000 on the button with Q♠ 3♠. Hajime Watanabe jammed A♥ 9♠ from the small blind and took some off Rounce-Sue

Hand #90: Rob Hollink raised to 250,000 from under the gun and Bawoo Yun was in the small blind. Yun moved all in with A♦ Q♦, and Hollink mucked his A♥ 8♣.

Hand #78: Bawoo Yun raised to 240,000 from under the gun. Chang Seog Chae three-bet to 550,000.

Action came back to Yun, who jammed all-in for 3,000,000.

Chae surrendered.

Hand #79: Action folded to the blinds and Hajime Watanabe limped and Yun checked.

Flop arrived 7♦ 9♣ 3♦.

Watanabe led for 150,000 and Yun folded.

Hand #80: Watanabe opened for 240,000 on the button and scooped the blinds.

Hand #81: Jon Rounce-Sue raised to 250,000 from under the gun. Yun three-bet to 750,000 on the button. Rounce-Sue matched.

Flop came T♠ 6♠ 3♣.

Rounce-Sue check-called after Yun bet 500,000.

The J♦ came on the turn. Rounce-Sue checked again Yun moved all-in for 2,300,000.

Rounce-Sue did not continue.

Hand #82: Rob Hollink limped on the small blind. Rounce-Sue raised and Hollink mucked.

Hand #83: Action folded to the blinds. Rounce-Sue raised to 300,000 on the small blind.

Watanabe called on the big blind

Flop came K♠ 4♦ 5♠.

Rounce-Sue continued for 180,000 and Watanabe matched to see a T♥ turn.

Rounce-Sue bet for 540,000 and Watanabe folded.

Hand #84: Action folded to the blinds again and Watanabe called on the small blind and Yun raised to 375,000 on the big blind.

Watanabe then jammed all-in and Yun folded immediately without even asking for a count.

Hand #85: Rounce-Sue raised to 250,000 from the cutoff and Watanabe three-bet to 625,000 on the button. No one came to play.

Hand #77: There was action for Adrian State as he opened the big blind to 250,000. Jon Rounce-Sue moved all in, covering States 1,500,000 remaining stack. State snap called, and the cards were flipped.

Adrian State: 8♠ 8♥

Jon Rounce-Sue: A♠ K♣

The 3♦ Q♥ 5♠ flop was safe for State and he was ahead.

The J♥ turn brought in some outs for Rounce-Sue, and he picked up a king on the K♥ river to see to State's elimination.

Rounce-Sue sored into the chip lead, continuing to run ahead of the rest of the table.

Hand #76: Jon Rounce-Sue opened to 250,000 from under the gun and Chang Seog Chae called on the button. Rob Hollink defended the big blind and the players went three-way to the board.

The flop came Q♣ 5♥ 2♠, and Hollink quickly checked. Rounce-Sue and Chae also opted to check.

A T♠ was turned. Action checked through again, to get to the 8♣ completer.

Hollink check-called after Rounce-Sue bet 310,000, taking a small pot with his pocket nines against Hollink's 3♥ 2♥.

Hand #69: Bawoo Yun opened to 200,000 on the button and Adrian State defended the big blind.

Both checked the flop Q♠ 9♠ Q♦

Both checked the 8♦ turn and the A♣ river.

State opened 8♣ 7♣ for a pair of eights, but only came second to the K♣ 8♠ of Yun, who had the better kicker.

Hand #70: Hajime Watanabe opened for 800,000 on the hi-jack and Rob Hollink defended the big blind.

Flop came Q♠ 5♣ 8♦

Hollink bet 300,000 and Watanabe pushed his last 70,000 in the middle.

Hollink showed A♠ 3♠

Watanabe peeled K♦ K♥

Runout completed J♥ 2♦, giving Watanabe a crucial double-up.

Blinds are now 60,000/120,000 with 120,000 big blind antes

Hand #71: Chang Seog Chae opened for 250,000 and took down the blinds.

Hand #72: Adrian State opened for 240,000 from the cut-off and Watanabe three-bet to 1,700,000 on the big blind. State did not continue.

Hand #73: Jon Rounce-Sue raised to 250,000 on the button and won the blinds.

Hand #74: Watanabe raised to 240,000 on the button and Chae defended the big blind.

Flop showed 6♦ 2♥ J♦.

Chae check-called the 160,000 bet of Watanabe and both were shown a A♣ turn.

Chae checked then folded after Watanabe fired 480,000.

Hand #75: Hollink opened for 240,000 from under the gun. Bawoo Yun three-bet to 600,000 on the button and didn't find customers.

Hand #68: Christopher Mateo opened to 800,000 which was effectively all of his stack. He left himself with a single chip behind from under the gun and watched the rest of the action at the table unfold after him.

Jon Rounce-Sue made a quick call from the cutoff, but action didn't stop there as Bawoo Yun moved all in for 840,000.

Mateo moved his last chip in to call, and simultaneously showed his pocket threes, before Rounce-Sue had acted, but Rounce-Sue was never folding and the players went three-ways to the board with two players at risk.

Christopher Mateo: 3♠ 3♦

Bawoo Yun: A♣ K♦

Jon Rounce-Sue: 6♠ 6♦

Yun flopped well on the 5♥ 9♥ K♣ board.

He sustained the lead on the 7♦ turn and 7♥ river, eliminating Mateo's and seeing the near triple up.

Hand #66: Adrian State opened to 200,000 from the cutoff and action folded around to Hajime Watanabe in the big blind. He considered what to do as the shortest stack as he looked down at 8 7, but opted to muck.

Hand #67: Hajime Wantanabe raised to 650,000 from the small blind with queen-seven offsuit and Bawoo Yun folded the big blind, putting Wantanabe slightly ahead.

Hand #60: Rob Hollink raised to 200,000 from the hi-jack. Jon Rounce-Sue called from the cut-off.

Both checked the flop of 3♣ K♣ K♠. The turn showed K♥. Hollink bet 150,000 and Rounce-Sue stuck around.

The river came an 8♥. Hollink bet 250,000 and Rounce-Sue surrendered.

Hand #61: Christopher Mateo raised to 200,000 from under the gun. Hollink made the call and Chang Seog Chae defended the big blind.

The flop arrived J♣ 9♠ A♣, and action checked to Hollink who pushed 450,000 across the betting line. Chae called and Mateo stepped down.

The turn showed a 5♦. Chae checked. Hollink tanked then pushed in 2 million, covering the stack of Chae.

Chae stood down to fight another day.

Hand #62: Action folded to the blinds and Chae raised to 325,000 on the small blind and Christopher Mateo defended the big blind.

Flop showed K♦ 9♥ Q♥. Chae led for 450,000 and Mateo raised to 1,100,000. Chae pushed all in for 1,600,000 and Mateo made the call.

Chae opened K♠ 4♠ for a pair of kings.

Mateo showed J♥ 5♥ for a flush draw.

Runout came 9♦ 6♠ and the HUGE pot went Chae's way for a massive double up, crippling Mateo in the process.

Hand #63: Hollink raised to 200,000 from under the gun and scooped some blinds.

Hand #64: Hajie Watanabe raised to 700,000 from UTG+1. Chae three-bet to 1.2 million and Chae made the call for the rest of his 45,000 chips.

Hajie Watanabe: K♥ J♠

Chang Seog Chae: K♣ J♥

Board ran A♥ J♦ K♦ 5♥ 9♣.

Both players made two pair and split the pot.

Hand #65: Adrian State opened for 200,000 from under the gun. Hollink three-bet to 600,000 on the small blind.

Rounce-Sue four-bet to 1,300,000. State stood down. Hollink stared down Rounce-Sue, threw in a time bank and folded.

Hand #59: After Bawoo Yun folded his pocket eights from under the gun, Christopher Mateo looked down at kings and opened from early position. Kitty Kuo woke up with ace-king off suit and was in the big blind.

She moved all in for her remaining 695,000 and was snapped off by Mateo.

Kitty Kuo: A♣ K♣

Christopher Mateo: K♠ K♥

There was no luck for Kuo on the T♥ 4♠ 8♣ 2♦ 9♥ runout, and she was eliminated in 8th place.

Hand #56: Jon Rounce-Sue opened to 200,000 from under the gun and action folded around the table to Rob Hollink who three-bet to 600,000 from the big blind.

Rounce-Sue folded, leaving Hollink to scoop the pot.

Hand #57: Early positions folded around to Christopher Mateo in the cutoff, who started the action by raising to 200,000.

Adrian State three-bet on the button to 800,000 and Mateo quickly folded.

Hand #58: State was next in the cutoff and opened to 200,000. Rob Hollink was on the button and three-bet to 550,000. Hollink saw no further action with his pocket sevens after State folded his king-jack off suit.

Hand #51: Jon Rounce-Sue jammed all-in on the button and scooped the blinds.

Hand #52: Chane Seog Chae 200,000 from under the gun and scooped the blinds.

Hand #53: Rounce-Sue raised to 200,00 from the hijack and Chae defended the big blind.

The dealer fanned a flop of A♠ Q♠ 2♦.

Chae check-called the 100,000 bet of Rounce-Sue to see a J♠ on the turn.

Chae checked and Rounce-Sue fired 675,000.

Chae tanked, then folded.

Hand #54: Hajime Watanabe raised to 700,000 and scooped the blinds.

Hand #55: Rob Hollink raised to 200,000. Rounce-Sue three-bet to 500,000. Hollink matched.

Flop showed 4♣ 3♠ A♣.

Both checked and 6♥ came on the turn.

Check-check showed an 8♦ on the river.

Hollink checked and Rounce-Sue fired 425,000.

Hollink tanked, wondered why helium makes your voice sound like Donald Duck, then folded.

Hand #47: Bawoo Yun opened to 200,000 from the cutoff and Chang Seog Chae three-bet to 450,000 on the button with pocket nines.

Yun folded ace-jack off and Chae picked up.

Hand #48: Jon Rounce-Sue opened to 200,000 from under the gun, and he saw the table slide all their cards back to the dealer.

Hand #49: Hajime Watanabe opened to 700,000 from under the gun, leaving himself with 45,000 behind.

He stole the blinds with king-five offsuit.

Hand #50: Action folded to Jon Rounce-Sue in the small blind, who jammed into the shorted stack, Hajime Watanabe, who was in the big blind.

Wantanabe didn't have anything worth a call, looking down at his five-deuce offsuit.

The remaining 8 players take a short 15-minute break.

Hand #46: Rob Hollink opened to 160,000 from early position. Hajime Watanabe used three of his time banks, holding Q♣ 7♣, before folding. Hollink didn't get a walk as Christopher Mateo called from the big blind.

The 6♣ 5♥ 9♣ flop was checked by Mateo and Hollink bet 125,000. Mateo stuck around and paid to see the 6♥ turn.

Mateo turned the tide and bet out 325,000. Hollink called and the 3♣ fell on the river.

With 4,200,000 behind, Mateo jammed, and Hollink snap-called, putting his remaining 1,400,000 stack at risk.

Rob Hollink: A♦ 6♦

Christopher Mateo: Q♠ 8♣

Hollink saw a clean double up with trip sixes and knocked Mateo down in the counts.

Hand #43: Mateo opened for 160,000 from early position and scooped the blinds.

Hand #44: Chang Seog Chae opened to 160,000 from under the gun. Adrian State was the only one who made the call

Flop came Q♠ 4♥ T♦.

Chae continued for 180,000 and State didn't continue.

Hand #45: Jon Rounce-Sue opened for 160,000 on the hi-jack and Chae defended the big blind.

Chae check-folded to the 110,000 c-bet of Rounce-Sue.

Hand #42: Julian Walhurst was after the gun and raised to 300,000, leaving 65,000 behind

Christopher Mateo called from the hijack while everyone else stayed away.

The flop arrived 2♣ 7♥ 8♦.

Walhurst checked and Mateo bet 65,000 with Walhurst committing his last chips.

Walhurst peeled open Q♦ J♥ and was dominated by the A♥ Q♥ of Mateo.

The dealer showed an A♦ on the turn and Warhurst was drawing dead.

The 9♥ river was a formality, sending out Walhurst as the first casualty of the final table.

Hand #36: Adrian State opened to 160,000 from middle position and Bawoo Yun called from the small blind. Julian Warhurst also defended the big blind.

Action was checked around on the 3♣ 3♦ 6♠ flop, to see an 8♠ turn.

Yun bet 175,000 and Warhurst quickly slid his cards into the muck. State took a little longer, but also gave up the pot.

Hand #37: Kitty Kuo opened to 160,000 from the cutoff and Chang Seog Chae moved all in for 2,100,000 from the big blind.

Kuo was holding pocket nines and found a fold, just as the shot clock ran out of time. Chae picked up without having to show his ace-king off suit.

Hand #38: Rob Hollink opened to 160,000 from early position and Jon Rounce-Sue three-bet to 400,000. Action went back around to Hollink, who folded pocket fours, getting away from Rounce-Sue's pocket aces.

Hand #39: Rounce-Sue was looking down at pocket aces again, and opened to 160,000 from early position.

Adrian State defended the big blinds with 7♠ 6♠.

The 3♣ T♠ 5♥ flop saw Rounce-Sue bet 110,000 and State called.

A 6♣ was turned, giving State a pair, and both checked to the 7♦ river, giving State two pair.

State bet out 80,000, and Rounce-Sue moved all in for his entire 4,700,000 stack, covering State's remaining 1,200,000. State called and secured the double up, cracking Rounce-Sue's aces.

Hand #40: Christopher Mateo opened to 160,000 on the button and picked up the blinds.

Hand #31: Jon Rounce-Sue opened for 160,000 from under the gun and Rob Hollink remained to defend the big blind.

Flop showed 5♣ A♣ 9♣.

Hollink checked and folded to the 110,000 bet of Rounce-Sue.

Hand #32: Bawoo Yun opened for 160,000 from early position and saw action from Rounce-Sue, who defended the big blind.

The dealer opened a flop of Q♠ T♠ 6♣.

Rounce-Sue checked and folded to the 125,000 bet of Yun.

Hand #33: Adrian State opened for 160,000 on the cutoff. Hollink three-bet to 450,000 on the button.

Rounce-Sue four-bet jammed all-in for 3,700,000 on the small blind.

State and Hollink stood down.

Hand #34: Chang Seog Chae raised to 160,000 from UTG+2 and scooped the blinds.

Hand #35: Rounce-Sue opened for 160,000 on the cut-off won the blinds.

Hand #26: Chip leading Jon Rounce-Sue opened to 160,000 from the cutoff and saw an easy pickup of the blinds.

Hand #27: Jon Rounce-Sue opened the hijack to 160,000 and saw no action.

Hand #28: Christopher Mateo was sitting under the gun and opened to 160,000. Action folded through the blinds and Mateo regained small.

Hand #29: Rob Hollink opened from early position to 160,000 and his neighbour Jon Rounce-Sue called. Christopher Mateo defended the big blind, taking the players three-ways to the flop.

The dealer placed the J♠ 2♣ 8♣, and action checked around to Roune-Sue who bet 200,000.

Mateo called, and Hollink checked his hand and threw it into the muck.

The 6♥ was turned, and checked to the 5♠ river.

Mateo bet out 200,000. Rounce-Sue snap called and showed A♣ Q♦ for ace high, but Mateo was good, having rivered the straight, holding 4♣ 3♣.

Hand #30: Action folded to Bawoo Yun opened to 160,000 from the hijack and Chang Seog Chae was on the button and three-bet to 430,000.

The blinds folded and Yun used two time-bank cards before folding his pocket tens, with Chae missing out on getting any more value from his pocket queens.

Hand #21: Chang Seog Chae raised to 125,000 on the button. Christopher Mateo three-bet to 325,000 on the small blind.

Chae jammed all-in for 1,100,000 and Mateo surrendered.

Hand #22: Chae opened for 120,000 from the cutoff and Rob Holink defended his big blind.

Flop was shown 8♠ Q♣ Q♠.

Hollink check-called the 80,000 bet of Chae and a 6♦ was shown on the tun.

Hollink check-folded to the 360,000 bet of Chae.

Hand #23: Adrian State raised to 120,000 on the button and Jon Rounce-Sue defended the big blind.

Flop came A♠ 2♠ 7♠.

Both checked to see a 2♥ turn

Rounce-Sue check-called the 120,000 bet of State to see a 3♣ river.

Both checked again.

Rounce-Sue turned over A♦ 3♠ for two-pair and State mucked.

Hand #24: Action folded to the blinds. Rounce-Sue pushed a 150,000 raise on the small blind and Hajime Watanabe defended the big blind.

Both checked the flop 9♦ 7♣ 5♣. Both also checked the turn T♠. The river came the K♠.

Rounce-Sue fired 260,000 and Hajime Watanabe folded.

Hand #25: Christopher Mateo raised to 160,000 and Rob Hollink three-bet to 500,000 on the cutoff.

There were no customers.

Hand #16: Bawoo Yun opened to 120,000 from under the gun, and Rob Hollink called from the cutoff.

The flop came 3♥ 4♥ 4♦ and Yun checked. Hollink quickly bet 75,000 and Yun raised to 225,000. Hollink took some time to find a fold, unknowingly getting away from Yun's pocket aces.

Hand #17: Jon Rounce-Sue opened to 125,000 from the cutoff and Kitty Kuo three-bet to 500,000 in the small blind. Rounce-Sue called and the flop came 6♦ 3♦ 6♣.

Kuo bet out 200,000 and Rounce-Sue called again, taking the players to the 7♠ turn.

A quick 450,000 bet was made by Kuo, and Rounce-Sue called behind.

The J♣ river saw Kuo check, and Rounce-Sue checked behind. Rounce-Sue showed his pocket fours. Kuo tabled her ace-king off, passing the pot to Rounce-Sue.

Hand #18: Rob Hollink opened to 125,000 from middle position and Julian Warhurst defended the big blind.

The 2♦ J♦ Q♦ flop saw Warhurst check, and Hollink bet 75,000. Warhurst quickly mucked.

Hand #19: Kuo opened the cutoff for 125,000 and saw the rest of her opponents fold.

Hand #20: Adrian State opened to 120,000 from under the gun and picked up the blinds.

Hand #11: Bawoo Yun opened to 120,00 from the cut-off and Christopher Mateo defended the big blind.

Flop came Q♥ J♦ 9♣.

Mateo check-called the 60,000 bet of Yun to open a 5♠ turn.

Mateo checked and folded to Yun's 300,000 bet.

Hand #12: Jon Rounce-Sue opened for 125,000 from UTG+1. Chang Seog Chae three-bet shoved all-in for 975,000 and found no customers.

Hand #13: Christopher Mateo raised to 120,000 on the button and Rob Hollink defended the big blind.

Flop came 8♣ 5♦ 2♠.

Hollink fired 75,000 and called Mateo's raise to 160,000.

A T♦ came on the turn. Hollink checked and folded when Mateo fired 275,000.

Hand #14: Bawoo Yun opened for 120,000 from early position. Christopher Mateo three-bet raised to 305,000. Yun called.

Flop showed 2♦ J♦ J♠.

Yun checked and Mateo pushed 150,000 across the betting line. Yun made the call and a 7♣ was shown on the turn.

Yun tapped his option to Mateo, who continued for 400,000. Yun surrendered.

Hand #15: Yun opened for 120,000 and Hollink called on the button.

Both players saw a flop of 8♣ 9♠ 3♦.

Both checked to open a 7♥ turn that also went check-check.

The river showed a K♥ that also got checked down.

Both players showed similar ace-jack off-suit to split the pot.

Hand #5: Rob Hollink raised the small blind to 125,000 with A♣ Q♦ and action folded around the table.

Hand #6: Adrian State opened to 120,000 from the cutoff with A♠ 3♠, and action folded around the table.

Hand #7: Chang Seog Chae opened to 125,000 from middle position and Kitty Kuo called from the big blind.

The 6♠ 2♠ J♥ flop was continued by Chae for 80,000 and Kuo check-called.

The T♣ saw both check to the 6♣ river, and Kuo moved all in for her remaining 2,400,000. Chae folded, passing the pot to Kuo.

Hand #8: Christopher Mateo opened to 120,000 from middle position and Hajime Watanabe called on the button. Bawoo Yun defended the big blind, taking the players three-ways to the flop.

The 6♥ 5♦ T♣ flop was bet by Watanabe and he scooped the pot.

Hand #9: Rob Hollink opened from middle position and saw quick folds around the table.

Hand #10: Action folded around to Kitty Kuo, who opened to 125,000 from the cutoff. She picked up the blinds and saw back having picked up even more chips.

Hand #1: Adrian State opens for 120,000 from early position and Chang Seog Chae defended the big blind.

Flop came 5♥ T♠ 8♣.

Chae checked his option and State fired 140,000. Chae surrendered.

Hand #2: Jon Rounce-Sue opened for 125,000 from early position. Bawoo Yun called from the cut-off. Chae also matched on the small blind.

Flop showed K♠ 7♣ 8♣.

Chae checked. Rounce-Sue bet 165,000 and everyone folded after.

Hand #3: Rouce-Sue opened for 125,000 from UTG+1 and scooped the blinds.

Hand #4: Action folded to the blinds. State matched the big blind and Rob Hollink checked.

Flop arrived 9♠ 4♦ K♥.

State check-called after Hollink put in 120,000 to open a 2♥ turn.

Both checked to see a 6♦ river.

Both checked again. State peeled open Q♣ T♥, which was enough to win the pot.

Cards are in the air for the remaining 9 players who made the final table yesterday.

Hands will be posted in line with the live stream, which is on a 30-minute delay.

Catch the live stream on the APT YouTube Channel.

The multi-day TWD 93,000 (~USD 3,000) Natural8 Cup Championship Freezeout saw a total of 490 players take to the felt, pushing the total prize pool to TWD 39,372,480 (~USD 1,270,080), surpassing its original TWD 31 million guarantee.

A total of 71 players earned a share of the payout pie and came back on Day 3 to battle it out until a final table of 9 was reached. The day finally concluded when the ace-queen of Dohang Na failed to win a flip against the pocket fives of Kitty Kuo, sending out Na out in 10th place as the final table bubble boy.

The remaining nine players then bagged their chips and will take their seats today at the livestream final table until a champion is crowned and awarded the top prize of TWD 7,538,480 (~USD 243,180), an APTC Main Event ticket worth TWD 311,000 (~USD 10,000) and a coveted APT Lion trophy.

Each of the final table players are already guaranteed at least TWD 683,600 (~USD 22,050).

Leading the final 9 with the largest chip stack is Rob Hollink of the Netherlands with 3,555,000 chips. Hollink has already bagged a title earlier this series, winning Event #7: NLH - Turbo High Roller. This will also be his fourth final table appearance this series.

Following closely is Christopher Mateo of the Philippines with a stack of 3,400,000. Mateo already has six APT titles going all the way back to the "old era" in 2015, which includes a Main Event title during APT Manila 2019 where he cashed an APT career best of over USD 83,000.

Ranked third in chips is Natural8 Ambassador Kitty Kuo of Taiwan, who is the last woman standing. Kuo also won an APT Main Event title during APT Taipei 2021, and will look to make this her third APT career win. Of course, it will also be ideally fitting if the Natural8 Ambassador wins this Natural8-sponsored event.

Some notables who cashed on Day 3 just short of the final table include APT Jeju 2025 Main Event champion Abraham Ceesvin (66th), Natural8 Ambassador Sparrow Cheung (59th), WSOP bracelet winner and 16-time APT winner Mike Takayama (32nd), two-time WSOP Ladies Championship winner Shiina Okamoto (19th), and five-time APT winner Vamerdino Magsakay (18th).

*Big Blinds as of Level 27

You can catch the final table livestream of the Natural8 Cup Championship Freezeout at the APT Official YouTube Channel.

Cards will be in the air today at 11:15 AM TST with the livestream broadcast delayed by 30 minutes to protect game integrity.

You can also catch all the live updates and reports here.