Taiwan, Red SpaceEVENT #1011

2025.11.24 - 2025.11.28Add to Calendar

Asian Poker Tour

Entries

343/595

Total Chips

29,750,000

Average

86,735

Live Coverage by APT

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 4:56:22 PM

Chia Wei Kuo Bags the Day 1 Chip Lead in Record-Breaking APT Taipei Championship Main Event

Chia Wei Kuo

The 2025 APT Championship Series in Taipei is shaping up to be another record-breaking series, and the Main Event is no exception. Day 1 drew an impressive 595-player turnout, setting the stage for an electrifying competition.

This year’s Championship Main Event features a single Day 1 flight in a freezeout format, giving each player only one shot at the title. Beyond the top payout, the eventual champion will also claim the coveted 24K APT Golden Lion Trophy, valued at an additional USD 10,000.

Smashing Records

The prestigious TWD 311,000 (~USD 10,000) APTC Main Event came with a monumental TWD 156,000,000 (~USD 5 million) guaranteed prize pool — making it Taiwan’s largest-ever poker guarantee and the richest APT Main Event in history, even before registration opened. By Level 5, the number of registrants had already surpassed 540, smashing the guarantee and setting another record for the day.

The first record came from the Superstar Challengers event, taken down by Calvin Lee — who had previously won a Main Event ticket at the same even in the Incheon series. Today, he secured a ~USD 600,000 payout, which was the highest APT payout on record. The Main Event then surpassed this by guaranteeing over a USD 1,000,000 first-place prize, which was quickly met as the tournament progressed.

Satellite Success

Excitement had been building long before Day 1, with over 100 players earning entry through the online Natural8 satellite, including Nicolas Godard (113,700) and Fabian Rolli (39,800), both of whom bagged chips and return to Day 2.

Georgina Vuksanovic

Live satellites running throughout the festival at the Red Space Event Centre also produced notable qualifiers. Georgina Vuksanovic, playing her first APT tournament after just three years of full time competing, enjoyed a steady day and took through 61,800 for Day 2 — making for an impressive start to her series.

Day 1 Action

Day 1 began at 11:15 a.m., with many players taking their seats immediately. Notable contenders included Sofia Lovgren, who has already dominated this series with several cashes, including a recent Mystery Bounty win. Taiwan’s top-ranked James Chen also appeared early, adding another title chase to his WSOP victories. Both players were among those to take a tumble, and won't be returning to Day 2 tomorrow.

Chip Leaders

Player	Chips
CW Chia Wei KuoTaiwan	434,100
EK Eisuke KatsurenJapan	329,500
NS Nobuaki SasakiJapan	283,300
JF Jesus FernandezArgentina	275,200
HW Him Wong SungHong Kong	263,800
CN Chi Ngong TangHong Kong	252,100
JC James ChenTaiwan	245,800
JG Joshua GebissaDenmark	224,500
LK Lee Kwang SooSouth Korea	222,000
MW Michael WangUnited States of America	220,100

Taiwan’s Chia Wei Kuo ended the day atop the chip counts with a towering 434,100 stack. Quietly climbing the ranks, Kuo doubled up opponent Mattias Lipp in one of the final hands, solidifying his lead.

Trailing him is Eisuke Katsuren from Japan with 329,000 chips. Katsuren, who earned his biggest cash of USD 61,257 at the recent APT Incheon High Roller, will look to maintain momentum into Day 2. Fellow Japanese player Nobuaki Sasaki (‘Sasa’) sits in third with 283,300 chips.

Erik Seidel

Powerhouses Erik Seidel (65,700) and Steve O’Dwyer were also in action, challenging tables across the room. O’Dwyer (73,100), who joined later in the day, accumulated chips near the end after eliminating Ferdinand Carabuena just after he quadrupled up.

Several former APT Main Event champions returned as well. While Punnat Punsri exited early, Abraham Ceesvin (46,000) and Joseph Cheong (72,600) bagged chips for Day 2. Cheong built his stack after an early knockout of Johannes Molenaar, hitting the nut straight.

Monika Hrabec

Italy’s Alesso Isaia survived a runner-runner hand early, but eventually bowed out in the freezeout. Monika Hrabec (67,600) and Roman Hrabec (36,800) both bagged for Day 2, with Monika ending the day just above starting stack after a difficult Level 5.

Natural8 ambassadors Sparrow Cheung (68,400), Kitty Kuo (81,000), Fan Chih Wei (133,500), and Nevan Chang (196,000) all secured their spots for tomorrow.

Looking Ahead

Day 2 of the APTC Taipei Championship Main Event resumes at 11:00 a.m. TST, starting at Level 9 with blinds at 500/1,000 and a 1,000 big blind ante. Levels are 75 minutes long, with a 15-minute break every two levels and a scheduled dinner break after Level 14 (approx. 7:00–8:00 p.m.). Play is expected to conclude after Level 16 or once the money is reached.

Late registration remains open until the first two levels of Day 2, meaning the prize pool is expected to grow even further.

Stay with APT Live Reporting for full coverage of all Main Event and side-event action throughout the remainder of the 2025 Taipei Championships.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 3:05:18 PM

Players Bag for Day 2 of Historic APTC Main Event

From a full field of 595 players, just 343 players secured a bag and will return to Day 2 of the ATPC Main Event.

Stay tuned to the blog as a full recap will be posted shortly.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 3:03:13 PM

Lipp Lives to Fight Another Day

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

Chai Wei Kuo (left), Mattias Lipp (right)

Mattias Lipp saw a late night double through the current chip leader Chai Wei Kuo.

Lipp got in his remaining stack of just over ten big blinds against Kuo and the pair went head-to-head in one of the last hands of the night.

Mattias Lipp: A♠ 6♥

Chai Wei Kuo: Ax 4x

The Q♥ K♣ T♦ 6♦ 9♣ runout was safe enough for Lipp as he secured the double with a pair of sixes. He bags around 29,000 and will return to Day 2.

Despite giving away some chips, Kuo sat on a sizeable 430,000 stack after the hand.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 3:01:14 PM

Rosete Chips Up and Eliminates Xu at the End of the Day

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

In a last attempt to double up, after the last five hands had been announced, Maxwell Rosete shoved all-in for 92,000. Hang Xu had already bet 13,500 into a pot of 40,000 on a board of 6♥ 3♠ A♦ T♠ 4♥.

It cost him two time banks to finally make the decision to call, putting his tournament life on the line at the end of the day.

Rosete showed 7♠ 5♠ for a rivered straight. Disappointed, Xu turned over 3♥ 3♣ to show he had flopped a set.

He left the table and vented it all out to one of the other players who had already bagged his chips for the day.

Player	Chips
MR Maxwell RosetePhilippines	140,000(156 BB)
HX Hang XuChina	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 2:55:51 PM

Juanda's Ace-High Good

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

John Juanda

Nearing the end of the day, players were slowing down, just hoping they'd survive the day to make it to Day 2. Such was the case on Table #68.

John Juanda opened for 2,100 on the button and got called by James Mendoza.

The flop came Q♣ 3♥ 7♣, and action went check-check all the way through the 4♦ turn and 2 river.

Mendoza showed K♣ J♥ while Juanda turned over A♥ Tx for ace-high.

Player	Chips
JJ John JuandaIndonesia	43,000(48 BB)
JM James MendozaUnited States of America	13,000(14 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 2:54:27 PM

Leong Does A Pre-Flop Flex

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

Juns Leong

Malaysia's Juns Leong got scratched in the previous hand for some chips while on the big blind.

In the following hand, Shixing Koo opened for 2,000 from the cutoff and Yoda Lin called on the button.

Leong three-bet to 10,000 on the small blind and found no customers to regain a pretty decent pre-flop pot to help him rebuild.

Player	Chips
JL Juns LeongMalaysia	87,000(97 BB)
SK Shixiang KhooSingapore	64,000(71 BB)
YL Yoda LinTaiwan	41,000(46 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 2:51:23 PM

Lee Sends Ortega Deep In The Tank

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

Jimenez Ortega and Wai Kiat Lee were locked in a tense pot with the board reading A♦ 6♦ Q♠ 5♦ 8♠. With 11,800 already in the pot, Jimenez Ortega uncorked a 16,000 overbet, only to be met immediately with a 42,000 shove from Lee, putting maximum pressure right back at him.

Ortega had a covering stack, but barely, and went tanking until he burned through two time banks before finally deciding to give up his stake in the pot.

Player	Chips
WK Wai Kiat LeeMalaysia	70,000(78 BB)
OJ Ortega Jimenez	54,000(60 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 2:44:48 PM

Ahuja Eliminates Rachburom

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

Nirunrut Rachburom

Fujiwara Tetsuya opened for 2,000. Hsuan-Yu Lai called. Ankit Ahuja three-bet to 7,200. Nirunrut Rachburom four-bet jammed all-in on the big blind for 24,500.

Tetsuya stood down. Lai stood down. Ahuja gave it some thought and made the decision to call.

Ahuja opened K♠ T♣

Rachburom opened 8♠ 8♥

The flop of 4♣ K♦ A♥ gave Ahuja the lead, leaving Rachburom with only two outs left.

The turn 9♦ didn't help and the T♥ river improved Ahuja to two-pair, ending the run of Rachburom along with her hopes of a Main Event championship.

Player	Chips
AA Ankit AhujaIndia	89,000(99 BB)
NR Nirunrut RachburomThailand	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 2:43:25 PM

"Last Six Hands"

The floor has announced that players will continue through six more hands before bagging for the evening and returning to Day 2 tomorrow.

Those who bag will return at 11.am TST to battle through another day of play in search of the main event title.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 2:34:50 PM

Rollercoaster for Carabuena; Taken Out by O'Dwyer

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

Steve O’Dwyer

Ferdinand Carabuena was already all in for his remaining few big blinds. He was in the big blind and had got called by three players, which checked the action all the way to showdown.

Carabuena was first to show after seeing the 5♣ J♠ 8♣ 4♥ J♥ runout. He was already stood from the table, expecting to hit the rail.

Ferdinand Carabuena: 8♠ 6♣

His opponents were Benjamin Jacobs sitting under the gun with K♦ Q♣, Bawoo Yun with K♠ Q♠ in middle position and Huges Girard in the cutoff holding 2♦ 2♦, none of which stood up to his pair of eights, securing him a quadruple up to around 13,000.

After the hand, he remarked, "Oh, I win. I go all in, and they still call me pre-flop."

His luck didn’t last long as he was all in, in the small blind but this time against power house Steve O’Dwyer.

He faded after getting all his chips in on the J♣ T♠ 4♥ flop with top pair.

Ferdinand Carabuena: K♦ J♥

Steve O’Dwyer: A♠ Q♠

But it didn’t hold against O’Dwyer’s ace-queen suited, as the Q♥ was turned. A T♦ river sealed his fate, and he hit the rail in the last level of the night.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 2:17:59 PM

Ling Shakes Papazian Off

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

Dongying Ling opened to 2,000 under the gun and got a caller in the big blind, Alexandru Papazian.

Both players saw a flop of 8♦ 2♣ 2♦. Ling continued with 2,600 and Papazian continued to hang on.

On the turn 4♣, Ling tried again with 5,100, this time Papazian let go of both his cards and the pot.

Player	Chips
DL Dongying LingSingapore	102,000(113 BB)
AP Alexandru PapazianRomania	89,000(99 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 2:07:29 PM

No One Time For Lipp

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

Matthias Lipp has had enough of the chip leader Chia Wei Kuo, who has been railroading the table with his massive stack. Following a raise from Kuo on early position, right next door Lipp fired it all in the middle and after it folded around, Kuo snap-called.

When they flipped them over, Lipp was in disbelief, saying, "Every time you have a hand."

Matthias Lipp: A♠ K♥

Chia Wei Kuo: A♦ K♠

When the flop ran 7♠ 5♠ 2♠, Lipp pushed his ace and called out, "One time! One time!" But the turn came 8♦ and the river K♣ to split the pot instead.

Player	Chips
CW Chia Wei KuoTaiwan	434,000(482 BB)
ML Matthias LippAustria	17,600(20 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 2:06:28 PM

Seungmook "7High" Jung Has Left The Building

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

Seungmook Jung

South Korean poker pro Seungmook "7High" Jung was seen getting up from his table and heading to the exit.

Jung was one of the 58 qualifiers in the record-shattering Mega Satellite that played last night and took his seat just before the second break.

Jung, who has over $2.1 million in total live earnings, also has three APT titles coming from high roller events. Jung won the NLH - High Roller in The APT Philippines 2022 in September and again during APT Philippines 2022 in November, but this time for the 6-Max High Rollers Hyper Turbo.

His latest APT victory was during APT Manila Classic 2024, where he topped the NLH - Freezeout.

Jung's best APT result was a 4th-place Main Event finish in APT Taipei 2024 for $127,000.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 2:05:06 PM

Guo Drops The Hammer With A Set

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

Zhan Xi Guo and Wai Kit Lo were locked in a tense standoff on a board of 7♣ K♦ T♠ 2♠, with roughly 23,000 already in the middle. That pot swelled further when Guo fired 18,000 from hijack, and after a pause, Lo check-called from under the gun.

The river brought the 8♠, and Lo checked once more. Guo followed up with a 33,600 bet, sending Lo deep into the tank. Lo stood up to scan the board again, thinking aloud as he tried to pin Guo’s range, “ace-queen, ace-jack”. Lo eventually put in the call, only to see Guo table 7♦ 7♥ for a flopped set.

In surprise, Lo said, “oh, sevens.”

“Bang!” Guo replied, dragging the pot.

Player	Chips
ZX Zhan Xi GuoTaiwan	145,000(161 BB)
WK Wai Kit LoHong Kong	57,200(64 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 1:52:01 PM

Meng Ling "Candy" Lin Takes A Seat

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

Meng Ling "Candy" Lin

Taiwanese high roller Meng Ling "Candy" Lin has entered the APT Championship Main Event Freezeout.

Lin has over $ 1.2 million in total live earnings and just recently scored her biggest cash just recently in the K Poker Cup series in Jeju where she topped the Single Day Super High Roller for nearly $480,000.

A year before, she topped a WPT Korea Single Day High Roller for a little over $180,000.

That victory also marked her 11th career title, going back to 2021. Lin has made multiple APT caches and has also bagged an APT title, winning the Women's Event in APT Taipei 2023.

Her most significant APT cash was a third place finish in the APT Taipei 2025 Single Day High Roller for $17,500.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 1:38:19 PM

Where Do They Stand?

Level 8: 500 / 900 ante: 900

Erik Seidel

Quick room scan to see some of the stacks of the Main Event's marquee players, especially those with WSOP bracelets and major APT titles.

Here's what we found:

Player	Chips
MF Martin FingerGermany	215,000(239 BB)
MW Michael WangUnited States of America	124,000(138 BB)
JC Joseph CheongUnited States of America	84,000(93 BB)
AP Alexandru PapazianRomania	81,000(90 BB)
KK Kitty KuoTaiwan	80,200(89 BB)
ES Erik SeidelUnited States of America	75,000(83 BB)
TQ Trung Quan NguyenViet Nam	72,000(80 BB)
AC Abraham CeesvinSingapore	71,000(79 BB)
JM Joshua MccullyAustralia	66,000(73 BB)
SM Samuel MullurAustria	58,000(64 BB)
JJ John JuandaIndonesia	54,600(61 BB)
SL Sofia LovgrenSweden	30,800(34 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 1:37:42 PM

Vuksanovic Steady Through the Day

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Georgina Vuksanovic

With action passed to her, Georgina Vuksanovic fired 3,200 in a pot of 6,000 and a flop of 5♥ 4♥ 7♦. Chang Le Lin in the small blind called but Satoshi Isomae in middle position got out of the way.

The turn produced a 9♥, and still in control, Vuksanovic fired 8,000, which was enough to make Lin fold his hand.

Player	Chips
CL Chang Le LinTaiwan	66,000(83 BB)
GV Georgina VuksanovicAustralia	64,000(80 BB)
SI Satoshi IsomaeJapan	53,000(66 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 1:26:01 PM

Shen Cracks Tsui's Aces with Quads

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Hao Shen

In a three-way pot of 20,000 and a flop of K♣ T♥ 2♣, Wing Men Tan and Hao Shen checked the action to Ka Chun Tsui, who fired 6,700 into the pot.

Tan bowed out but Shen raised to 17,000. Tsui shoved all-in for 46,700 and Shen snap-called, putting Tsui at risk.

Ka Chun Tsui: A♣ A♦

Hao Shen: 2♦ 2♥

Shen immediately got to his feet and began recording the progress of the hand. He hit a set on the flop to crack Tsui’s pocket aces, then the turn brought the 2♠, drawing groans from the entire table as he improved to quads.

The dealer completed the board with the 4♥, and Tsui quietly packed his things before leaving the table.

Player	Chips
HS Hao ShenTaiwan	57,000(71 BB)
WM Win Meng TanMalaysia	50,000(63 BB)
KC Ka Chun TsuiHong Kong	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 1:25:36 PM

Cheung Sends Nishiyama Out the Door

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Two players were all-in - Hiroshi Nishiyama for 84,000 and at risk, and Chung Ching Cheung for 135,000 - on a flop of 7♥ 4♥ 9♣. Action was on Hung Te Lee, who took his time considering his options. After burning two time banks, he folded, leaving the two players to proceed to the all-in showdown.

Hiroshi Nishiyama: A♠ T♠

Chung Ching Cheung: A♥ 9♥

Nishiyama held overcards but Cheung had already connected with a pair on the board. The run out 2♦ 5♥ didn't help Nishiyama, sending him to hit the rails.

Player	Chips
CC Chung Ching CheungChina	220,000(275 BB)
HL Hungte LeeTaiwan	35,000(44 BB)
HN Hiroshi NishiyamaJapan	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 1:13:33 PM

A Touch of Symbolism for Sootla

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Ranno Sootla

Ranno Sootla was asked by a fellow tablemate about the small gold statue sitting beside his chip stack. Sootla explained that it carried personal meaning and that he had purchased it shortly after arriving in Taiwan. When interviewing him about it after a hand, he recalled:

“I was looking for something to have with me at the table for some time, and me and my girlfriend were walking around Taipei city and stumbled across this local seller.”

He continues, “It's actually made for stamps, but I didn’t get anything put on the bottom.” “I didn’t think much of it at first, but when we got back, we looked up the meaning of it, it related so much to me of where my career phase is right now.”

While he explained, the statue turned out to be more meaningful than expected.

“It’s a mouse, and so it symbolises things like being one step ahead, seeing things that others don’t see.”

Sootla noted that this symbolism resonated deeply with him and where he feels he currently stands in his poker journey.

“It has a number of significances to me personally… It was actually sick.”

He had been searching for something that connected with him for a few days before taking a seat at ATPC: “I was looking for something for days, but just didn’t find anything.”

“(This one) was meant to be.”

Sootla finished second in the Single Day High Roller last week, earning TWD 811,000 (~USD 26,930) — his first cash in Asia. He isn't new to the felt, though, as Sootla is a familiar face on the European circuit and has cashed in a number of recent Triton Poker Series.

Sootla continues to make his mark on the international stage - here at the record-breaking APTC Taipei series.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 1:12:48 PM

Sam Rises, Ilani Nosedives

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Jereld Sam

Jereld Sam has double the starting stack, having banked the maximum courtesy of Ran Ilani.

It opened with a raise from Sam at hijack for 1,600 that Ilani three-bet to 4,800 from the button. Sam called to take them to the flop of K♦ 6♣ 4♦ where more chips went in the middle with a bet of 6,200 that Sam check-called.

The J♠ turn is where it all went in. Sam checked again, Ilani shoved, exactly what Sam hoped for who called and showed top pair.

Jereld Sam: A♠ K♥

Ran Ilani: A♦ Q♦

The only hope for Ilani was a queen for Broadway but the river produced the 7♠ instead, and with both players near even in chips, Sam soared and Ilani was down to just 500.

Player	Chips
JS Jereld Sam EnzhiSingapore	105,000(131 BB)
RI Ran IlaniIsrael	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 1:12:29 PM

"I Would Have Cracked You Guys!"

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Kornkrit Chaveewanitkun

Heavy preflop action erupted at Table 63, which started with a 1,700 raise from Kornkrit Chaveewanitkun at hijack. To his immediate left, cutoff Timon Prill flatted.

Two spots over, small blind Tattana Pengduen paused for thought then three-bet 4,600. Big blind Hung Chun Wu assessed the heavy action before him then four-bet 12,300.

Action swung back to Chaveewanitkun, who used up a time-bank before sending out a five-bet of 30,000. Prill quickly got out of the way while Pengduen fidgeted in his seat. After burning a time-bank, he reluctantly folded, leaving the decision on Wu.

Wu tossed in a time-bank as well and counted out his chips. Though he could afford it, if he lost, he would be significantly crippled. Just before the time ran out, he open-folded Q♣ Q♠ and asked Chaveewanitkun if he had aces.

Sure enough, Chaveewanitkun flipped over A♠ A♥, making Wu very relieved. Pengduen shared that he folded pocket jacks while Prill joked,

"I would have cracked you guys one hundred percent with ten-nine suited!"

Player	Chips
KC Kornkrit ChaveewanitkunThailand	68,000(85 BB)
TP Timon PrillGermany	48,600(61 BB)
TP Tattana PengduenThailand	28,000(35 BB)
HC Hung Chun WuTaiwan	23,000(29 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 1:09:50 PM

Kiem Flushes Over Chew

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Peter Kiem

Steven Chew and Peter Kiem were staring at a board of 4♣ K♣ T♠ 5♣ K♥.

Kiem had shoved all-in, and Steven Chew snap-called, risking his APT Championship Main Event hopes.

Chew tabled a flush with J♣ 2♣ from the big blind, but was denied the win by Kiem with the nut flush, holding A♣ 8♣ on the button.

Chew threw his chips in the middle to be shipped by the dealer to Kiem. He exited his seat to a polite round of "GG" from the table.

During the break, Kiem revealed in a quick conversation that he enjoyed the 75-minute bind level structure.

"I like it. It suits me. It's just chill," he said.

Kiem has just crossed the $600,000 mark in total live earnings and holds an APT title in the High Roller Double Stack during APT Taipei Classic 2024.

The "chill" structure indeed seemed to be working as he has grown his stack to over three times the starting.

Player	Chips
PK Peter KiemUnited States of America	168,000(210 BB)
SC Steven ChewUnited States of America	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 12:59:50 PM

A Peek at the Pile-Ups

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Player	Chips
HS Hao Shan HuangTaiwan	247,000(309 BB)
NS Nobuaki SasakiJapan	230,000(288 BB)
NZ Neng ZhaoAustralia	215,000(269 BB)
HK Hyosung KimSouth Korea	185,000(231 BB)
KH Konstantin HeldGermany	182,000(228 BB)
LK Lee Kwang SooSouth Korea	180,000(225 BB)
DL Dongying LingSingapore	175,000(219 BB)
WK Wooseok KimSouth Korea	170,000(213 BB)
CN Chi Ngong TangHong Kong	145,000(181 BB)
MW Michael WangUnited States of America	142,000(178 BB)
DW Dylan Wayne FosterAustralia	130,000(163 BB)
JG Jimmy GuerreroFrance	130,000(163 BB)
JM Joris MichlNetherlands	120,000(150 BB)
JL Junzhong LooMalaysia	117,000(146 BB)
FS Friedl SiegfriedAustralia	106,000(133 BB)
KK Kitty KuoTaiwan	65,000(81 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 12:58:46 PM

Liow Can't Go All-In

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Greg "All-In" Liow

Greg “All-in” Liow hit a painful downswing after losing a portion of his stack across two consecutive hands.

The slide began when Ting Wei Li opened to 2,000 from late position and Ankit Ahuja flatted on the button. Liow responded with a three-bet to 10,000, only for Li to come back over the top with a cold four-bet to 42,000. Both Ahuja and Liow released, sending the pot to Li.

On the next deal, Hsuan Yu Lai opened from hijack and got called by button Jean-Jacques Leo and small blind Liow. Li fired a 1,800 continuation bet on a flop of 3♣ 6♠ K♥ and only Liow called.

The action repeated on the A♠ turn with a 4,800 bet from Li check-called by Liow after using one time-bank.

The board completed with a 6♦ river and once more, Liow checked while Li sized up Liow's remaining stack of 13,900 then put him all-in.

Liow tanked again for one more time-bank and this time he emerged with a fold, unable to follow through with his infamous tagline.

Player	Chips
HY Hsuan Yu LaiTaiwan	133,000(166 BB)
GL Gregory LiowCanada	13,900(17 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 12:44:12 PM

Martinez Doubles Up

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Lucia Martinez

During the dinner break, Lucia Martinez was explaining the hand where she got caught bluffing and left her a bit short-stacked.

"It was a good time because I always fold and fold and fold, and maybe he might believe me, but he didn't."

Right after the break, a glance at her table saw her being shipped the chips with the all-in button in front of her with her hand of J♥ T♥.

The board showed J♠ 8♥ 3♠ Q♥ 4♥.

The dealer had already turned over her opponent's losing hand. No further inquiries were made into who doubled her up. The important thing was that she doubled up and earned herself some breathing room and kept her APT Championship Main Event dream alive.

Martinez sits at over $550,000 in total live earnings, with most of her championship titles coming from her motherland in Spain. Her most significant cash was a 5th place finish in the Moneymaker Main Event for nearly $100,000.

Player	Chips
LN Lucía Navarro MartínezSpain	38,600(48 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 12:43:31 PM

Miracle Card Saves Takayama

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Heavy preflop action kicked off with a raise from middle position Son Nguyen for 1,700. From hijack, Yunku Song took a peek then three-bet to 5,600. Folds followed until the big blind Mike Takayama unloaded the clip for a total of 15,700. This pushed out Nguyen while Song flicked the one-chip call.

Mike Takayama: J♥ J♠

Yunku Song: K♥ K♠

Takayama was in bad shape with his hand dominated with only two outs to save him. With a crowd of friends behind him, they called out for the jack and voila! It appeared on the flop J♣ T♣ T♥.

Takayama was now ahead and with his rail, they eagerly awaited the runout which were 4♠ turn and 9♣ river for a happy double up and

Player	Chips
YS Yunku Song	116,000(145 BB)
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	40,300(50 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 12:32:02 PM

Perry Pressures Lee

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Kwang Soo Lee checked his option on the small blind on a board of 8♦ A♣ 4♥ K♥ Q♣ beside a pot that was worth around 38,000.

Challenging him in the hand was John Perry on the button, who counted off a bet of 32,000.

Lee tanked for a while, wondering why in the world anyone would invent such a huge, complicated gadget, such as a stapler, just to push a small piece of wire together to put papers together. That thought cost him two time bank tokens.

Eventually, Lee folded before the dealer could get a third one, awarding the pot to Perry.

Player	Chips
LK Lee Kwang SooSouth Korea	165,000(206 BB)
JP John PerryAustralia	82,000(103 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 12:03:25 PM

“Spot the Late Registrants”

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

John Perry (Top Left), Martin Sedlak (Top Right) Gregory "Greg Goes All In" Liow (Bottom Left), Selim Oulmekki (Bottom Right)

With 500 red hoodies handed out to the early birds, the Main Event floor has turned into a giant game of "Where’s Waldo?"

Except today, Waldo is anyone not wearing red, having just missed out on securing their limited edition bag with APT hoodie inside.

Some of those newcomers into the main event include, Yohei Kitazto, Dominik Nitsche, Joshua Figuerres, Quan Qiu, Phachara Wongwichit and Ferdinand Lu.

Late registration is open until the end of play today - with it re-opening for the first two levels of play tomorrow - so there's still time for more players to jump in.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 11:07:59 AM

Players are on Dinner Break

The 414 players currently with a seat in the main event take a 75-minute dinner break, with action due to resume at 8.15 pm TST.

When they return, they are expected to play two more levels before bagging for the evening.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 11:06:31 AM

Early Dinner

Level 6: 400 / 700 ante: 700

Jennifer Cassell

Some notable players who had an early dinner break and won't be returning include Stanislav Zegal, Mattia Festa, Jaegeol Cho, Quang Thai Ha, Ben Hur Ybarsabal, Paul Esau, Lisa Tan, Jennifer Cassell, Felix Favre, Wing Po Liu, Jung Jinwoo, William Ysmael, Gyeong Beom Kim, Yuki Nakada, Je Min Chan, Robert Mitchell, John Matsuda, Kristo Segers, Alf Martinsson, Wanghee Lee and Stephen Lai.

Player	Chips
SZ Stanislav ZegalGermany	busted
MF Mattia FestaItaly	busted
JC Jaegeol ChoSouth Korea	busted
QT Quang Thai HaViet Nam	busted
BY Benhur YbarsabalPhilippines	busted
PE Paul EsauGermany	busted
LT Lisa TanSingapore	busted
JC Jennifer CassellAustralia	busted
AF Adrien FavreFrance	busted
WP Wing Po LiuHong Kong	busted
JJ Jinwoo JungSouth Korea	busted
WY William YsmaelPhilippines	busted
GB Gyeong Beom KimSouth Korea	busted
YN Yuki NakadaJapan	busted
JJ Jeremy Je Min ChanMalaysia	busted
RM Robert MitchellUnited Kingdom	busted
JM John MatsudaJapan	busted
KS Kristof SegersBelgium	busted
AM Alf Martinsson	busted
WL Wanghee LeeSouth Korea	busted
SL Stephen LaiHong Kong	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 11:06:12 AM

Girard Chips Up

Level 6: 400 / 700 ante: 700

Hugues Girard

A pot of nearly 40,000 was in the middle of the table beside a complete board of A♣ 2♦ 9♥ 5♣ T♠.

Wayne Lau was on the big blind and checked his option to Hugues Girard seated under the gun.

Girard counted off 36,000 and pushed it across the betting line.

Lau took a moment to think and eventually released his cards to the dealer, awarding the rather juicy pot to Girard.

Player	Chips
HG Hugues GirardFrance	153,000(219 BB)
WL Wayne LauCanada	44,600(64 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 11:05:38 AM

Sung Steamrolls Le Out of the Tournament

Level 6: 400 / 700 ante: 700

Him Wong Sung

On a three-way pot of 16,000, Quang Minh Bach bet 7,000 on a flop of 7♥ 2♥ 4♥. Both Him Wong Sung in early position and Nguyen Koi Le called to see the turn.

The turn dropped a 5♥, which all three players checked.

After Bach checked on the river 4♠, Sung fired 25,000. Le snap-called sending Bach to the tank. After a burned time bank, Bach folded, leaving the other two players to show down.

Sung showed 7♦ 7♠ for a full house, prompting Le to muck his hand.

With only 1,200 left after that hand, Le shoved all-in after a min-raise opening from Sung. The action folded around to Sung, who called to put Le at risk.

Nguyen Koi Le: K♥ 6♦

Him Wong Sung: T♠ 8♠

The board ran 8♣ 9♣ 2♥ J♣ J♦. Le's tournament run ended with Sung catching a pair on the flop.

Player	Chips
HW Him Wong SungHong Kong	140,000(200 BB)
QM Quang Minh BachViet Nam	33,000(47 BB)
NK Nguyen Koi LeViet Nam	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 11:04:44 AM

Tamaki Drains Mateo Of Time-Banks

Level 6: 400 / 700 ante: 700

Shoichiro Tamaki

Shoichiro Tamaki opened from under the gun and picked up three callers to go four-ways to a flop of J♠ T♥ A♣.

Tamaki kept the lead with a 2,500 continuation bet, and only the cutoff player, Christopher Mateo, stuck around.

On the 4♣ turn, Tamaki fired again and Mateo made a second call, sending them to the river 5♥.

Tamaki didn’t let up, unloading a hefty 20,000 bet. Mateo went deep into the tank, burning through all four of his remaining time-banks, but ultimately couldn’t pull the trigger.

A♠ the pot slid Tamaki’s way, Mateo asked, “You have jacks?”

Tamaki dodged the question with a smile, “What do you have?”

Mateo replied, “I have two pair.”

Player	Chips
ST Shoichiro TamakiJapan	97,000(139 BB)
CM Christopher MateoPhilippines	85,500(122 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 11:02:41 AM

Chao, Suen, Bye-Bye

Level 6: 400 / 700 ante: 700

Duan Chao

Michael Allen raised to 1,600 and got two callers in Duan Chao on the button and Wai Kin Suen in the big blind.

The trio checked the 3♥ 7♥ 3♠ flop.

On the 6♠ turn, Suen fired 3,000, and both Allen and Chao stayed on to see more of the board.

The river A♠ both Suen and Allen checked. Chao fired 7,500, which effectively placed Suen all-in with only 7,100 behind. Suen didn't hesitate to call, pushing Allen out of the pot.

Chao showed Q♠ K♠ for a flush. Suen, disappointed, flipped over A♦ T♦ before leaving the table.

Player	Chips
MA Michael AllenUnited Kingdom	130,000(186 BB)
DC Duan ChaoChina	70,000(100 BB)
WK Wai Kin SuenHong Kong	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 11:00:56 AM

No Foo-ling Huang; New Chip Leader

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Hao Shan Huang

Hao Shan Huang rocketed into the lead after securing a huge pot against Michael Foo.

Huang opened to 1,500 from the hijack and Foo called the big blind.

The J♦ 6♦ K♥ flop was check-called by Foo after Huang bet 1,300.

An 8♣ was turned and Foo check-raised to 13,600 after Huang bet 2,600.

The K♣ saw Foo bet out 15,000. There was little hesitation from Huang as he moved 46,000 into the middle.

Foo called and Huang showed his boat, which he made on the river with K♠ J♠. Foo slammed down his 8♥ 8♦, having turned the set.

Huang emerged as the new chip leader of the tournament after taking down the huge pot just before the dinner break.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 10:52:20 AM

"I Learned It From Dylan"

Level 6: 400 / 700 ante: 700

Roman Hrabec

Last night, Roman Hrabec was crowned champion of the APTC Super High Roller Championship for a whopping TWD 13,398,721 (~USD 428,768) top prize. In addition, he was awarded a seat to the APTC Main Event and is now back in the chase after a night's rest.

In a hand against early position, Anthony Xu, who opened to 1,500, Hrabec three-bet 4,200 on the button. Xu came back with a four-bet to 11,300, only for Hrabec to instantly announce all-in. Xu snap-folded.

Tablemate Dylan Foster pressed Hrabec to show, and he obliged and turned over A♠ 3♠, drawing “ooohs” from Foster. Hrabec grinned and fired back, “I learned it from Dylan.” Xu glanced at Foster and deadpanned, “he’s ahead.”

Player	Chips
RH Roman HrabecCzech Republic	49,000(70 BB)
AX Anthony XuAustralia	30,700(44 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 10:50:10 AM

Tan Ain’t Gonna Dai in a Chop

Level 6: 400 / 700 ante: 700

After Victor Dai opened for 2,000 from the cutoff, Lisa Tan in the small blind shoved for 22,500. When action returned to him, Dai called, putting Tan's tournament life on the line.

Lisa Tan: A♠ Q♥

Victor Dai: A♣ Q♦

Tan was visibly relieved to see the same hand. The dealer fanned out an 8♦ T♠ J♣ J♥ 7♠ board without any fuss. The players pulled back their chips to divide the small blind and the ante among themselves.

Player	Chips
LT Lisa TanSingapore	51,000(73 BB)
VD Victor DaiAustralia	23,000(33 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 10:38:29 AM

Matsuda Too Short to Make a Call

Level 6: 400 / 700 ante: 700

John Matsuda

Benjamin Jacobs from under the gun started the action with a 1,400 raise. Folding around, John Matsuda in the big blind called, taking the duo to see a flop.

The flop dropped 4♥ 8♥ 7♦, which went tap-tap.

Matsuda donk bets the 9♠ turn and Jacobs called. After a check, Jacobs fired 6,000, which was too much for Matsuda's short stack.

Player	Chips
BJ Benjamin JacobsUnited States of America	99,000(141 BB)
JM John MatsudaJapan	13,000(19 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 10:35:25 AM

Some Big Names To Take Their Seats

Level 6: 400 / 700 ante: 700

Joshua McCully, Single Day High Roller 40M Bounty Winner Take All - 8 Max

Some notable players have taken their seat in the APT Championship Main Event Freezeout.

There's Australia's Joshua McCully, who was crowned Player One during the recent Triton ONE series held in Jeju earlier this year. That basically translates that McCully was the player of the series, garnering the most points to earn a little added bonus from the folks at Triton Poker.

What's equally amazing is that McCully claimed that title without winning a single event, although his consistency at running deep in multiple events is what earned him that recognition. McCully, who has over $ 2.6 million in total live earnings, has also bagged three APT titles to go along with several cashes.

His first APT victory came in a High Speed High Roller event in APT Phu Quoc 2023. That was followed by back-to-back wins in APT Summer Series Da Nang 2024, where McCully took down the Superstar Challenge and the Single Day High Roller Bounty 8-Max.

Mike Takayama, APT Championship 7-Max Championsihp

Another familiar face in the APT is Mike Takayama of the Philippines, who is a WSOP bracelet winner,and a multiple APT title holder dating back to the "old era" as far back as 2013.

With over $ 3.8 million in total live earnings, Takayama also boasts a Main Event win during APT Manila Championships 2017 among several APT first place finishes. Some of this more notable APT wins - there are many of them - include an APT/VSOP Superstar Invitational championship during APT Hanoi 2023 and a NLH - HIgh Roller event during APT Hanoi 2023.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 10:26:40 AM

Bach Seizes It On The River

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Quang Minh Bach and Daniel Triana went head-to-head for a pot that had grown to 10,500 preflop.

After the flop came 4♥ 7♥ 2♦, Triana check-raised 11,000 from early position and Bach defended on the button.

This took them to the turn T♠ where they both checked, leading to the river 6♣.

Triana checked again and this time, Bach was not offering any freebies and shoved all-in. Triana quickly pulled out all of his time-banks and after burning through two of them, he opted to fold.

Player	Chips
QM Quang Minh BachViet Nam	68,000(113 BB)
DT Daniel Triana EspanolaSpain	30,000(50 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 10:24:03 AM

“We have hit the guarantee!”

With over 540 entries now in the APTC Main Event, the tournament has officially surpassed the TWD 156,000,000 (~USD 5,000,000) guarantee.

APT Tournament Director, Tyler Willse, took to the floor to announce: “We have hit the guarantee!”

Celebrations were had cross the room, with people already talking about the next milestone of guaranteeing a top place payout of USD 1 Million (at around 570 entries).

If that happens, the winner of the Main Event will not only take home the largest first-place prize in APT history but will also break the record set earlier today by the USD 600K first prize in the Superstar Championship, which either Calvin Lee or Daniel Neilson is about to claim.

Two records in one day could soon be history!

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 10:12:07 AM

Prill Catches The Bluff Of Martinez

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Timon Prill

Lucia Martinez was defending her big blind against Timon Prill.

Before both players was a completed board that showed J♥ 9♥ 5♣ T♦ J♠.

There was also a decent pot of around 8,400.

Martinez spent a time bank token, then counted out 7,000 to push beyond the betting line. Prill gave Martinez the look and decided to look her up with a call.

Martinez showed K♠ 8♠ for king high while Prill turned over T♠ 7♠ for a pair of tens to win the pot.

Player	Chips
TP Timon PrillGermany	87,000(145 BB)
LN Lucía Navarro MartínezSpain	22,000(37 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 9:46:39 AM

Green Loses Two-Pair Showdown

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Brian Green

After action was passed to him on a pot of 15,000 and a flop of Q♥ T♥ J♣, Sparrow Cheung fired 3,000 which Brian Green called. Ching Eng Chen, still in the hand, decided to bow out.

The turn A♦ was checked all the way to the river 2♣. Green showed A♠ 2♠ for a rivered two-pair but was quite disheartened to lose the significant pot, when Cheung showed A♥ Q♠ for the top two-pair.

Player	Chips
BM Brian Matthew GreenUnited States of America	66,000(110 BB)
SC Sparrow CheungHong Kong	15,000(25 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 9:45:41 AM

Up And Down For Hrabec

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Monika Hrabec

Monika Hrabec was involved in back-to-back hands that brought her stack up followed by a slight dip.

The first hand had already reached the turn 9♦ T♥ K♠ Q♣ when Hrabec bet 9,000 onto a pot of around 35,600.

This sent Liang Sheng Lee tanking until one time-bank was spent. He opted to fold and show 9♠ 9♥ set.

With her newfound chips, Hrabec raised 1,300 from hijack then four-bet to 11,000 after button player Hao Shen's 4,000 three-bet. Shen answered with a five-bet push which was enough to ship it without further challenge.

Player	Chips
LS Liang Sheng LeeTaiwan	116,000(193 BB)
MA Monika Agnieszka HrabecPoland	62,700(105 BB)
HS Hao ShenTaiwan	57,000(95 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 9:45:25 AM

That's A Wrap!

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Charlie Chiu And Entourage

Natural8 Ambassador Charlie Chiu arrived at his table complete with an entourage of cameramen, covering every corner of the table. It made it seem that it was a featured table the way the crew hovered.

Chiu, who has over $930,000 in total live earnings, also creates poker content, which is why there is a full-on production crew whenever he joins a tournament. Chiu has significant cashes in Las Vegas tournaments in the Venetian and the Wynn, with two APT Single Day High Roller titles from APT Taipei 2024 and APT Incheon 2025 apart from numerous APT final table appearances.

It would've been interesting to see him make a deep run in the APT Championship Main Event Freezeout to provide better content for his vlog, but he was unfortunately eliminated and had to vacate his seat along with all of his production crew, following him like mice do, the pied piper.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 9:44:09 AM

Finger Rivers A Winner

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Preflop action opened with a raise from Zheming Zhu at hijack, which Woo Hyeon Lee called from the button. Moving to the small blind, Martin Finger three-bet 7,000 and only Lee continued with a call.

Finger continued for 4,000 at the flop A♣ 9♣ 6♥ and Lee called. The turn 6♠ saw another bet from Finger of 10,000 and Lee stuck around, leading to both players checking the river Q♥.

Finger was first to show and revealed Q♣ T♣, Lee mucks as Zhu comments, "lucky river".

Player	Chips
MF Martin FingerGermany	122,000(203 BB)
WH Woo Hyeon LeeSouth Korea	65,500(109 BB)
ZZ Zheming ZhuAustralia	62,000(103 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 9:43:59 AM

Chew Takes a Pot Off Oulmekki to Chew On

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Selim Oulmekki

Selim Oulmekki opened for 1,400 and got a three-bet from Steven Chew from the small blind for 7,000. Oulmekki decided to stay on leading them to a flop.

The dealer fanned out 3♣ 4♥ K♣. Chew continued with a 3,600 bet, which Oulmekki could still afford.

On the turn 9♦, Chew cranks up the heat with a 14,000 bet. After a quick stare from him, Oulmekki folded his hand.

Player	Chips
SC Steven ChewUnited States of America	155,000(258 BB)
SO Selim OulmekkiFrance	40,000(67 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 9:39:40 AM

Friend or Foe?

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Javier Zarco

When Javier Zarco took his seat in the previous level and spotted fellow pro Christian Harder sitting opposite him, his reaction said it all. Clearly not thrilled with the table draw, he put his stack down and said, “We travel all the way here, for this?”

Zarco continued, “What’s going on?”

Together they have over $10 million in combined live earning, making their table a tough one to crack. Harder has 335 cashed on his record, dating back nearly 20-years to 2007 and has played in his fair share of $10,000 buy in tournaments.

Christian Harder

These two are no strangers to the felt as they’ve crossed paths at countless APT, WSOP, EPT events, and poker festivals around the world. And now, here they are again in Taipei… facing off once more!

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 9:38:08 AM

Jeon's Top Two Holds On The River

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Gyeonseok Jeon

Gyeonseok Jeon and Huidong Gu built a pot of 22,500 by the time the board showed 8♦ Q♠ J♦ K♣. From middle position, Huidong Gu unloaded it all for a total of 20,900 and still wasn't able to shake off the bigger stacked Gyeonseok Jeon, who called at the cutoff.

Huidong Gu: 7♦ 4♦

Gyeonseok Jeon: K♦ Q♥

Despite Gu's calls for a diamond, the river produced 4♣ to send him to the exit as Jeon scooped up a big pot to add to his already big stack.

Player	Chips
GJ Gyeonseok JeonSouth Korea	173,000(288 BB)
HG Huidong GuMacao	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 9:31:24 AM

Rivera Can't Beat Yung's Queens

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

On a pot of 8,000 and a board of 7♦ 2♠ 6♣ 6♦, Ben Yung, in the small blind, fired 4,000 and got called by Czardy Rivera from the cutoff.

The river dropped J♠ and Yun kept the pressure strong a 7,500, but Rivera called to see a showdown.

Yung tabled Q♥ Q♠, which took the pot down.

Player	Chips
BY Ben Yung	70,000(117 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	51,000(85 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 9:23:49 AM

Penduen Forces Favre to Fold

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Felix Favre

Felix Favre opened to 1,200 from early position and got a caller in the big blind Tattana Pengduen to see a flop.

The flop dropped 8♠ 9♦ Q♥ and action went check-check.

The dealer peeled a 7♥ and Penduen took the initiative with a 1,800 bet which was enough to make Favre fold.

Player	Chips
AF Adrien FavreFrance	85,000(142 BB)
TP Tattana PengduenThailand	43,000(72 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 9:17:54 AM

Ryu Flexes For Huge Pre-Flop Scoop

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Joris Michl

Joris Michl opened from middle position for 1,300.

Seonghyun Ryu three-bet raised to 3,500 on the button.

Jen Yue Chiang then four-bet raised to 11,300 on the small blind.

Michl folded and Ryu five-bet jammed all-in, covering the stack of Chiang.

Chiang tanked, wondered if dragons really flew around the Earth at one point in history, then showed the pocket jacks before mucking.

Ryu was polite enough to show the pocket kings. Both Michl and Chiang acknowledged "nice hand" with a tap on the table.

Player	Chips
JM Joris MichlNetherlands	121,000(202 BB)
SR Seonghyun Ryu	73,400(122 BB)
JY Jen Yue ChiangUnited States of America	54,000(90 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 9:16:17 AM

Respect For Juanda

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

John Juanda

With over USD 26 million in live earnings and five WSOP bracelets, John Juanda is without a doubt one of the most decorated players in the field. Last April, he added his first-ever Asian Poker Tour trophy after winning the APT Taiwan Single Day High Roller and while that did not award him a seat to the APTC Main Event, it is just a drop in the bucket given his eight-figure earnings.

Unlike many players in Asia, Juanda is also no stranger to playing freezeout events and has been slowly chipping up. He recently won back-to-back hands with the players giving his three-bets plenty of respect.

The first hand opened with a raise of 1,300 from Nattawat Soontanont from middle position that was called by two players until it reached Juanda who squeezed from the big b lind for 6,000. No one bit for an easy pot.

The next hand was just about the same with Suphachet Kopatta raising 1,300 from the button then folding to Juanda's 5,200 three-bet at small blind.

Player	Chips
SK Suphachet KopattaThailand	71,000(118 BB)
JJ John JuandaIndonesia	59,000(98 BB)
NS Nattawat SoontanontThailand	55,300(92 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 9:06:29 AM

The Field Fills Up

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Main Event Field

So far, the Championship Main Event has attracted 511 entrants, competing for a TWD 156,000,000 (~USD 5 million) guarantee.

A few more entrants will be enough to break the guarantee and make APT history!

Some recent additions to the field include Julian-Andrew Warhurst, Ruben Bradley, and MingChang Hsiao.

Julian-Andrew Warhurst

Warhurst is chasing his second APT title, having previously won the Single Day High Roller in 2024. He also came close to victory earlier this stop in the Natural8 Cup but fell short, finishing 9th.

Hsiao was one of the fortunate players who managed to satellite in.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 8:51:15 AM

Stacks at a Glance

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Hao Shan Huang

Player	Chips
HS Hao Shan HuangTaiwan	180,000(300 BB)
EK Eisuke KatsurenJapan	160,000(267 BB)
LK Lee Kwang SooSouth Korea	146,000(243 BB)
JO Junseok OhSouth Korea	140,000(233 BB)
JG Jimmy GuerreroFrance	136,000(227 BB)
MA Michael AllenUnited Kingdom	130,000(217 BB)
SL Sofia LovgrenSweden	130,000(217 BB)
ES Eui Su KwonSouth Korea	127,000(212 BB)
LS Liang Sheng LeeTaiwan	116,000(193 BB)
DL Daniel LeiUnited States of America	115,000(192 BB)
SY Seng Yong TanMalaysia	110,000(183 BB)
JF Jesus FernandezArgentina	106,000(177 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 8:35:02 AM

Over And Out

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Punnat Punsri

A lot more players are filling up the tables, and yet we are also losing a few. Some of those who didn't make it past the second break include the likes of Daniel Craig Jones, Yi Chang Ho, Seong Uk Huh, Supanai Puekwattana, Kin Lau, Lee Hyundong, Tadayoshi Noguchi, Noda Hiroyuki, Kit Kwan Chun, Sheng Huang Han, Punnat Punsri, Choi Eng Loong, Peng-Sen Wu, Tak Chung Yan, Julian Blebea, Min Soon Lim, and Wan Hung.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 8:32:11 AM

Players Take a Short Break

There are 415 players which remain in the tournament and have gone on their second 15-minute break of the day.

They will return at 4.30pm to play to more levels before the dinner break.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 8:31:30 AM

Kim Lay The Aggression Thick

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Seungyeol Kim

Several days prior, Seungyeol Kim survived the bubble round of the Natural8 Cup Championship Freezeout with just one chip worth 1,000. Unfortunately for him, his run quickly ended the following day, earning him just the minimum.

Kim is back in action with much more chips to play with and added more after picking up a pot on pure aggression.

Facing a raise of 1,200 from Abhijith Cheruku at under the gun that was called by hijack player Nattawat Soontanont, Kim bumped it up to 4,500 on the button. Both players called for three-way down the street.

More chips got dumped in the pot on a flop of 5♥ A♣ 3♠ with Kim firing 4,000 and getting check-called by both players.

The turn T♥ was checked again to Kim who barreled 13,000, and this time, it was enough to earn the pot as both players check-folded.

Player	Chips
NS Nattawat SoontanontThailand	67,300(135 BB)
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	63,000(126 BB)
SK Seungyeol KimSouth Korea	55,200(110 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 8:16:21 AM

Sharma Can't Call

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Nishant Sharma

Him Wong Sung opened for 1,100 and got a 2,600 three-bet from button Salgado Urrutia. Nishant Sharma in the small blind called and so did Sung.

The dealer fanned 7♥ 8♦ A♣. All three players knucked taking them to the turn.

The dealer peeled a 4♠ turn. No one wanted to let go of the hand so when Sharma fired 3,000, both Sung and Urrutia tagged along.

Sharma slowed down and checked the K♠ river, prompting Sung to bet 12,000. Urrutia picked up his time banks, considered his options, hinted at a possible call, but ultimately folded his hand.

Sharma asked Sung to move his hand so he could check out how much he had behind, which was around 20,000. With a shake of the head, he conceded both his hand and the pot to Sung.

Player	Chips
NS Nishant SharmaIndia	102,000(204 BB)
SU Salgado Urrutia	62,000(124 BB)
HW Him Wong Sung	40,000(80 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 8:15:07 AM

Lo And Kozlov Table Premium

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Jeffrey Lo

With a pot of 3,200, Jeffrey Lo and Martin Kozlov stared down a flop of K♣ J♣ 6♥.

From the small blind, Kozlov checked, and Lo, under the gun, fired out 1,200, which Kozlov called. The turn brought the 8♠, and Kozlov again checked to Lo, who ramped up the pressure with a 5,600 bet. Kozlov called once more.

The river completed the board with a Q♣, and after another check from Kozlov, Lo elected to slow down and check behind.

Kozlov tabled A♣ A♠ for an overpair, only to see Lo reveal K♣ K♥ for a set, to claim the pot. A♠ Lo was collecting, Victor Dai looked over at Kozlov and asked, "How did you know?"

Player	Chips
KW Kuen Wai Jeffrey LoHong Kong	63,000(126 BB)
MK Martin KozlovAustralia	44,400(89 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 8:13:13 AM

Lisawad Mis-Clicks

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Everyone folded to the button Minh Tien Le who slid out a raise of 1,200. Small blind Pakinai Lisawad answered with a three-bet to 9,200 which big blind Jaewook Shin considered, but then folded. With action back on Le, he quickly folded while pointing to Lisawad's blue chip worth 5,000 and Lisawad agreed while laughing,

"Yes, one hundred percent wrong chip," and claimed the pot.

Player	Chips
PL Pakinai LisawadThailand	56,000(112 BB)
MT Minh Tien Le	52,400(105 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 8:12:50 AM

Tough Table Alert!

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Erik Seidel

All eyes are locked on Table 41, which features one of the toughest line-ups of the entire event — anchored by the legendary Erik Seidel himself. A ten-time WSOP bracelet winner with nearly USD 50 million in live earnings and a Poker Hall of Famer, Seidel’s presence alone is daunting to any player.

Sitting just a few seats away is Joseph Cheong, representing the new-school elite with over USD 20 million in live earnings. Cheong is also a WSOP bracelet winner, and the two have walked the same WSOP halls many times before. Today, their meeting turns this table into a battleground, which isn't for the faint-hearted.

Charlie Chiu

Meanwhile, Table 81 is drawing its own crowd, with cameras fixed on Taiwanese poker YouTuber-turned-pro, Charlie Chiu. Chiu initially looked to study computer engineering in the US, but while there he discovered poker scene. He turned his hobby into a full-time career in just a few years, and has built nearly USD 1 million in live earnings.

Table 81 - APTC Main Event

Joining him at the table just two seats over is India’s Ankit Ahuja, one of the highest ranked Indian players, with results dating back to 2011, making it another tough table to crack.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 8:06:12 AM

Oh Stings Margereson On A Cooler

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Junseok Oh

Korean high roller slugger Junseok Oh was being pushed the pot while Scott Margereson was packing up to go.

The board showed A♠ 3♥ 7♥ 3♠ 6♠ with Oh having turned a full house with 7♠ 7♦ to overwhelm Margereson's A♥ K♠ two pair.

Oh now sits as one of the biggest stacks in the room.

Player	Chips
JO Junseok OhSouth Korea	130,000(260 BB)
SM Scott MargeresonUnited Kingdom	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 8:05:10 AM

The Red Space Tour

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Alex Lynskey during APT Manila 2024

Australia's Alex Lynskey has been spotted moving again to another table.

Moving again? How is thate affecting your game?

"It's annoying. I'm kinda getting used to a table and they moved me again for like the fourth time. But I think this one is good because I'm pretty short-stacked, so maybe the change will be better," Lynskey quickly replied before he went off to the other end of the room, totally opposite from where he started.

Lynskey is best known for finishing in 7th place in the 2018 WSOP Main Event and almost came close to a bracelet during 2017 WSOP, when he finished as runner-up to James Obst in the $2,620 NLH - The Marathon.

Lynskey also came in as a runner-up in the APT Manila 2024 High Roller and in the APT Taipei 2025 Super High Roller.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 8:03:59 AM

Allen's Top Pair Rakes the Pot In

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Michael Allen

Michael Allen check-called Sakan Dhangwatnotai's bet of 2,800 on a pot of 6,000 and a board of J♠ Q♦ 3♠ T♥.

Both players knuckled the river 7♠. Allen showed Q♣ 5♦, which was good enough to win the pot.

Player	Chips
MA Michael AllenUnited Kingdom	106,000(212 BB)
SD Sakan DhangwatnotaiThailand	38,000(76 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 7:43:06 AM

"Sleep Is Important"

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Abraham Ceesvin during APTC 7-Max Championship

APT Jeju 2025 Main Event Winner Abraham Ceesvin entered the tournament and still looked a bit "foggy-eyed."

When asked if he was late because he failed to wake up, he replied, "I woke up early and went back to sleep. I really wanted to come late on purpose because I needed more sleep," he confessed.

"Getting sleep is going to be important the next few days because it's long hours."

And that is great advice from someone who has gone the distance several times in APT Main Events.

Ceesvin can make history by winning back-to-back Main Event titles should he lift the 24-K APT Gold Lion Championship Trophy again.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 7:34:28 AM

Sommer Survives Against Guerrero

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Jimmy Guerrero opened for 1,200 on the cut-off and David Sommer shoved all-in on the button for his last 6,400. Sommer gave it some thought and decided to make the call.

David Sommer tabled 5♦ 5♥ and was against the K♦ 8♦ of Guerrero.

A flop of J♣ T♦ 9♦ gave Guerrero 20 outs to make a better pair, a straight or a flush.

Sommer sweated it and was already up from his seat, ready to accept his fate. However, the poker gods were kind enough to throw a T♥ on the turn and an A♣ on the river, keeping Sommer alive with a crucial double-up.

Player	Chips
JG Jimmy GuerreroFrance	27,500(55 BB)
DS David SommerGermany	14,000(28 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 7:30:02 AM

Isaia Saved By Runner Runner

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Alessio Isaia

Alessio Isaia caught lucky break to avoid the rail in a showdown with Te Hsuan Pan.

With the action folded around to the small blind, Isaia moved all in for his last 10,400, and Pan snap-called. When they flipped them over, it was a dire scenario for Isaia, who held only one overcard against Pan’s made hand.

Alesso Isaia: K♠ 3♥

Te Hsuan Pan: 9♠ 9♥

The flop came 6♦ 8♣ 5♠, offering little hope, but the turn 3♠ gave him a glimmer of survival. That glimmer became full brightness on the river, as the K♣ completed a runner-runner two pair, doubling Isaia’s stack and keeping his tournament hopes alive.

Player	Chips
TH Te Hsuan Pan	50,000(100 BB)
AI Alessio IsaiaItaly	20,800(42 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 7:27:27 AM

Chong's Set Of Aces Slay Manokharan

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Murly Manokharan

Yeow Chung Chong was on the big blind and was up against Murly Manokharan on the button.

A flop of 4♣ A♥ K♠ was in front of them along with a pot of 14,000.

Chong check-called the 5,500 bet of Manokharan to open a 5♦ turn.

Both checked their option to see the 7♦ on the river.

Chong fired 20,000, covering the remaining 12,000 stack of Manokharan.

Manokharan tanked, used his last remaining time bank, gave Chong a short stare down before throwing in a chip to make the call.

Manokaharan showed K♥ Q♠ for a pair of kings, but was totally decimated by the A♦ A♠ of Chong, who had flopped a set.

Player	Chips
YC Yeow Chung ChongSingapore	85,400(171 BB)
MM Murly ManokharanMalaysia	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 7:22:39 AM

Cowan Unhappy as Da Scoops the Pot

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Graham Cowan fired 7,600 on a completed board of 9♠ T♠ 2♣ 8♣ K♠ with 15,000 chips in the middle. Won Lee Da, who was still in the hand, shoved all in for 26,500. After asking for a count and considering his options, Cowan called, putting Da at risk.

Won Lee Da: A♣ T♣

Graham Cowan: Q♥ Q♠

Although Cowan hit top pair, he couldn't beat Da's pockets. Cowan was visibly disheartened with the amount of chips he had left as Da scooped the pot for a double.

Player	Chips
WL Won Lee Da	63,000(158 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	18,000(45 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 7:12:40 AM

Margereson Sweeps the Pot

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

On a pot of 3,000, Keshu Peng and Scott Margereson checked the board of 2♥ 9♥ 6♥ K♣.

The dealer peeled 8♦ on the river and Peng fired 1,400. Margereson went beyond and made it 3,200, which was enough to make Peng fold.

Player	Chips
SM Scott MargeresonUnited Kingdom	54,000(135 BB)
KP Keshu PengHong Kong	49,000(123 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 7:07:49 AM

Foo Puts The Heat On

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Michael Foo

On his Asian Poker Tour debut, Michael Foo won the 2025 APT Incheon Super High Roller 8-Max which not only awarded him a career-high score of KRW 31,292,500 (~USD 228,890), he also received a seat to the region's most historical event, the APTC Main Event in Taiwan. In a quick chat with Foo, he shared,

"It's my first time here and it's a good event but I'm not doing so good. Maybe I'll have a bigger stack later."

With only one bullet allowed, Foo has been seesawing but picked up a pot on a double barrel that opened with a raise of 1,200 from Thanakrit Arkaswipard on early position. Cutoff player Dinesh Alt called, then on the big blind, Foo fired a three-bet of 4,200. Only Arkaswipard gave him action.

At the flop of A♦ 4♦ 8♥, Foo barreled another 2,800, and this time he won the pot easily with Arkaswipard folding.

Player	Chips
MF Michael FooNew Zealand	27,000(68 BB)
TA Thanakrit ArkaswipardThailand	25,000(63 BB)
DA Dinesh AltSwitzerland	14,000(35 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 7:00:25 AM

Cheong's Straight Eliminates Molennar

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Joseph Cheong

A pot of around 18,0000 sat beside a complete board of 3♦ 7♠ T♥ 8♥ Q♠.

Joseph Cheong sat on the big blind when he moved all-in. Johannes Molenaar tanked, wondered how many dinosaurs must've roamed the earth to provide fossil fuel for over two centuries before pushing in a stack to make the call.

Cheong tabled J♣ 9♣ for the nut straight while Molenaar showed Qx Tx for the losing two-pair.

Cheong, a WSOP bracelet winner, is the APT all-time money leader with a good percentage of his $20 million total live earnings coming from APT wins. Cheong has the distinction of being a two-time APT Superstar Challenge winner and a two-time APT Zodiac Classic champion.

In fact, Cheong earned his seat when he repeated as Zodiac Classic champion in APT Jeju 2025 earlier this year.

A few days ago, he was asked how his series was going and Cheong gave a thumbs down sign. Perhaps now, with a recent huge pot from an elimination, he can gain some momentum to include the historic APT Championship Main Event Freezeout title under his belt.

If there's anyone in the APT who can get it done, then it certainly is Cheong.

Player	Chips
JC Joseph CheongUnited States of America	112,000(280 BB)
JM Johannes Molenaar	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 6:58:06 AM

Chi Leaves Ko and Chao Confused

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

On a pot of 3,000 and a board of 8♠ 2♦ A♣ 2♣, Wai Kin Suen fired 2,100 and got raised by Chien-Hung Chi in the big blind. Dongwoo Ko from under the gun called, and Suen got out of the way.

On the river K♣, Chi bet 1,000, which Ko raised to 21,700. Chi went into the tank, unsure of what to do next. Visibly struggling with a decision, he burned a time bank, maximizing the time before making a call.

Ko showed Q♣ 9♣ and Chi tabled A♥ 2♥ for a full house, triggering Ko to ask, "What was that?". Equally perplexed, Duan Chao, asked what Chi was thinking about but Chi kept mum as he scooped the pot towards his direction.

Player	Chips
CC Chien-hung ChiTaiwan	74,000(185 BB)
DK Dongwoo KoCanada	11,000(28 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 6:56:04 AM

Lindop Seeking To End Six Year Drought

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Alex Lindop

English player Alex Lindop first made his mark with a WSOP bracelet win in 2015 and added another major title with his APT Super High Roller victory in 2019. Since then, he has been on a major title drought but has accumulated numerous deep runs, mostly across Asia, along the way.

While the hat-trick remains elusive, he is making progress toward that goal, having recently claimed a pot that boosted him over his starting stack.

The hand saw a pot of 10,600 already brewed, when Lindop check-raised an overbet of 28,500 from the button. Big blind Jun Li tanked, using up one time bank before surrendering his hand and giving up his 6,500 bet.

Player	Chips
AL Alex LindopUnited Kingdom	116,000(290 BB)
JL Jun LiUnited Kingdom	51,000(128 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 6:41:46 AM

Ko's Eight-Deuce Tells a Tale

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Dongwoo Ko

Moving around the floor, Dongwoo Ko stops the APT team and says, "I'll give you a story to write about," before limping blind under the gun.

Lai Koon Lim joined with another limp, prompting Ko to groan, "You're kidding me!" Another limper, Upara Witsanuwat, on the button jumped in, while Michael Allen in the big blind checked his option, triggering Ko to jokingly complain to his friend Zhi Gang Yang, who was playing at another table.

The dealer flopped 2♣ 6♠ Q♣, and all four players checked. On the A♥ turn, Ko fired 1,900, making Lim and Allen fold. Witsanuwat flat called.

The 8♠ river fell, and Ko bet 8,200, sending Witsanuwat into the tank. After burning a time bank, Witsanuwat made the call.

Ko revealed 8♣ 2♦ for a rivered two-pair, surprising Yang, who had been watching the hand. Returning to his seat, Yang exclaimed, "Dude, what are you doing? This is a freezeout!"

Shocked, Ko replied, "What?!?!?! I was ready for 5 buy-ins."

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 6:36:16 AM

APT Championship Main Event Draws International Field

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Players from over 20 countries are taking their seats in today’s Main Event, bringing a vibrant, energetic atmosphere to the tournament floor.

Sofia Lovgren

Familiar faces from the Europe and Pacific circuits are also present, with several trying their luck in the Main Event today. Notable names include Adam Alfie (Ukraine), Sofia Lovgren (Sweden), Michael Foo (New Zealand), Milos Petakovic (Serbia), Tom Verbruggen (Netherlands), and Gal Bar (Israel).

India's Akshay Nasa has been making waves in other Championship events, having bagged the chip lead in both the 7-Max and Natural 8 Cup before taking a seat in today’s $10K Main Event. Nasa is also a recent Main Event satellite winner, coming in via a Step 1 ticket worth approximately USD 350. Nasa previously discussed how he “Will be travelling a lot more for live stops". He often frequents the APT series, saying: “I like the structure and management of the event.”, but like many other players, it is his first time in Taiwan.

Online Qualifiers

A massive 110 competitors earned their spots through online qualifiers on Natural8, securing their Main Event seats before travelling across the globe to Taipei for a shot at the title. Not all have appeared on the floor yet, but France's Fabian Rolli and Nicolas Godard are among the notable online qualifiers who have made their presence felt.

Alexandru Papazian

Other big names who qualified online include the UK's Ryan Plant and Romania's Alexandru Papazian. Papazian brings a formidable presence to the Main Event, with over USD 4 million in live earnings, highlighted by his 2016 victory in the European Poker Tour’s €25,000 buy-in event.

While the final entries continue to take their seats and the prize pool grows, the stage is perfectly set for thrilling action and unforgettable moments at this year’s Main Event.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 6:23:13 AM

Nam Ships It In

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Action was picked up with Michael Nam, on the button, all-in for 41,000 on a hefty pot of around 35,000 with a board of Q♠ 4♠ J♦ 9♣ A♥. Sheng Huang Han was in the tank considering his options as he only had 44,000 behind and a call would cost him dearly.

After burning a time bank, he reluctantly surrendered both the hand and the huge pot to Nam.

Player	Chips
MS Michael SeunghyunUnited States of America	77,000(193 BB)
HS Han Sheng HuangTaiwan	44,000(110 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 6:20:23 AM

Seat Open

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Rishi Mehra

There is only one life for the APT Championship Main Event Freezeout. Some of the unlucky ones who have recently busted since the first elimination of En Chou Lin include Ka Lok Hui in level 2 and Angunsri Suchart, Rishi Mehra, Jhao Ying Chen and Khatanbaatar Khandsuren all on level 3.

Khandsuren, the latest elimination, backed up his seat to gather his things and accidentally squeezed Frank Cucchiara in at the other table. Cucchiara asked nicely if he could move his seat because he had run out of space and literally couldn't fit in.

Khandsuren said, "Yes, I will go soon."

And while most people leave their seats in a hurry, Khandsuren spent a moment as the next hand was being dealt, skipping him, of course, and he finally got up to leave the tournament area along with his dreams of a Main Event championship.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 6:18:09 AM

Lei Eliminates Suchart

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Daniel Lei

Daniel Lei has been on a roll at the series, recording six cashes so far, including a victory in the Friday Freezeout. Looking to add the Main Event to his list of successes, he boosted his stack significantly after eliminating Angunsri Suchart to more than double his starting stack.

According to Lei, he moved all in on the turn. Suchart called with top pair, the board ran out cleanly, for the cowboys to hold.

Angunsri Suchart: A♥ Q♥

Daniel Lei: K♥ K♠

The board was 8♣ 5♦ Q♣ 4♦ 3♥.

Player	Chips
DL Daniel LeiUnited States of America	112,000(280 BB)
SA Suchart AngunsriThailand	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 6:08:27 AM

Chim Confirms Last Minute Registration

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Edmond Chim, APT Incheon 2025 High Roller

APT Incheon 2025 High Roller Champion Edmond Chim was spotted around the poker room - his first time at the Red Space the entire series.

Where are you seated?

"I'm going to do late registration tomorrow because today is still too crowded."

Don't waste your free ticket!

Of course not! I play for sure tomorrow.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 6:05:49 AM

Mattia Festa: From $110 To A Main Event Seat!

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Mattia Festa

Ricardo was on his camera and filming his friend Mattia Festa, who is playing in the Main Event. Ricardo explained that he records Festa for poker content, and that the duo have been collaborating for over 5 years - traveling to the WSOP in the United States, Malta, and around Europe.

Festa and Ricardo are friends from Italy, but now Festa resides in Dubai, while Ricardo traveled all the way from Italy.

Ricardo further explained that it was their first time in Asia, and the reason they got here was because Festa won an online satellite from GG Poker for a $12,000 APT Main Event package that included the $10,000 seat and an extra $2,000 for travel money.

Festa apparently joined a $110 step one satellite that earned him a ticket to the $1,100 Mega Satellite, and that's where he bagged the $12,000 package.

And now Festa's here, riffling chips live and having his good friend Ricardo record each moment. Hopefully, the content becomes a memorable positive moment that includes lifting a 24-karat Golden Lion Championship Trophy.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 5:41:24 AM

First Break of the Day

The current 255 players take their first 15-minute break of the day.

Action will resume at 1:45 pm TST.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 5:30:14 AM

Vuksanovic Wins Blinds War

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Georgina Vuksanovic

Georgina Vuksanovic in the small blind opened to 800 and got raised by big blind Tsz Him Chan to 2,800.

The flop dropped J♦ T♣ 6♦, Vuksanovic check-called Chan's bet of 3,000 to see the next street.

Vuksanovic took control and fired 5,000, which was enough to make Chan fold.

Player	Chips
GV Georgina VuksanovicAustralia	64,000(213 BB)
TH Tsz Him ChanTaiwan	50,000(167 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 5:29:07 AM

No Value On The River For Nemeskeri-Kiss

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

With around 13,400 in the pot and a board showing Q♠ A♣ J♣ 8♠, big blind player Robert Nemeskeri-Kiss checked then called Yuukako Hirui's 4,500 bet to complete the board 4♦.

Kiss checked once more, Hirui opted to check back. Kiss was visibly disappointed as he turned over A♠ J♦ top two pair but still scooped a decent pot nonetheless.

Player	Chips
YH Yukako HiruiJapan	56,000(187 BB)
RK Robert KissUnited States of America	55,000(183 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 5:28:02 AM

Lo Turns Ultra Stack Run Into Main Event Ticket

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Wai Kit Lo was one of the hopefuls looking to qualify for the Main Event for cheap, but ran short at the satellite. However, as fate would have it, he ran deep at the Ultra Stack Championship, finishing in fourth place for a healthy payout of TWD 1,927,700 (~USD 62,850). This was enough funds to buy his own ticket to the event and has been making good use of it, having picked up two pots.

The larger pot saw him three-bet 2,800 from early position and after action folded around to his immediate right, Nikolai Mamut defended.

Lo continued with a 2,000 bet on a flop of 2♠ J♠ 3♦, then double barreled on the 9♥ turn. Mamut gave it a thought then sent his hand to the muck.

Player	Chips
WK Wai Kit LoHong Kong	70,000(233 BB)
NM Nikolai MamutRussia	43,000(143 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 5:27:49 AM

Ilani Scoops Up the Chips

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Ran Ilani

With action passed to him, Ran Ilani bet 3,500 into a pot of 6,000 and a flop of 3♣ A♠ T♣. Lionel Wen Hong Loh, his heads-up opponent, stayed on to see the turn.

Ilani, looking surprised with the call, checked Loh's chips before betting 9,000 on the A♥ turn. Loh, with only 28,000 behind, couldn't take the pressure and folded his hand.

Player	Chips
RI Ran IlaniIsrael	54,000(180 BB)
WH Wen Hong Lionel LouSingapore	28,000(93 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 5:26:11 AM

"I'm A Punter"

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Guillermo Segarra

Guillermo Segarra of Spain flew in from Singapore last night where he resides and went straight into the Step 2 Mega-Satellite and found a seat to the Main Event.

"I flew in, went to the hotel a minute around the corner and went straight to the satellite and now we're here."

"How long do you plan to stay here?"

"I fly out on the 27th, but if I have to extend then it's a good problem," he smiled.

"The Main Event ends on the 28th. Your friend Pau (Sanroma) is a bit more optimistic. He said, he's here for five days because the main event is at least four."

"Pau is optimistic. I'm a punter," he joked. "But maybe, Pau and I will be here for more days to give you something good to write about."

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 5:25:59 AM

Martinsson Counterfeits Wang Two-Pair

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Alf Martinsson

After a check, Michael Wang bet 700 in a pot of 2,000 on a flop of 4♥ K♦ 7♥. Alf Martinsson raised to 3,200 and got called to see the turn.

The dealer peeled 8♣ and Wang fired 8,500. Not letting go, Martinsson called once again. Both players checked the river K♠.

Wang flipped over 7♠ 4♣ for a two-pair on the flop. But Martinsson showed A♦ A♣ for pocket aces, which counterfeited Martinsson's two-pair when the board paired on the river.

Player	Chips
AM Alf Martinsson	66,000(220 BB)
MW Michael WangUnited States of America	30,000(100 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 5:23:01 AM

Champions are Back in the Building

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Former APT winners Nguyen Quang Minh (Vietnam), Nguyen Trung Quan (Vietnam), Kwan Chun Kit (Hong Kong), and Michael Foo (New Zealand) are all in the Main Event field today, each looking to add another title to their resume.

Nguyen Trung Quan -APT Taipei 2025 High Roller

Nguyen Trung Quan secured his seat through the APT Taipei 2025 High Roller, and Nguyen Quang Minh in the Super High Rolller.

Michael Foo - APT Incheon 2025 Super High Roller

Kwan Chun Kit saw success in the APT Taipei 2025 Zodiac Classic, and Michael Foo via the APT Incheon 2025 Super High Roller. With past victories across multiple APT stops, these champions bring serious pressure to anyone sharing a table with them.

Kuroda Kiyoto - APT Incheon 2025 Main Event

Also in the mix is Kuroda Kiyoto (Japan), who recently finished 3rd in the APT Incheon 2025 Main Event but also secured a seat for the main.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 5:19:43 AM

Godard Takes From Triana

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Nicolas Godard

Daniel Triana and Nicoolas Godard were both staring at a very juicy pot of 17,000 beside a board that showed K♠ 8♠ 8♦ 4♥ K♦.

Godard led for 5,000 on the big blind, and Triana, on the big blind, thought long before finally giving up the huge pot to Godard.

Player	Chips
NG Nicolas GodardFrance	66,800(223 BB)
DT Daniel Triana EspanolaSpain	62,400(208 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 5:07:47 AM

Smolka Motivated By The Trophy

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Dawid Smolka

Polish pro Dawid Smolka first visited Taipei back in April and has returned to attend the APT Championship. After he picked up a four-way pot, Smolka reflected on his decision to come back and what continues to draw him to the series.

"I was here in April and I fell in love with the city. The weather is great, not like in Europe where it is snowing right now. Also, the APT schedule is great, and the Main Event is very special, not just to me. Everyone is excitied. The trophy is also a big motivator for me. It is the best in the world and I would like to win it."

Player	Chips
DS Dawid SmolkaPoland	66,500(222 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 4:58:18 AM

Katsuren Building A Wall

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Katsunori Takeuchi was on the hijack and fired 2,500 into an 8,000 pot beside a board that showed J♣ K♠ 2♦ 3♦.

Eisuke Katsuren was on the button and raised it to 9,000.

Takeuchi spent a time bank token, stared at the board that wouldn't change, before finally surrendering the pot to Katsuren.

Katsuren's stack has now steadily grown and claimed the chip leader position on his table.

Player	Chips
EK Eisuke KatsurenJapan	89,000(297 BB)
KT Katsunori TakeuchiJapan	49,300(164 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 4:49:04 AM

First to Fall: Early Exit in the APT Main Event

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

En Chou Lin was the first player to fall in the landmark main event. Woo Hyeon Lee recalled how he eliminated Lin in the biggest hand of the tournament so far.

Woo Hyeon Lee

Action started with an open from Zheming Zhu in the hijack, and Lee three-bet from the cutoff. Lin called from the big blind.

The flop came K♣ J♣ Xx and Lee continued for half pot.

A double flush draw came in on the turn and Lee overbet with two pair, holding king-jack. Lin moved all in with Ace-King, having flopped top pair.

Lee held out on the river, and Lin was left to leave the freezeout, within just an hour of play.

Player	Chips
WH Woo Hyeon LeeSouth Korea	65,500(218 BB)
EC Eu Chou LinTaiwan	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 4:48:33 AM

Jeffs Takes Huge Pot from Yang

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Perry Jeffs

Perry Jeffs opened to 500 from the hijack and got a 1,900 three-bet from cutoff Kai Yang. With action back to him, Jeffs four-bet to 6,000. After a few seconds of thought, Yang called to see a flop.

The flop came T♠ 4♦ 5♥. Jeffs continued with 5,000 and Yang, unfazed, flat-called.

After burning a time bank, Jeffs tried to shake Yang off with a 13,000 bet. But unyielding, Yang called without hesitation.

Putting maximum pressure on the 6♠ river, Jeffs shoved all in for 26,000 after burning another time bank, sending Yang to the tank.

After burning a time bank card, Yang folded. Not able to move on, Yang asked Jeffs what he had while the dealer started shuffling for the next hand.

Jeffs answered, "I had queens. You made a good fold."

Player	Chips
PJ Perry Jeffs	73,000(365 BB)
KY Kai YangUnited States of America	24,000(120 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 4:46:27 AM

No Split, Kicker Plays for Wang

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Action was picked up with Brian Matthew Green in the tank, considering his option on a pot of 8,000 with a flop of T♣ T♦ A♥ 5♥ 6♣. His heads up opponent, Chien Yun Wang, was staring at him, waiting anxiously for Green's next move.

Green finally fired 5,500 in the pot which Wang called. Green tabled J♦ T♠ for trips on the flop but Wang caught the exact same trip with Q♥ T♥.

The dealer started dividing the pot into two until Wang and Dinesh Alt, who were also on the table informed him that kicker plays.

Green had to say, "I like the way you think, but...". The chips were pushed Wang's way.

Player	Chips
CY Chien Yun WangTaiwan	73,000(365 BB)
BM Brian Matthew GreenUnited States of America	22,000(110 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 4:44:10 AM

Hooi Elated to Win Three-way Pot against Vuksanovic and Eisen

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Georgina Vuksanovic

Erik Eisen opened to 1,800 in hijack to be raised by Dato Sri How Teck Hooi to 3,600. Georgina Wendy Vuksanovic in the small blind called as well as Eisen.

After a check, Hooi continued with 2,000 on the flop of T♦ T♠ A♠, which was enough to make both players fold and take the pot down.

Player	Chips
TH Teck Hooi Dato Sri HowMalaysia	59,000(295 BB)
GV Georgina VuksanovicAustralia	58,000(290 BB)
EE Erik EisenGermany	40,000(200 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 4:42:20 AM

Lee Tops The Three-Way

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Woo Hyeon Lee

Yencheng Huang was on the small blind and fired 3,500 into a 4,800 pot beside a flop that showed 6♦ K♥ 5♠.

Woo Hyeon Lee called from the big blind as did Eo Chou Lin from the cutoff.

The turn showed a 3♠.

Huang checked, while Lee fired 9,000. Lin folded and Huang took a moment before letting go, allowing Lee to scoop the biggest pot of the table so far.

Player	Chips
WH Woo Hyeon LeeSouth Korea	65,500(328 BB)
EC Eu Chou LinTaiwan	50,500(253 BB)
YH Yencheng HuangTaiwan	42,500(213 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 4:16:33 AM

Chen Makes Rare Home-Soil Appearance For APTC Main Event

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

James Chen

A rare appearance on home soil, Taiwan’s top-ranked player, James Chen, has taken his seat in the field. Over the past decade, Chen has become one of Asia’s most recognized poker figures, earning deep runs and major titles across Macau and Australia. His international resume expanded even further in 2019 when he claimed his first WSOP bracelet in Europe.

In recent years, Chen has been a consistent presence in the WSOP high rollers events in Las Vegas, yet he continues to return home for key stops on the Asian Poker Tour. The APTC Main Event was one opportunity he wasn’t about to miss, especially with the slow structure that he stated he prefers.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 4:07:44 AM

Tan Catches Upara's Bluff

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Seng Yong Tan

Seng Yong Tan sat under the gun and was up against Witsanuwat Upara on the button.

In front of them was a board that showed 5♣ 9♦ K♣ 5♠ 8♥ and a pot of nearly 4,000.

Tan checked over to Upara, who fired a hefty 3,200. Tan took a look at his cards and tried to study the masked Upara and eventually said, "call" and put the chips in the middle.

Upara peeled A♠ Q♣ for ace high, while Tan showed the winning K♦ T♣ for a pair of kings.

Player	Chips
SY Seng Yong TanMalaysia	55,700(279 BB)
UW Upara WitsanuwatThailand	45,200(226 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 4:05:08 AM

Sanroma Chips From Lynskey

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Pau Sanroma

A decent pot worth 2,600 was in the middle of the table with a completed board that showed 9♦ 5♥ A♦ 4♠ 6♠.

Alexander Lynskey pushed 700 across the betting line and Pau Sanroma made the call from the hijack.

Lynskey peeled open 9♠ 7♣ for a pair of nines while Sanroma showed A♣ 5♣ for two-pair to scoop the pot.

In a quick chat with Sanroma, he confessed that he just flew in last night from Thailand, where he resides. The Catalan specifically flew in to participate in the Main Event, directly buying in, and will be in Taipei for 5 days.

"Four days for the main event at least," he optimistically said.

Sanroma has had a successful year so far. The last time he was in Taipei, he booked a win in the Mini High Roller Knockout during the Players Series. Recently, he also added that he made two final table appearances last month in USOP events in Hanoi.

Hopefully, that momentum carries on in his APT Championship Main Event Freezeout run.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 4:00:55 AM

Georgina Vuksanovic: From Satellite to Main Event Contender

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Australia’s Georgina Vuksanovic is making waves at her first-ever APT, having tried her luck from a Step 0 satellite for TWD 2.8K (~ USD 90) . She bought in again in another Step 1 TWD 11,000 (~USD 350), and secured her seat for a fraction of the full buy-in.

Georgina Vuksanovic

Speaking to Vuksanovic, she shared a bit about her journey:

“This is my first APT. I asked my Australian friends who had travelled before, and they told me I had to come to Taiwan.”

Vuksanovic has been playing poker full-time for the past three years, but her love for the game goes back much further:

“I actually got into poker after watching it back in the 2000s. I got back into it recently after a friend took me to a gig.”

So far in the series, Vuksanovic has already shown her skill and consistency, cashing in four events, including the TWD 3,000 Women’s Event and a 2nd-place finish in the Tuesday TWD 6,000 Towering Stack. Now, she’s sitting down for the biggest buy-in of her career in the Main Event.

We’ll be following Vuksanovic closely as she continues her APT story.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 3:59:11 AM

Lin's River Bet Forces Miyazaki's Fold

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

After a check from big blind Yoda Lin, Tomonari Miyazaki fired 500 into a 1,500 pot on a flop of Q♠ T♦ 6♥. Lin decided to hang around to see the next card.

The dealer peeled A♥ and Lin tapped the table once again, prompting Miyazaki to keep the pressure on with a 1,300 bet. Lin looked at his chips and raised it to 4,000. Stoic, Miyazaki called.

On the river K♥, Lin took control and fired 8,500. Only Miyazaki's eyes moved, considering what Lin may have. After looking at his chips, he folded his hand.

Player	Chips
YL Yoda LinTaiwan	65,000(325 BB)
TM Tomonari MiyazakiJapan	49,000(245 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 3:45:09 AM

Lövgren Starts Early, Aims to Grow Her Lion Pride

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Sofia Lovgren

Sweden’s Sofia Lövgren, who dominated the APT Mystery Bounty earlier this festival, was among the first to jump into the fray of the APT Main Event Championship, becoming the first female player spotted on the floor as the action kicked off.

With total live earnings of USD 781,871, Lövgren added a significant boost after capturing the Mystery Bounty Championship title, pulling the biggest prizes from the pool and walking away with an impressive TWD 2,268,380 (~USD 74,870) along with a Pewter Lion APT Championship Trophy.

While she geared up for the Main Event, Lövgren shared that she has been eagerly anticipating the tournament after securing her seat through the Mystery Bounty. Well-rested and energized after a good breakfast, she believes this year’s field could set a new record for the largest freezeout event in Asia.

Already riding a strong run this festival, Lövgren now sets her sights on adding another trophy to her mantle—the coveted Golden APT Main Event Championship Lion - to join the growing lion family she’s building.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 3:15:51 AM

Nguyen Ready For Another Major Run

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Quang Minh Nguyen

In April 2025, Vietnamese pro Quang Minh Nguyen captured the biggest victory of his career, winning the APT Taipei Super High Roller for TWD 9,230,920 (~USD 283,854). The triumph not only delivered a career-high payout but also awarded him a coveted seat in the APT Championship Main Event - a ticket straight into the festival's most anticipated event.

Nguyen arrived in Taipei late last night, and by the time registration opened today, he was among the first to take his seat. In a brief chat, Nguyen shared his journey and what he looks forward to in this event.

“I am a poker lover, and I am very excited to play this event. I won my seat at the Super High Roller here, and there are many high rollers playing. I am looking for to the success of this event and most especially my success. I want to win this event!”

Good luck to Nguyen as he seeks out the most coveted title in Asian poker history!

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 3:12:03 AM

The APT Promise: Action. Integrity. Adventure.

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

The APT Floor Team

While the APT shoots for the stars, the tournament team is primed to rise to the challenge, delivering a world-class poker experience packed with action, excitement, and adventure, all while upholding the integrity and spirit of the game.

The ever-reliable floor team stands ready and willing to serve.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 3:03:52 AM

"Dealers, Shuffle Up and Deal"

After 36 months of preparation, anticipation, and buildup, the moment has finally arrived — the cards are officially in the air for the biggest guaranteed prize pool in APT Main Event in history.

Neil Johnson

While the players took their seats, Johnson shared a few words with the floor: "Fred, thank you for dreaming big".

There are already 74 players who have taken their seats, with many more anticipated to join over the next few levels.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

11/24/2025, 2:22:29 AM

Epic Main Event Freezeout Launches Today

When the Asian Poker Tour planned their schedule for 2025, they decided to push the envelope to set a record by offering the single largest guarantee for an event with an astounding TWD 156 million (~USD 5 million) guaranteed prize pool for the APT Championship 2025 Main Event Freezeout. That figure stands as the largest ever Main Event guarantee in APT history and in Asian poker history.

With that in mind, history is going to be made today when the cards take to the air at 11:00 AM TST.

In fact, history is already rolling in with the players who are going to take their seats. Last night, the Step 2 Mega-Satellite Qualifier to win a Main Event Seat worth TWD 311,000 (~USD 10,000) became the biggest ever satellite to be held in APT History and Asian poker history.

A total of 41 seats were guaranteed, but the 399 entrants boosted the prize pool to a jaw-dropping TWD 18,271,008 (~USD 585,610), awarding 58 seats to the Main Event, while one extra player received TWD 233,008 in cash. Yes, over half a million dollars for a single satellite, making it the richest ever satellite ever held in Asian soil.

The prize pool was so enormous that it even surpassed some of the APT Main Event prize pools before the new era. Kai Cocklin gave the entire perspective of its gigan-ormity HERE.

Now, if the satellite can generate that much, the expectation and excitement for the APT Championship Main Event Freezeout is sending chills to the record-keepers. Yet, while the Main Event is already making new records, what is interesting is that the format is going back to the old ways. The freezeout allows for just one single entry to win it all just like it was done in the old days before re-buys became a standard part of the poker vocabulary.

What's also different from previous Main Events is that there is only one Day 1 starting flight and that happens today. There is no Flight B. There is only today and those who survive today will be back tomorrow for Day 2.

It's just straightforward poker - you buy in today and if you have chips, you progress forward. If you lose your chips, there are no second chances. It may seem brutal, but the 50,000 starting stack and 75-minute levels give enough opportunity for players to stumble a bit and recover. Unless, of course, they really lose it all.

For those who can't book their seat today, late registration will be open until 1:45 PM TST tomorrow.

Joseph Cheong

Of course, what makes this a true epic Main Event is the stacked international field of poker legends that will be taking to the felt. A roster of APT champions from the four previous tour stops this year were awarded seats to go along with their titles from major events. Having a reserved seat are the likes of Joseph Cheong - a WSOP bracelet winner, multiple APT winner and the all-time APT money list leader. Cheong booked his seat by winning his second APT Zodiac Classic title in this year's APT Jeju stop.

Also with a reserved seat is Danny Tang of Hong Kong, another WSOP bracelet winner who won his seat when he claimed the Superstar Challenge championship also during APT Jeju 2025.

WSOP bracelet winner Calvin Lee of the USA also earned his seat by winning the Superstar Challenge in APT Taipei 2025. Lee seems he may jump in the later levels since he is entering Day 2 of this series' Superstar Championship as the chip leader, which plays also today. Germany's Tobias Schwect, who won the APT Manila Classic 2025 Super High Roller, will also make a late start as he joins Lee in the same event.

Abraham Ceesvin

Ivan Govorov of Russia, Akira Takasugi of Japan, Taiwan's Junjie He, and Abraham Ceesvin of Singapore have their seats as Main Event champions of Manila, Taipei, Incheon and Jeju (respectively) - and will be eyeing a rare repeat.

There are a total of 29 Main Event seat winners from the four APT stops this year, either by winning an event or placing high in the other Main Events.

There are also some notable names from last night's Mega Satellite qualifier, like Kristof Segers, Dinesh Alt, Georgios Skarparis, John Matsuda, Tom Verbruggen, Nishant Sharma, and Seungmook Jung.

Yuka Kakigi

The real lucky one is Yuka Kakigi of Japan, who found her seat in a Mystery Bounty envelope during APT Taipei 2025. Kakigi will have an opportunity to compete for a share of the prize pool and maybe even take home a life-changing lion's share if she comes out on top.

Also taking their seats will be a whole bunch of online qualifiers and those who will buy-in directly, making for a highly competitive atmosphere inside the Red Space in Taipei.

This is it! APT Championship history is ready to be written.

Stay glued here for all the live reports and updates throughout the day.