National Cup Championship (15,000 TWD)

Japan’s Ruiko Mamiya has completed an incredible run to win the National Cup Championship, topping the largest Asian Poker Tour side event ever held. The former dealer, who only started playing after learning the game during her shifts, secured the title following a three-way deal with Taiwan’s Wei Chun Kuo and Hong Kong’s Wilfred Yiu. The payouts at the top were balanced, but the trophy, the title, and the final APT Championship Main Event seat were still in play. Mamiya claimed all three, along with TWD 3,087,700 (~USD 101,900).

The numbers behind her win were just as impressive as the result. The National Cup Championship pulled in 2,398 entries (1,157 unique) inside Red Space, Taipei, building a TWD 29,849,200 (~USD 985,120) prize pool. It more than doubled the TWD 12,000,000 guarantee and now stands as the largest side event in tour history.

What made Mamiya’s finish stand out was the route she had to take. She slipped to fewer than eight big blinds by Level 25 and had to survive several all-ins just to stay afloat. Bit by bit, she worked her stack back into play, then found a surge at the perfect time, climbing from short stack to chip leader before the final two tables. For someone who learned the game from the dealer’s side of the table, it was a composed showing that kept building as the day went on.

*denotes three-way ICM deal **also wins an APTC Main Event Seat

For Mamiya, the moment the final river card fell was almost surreal. She joked that she is usually the loudest voice in the dealer pit, yet standing with a trophy in her hands felt like something she had only ever watched other people experience. “I almost never enter No-Limit Hold’em tournaments tournaments where you can win a trophy,” she admitted afterward. “I never expected that I would actually win one myself. I’m really happy.”

Her path into poker has been anything but traditional. Mamiya spent years working as a dealer, and only learned to play because she decided to practice on her days off while preparing for a short course at a dealer school in Las Vegas. She also credits her mother for nudging her toward the game. “At the beginning, I actually started poker because my mother recommended it,” she said with a smile.

What struck her most about this event was the diversity and strength of the field. She had imagined tournaments in this buy-in range would be full of casual players, but throughout the day she recognized multiple professionals in the seats around her. It made her appreciate just how popular and respected the National Cup Championship has become. “People from all kinds of countries come here,” she said. “You see players who just learned poker, people who play for fun, people who squeeze it in around their jobs, and also full professionals. I tried to imagine how each person learned poker and gauge their level as I played.”

Mamiya entered the final table third in chips, only to lose a flip and suddenly find herself at the bottom of the counts. From there, she settled in for a long grind, building her stack back piece by piece. “I had a really long period of slowly grinding and building up little by little,” she reflected. “Honestly, I was really lucky and the flow was good.”

Before leaving to celebrate, Mamiya made sure to thank the players around her who helped her grow on the competitive side of the game. “I always ask everyone about the things I don’t understand, so I’m really grateful,” she said. “Thank you so much.”

A total of 337 spots were paid, but only 336 returned for Day 2 because Ben Gur qualified twice and received a min-cash for his lower stack, which was removed from play. The Israeli player had a deep run on his bigger stack and finished in 53rd.

The eliminations came thick and fast, with several big names making deep runs. Most of them fell on their march to the final table, including Alan Lau (15th), Natural8 Ambassador Thai Ha (23rd), Tom Verbruggen (36th), Michel Molenaar (40th), John Perry (52nd), Ben Underwood (62nd), and Nishant Sharma (72nd).

The final table was reached during Level 36 when Han-Hsu Hsieh got king-jack in the middle for his last four big blinds and ran into the ace-jack of Shiuan Cen Chang. A clean runout later, and Hsieh was out in tenth as the final table bubble boy.

The chip lead was held by Yiu, only narrowly over Wing Fai Kwan, and they were well clear of the rest of the field. Mamiya came in third, and the three clear short stacks were Florencio Campomanes, I Hsuan Wu, and Tsz Him Chan.

Mamiya had a chance to vault into the chip lead early on as her pocket nines were flipping against the ace-queen of runner-up Kuo. A queen on the flop kept Kuo in contention, with both of them unaware they would meet to play it out for the title.

The aforementioned Chang was the first to hit the rail on the final table when his pocket kings came up short against the ace-ten of Kuo, who flopped an ace.

Kevin Tang fell immediately after when he three-bet shoved queen-jack into the ace-eight of Kwan. A jack-high flop seemed to be keeping Tang alive, but both the turn and the river were aces, sending him out in eighth.

Chan wasn't too far behind as he let his stack dwindle to less than a big blind before he got it in with jack-eight, only to run into the pocket kings of Kuo. A double-gutshot on the turn did give Chan some hope, but the river bricked, spelling the end of his run in seventh.

I Hsuan Wu's elimination came just a few minutes later as his four big blinds went in with king-jack. He was called by the pocket fives of Kuo and the ace-queen of Yiu, and when it checked to showdown on a board that nobody connected with, Wu was out in sixth.

Campomanes took his turn in the firing line when his king-eight came up against the king-queen of Yiu. The board didn't contain any eights, and the Filipino player hit the rail in fifth.

Mamiya was then the short stack for a while and with less than five big blinds, she turned the pressure on. Consecutive double-ups against Kwan moved her up the counts, first with ace-ten against Kwan's ace-eight and then her king-jack spiked a jack against his ace-ten.

Moments later, Kwan's demise was complete as he moved all in for his last three big blinds with queen-jack and picked up two callers. Yiu ended up rivering a straight holding queen-nine, which meant Kwan exited in fourth.

With three players remaining, the stacks slowly became close to even and an ICM deal was made to flatten out the payouts.

When play resumed, chips went flying. Yiu was all in with ace-jack and looked to be heading to the exit as Kuo had flopped a queen holding queen-ten. However, running Broadway cards kept him in the hunt.

However, Yiu couldn't keep that momentum going as he soon ran ace-six into Mamiya's ace-king. A turned open-ended straight draw did give Yiu some hope, but the river bricked, leaving him out in third.

Kuo took a marginal lead into heads-up play, but that soon became a massive deficit as the two finalists played out a massive pot. Mamiya held ace-queen and Kuo queen-four, and they both flopped top pair. When the action got to the river, Kuo shoved, and Mamiya eventually called, with her ace-kicker earning her a massive chip lead.

Despite Kuo managing to double up once, the mountain was just too steep to climb. In the final hand of the night, Kuo three-bet shoved jack-nine and had to overcome the ace-five of Mamiya. An ace-high flop gave Mamiya a big lead, and she held through the runout, which meant Kuo had to settle for second.

That concludes the coverage of the National Cup Championship, but be sure to check the APT blog regularly find all the latest updates from the championship events at APTC.

Ruiko Mamiya has overcome a 2,398-entry field and defeated Wei Chun Kuo heads-up to become the first woman ever to win an APT National Cup Championship.

Mamiya had a roller-coaster of a final table en route to victory, at one point falling to fewer than 10 big blinds before surging up the counts to claim victory.

Mamiya will take home TWD 3,087,700 (~USD 101,905) along with an entry into the APT Main event and a coveted APT Lion Trophy for her outstanding performance.

Stay tuned for a recap of the event.

A couple hands after Ruiko Mamiya doubled through Wei Chun Kuo, Kuo shoved on the button for his last 12,000,000 and was called by Mamiya.

Wei Chun Kuo: Q♣ 3♥

Ruiko Mamiya: 8♣ 4♣

Both player's rails rushed the table to sweat the runout, which came 2♦ J♠ 9♠ A♥ K♦ — leaving Kuo best with his queen and keeping his hopes of a comeback alive with a double up.

However, just a few hands later, Kuo raised to 4,000,000 on the button and Mamiya shoved to put him all in. Kuo obliged and called all in for about 26,000,000 total.

Wei Chun Kuo: J♠ 9♠

Ruiko Mamiya: A♠ 5♠

This time Mamiya had the best of it, and the A♥ Q♣ K♠ flop gave her a commanding lead with a pair of aces.

Kuo still had outs to Broadway, but the 4♣ turn and 2♦ river left him second best, eliminating him in second place and sending Mamiya's rail into a frenzy.

Ruiko Mamiya just stunned Wei Chun Kuo!

Mamiya raised to 3,200,000 on the button and Kuo called in the big blind.

They went to a flop of 2♣ T♣ Q♠, were Kuo check-called a bet of 1,700,000 from Mamiya.

A 5♥ on the turn saw Kuo check it over once again, and Mamiya continued to fire with a sizing of 3,700,000. Kuo wasted no time in making it 10,000,000, which Mamiya called.

When they J♦ filled out the board, Kuo shoved, putting Mamiya to the test for her remaining 26,500,000. She tossed in a time bank, stared at the board, stood up, and announced a call.

Kuo then revealed Q♥ 4♥ for a pair of queens, but Mamiya had that beat as she held A♠ Q♣ for a pair of queens with an ace-kicker.

Mamiya is on the brink!

After chipping down in a couple of small pots, Wilfred Yiu raised to 2,600,000 from the small blind and was met with a shove from Ruiko Mamiya in the big blind.

Yiu thought a bit, but decided to commit his last 15,000,000 into the middle to put himself at risk.

Wilfred Yiu: A♦ 6♥

Ruiko Mamiya: A♣ K♣

It was a bad time to make a stand, as Mamiya had Yiu crushed with her suited ace-king.

"Six! Six!" Yiu's rail chanted as they sweat the runout.

It wasn't meant to be, however, as the 5♦ 4♠ J♠ 7♣ 7♥ runout provided no help to Yiu, eliminated him in third place for TWD 3,036,000 (~USD 100,200).

Each of the three have locked up a guaranteed cash prize, as seen in the table below. There is TWD 388,700 (~USD 12,830) left to play for, plus the APTC Main Event seat!

Ruiko Mamiya

TWD 2,699,000 / USD 89,075

Wei Chun Kuo

TWD 3,025,000 / USD 99,835

Wilfred Yiu

TWD 3,036,000 / USD 100,200

Immediately after play resumed, Ruiko Mamiya raised the button and Wei Chun Kuo three-bet the small blind. Wilfred Yiu four-bet to 16,000,000 from the big blind, which got Mamiya to fold. Kuo then shoved, and Yiu folded with around 18,000,000 behind.

A few orbits later, Yiu had his last 15,200,000 in the middle and was put at risk by Kuo.

Wilfred Yiu: A♦ J♥

Wei Chun Kuo: Q♣ T♠

Yiu was ahead, but the 2♠ 3♣ Q♦ flop meant he was staring third place in the face. A T♦ turn actually gave him an extra out as any of the four remaining kings would give him Broadway.

Kuo was a massive favorite with his two pair, but Yiu erupted when the K♦ hit the river, completing his straight and earning him a double-up.

The three remaining players have agreed to an ICM chop, but will play for a set-aside amount along with the lion trophy and a APTC Main Event ticket.

Official numbers will be posted shortly.

Wilfred Yiu raised to 2,200,000 on the button and Wei Chun Kuo defended his big blind.

They went to a flop of Q♥ 7♠ 3♠, where Kuo check-called a bet of 1,500,000 from Yiu to the 9♣ turn. Both checked and watched the Q♦ hit the river.

Kuo took some time before he bet 4,500,000, and Yiu pretty quickly called, tabling A♣ 7♣ for a pair of sevens. That was good as Kuo mucked.

The three players have asked for the clock to be paused while they discuss a potential deal.

Wing Fai Kwan shoved for around 13,000,000 from under the gun and it was folded around to Ruiko Mamiya, who called all in for approximatley 8,000,000 from the big blind.

Ruiko Mamiya: K♦ J♣

Wing Fai Kwan: A♦ T♦

Kwan held the lead, but lost it immediately on the 5♥ J♥ 9♦ flop.

The 9♥ turn and 9♣ river left Mamiya with a full house and she doubled up through Kwan, who was left with a bit over 3,000,000 following the clash.

A few hands later, Kwan shoved under the gun for 3,000,000 and was called by Wilfred Yiu in the small blind and Mamiya in the big blind.

Both players checked down on the 7♠ 3♣ T♠ flop and J♦ turn, but then Yiu bet out on the K♣ river, which got an immediate fold from Mamiya.

Yiu tabled Q♠ 9♥ for a straight, which was best against Kwan's Q♦ J♥ for a pair of jacks to eliminate him in fourth place for TWD 1,333,500 (~USD 44,010).

Ruiko Mamiya is hanging in there. She just shoved 4,500,000 from the small blind and was put at risk by Wing Fai Kwan in the big blind.

Ruiko Mamiya: A♠ T♥

Wing Fai Kwan: A♥ 8♦

Mamiya was in the lead, and found a safe flop in Q♠ 4♠ 2♣. A J♠ turn gave her a flush draw, and the T♦ river paired her ten to secure the double-up.

Florencio Campomanes shoved for 6,000,000 even on the button and just behind him, Wilfred Yiu asked for a count before announcing, "Call." Ruiko Mamiya got out of the way in the big blind and hands were revealed.

Florencio Campomanes: K♦ 8♦

Wilfred Yiu: K♣ Q♥

Campomanes had one foot out the door against Yiu's dominating king, and the 4♥ 6♣ 3♥ 9♦ 2♦ runout bricked out fo both players, meaning Yiu's kicker played to eliminate Campomanes in fifth place.

Wei Chun Kuo is an elimination machine today!

I Hsuan Wu shoved 3,400,000 from under the gun and Kuo called on the button. Wilfred Yiu also called in the big blind.

The action was checked all the way to showdown on the 3♥ 8♠ 6♥ 7♠ T♦ board, where Wu showed K♠ J♣ for king-high. Kuo flipped a pair of fives holding 5♠ 5♥, and that also beat the A♦ Q♥ of Yiu.

I Hsuan Wu heads to the rail with TWD 898,000 (~USD 29,640)

Tsz Him Chan was down to his last 600,000 and put them in from early position. Wei Chun Kuo shoved the small blind to isolate.

Tsz Him Chan: J♦ 8♠

Wei Chun Kuo: K♠ K♣

Kuo was way ahead, and despite Chan picking up some outs on the turn with a double gutter, the river ran clean on the 7♠ 5♣ 7♦ 9♠ 3♥ board.

Tsz Him Chan was eliminated in 7th Place for TWD 686,300 (~USD 22,650).

Wilfred Yiu opened to 1,600,000 first to act and he was called by Wing Fai Kwan on the button.

Both players checked on the Q♣ 5♠ 9♠ flop and then Kwan called a 1,600,000 bet from Yiu on the 4♦ turn.

The Q♦ river paired the board and Yiu sized up a bet of 2,200,000.

Kwan quickly called and Yiu showed Q♠ T♠ for trip queens. Kwan couldn't beat it and mucked — conceding the pot to Yiu.

Wing Fai Kwan opened to 1,200,000 from the hijack and Kevin Tang shoved 3,400,000 from the small blind. Kwan called.

Kevin Tang: Q♣ J♠

Wing Fai Kwan: A♣ 8♦

Tang was behind, but not for long as he paired his jack on the 6♣ 5♦ J♦ flop. However, an A♥ on the turn gave Kwan the lead back with one card to come.

Tang needed a queen or a jack, but instead the A♦ improved Kwan to trip aces, ending Tang's run in eighth.

n the first of two hands, action folded around to the blinds and Shiuan Cen Chang shoved from the small blind. Tsz Him Chan tanked a bit, but decided to call all in from the big blind for his last 1,850,000.

Tsz Him Chan: Q♠ 3♣

Shiuan Cen Chang: A♦ K♠

Chan's cards were live against Chang's Big Slick, and he immediately paired his queen on the Q♣ 8♠ 5♥ flop to take a commanding lead.

The 5♦ turn nor 4♣ river changed anything and Chan doubled up through Chang.

Several hands later, Wei Chun Kuo raised to 1,300,000 from under the gun and Chang shoved for his last 5,000,000 from the hijack. It was folded back around to Kuo, who called to put Chang at risk.

Shiuan Cen Chang: K♥ K♦

Wei Chun Kuo: A♦ T♦

It was the second time Chang got his money in good, but a brutal A♥ 4♠ 5♦ 4♣ 7♦ runout gave Kuo the best hand with aces-up to put an end to Chang's run in 9th place.

Ruiko Mamiya opened with a raise to 1,200,000 from middle position before Wei Chun Kuo three-bet shoved 8,725,000 from the cutoff. The action got back to Mamiya, who took some time before she eventually called.

Wei Chun Kuo: A♣ Q♠

Ruiko Mamiya: 9♠ 9♦

Kuo took the lead on the 2♥ K♠ Q♥ flop, and never relinquished it as the 5♦ 3♠ runout earned him a double-up. Mamiya still has around 9,000,000 to play with, but would have held a huge chip lead if she won that flip.

Wing Fai Kwan opened to 1,200,00 from the cutoff and Florencio Campomanes made it 3,100,000 from the small blind, leaving 325,000 behind. Kwan then shoved, and Campomanes called.

Florencio Campomanes: A♥ K♣

Wing Fai Kwan: A♣ 9♥

Campomanes was ahead, but was in danger of being the first to hit the rail on the final table. However, the K♦ A♠ 4♣ flop gave the Filipino player two pair and a huge lead in the hand.

An 8♥ turn sealed it for Campomanes, with the meaningless 6♥ filling out the board.

Wilfred Yiu opened to 1,000,000 from middle position and it was folded to I Hsuan Wu, who shoved for his last 2,900,000 from the cutoff. Action came back around to Yiu, who verified the amount before sticking in a reluctant call.

I Hsuan Wu: J♠ J♠

Wilfred Yiu: A♥ 5♦

Wu pulled out his phone to sweat the runout, which came 6♣ 7♦ 5♥ 2♦ K♠ — keeping Wu's jacks best for the first double up of the final table.

After a short break, the final table is now underway with nine minutes remaining in the level.

The players are taking a short break while they get set up for the final table.

Play will resume shortly.

Shiuan Cen Chang opened to 1,000,000 from under the gun and it was folded to Han-Hsu Hsieh, who shoved for his last 2,100,000 on the button. Action came back around to Chang, who quickly called to put Hsieh at risk.

Han-Hsu Hsieh: K♥ J♣

Shiuan Cen Chang: A♦ J♠

Hsieh let out a groan after seeing he was domianted, and the 5♥ 6♥ 7♣ 8♥ 2♠ runout changed nothing, keeping Chang best with his ace to eliminate Hsieh just shy of the final table.

Wing Fai Kwan is in absolute dreamland right now!

Jaeah Kim and Kwan had built a pot of around 2,500,000 on a board of 2♠ K♦ 8♣ Q♣, where Kim had bet 1,000,000 from under the gun. Kwan then came back with a raise to 4,500,000, sending Kim into the tank.

A few time banks later, Kim shoved around 8,000,000, and Kwan snap-called with a slightly bigger stack.

Jaeah Kim: T♠ 9♠

Wing Fai Kwan: K♣ Q♥

Nobody at the table could believe their eyes, but Kwan's were filled with dollar signs as his two pair was miles in front. Only a jack could prevent him from holding a huge chunk of chips, and the 8♠ river brought no surprises.

Kim stood there in disbelief at his failed bluff attempt, then gathered his belongings and headed to the payout desk for TWD 315,100 (~USD 10,400).

Kevin Tang raised to 800,000 and Pi-Ying Hsu was forced all-in from the big blind for his last 25,000.

Pi-Ying Hsu: 7♥ 3♥

Kevin Tang: T♣ 9♥

Tang had the lead, and extended it on the flop of 4♦ 9♣ 6♣ with top pair. Hsu did have a gutshot, but the K♠ K♥ runout didn't deliver it, meaning he exited in 12th for TWD 280,200 (~USD 9,250).

What just happened?!

Pi-Ying Hsu made it 1,700,000 from under the gun, leaving just a single 25,000 chip behind. Jung An Chuang then moved all in for 4,800,000 from the cutoff, and Wilfred Yiu shoved the small blind for around 11,000,000. Chuang then exposed his cards, as did Yiu, but Hsu was still to act with his single chip.

Incredibly, amazingly, astonishingly, whatever you want to call it, Hsu folded! There was no pay jump, and he was getting a billion-to-one odds, but he elected to fold.

Jung An Chuang: A♣ Q♠

Wilfred Yiu: J♥ J♣

Chuang had to win the flip, but he never did as the 5♦ 9♥ 9♣ 2♣ 5♥ runout kept the pocket jacks of Yiu in the lead.

That left Chuang on the sidelines, and Hsu with a single chip. Also, he's in the big blind after this hand!

Huan Yi Chiu shoved for his last 1,700,000 from under the guna nd it was folded to Kevin Tang in the small blind, who also moved all in for more.

Huan Yi Chiu: J♠ 8♥

Kevin Tang: Q♥ T♦

The board ran out 9♥ 2♠ 4♥ 6♥ T♥, which left Tang best with a higher flush to eliminate Chiu in 14th place.

Alan Lau moved all in for just over 6,000,000 from the cutoff, and after some time in the tank, Wei Chun Kuo called with a slightly bigger stack from the big blind.

Alan Lau: K♣ Q♠

Wei Chun Kuo: 7♥ 7♦

It was an all-too-familiar coinflip deep in a poker tournament, and this one went the way of Kuo as his sevens held up through the 4♣ T♥ 8♥ 2♠ 4♦ runout.

Shao Fu Wang had just 350,000 remaining in his stack and moved them all in from the hijack. Jaeah Kim was in the small blind and made it 1,000,000 to isolate.

Shao Fu Wang: Q♠ 8♣

Jaeah Kim: K♠ T♦

Wang was live, but the K♦ 3♥ 5♦ flop wasn't ideal as Kim made top pair.

There was a little hope when the Q♣ landed on the turn and the A♠ river was of no help, ending Wang's run in 16th for TWD 220,100 (~USD 7,260).

Takato Miwa committed his last 600,000 in the big blind after Wing Fai Kwan raised on the button to put himself at risk.

Takato Miwa: 5♥ 3♣

Wing Fai Kwan: A♣ 9♠

Miwa's rags were live, but the K♦ Q♦ 8♥ T♥ T♠ runout kept Kwan best with his ace for the knockout.

Shortly after combining to two tables, Han-Hsu Hsieh shoved for his last 1,400,000 on the button. Just behind him, Shao Fu Wang also shoved for 1,700,000.

Han-Hsu Hsieh: K♠ Q♠

Shao Fu Wang: T♣ T♠

It was a race that went Hsieh's way after the K♣ A♥ 6♥ 7♦ A♠ runout left him with a pair of kings, leaving Wang with just 300,000 following the clash.

The action slowed down a tad as the field had condensed to just three tables, but now they are one away from the final 16 as Ting-Chieh Yang hit the rail. He moved all in from the small blind for 3,325,000, and Jaeah Kim called in the big blind.

Ting-Chieh Yang: K♥ 2♣

Jaeah Kim: A♥ Q♥

Yang did pick up a combo draw on the 4♣ 3♥ 3♣ 5♣ board, but the J♠ river was a brick, ending his run in 18th.

I Hsuan Wu shoved for his last million from under the gun and was called by Kevin Tang on the button to be put at risk.

I Hsuan Wu: T♣ 6♣

Kevin Tang: A♣ 2♣

It was a shove made of dire circumstances, but Wu caught a lucky break after the 4♠ 9♦ 3♠ T♥ 3♦ runout left him best with a pair of tens for a crucial double up.

Kim Hyosung shoved for his last 1,800,000 from early position and just behind him, Ruiko Mamiya announced she was also all in. The remaining players got out of the way and another showdown was held.

Kim Hyosung: K♥ Q♠

Ruiko Mamiya: A♥ Q♣

Mamiya had Hyosung dominated, and the 2♦ 3♦ 6♣ 7♠ 8♠ runout added yet another elimination to her growing tally.

I Hsuan Wu just used up some of his luck as he came from way behind to double up.

Wu had shoved from under the gun for 1,475,000 and Wilfred Yiu announced a three-bet to 3,000,000 from the next seat. Everybody else folded.

I Hsuan Wu: A♣ 5♣

Wilfred Yiu: A♠ K♣

Wu was in danger of being eliminated, but did see a way out of the hole he was in as the 9♣ 7♣ A♥ flop gave him a flush draw.

He wasn't made to sweat any longer as the 2♣ turn completed his flush, leaving Yiu drawing dead. A meaningless 9♦ fell on the river, and Wu doubled up.

Leon Tay shoved for his last 3,000,000 from under the gun and it was folded to Ruiko Mamiya, who called to put Tay at risk.

Leon Tay: 4♠ 4♣

Ruiko Mamiya: A♣ J♠

The T♥ 8♦ 8♠ flop came safe for Tay, and the 9♣ river left him one card from doubling up.

Mamiya's momentum couldn't be stopped, however, as the Q♦ river improved her to a straight, which got a collective gasp from the other players at the table as Mamiya claimed another elimination.

Mamiya is the current chip leader with about 13,000,000.

Jung An Chiang was putting his big stack to work and made it 650,000 to go from early position. Wei Chun Kuo called in the cutoff before Takato Miwa shoved the button for 1,650,000.

Chuang enquired as to how much Kuo had, and upon learning it was around 4,000,000, he shoved. Kuo quickly folded.

Takato Miwa: Q♠ Q♥

Jung An Chiang: A♠ T♠

Miwa had the best hand, but his queens became very vulnerable on the 8♠ T♥ 5♠ flop as Chuang picked up a flush draw and top pair. Chuang was rooting for a spade, but it was a case of too many outs as the 4♣ K♥ runout meant Miwa doubled up.

The remaining 22 players are going on a 15-minute break.

Derek Chen opened to 1,000,000 from early position and just behind him, Ruiko Mamiya three-bet to 4,100,000. Everyone folded back to Chen, who tanked before committing his stack of about 3,000,000 into the middle.

Derek Chen: A♥ J♥

Ruiko Mamiya: J♣ J♦

The board ran out 8♣ K♣ K♠ 6♠ K♦ — leaving Mamiya best with kings-full to eliminate Chen and vault up the rankings.

Wilfred Yiu shoved for approximately 2,000,000 from under the gun and action folded to Ngai Chung Ng in the hijack, who called all in for his last 800,000. Everyone else folded and hands were turned face up.

Ngai Chung Ng: Q♥ Q♣

Wilfred Yiu: A♥ 6♥

The 7♦ 5♥ 7♠ flop prompted Yiu to say, "Backdoor!" as he had backdoor draws to both a straight and a flush.

The 4♣ turn improved Yiu to an open-ended straight draw and, as if Yiu willed it to happen, the 3♥ river filled his straight to crack Ng's queens for the knockout.

"Backdoor!" Yiu exclaimed in victory.

Thai Ha is moving up the counts and has around 5,000,000 now after just sending Keiya Akeno to the rail.

Akeno shoved around 1,200,000 from middle position, and Ha flicked in the call from the hijack.

Keiya Akeno: 3♥ 3♣

Thai Ha: 6♦ 6♣

"Ahhhhh," grumbled Akeno, who saw he needed to find a two-outer to stay alive. A flop of Q♣ J♥ 4♣ didn't offer any help, and the J♣ turn meant he had one shot left to survive.

That shot missed its target as the T♣ hit the river, ending Akeno's run.

Three ways on a flop of 5♥ 4♣ 3♥ with a large pot already in the middle, Juwon Kim checked from the small blind and Huan Yi Chiu checked from the big blind to Leon Tay, who bet 250,000.

Kim called, but Chiu announced he was all in for approximately 2,400,000.

Tay quickly laid his hand down, but Kim went deep into the tank.

Kim eventually folded by turning pocket queens face up and sending them into the muck.

Chiu graciously showed he held 5♠ 4♠ for two pair before collecting the pot.

Derek Chen had opened from under the gun, and Ruiko Mamiya called from the big blind to see a flop of 9♥ K♥ A♣. Mamiya checked, Chen bet 250,000, Mamiya shoved 745,000, and Chen eventually called.

Ruiko Mamiya: A♦ 3♦

Derek Chen: J♥ J♣

Mamiya flopped the ace, and Chen just couldn't let go of his pocket jacks. He did have two outs, but they remained hidden as the 9♦ 6♠ runout secured Mamiya a double-up.

There was a raise from Wilfred Yiu on the button and Lee Wee Liew shoved his short stack of just over 300,000 in from the small blind. Ngai Chung Ng reshoved from the big blind, and Yiu snapped off his stack of 1,900,000. ;

Lee Wee Liew: Q♦ J♦

Wilfred Yiu: A♠ A♦

Ngai Chung Ng: J♠ J♣

"One out!" shouted Ng, who was looking for the last remaining jack in the deck. Yiu was sitting pretty, ans the 9♣ T♥ 9♥ flop kept him safe for the main pot. Liew had a shot at the side pot with an open-ended, but the 2♣ T♦ runout offered no help, meaning he hit the rail.

When all was said and done, Yiu took both pots and climbed to around 4,200,000, while Ng dropped to 1,000,000. A great orbit for Yiu, not so much for Liew.

Wilfred Yiu raised to 875,000 from the small blind, leaving himself a single t-5,000 chip behind. Lee Wee Liew weighed his options in the big blind, but eventually decided put Yiu all in.

Yiu quickly called and a showdown was held.

Wilfred Yiu: A♠ 6♦

Lee Wee Liew: K♥ 4♥

The 6♣ 9♣ J♣ J♥ 6♥ runout left Yiu best with a full house and he was awarded the double-up while Lee was left with just 300,000.

Action folded around to the blinds, where Michel Molenaar raised to 400,000, leaving himself about 100,000 behind from the small blind.

Li Wei Chen responded with a shove from the big blind, and Molenaar used up his timebanks before committing his remaining stack into the middle.

Michel Molenaar: A♣ 8♠

Li Wei Chen: A♠ 9♦

Chen had Molenaar's kicker pipped, and the 3♠ Q♣ 9♣ flop left Molenaar drawing nearly dead after pairing Chen's nine.

The K♠ turn left Molenaar drawing dead and the K♥ river made his elimination official.

Takato Miwa moved 565,000 of his stack into the middle from early position, leaving just 5,000 behind. Chih Hao Hu then raised from the small blind, and Miwa called of his last chip.

Takato Miwa: A♥ Q♦

Chih Hao Hu: A♣ J♥

Miwa was ahead, and extended his lead on the 7♠ T♦ Q♣ flop with top pair. However, Hu did have a gutshot to Broadway as any king would give him the nuts. However, no kings could be seen as the T♠ 3♣ runout meant Miwa doubled up.

There are around 96,000,000 chips in play with 42 players remaining, and Alan Lau has almost 10% of them! His stack sits at over 8,000,000, which seems to be the chip lead at the moment.

Pi-Ying Hsu opened to 200,000 from the hijack and was called by Florencio Campomanes in the small blind and Wai Kit Lo in the big blind for a three-way pot.

Action checked through on the 9♥ 8♥ 3♥ flop and then Campomanes led out for 150,000 after the K♥ turn brought four cards to a flush. Lo used up a timebank and called, but Hsu then made it 500,000 to go.

Campomanes quickly folded and Lo used up another timebank before landing on a call.

The T♦ completed the board and Lo checked to Hsu, who put a stack of chips in to put Lo all in for his last 400,000.

Lo tanked a bit before calling all in and Hsu showed the goods with A♥ T♠ for the nut flush.

Lo showed he held K♣ J♥ for a lower flush and was forced to surrender his stack over to Hsu.

Jung An Chuang opened to 200,000 from under the gun and Patrick Liang three-bet to 500,000 from the next seat. Chih-Wei Chen was in the big blind and moved all in for 570,000, which both Chuang and Liang called.

The flop came 3♠ K♣ Q♥ and when it got to Liang, he bet 300,000. Chuang folded.

Chih-Wei Chen: A♠ K♦

Patrick Liang: A♥ A♦

Chen probably felt confident seeing that flop, but was instead drawing slim against the aces of Liang. No kings arrived on the 5♣ 2♦ runout, and Chen hit the rail.

The remaining 50 players have been sent on a 15-minute break.

Quang Thai Ha opened to 16,000 from middle position and was called by Michel Molenaar in the small blind and Xiaoyun Lee in the big blind.

Action checked through on the 3♠ T♦ 6♣ flop and then Molenaar led out for 180,000 on the K♥ turn. Lee used up a timebank before calling and then Ha announced a check-raise to 480,000.

Molenaar quickly let his hand go, but Lee announced he was all in for a bit more and was quickly called by Ha.

Xiaoyun Lee: K♣ Q♠

Quang Thai Ha: T♠ T♣

Lee was already drawing dead on the turn and the 2♠ river made his elimination offical to send the massive pot Ha's way.

Chia Yun Wu was short-stacked and got his last 130,000 in the middle from middle position. The bad news for him was that he got three callers, but on the bright side, his stack would more than quadruple up if he won the hand.

On the T♥ A♣ 5♠ flop, it checked to Patrick Liang in the cutoff, and he bet 100,000. Wu I Hsuan called in the small blind, and Ben Gur folded the big blind.

It then checked to showdown on the 6♠ 8♥ runout, where everybody showed their cards. Hsuan had the best of it with A♥ 5♥ for two pair, and that was enough to scoop the pot and send Wu out, who held K♣ J♣.

Li Wei Chen called from the small blind and Arankeeree Sommart took his option and shoved for 935,000 total.

Chen immediately asked for a count and put then called to put Sommart at risk.

Arankeeree Sommart: J♦ 7♥

Li Wei Chen: A♠ 4♠

It was the right call, and Chen was rewarded after the 2♠ 8♦ 3♦ J♠ K♠ runout left him best with a flush to eliminate Sommart.

Wai Kit Lo opened the hijack to 120,000 and then called the shove of Han-Hsu Hsieh, who moved all in for 635,000 from the small blind.

Han-Hsu Hsieh: 5♠ 5♥

Wai Kit Lo: A♥ Q♥

Hsieh's pair needed to hold, and that seemed very likely after the 2♦ A♦ 5♦ flop gave him a set. Just to fully secure the pot, the dealer turned over the 5♣ to give Hsieh quads!

The 4♦ river was irrelevant, and Hsieh doubled up with quads.

Kota Yamaguchi raised to 120,000 from the hijack and just behind him, Ruiko Mamiya shoved for 530,000 total. It was folded back around to Yamaguchi, who verified the amount before sticking in a call.

Ruiko Mamiya: A♥ Q♦

Kota Yamaguchi: J♦ J♥

Mamiya found herself in another coinflip situation for her tournament life, which looked bleak after the T♥ 5♥ T♣ flop and 9♣ turn.

However, the dealer brought the A♦ on the river, pairing Mamiya's ace and getting an "Aye ya!" from Yamaguchi, who was forced to surrender a portion of his stack over to Mamiya.

There were already around 400,000 in pot on a flop of 4♦ 7♣ 4♣ when both Chang Le Lin and Nachawanon Phetcharaporn checked from the blinds. Cheuk Lun Li then made a small bet from under the gun, which Lin raised to 200,000. Phetcharaporn caleld, and Li folded.

On the 9♠ turn, Lin shoved, and Phetcharaporn snap-called for his stack of 385,000.

Chang Le Lin: 6♣ 4♠

Nachawanon Phetcharaporn: 7♠ 4♥

Lin had flopped trips, but was behind to the flopped full house of his Thai opponent. His only hope was a chop with a nine on the river, but that didn't arrive, so Lin had to fork out chips over to Phetcharaporn.

Juwon Kim opened to 150,000 from early position and found one caller in Michel Molenaar in the big blind.

Both players checked on the 4♦ 7♥ 8♠ flop and then Molenaar check-called a 200,000 bet from Kim on the K♣ turn.

Neither player put a chip into the pot on the Q♥ river and Molenaar turned over K♥ J♠ for top pair.

To Molenaar's surprise, it was no good as Kim turned over a carefully played A♦ A♥ to claim the pot.

There were around 350,000 chips in the middle on a flop of 6♥ T♠ 7♦ when Cheng Hung Wu checked the small blind, as did Wing Fai Kwan in the big blind. Ben Gur fired 85,000 from the button, Wu shoved 205,000, Kwan folded, and Gur called.

Cheng Hung Wu: K♥ T♦

Ben Gur: A♣ 7♣

Wu caught top pair and just needed to fade aces and sevens to more than double up. A 2♠ turn was safe for him, as was the 6♣ river, which earned him the pot.

Xiaowen Zhao was already all in for approxmately 600,000 from the cutoff against Jaeah Kim, who had Zhao covered in the small blind.

Xiaowen Zhao: A♦ J♣

Jaeah Kim: Q♦ Q♥

Zhao needed some help, but the 7♠ 3♦ Q♠ flop left him drawing to runner-runner against Kim's set.

The 8♣ turn sealed the deal, and a meaningless 3♠ made Zhao's elimination official.

The field is now down to 93 players.

Kuan Ying Chen can thank the poker gods that he is still in the tournament right now, as he just got lucky against Ren Hao Chen.

On a table with five Chens, there was an open from Hong Yu Chen under the gun, before Ren Hao Chen shoved around 2,000,000 from the cutoff. Kuan Ying Chen was in the small blind and cold-called off his stack of 615,000, and Hong Yu Chen folded.

Kuan Ying Chen: K♠ J♠

Ren Hao Chen: A♥ K♦

Kuan Ying Chen was in trouble, but did see a path to survival on the 2♠ 8♣ 8♠ flop as he picked up a flush draw. It was all over on the T♠ turn as he completed his flush, with a meaningless 6♦ filling out the board.

Greg Liow, widely known for his popular "Greg Goes All In" YouTube channel, shoved for around 120,000 from the cutoff and was called by Chih-Wei Chen in the small blind and Kuan Ying Chen in the big blind.

Both Chens checked down on the A♠ 8♦ Q♥ flop and 4♥ turn, but Kuan bet 80,000 after Chih-Wei checked on the 5♣ river.

"Oh no," Liow said.

Chih-Wei folded and Kuan turned over 5♠ 4♣ for a runner-runner two pair

"I knew that was a bad card," Liow said as he revealed A♥ 2♠ for a pair of aces to be eliminated. "So sick."

Kuan Yu Chen had his stack of around 300,000 in from under the gun, and was quickly called by Pi-Ying Hsu in the big blind.

Kuan Yu Chen: A♥ Q♠

Pi-Ying Hsu: A♦ K♦

Chen needed to get lucky, but didn't manage it as the 9♣ 4♣ T♣ 4♥ 3♥ runout meant he hit the rail.

Daniel Benor shoved from early position, and when it got to Ruiko Mamiya in the big blind, she called to put her whole stack at risk of just less than 300,000.

Ruiko Mamiya: K♠ Q♥

Daniel Benor: 7♠ 7♥

Mamiya was flipping for her tournament life, and got off to great start as the K♦ A♥ 3♠ flop paired her king. A Q♠ on the turn improved her to an unneeded two pair, and the 5♥ river was safe, meaning she doubled up.

Action folded around to the blinds, where Ben Gur announced he was all in from the small blind.

Benhur Ybarsabal called all in for about 400,000 from the big blind and hands were revealed.

Benhur Ybarsabal: 3♥ 3♦

Ben Gur: 7♦ 7♠

Gur let out a hearty laugh after seeing he was well ahead of Ybarsabal's treys, but that didn't stop Ybarsabal from shouting, "Three! Three!" as the board was dealt.

The 8♦ 4♦ Q♣ flop was safe for Gur, who shouted, "Hold!" in return.

A drama-free J♠ and 9♠ filled out the board, keeping Gur best with his sevens to eliminate Ybarsabal.

The remaining 125 players have been sent on a 15-minute break.

Michel Molenaar opened to 60,000 first to act and just behind him, Chun Cheng Chen shoved for his last 225,000. Action folded back around to Molenaar, who quickly placed a single chip into the middle to indicate a call.

Chun Cheng Chen: A♣ J♦

Michel Molenaar: 6♣ 6♠

The 3♠ 9♦ 4♠ flop was of no help to Chen, and the 6♥ turn left him drawing dead after improving Molenaar to a set.

An irrelevant T♣ completed the board and Molenaar collected Chen's stack.