APT National Cup (12,000 TWD)

The opening day of APT Taipei 2025 set off fireworks early, with the multi-day National Cup event smashing expectations right out of the gate. A guaranteed TWD 10 million (~US$307,000) prize pool proved no match for the poker-hungry crowd, as 2,161 entries across three Day 1 flights blew the total prize pool up to a jaw-dropping TWD 21,264,240 (~US$656,000) - more than doubling the original guarantee.

The National Cup wasn't just big - it was historic. APT records tumbled left and right, as Flight A set a new benchmark with 821 entries…o nly for Flight B to outdo it immediately with 844 entries. By the end of the day, the National Cup had officially become the richest opening event in APT history.

From the thousands who entered, 302 players made it through to the National Cup Day Final, all chasing glory. Leading the charge was the United Kingdom’s Jason Cooper, who returned as the lone millionaire stack with 1,125,000 chips after topping Flight A. Right behind him was Thailand’s Sopanut Intharachalit (743,000) from Flight B, and Taiwan’s Chien Yu Lin (680,000) from Flight C.

But Day 2 proved that big stacks don’t guarantee a big finish. After over 8 hours of intense action, none of the three starting chip leaders survived to the final table. Cooper fell in 39th place, Intharachalit in 26th, and Lin in 20th.

The final table began with Huan Chen taking a slight lead, sitting behind a healthy stack of 13,800,000 chips, with Shi Rong Wang snapping at his heels with 13,400,000.

Here are the final table chip counts:

Chen made the first big move at the final table, knocking out Sung Sik Eum in 9th place and boosting his chip count to 20 million - owning nearly a third of all chips in play. But Wang wasn’t going anywhere. After winning a monster pot against Chen with a perfectly timed set, Wang flipped the script and climbed into the chip lead. He kept the pressure up, taking out Weilin Chiang in 8th place.

Chin Liao joined the elimination party by busting Cheng Chih Cheng in 7th, but soon after, he handed all his chips over to Wang and bowed out in 6th.

Meanwhile, short-stacked Tian Lee got a little breathing room when he sent Yi-Chun Liu out in 5th. However, Lee’s comeback didn’t last—he ran into Wang’s wall of chips and exited in 4th.

Huan Chen, hungry for redemption, pulled off a crazy bad beat to bust Shao Wang in 3rd place, setting the stage for an epic heads-up battle.

When the heads-up duel began, Wang held a nearly 2-to-1 chip lead, 41 million to Chen’s 23 million. Chen scrapped and clawed his way back into contention, but every time he closed the gap, Wang found a way to yank it wide open again - especially after a pivotal monster pot swung Wang's way.

In the final hand, Chen shoved all-in on the flop, but Wang made a snap-call holding two-pair against Chen’s single pair. No miracles on the runout this time.

Shi Rong Wang clinched the win and was crowned APT National Cup Champion, bagging an eye-watering payday of TWD 3,804,240 (~US$ 106,612) plus a seat to the upcoming APT Championship Main Event to be held in Taipei again towards the end of the year.

Huan Chen completed the blinds and Shi Rong Wang checked the big blind for both players to see a flop of 6♠ T♣ 5♠

Wang checked his option and Chen fired 1,800,000 in the middle.

Wang then raised it to 4,500,000. Chen threw in a time bank before deciding to shove all-in. Wang snap-called without even counting the chips.

Wang flipped over 6♥ 5♥ for two pair while Chen showed 5♦ 4♦ and needed a lot of help.

The 3♣ on the turn gave Chen some outs with an open-ended straight draw, but the Q♠ on the river failed to improve Chen and sent him out as the runner-up of the National Cup.

Shi Rong Wang was, of course, crowned as the National Cup champion.

Huan Yu Chen limped in from the button and Shi Rong Wang checked in the big blind.

Both saw a flop of 2♦ Q♥ 6♠ , and Wang checked to Chen who led out for 1,500,000. Wang came along for the ride.

The 6♣ hit on the turn, where Wang checked again, and Chen fired another chunky bet of 2,000,000 this time. This didn’t deter Wang from making the call.

Wang kept his strategy and checked over the J♥ river to his opponent. Chen then delivered another barrel of 5,000,000. Wang came along.

Wang tabled Q♠ 9♥ for a flopped queen to overcome Chen’s bluff with T♣ 2♣ .

Shi Rong Wang held an almost 2-to-1 advantage over Cheh Huan Yu. Rong had around 44,000,000 chips to the 21,000,000 of Chen.

Of course, this is poker and anything can happen.

Small blind Huan Chen raised to 2,000,000 and big blind Shao Weng shoved all-in for his last 4,100,000. Chen was reluctant, but it was a small amount to call, so he did. Huan Chen sheepishly peeled over 9♠ 3♥ against the dominant K♥ 9♦ of Weng.

However, the flop landed 8♦ 3♠ 2♥ to give Chen the lead with a pair of threes. The board then completed 7♦ 4♣ to secure the win for Chen and sending Weng out with a dismal, tragic ending.

Shi Rong Wang shoved all in from the mall blind for around 30,000,000 and Tian Yu Lee called off his last chips around 4,800,000.

Tian Yu Lee: A♣ 4♥

Shi Rong Wang: 7♣ 7♦

Wang held the lead with pocket sevens on the flop of 6♣ T♠ J♥ , and Lee was looking for an ace to stay alive. However, the runout rolled off 8♥ Q♣ , sending Lee to the rail in fourth place for a payday of TWD 952,000 (~USD 29,383).

Lee Tian Yu raised all-in from under the gun for 4,800,000 and Liu Yi-Chun called from the next seat for her last 2,250,000.

Lee Tian Yu: K♠ Q♥

Liu Yi-Chun: 3♥ 3♣

The board ran A♦ 2♥ 7♦ Q♠ 9♥ to give Yu the win, eliminating Yi-Chun in 5th place.

Shi Rong Wang raised to 2,000,000 from the hijack, and Chin Kai Liao shoved his remaining chips for 1,200,000 from the big blind.

Chin Kai Liao: K♥ 8♥

Shi Rong Wang: 7♣ 7♦

It was another flip, and Liao received many outs on the flop of Q♠ 2♥ J♥ , offering him a flush draw. The turn showed a 2 , and Wang still needed to fade a heart in next card to collect another elimination.

Unfortunately for Liao, the river bricked out a T♣ , finishing his run in sixth place for a payday of TWD 645,000 (~USD 19,907).

Cheng Cheng Chih shoved his last 1,675,000 all-in from the small blind and big blind Liao Chin Kai defended.

Cheng Cheng Chih: K♦ J♠

Liao Chin Kai: K♣ 5♣

The board completed 8♥ 4♠ 8♦ 2♥ Q♠ giving Chih a crucial double-up and denting the stack of Kai.

In the following hand, Chih risked his 3,850,000 all-in from the button and big blind Wang Shao Fu defended.

Cheng Cheng Chih: A♥ 3♣

Wang Shao Fu: 9♦ 9♠

The board completed J♦ 5♥ J♣ 2♠ T♦ to eliminate Chih in 7th place.

Weilien Chiang shoved all in from the hijack for 4,400,000 and Shi Rong Wang also moved all in with a covering stack.

Weilien Chiang: A♥ 8♦

Shi Rong Wang J♣ J♦

Wang held the lead with pocket jacks and Chiang was looking to spike an ace to keep his tournament run going.

Unfortunately for Chiang, the dealer announced bad news with a board of Q♦ 4♥ T♣ 2♦ 3♥ , ending his run in eighth place for a payout of TWD 351,000 (~USD 10,833).

Chen Huan Yu opened from mid-position to 1,000,000 and Wang Shi Rong defended his big blind.

The flop showed J♥ 3♠ 4♦ and Rong check-called Yu's 2,100,000 bet to open a 8♦ turn.

Both players checked to open a 5♦ river.

Rong led out for 6,000,000 and Yu made the call. Rong showed J♣ J♠ for a set while Yu showed A♦ 8♣ for a pair of eights, handing the huge pot over to Rong along with the chip lead.

Action at the final table of the National Cup has taken a break. Eight players remain with each guaranteed at least TWD 351,000 (~US$ 10,833).

Chen Huan Yu Holds the chip lead with around 20,000,000 chips

Chen Huan Yu raised from the cut-off to 1,200,000 and big blind Eum Sung Sik defended.

Both players were shown a flop of 9♦ 9♠ 8♥ Sik checked and called the 1,800,000 bet of Yu.

The turn came J♣ and Sik tapped his option to Yu who moved all-in, covering Sik. Sik didn't blink and made the call.

Sik showed 5♦ 5♥ and was dominated by Yu's T♠ 9♥

Sik needed a 5 on the river, but the 7♣ was a brick that sent him out in 9th place, giving the biggest pot of the tournament so far to Yu along with the chip lead.

There is a short break while players move to the final table and some photographs are taken.

Action folded to short-stacked Wei Ta Wei on the button who decided to shove his last 1,700,000 all-in. Big blind Wang Shao Fu defended.

Wang Shao Fu: A♦ 9♥

Wei Ta Wei: K♦ 5♦

The board showed 4♠ T♠ Q♣ 3♥ A♣ eliminating Wei in 10th place.

Action folded to short-stacked Wei Ta Wei on the button who decided to shove his last 1,700,000 all-in. Big blind Wang Shao Fu defended.

Wang Shao Fu: A♦ 9♥

Wei Ta Wei: K♦ 5♦

The board showed 4♠ T♠ Q♣ 3♥ A♣ eliminating Wei in 10th place.

When it folded to Ka Wai Leung on the button he shoved his 4,700,000 into the middle with just the blinds to get through. The small blind folded, but Shi Rong Wang asked for a count from the big blind. After a bit of tanking, Wang made the call with the covering stack.

Ka Wai Leung: Q♦ T♦

Shi Rong Wang: 7♦ 7♥

Leung needed to find a queen, ten or some diamonds if he was to have a chance of maming the final table. The 5♣ 8♥ 4♣ flop provided no help to Leung, but the Q♥ turn catapulted him into the lead with top pair. However, a brutal 7♠ on the river gave Wang the winner with a set of sevens, ending Leung's tournament in eleventh-place.

Huan Yu Chen raised to 600,000 from under the gun and Yu Chieh Lee three-bet to 1,700,000 in the cutoff. Chen then moved all in for around 7,000,000. Lee called off his remaining chips.

Huan Yu Chen: Q♣ Q♦

Yu Chieh Lee: A♠ Q♥

Lee was looking to spike an ace to stay alive. However, the dealer announced his fate with the board of 9♣ 6♥ 9♠ T♥ 8♣ , sending him to the sideline in 12th place for a payday of TWD 199,000 (~US$ 6,142).

Shao Fu Wang raised the hijack to 500,000 and was called by Huan Yu Chen on the button.

Both players checked through the flop of K♦ 4♦ T♣ to see the 8♦ hit on the turn, where it went check-check again.

The board-pairing 8♠ landed on the river, where Wang fired a bet of 600,000. Chen called swiftly.

Wang tabled a flopped pair of kings with K♠ 7♠ to best the bluff from Chen’s A♣ 6♣ .

Action folded to the blinds. Small blind Wang Shi Rong matched the 300,000 blinds and big blind Tammel Tarmo shoved all-in for his last 2,800,000. Rong snap-called.

Wang Shi Rong: A♠ K♥

Tammel Tarmo: A♦ 6♥

The board came K♦ 2♠ Q♦ T♦ K♠ to send Tarmo out in 13th place.

Eum Sung Sik shoved his last 2,500,000 all-in from early position and big-stacked big blind Weilien Chiang defended.

Weilien Chiang: A♣ 8♥

Eum Sung Sik: K♠ K♣

The board completed 8♠ 7♦ 4♠ 4♣ Q♠ to give Sik a meaningful double up.

Action folded to the blinds. Big-stacked small blind Chen Huan Yu raised to 600,000 and big blind Chiu I-Chin decided to defend his big blind by shoving his last 1,250,000. Yu made the quick call for a showdown.

Chen Huan Yu: K♥ 9♦

Chiu I-Chin: Q♠ T♠

The flop of 9♥ 9♠ 7♠ gave Yu trips, but the A river gave I-Chin a flush to overtake. But his happiness was short-lived when the poker gods threw a A♦ on the river to give Yu a full-house, sending I-Chin out in 14th place in dramatic fashion.

Tarmo Tammel shoved all in for 4,550,000 on the button and Tsz Kin Lo called for his last 325,000 to put his tournament life at risk.

Tsz Kin Lo: 7♥ 5♦

Tarmo Tammel: T♦ T♠

It was a classic coinflip, but soon, the dealer smashed Lo’s last sliver of hope with a flop of Q♣ T♣ 6♣ , improving Tammel to a set.

The runout bricked off 2♥ K♣ , locking up a payday of TWD 178,000 (~US$ 5,494) for Lo.

Action folded to Wong Liu Jie on the button and he shoved his last 1,375,000 all-in. Big blind Wang Shao Fu contemplated hard while spending two time banks before finally making the call.

Wong Liu Jie: K♣ 5♥

Wang Shao Fu: Q♥ 8♥

Jie had the lead pre-flop and maintained the lead on a flop of T♦ T♥ 9♠

However, the J♣ turn gave Fu the straight and the 8♦ river sealed the fate of Jie, sending him to the rail as a 16th place finisher.

Kim Lai Lim shoved all in from under the gun for 1,925,000 and was called by Chin Kai Liao on the button.

Chin Kai Liao: A♥ T♥

Kim Lai Lim: A♦ J♥

Lim picked up the lead with his jack while Liao’s spectators were around the table shouting, “ten, ten, ten,”

Asked, and you should receive. The flop came 5♠ K♥ T♠ , pairing with Liao’s ten. Lim was looking to have a jack or queen.

Unfortunately for Lim, the runout bricked off 8♥ A♣ , sending him to the sideline in seventeenth place.

Hong Yu Chen shoved all in from the small bind for 775,000 and was put at risk by a call from I Chun Chiu in the big blind.

Hong Yu Chen: 8♦ 4♦

I Chun Chiu: A♦ 6♦

I Chun Chiu held the lead and the dealer swiftly showed a clean 2♣ K♠ 3♦ K♥ 7♠ , sending Chen to the rail.

Wellien Chiang opened from under the gun to 450,000 and Leung Kai Wai defended the big blind.

Both players were shown a flop of 9♣ A♥ 8♣

Wai checked his option and allowed Chiang to bet out 300,000. Wai then raised it to 850,000 with Chiang calling.

The turn showed a 7♥ and Wai moved all-in for 3,800,000. Chiang counted off the chips and threw in two time banks while he weighed his decision. With no more time banks and the clock running down to the final second, Chiang pushed his stack forward for a call.

Wai showed A♣ 8♥ for two-pair while Chiang showed A♠ 8♠ for also a two-pair. The inconsequential T♠ on the river secured the chop between the two.

Action folded to Lin Chien Yu on the cut-off who risked her last remaining 1,875,000 chips all-in. Small blind Liu Yi-Chun made the call and the last two ladies were in for a showdown.

Lin Chien Yu: Q♥ J♥

Liu Yi-Chun: A♦ J♣

The board ran 6♣ 2♣ 6♥ A♣ 9♣ to give Yi-Chun a flush, sending Yu to the rail. Liu Yi-Chun is the last woman remaining.

The remaining 24 contenders are having another 15-miute break now.

One preflop all-in hand just played between two Taiwan’s female players - Lu Jie Wong and Hong Yu Chen. Wong open-shoved for around 1,450,000 from the hijack and Chen followed the suit from the small blind for around 3,000,000.

Lu Jie Wong: K♥ Q♠

Hong Yu Chen: K♣ Q♣

A clean board rolled off A♦ 7♣ 3♦ 6♦ 7♥ , sealing a chop hand for both female players.

Tammel Tarmo opened to 1,725,000 leaving 95,000 behind in his stack. Small blind Wang Wen-Chi shoved all-in, risking his last 1,385,000. Big blind Chiu I-Chun didn't want to miss out on the action and called.

The main pot and side pot was divided and three players were shown a flop of 9♦ 8♦ K♦

I-Chun checked and called when Tarmo shoved his last 95,000 in the middle.

Wang Wen-Chi: K♥ Q♠

Chiu I-Chun: J♠ J♣

Tammel Tarmo: 8♦ 8♠

The board completed 7♦ 9♠ to give Tarmo a full-house to triple up, denting I-Chun and eliminating Wen-Chi in the process.

Weilien Chiang raised to 320,000 from middle position and Shi Rong Wang three-bet to 650,000 from the hijack. Chiang called.

A flop spread 3♣ T♦ 9♣ , and Chiang checked to Wang who bet 200,000. Chiang cranked it up to 2,000,000, but this didn’t deter his opponent from moving all in for 1,335,000. Chiang tagged along.

Weilien Chiang: Q♠ T♥

Shi Rong Wang: A♣ 5♣

Chiang held the lead while Wang received a flush draw from the board.

Soon, the turn delivered good news to Wang with a Q♣ , completing his flush.

Chiang was looking for another queen or ten to take down the hand; however the river bricked out a 8♠ , shipping the pot to Wang.

Sung Sik Eum opened the cutoff to 250,000 and received two callers from the blinds, Kim Lai Lim and Tsz Kin Lo.

The trio checked through the flop of 3♥ T♥ T♦ to see a 3♣ hit on the turn, which was another check round.

The 6♦ fell on the river, where Lim changed his strategy and fired out 300,000. This got the job done as his two opponents released their cards.

Leung Kai Wai opened from mid-position to 240,000. Action folded to big blind Jun Young Park, who moved all-in for his last 420,000. Big-stacked Wai made the easy call. Wai flipped over A♠ J♦ which dominated the J♠ T♠ of Park.

However, the flop opened 3♣ T♥ 8♠ to give Park the lead. The turn 5♦ and river 7♦ sealed the deal for Park to make a desperate double-up.

With a board showing 4♥ J♥ Q♣ 7♥ and around 950,000 chips in the pot, Huan Yu Chen knuckled it back in the big blind, and Shao Fu Wang also checked from the under the gun.

The river revealed a board-pairing 4♣ . It went check-check again.

Chen turned over K♥ 2♦ for a bluff while Wang flipped his wining hand with 5♥ 5♣ to drag in the pot.

Action folded to Wang Shi Rong on the button who shoved all-in for 2,000,000. Small blind Tse Man Hang risked his last 900,000 and made the call.

Wang Shi Rong: 9♥ 8♥

Tse Man Hang: A♠ 8♠

The flop came 2♥ 9♦ 7♣ and Hang stood up from his seat in surrender. However, the poker gods were kind enough to throw a 5♣ turn and a 6♣ river to give both players the same straight to split the pot.

Small blind Weilien Chiang and big blind Wong Victor Thousand had all their chips in the middle before the flop.

Weilien Chiang: 9♠ 9♣

Wong Victor Thousand: A♣ T♣

The board completed K♣ 5♥ J♦ 8♥ 7♣ and eliminated Thousand from the National Cup.

I Chun Chiu open-shoved for 690,000 from the hijack and Ta Wei Wei also moved all in for around 1,020,000 from the cutoff.

I Chun Chiu: A♠ Q♦

Ta Wei Wei: A♥ Q♠

It seemed destined to be a chop hand as a flop spread 9♦ A♣ T♥ . The runout came 6♣ 7♥ to finish the board, and both players shared the pot.

Shih Chuan Hu shoved all in for 775,000 from the small blind and Weilien Chiang defended in the big blind to put Hu at risk.

Weilien Chiang: J♥ 2♣

Shih Chuan Hu: 6♦ 6♠

Chiang took the lead by pairing his jack on the flop of J♠ A♠ A♥ , leaving Hu drawing thin.

The K♥ turn and 2♠ river brought no help for Hu, while Chiang successfully added more ammunition to his stack, breaking the four-million chip mark.

Wang Shi Rong opened from the hi-jack to 200,000. Big blind Kim Ryan Shyun Yuan defended his big-blind risking his last 1M chips all-in. The dealer didn't even have time to count when Rong announced "Call!"

Kim Ryan Shyun Yuan: A♥ Q♦

Wang Shi Rong: A♦ K♠

The flop peeled open 9♦ J♥ T♠ to give Yan outs with an open-ended straight. However the A♣ turn and 4♣ river failed to improve Yuan and he had to exit his seat and end his National Cup journey.

Intharchalit Sopanut opened to 160,000 from mid-position and was called by Lim Kim Lai on the next seat. Everyone else folded for both players to see a flop of A♦ 7♥ 9♠

Both players checked their option to open a K♠ on the turn.

Sopanut led out for 200,000 and Lai raised all-in for his last 515,000. Sopanut made the call.

Lai asked, "Ace?" and true enough Sopanut showed A♥ J♥ for top-pair. Lai showed K♥ Q♠ and stood up from his seat, but sat back down with a huge smile when the poker gods threw a K♦ on the river to give him trips and an important double-up.

Ta Wei Wei shoved all in from the button for around 600,000 and Zhen Jia Hong called off his remaining chips around 250,000 in the big blind.

Ta Wei Wei: K♦ 5♦

Zhen Jia Hong: A♣ J♥

Wei picked up the lead after the flop revealed 4♥ K♣ J♦ , improving him to a superior pair of kings while Hong paired his jack.

The runout spread 6♦ 3♥ , offering no help to Hong. Wei dragged in the pot when Hong headed to the payout desk.

Big blind Wang Wen-Chi and UTG Leung Ka Wai were staring at a pot of around 460,000 beside a board that showed J♠ T♣ 2♦ 4♥ T♦

Wen-Chi bet out for 200,000 and Wai made the call. Wen-Chi showed Q♣ T♥ for trip-tens while Wai threw his cards in the muck and handed over the chips.

Action folded to Liu Yi-Chun on the button and made a raise to 180,000. The blinds folded and she scooped the blinds to improve her stack.

In the following hand, Yi-Chun raised to 160,000 from the cut-off. Big blind Wang Shi Rong used up a time bank token before three-betting to 450,000. Yi-Chun used a time-bank of her own before signalling for the all-in triangle.

Rong folded immediately and tapped the table to acknowledge the good play.

Napat Chokejindachai open-shoved on the button for around 1,200,000 and Hye Gyung Lee called for her around 300,000 from the small blind.

Napat Chokejindachai: 2♣ 2♠

Hye Gyung Lee: T♥ T♦

Lee held the lead with pocket tens, but Chokejindachai took over when a flop came 4♥ 2♦ 4♦ , improving him to an invincible full house.

The runout revealed 5♣ J♣ to complete the board and showing Lee the way to payout.

Following the break, 48 players go back to their seats. Each one is assured a TWD 56,000 payout but will still compete for the top prize of TWD 3,454,240.

Some of the more recent eliminations include: Matthew Harper (92nd), Michael Tsang (85th), Hajime Sato (80th), Max Deveson (71st), Ferdinand Lu (66th), Yebin Won (58th), Liang Sheng Yeh (55th) and Joris Michl (51st).

Players are on 15-minute break now with 48 survivors remaining in the field.

The action was picked up on the turn with a board showing T♥ 3♦ K♣ 8♥ and around 400,000 chips in the middle.

Cheng Chih Cheng checked from the big blind, and Zhen Jia Hong bet 300,000, sending his opponent into the tank. After around 2 minutes, Cheng made the call.

The 5♦ hit on the river, where the action went check-check. Cheng quickly tabled K♦ J♣ for a flopped pair of kings, forcing Hong muck his hand.

Korea’s Young Park Jun open-shoved for 155,000 from the small blind, and his compatriot Seunghyeon Son called to put his opponent at risk in the big blind.

Seunghyeon Son: 9♠ 3♥

Young Park Jun: K♦ 6♦

Son held the lead on a flop of 5♥ 8♥ 7♦ while Jun received a straight draw.

The turn showed a J♣ , offering Son a gutshot. However, the river chose Jun’s side as it carried out the 4♣ , completing Jun’s straight and sending the pot his way.

Lai Chi Ho King opened for 120,000 from under the gun and Michael Le shoved all-in for his last 420,000 a few seats down. Action folded back to King who made the call.

King showed 7♥ 7♣ while Le shrugged his head when he peeled open 6♥ 6♠

The flop came 2♥ K♥ Q♦ and Le stood from his seat. However, the turn threw a 6♣ to give Le a set and had him sit back down. The river T♣ sealed the deal for his desperate double-up.

Boon Leong Tan open-shoved on the button for 145,000 and Hong Yi Yu defended from the big blind.

Hong Yi Yu: 8♦ 6♦

Boon Leong Tan: 9♥ 4♣

A monotone flop came J♥ Q♥ K♥ but it still offered no help to Yu. The 9♠ hit on the turn, improving Tan to a pair of nines and leaving Yu drawing dead.

A K♦ fell on the river to complete the board, and Tan dragged in the sizable pot.

Small blind Wong Chun Yan and big blind Hu Shih Chuan were staring at a pot of 250,000 beside a board that showed 7♣ Q♦ 7♦ T♣

Yan tapped his option to Chuan, who tested with 75,000. Yan didn't bother to continue and awarded the pot to Chuan.

In the next hand, a short-stacked Yeh Liang Sheng opened from under the gun for 100,000. Action folded to Yan on the button who shoved all-in for 575,000. Sheng folded easily.

Chien Yu Lin raised to 350,000 from under the gun and received a shove from Shing Kwan Chan for around 410,000. After taking a look of her cards again, Lin quickly made the call.

Chien Yu Lin: K♠ K♥

Shing Kwan Chan: A♣ T♥

Chan was looking to pair the board with his ace. Unfortunately for him, the board bricked out J♣ T♠ 8♥ 9♦ 4♣ , ending his tournament life during Level 26.

There was 220,000 in the pot beside a flop of 6♥ 2♣ T♥

UTG+2 Yebin Won checked his option to Chang Jae Yi on the cut-off, who fired 70,000. Won made the call to open a K♥ on the turn.

Won tapped his option to Yi, who continued with a 120,000 bet. Won took this time to think out carefully, examining his chip stack and his cards, using a time bank to add some more time to think. Finally, he called and both players were shown a 8♣ on the river.

Won checked and Yi moved all-in for his last 200,000. Won tanked again before finally mucking his cards. While mucking his card accidentally caught the dealer's hand and showed A♣ and another painted card that was not revealed.

UTG Lo Yu Jung and big blind Tewachoo Tinnapob were starting at a pot of 450,000 beside a board that showed Q♥ 6♣ T♦ 9♥ 4♥

Tinnapob acted first and fired a bet of 250,000. Jung took a long look at his cards, riffled his chips, used up a time bank, took another look at his cards, then wondered if fairies really died if you didn't believe in them. Finally, before the clock expired - Jung threw his cards in the muck with a bit of regret.

Chien Yu Lin raised to 80,000 from middle position and Pochou Hou three-bet to 310,000 with one blue chip 5,000 behind. Lin then went all in for 540,000 and Hou called for his last chip.

Chien Yu Lin: A♦ K♠

Pochou Hou: Q♣ Q♥

Lin took over the lead on the flop of 6♦ A♠ 8♠ , leaving Hou drawing thin.

The 9♠ landed on the turn and provided Lin a flush draw, which the board made the decision to complete it as the river brought another spade T♠ for Lin’s flush.

Small blind Chokejindachai Napat and big blind Lin Tsung Yu had a pot of 230,000 in front of them with a board that showed 8♣ 2♣ T♥ T♣

Napat tapped his option to Yu, who spent a time bank before deciding to fire 80,000 into the pot. Napat didn't even bother to continue.

Victor Wong opened the button to 75,000 and was defended by Michael Le from the big blind.

Le checked the 7♦ 8♠ T♥ flop to Wong, who continued for 110,000. Le made the call quickly.

A Q♦ hit on the turn, where Le checked over again and Wong sent a bet of 150,000, sending his opponent into the tank. After a long time, Le tossed his cards into the muck.

Action folded to Weilien Chiang on the button, who moved all-in for 420,000. Big blind Yebin Won defended.

Weilien Chiang: A♥ 4♦

Yebin Won: A♦ 5♥

The table already expected a chop before the board was dealt. Eventually, the board ran 8♥ K♣ 9♣ Q♦ 3♥ to split the pot among both players.

While the dealer counted the chips, Chiang joked - "I heard you asking for a 5" - bringing some laughter on the table.

Cheng Lung Tsai raised to 800,000 from early position and Chi Kai Liao shoved all in from the big blind for around 1,090,000, sending Tsai into the tank. After long consideration, Tsai eventually opted to call.

Cheng Lung Tsai: J♦ J♣

Chi Kai Liao: Q♥ Q♠

Liao maintained the lead with his pocket queens on the flop of 9♣ 2♦ 2♣ , while Tsai received a backdoor flush draw.

Unfortunately for Tai the runout brought no help as it revealed 8♠ 8♥ , shipping the pot to Liao.

It seems the strategy at this table is all-in or fold.

Cheng Cheng Chih opened from early position to 60,000 and Ip Hon Leung shoved all-in for 570,000. The blinds folded and when action came back to Chih, he gave his hole cards a long look before finally throwing it into the muck to award the pot to Leung.

In the hand that followed, Liao Chen Hsi opened on the button for 60,000 and big blind Wong Chun Yan shoved all-in for 400,000. Hsi snap-folded.

Players are on a quick 15-minute break.

Meanwhile, the field has halved with 116 players remaining.

Some of the notable busts include: David "Spade" Erquiaga (218th), Vincent Dupleix (210th), Yohwan Lim (189th), Jaegeol Cho (177th), John Matsuda (162nd), Ronald Haverkamp (141st) and Beng Hong Ker (128th)

Andrew Ang opened the hijack to 50,000 and was called by Zhen Jia Hong on the button.

When the flop came 5♠ J♥ A♥ , Hong check-called after Ang made a continuation-bet of 40,000.

The turn showed a 3♠ , and Hong checked to Ang, who then shoved all in for 172,000. After long deliberation, Hong eventually released his cards.

Button Chen Hong Yu, small blind Kim Ryan Shyun Yuan and big blind Hajime Sato were starting at a board of J♣ K♥ 6♥ J♥ with nearly 500,000 in the middle.

Yuan checked and Sato shoved his last 160,000 all-in. Yu made the call and Yuan bowed out. Yu showed Q♠ J♦ for a set while Sato showed 4♥ 2♥ for a flush. The river threw a 8♦ to book the win Sato's way.

Jian Yang Teh raised from under the gun to 200,000 with only one chip 1,000 behind. Ko Chih Han called on the button.

Teh checked when a flop revealed 7♥ A♦ A♣ , and Han sent a small bet of 1,000, which Teh snap-called.

Ko Chih Han: T♣ 2♣

Jian Yang Teh: 4♥ 4♣

The runout came swiftly Q♥ K♥ , sending no help to Han and delivering the pot to Teh.

Han still sits comfortably with over one-million chip mark.

Action went over to Chang Shiang Chih on the button, who raised to 75,000. Small blind Naohiro Arita then jammed all-in for 679,000, covering Chih's stack of around 500,000.

Chih went into the tank and spent a time bank before finally folding his hand, showing the table A♥ K♣

When Arita was asked what his hand was, he answered "pocket jacks."

Whether that was the truth - it certainly was a remarkable fold by Chih.

Furutani Sho shoved all-in for his last 135,000 on the button and was matched by Li Tsung-Han on the small blind. Sho revealed Q♥ Q♠ against the 8♠ 8♣ of Tsung-Han.

The board completed 3♠ 7♣ A♣ 4♦ A♥ to award Sho a double-up while crippling the stack of Tsung-Han.

It looked some incident happened earlier when the action was picked as there was on 4♣ shown on the felt.

Huan Yu Chen had 50,000 in the middle from the small blind, which Shan Wang was shoved all in for 166,000 in the big blind. After tanking for a long time, Chen dropped in the call.

Huan Yu Chen: J♦ 9♣

Shan Wang: A♣ K♠

The board swiftly rolled off 3♠ K♥ Q♠ 2♦ K♦ , improving Wang to trip kings to drag in a double-up.

In an exciting string of events...

Teh Jian Yang opened from under the gun for 40,000 and Park Juyuk jammed all-in on the next seat over. Action folded back to Yang who made the call. Yang showed Q♦ Q♠ versus Juyuk's T♥ T♦

The board ran 7♥ A♠ 8♥ 8♣ Q♥ to give Yang a full house and winning the pot.

After a chip count, Juyuk was left with only 2,000 chips, which he shoved all-in from the under the gun. Everyone folded back to Yang in the big blind who was forced for the call. Juyuk showed J♠ 8♦ versus Yang's A♥ 4♥

The flop came 7♦ 9♠ T♣ to give Juyuk a straight and the table cheered in delight. The board completed 5♥ 2♣ to assure the double-up from Juyuk and also the antes.

Juyuk's 2,000 improved to 24,000, and was forced all-in on his big blind. Lee Wang Hee jammed all-in and Juyuk flipped over whatever he was dealt, which was a 9♣ 2♥ against Hee's 8♠ 8♣

The board completed 5♥ J♦ T♦ 3♠ 6♠ to finally end the short-lived comeback of Park Juyuk.

Jason Cooper opened the hijack to 40,000 and received two callers from the blinds, Pei Yu Chao and Leonell Losentes.

The trio saw a flop of 5♥ 7♠ 2♥ , and the blinds checked to Cooper, who continued for 50,000. Chao stepped aside, however, Losentes came along.

Both players checked through the A♥ turn to see the 5♥ river, where Losentes checked and Cooper fired out 175,000, sending his opponent in the tank. After around 2 minutes, Losentes moved all in for 67,000. Cooper swiftly called.

Cooper revealed his winning hand with K♥ J♥ for a flush to overcome Losentes’ 3♠ 2♠ .

Chen Huan Yu had his last 130,000 all-in on a board that showed J♦ 5♣ A♣ 7♦ 6♠ . On the other end of the table, Tan Boon Leong matched. Yu flipped over A♥ 5♥ for two pair while Leong showed A 3 for a top pair, giving Yu a much needed double-up.

Tarmo Tammel opened to 155,000 from under the gun with one yellow chip 1,000 behind. Man Hang Tse made the call from middle position.

When the dealer revealed the 8♣ Q♠ T♦ flop, Tammel called for his last chip after Tse sent a small bet of 1,000.

Tarmo Tammel: A♠ Q♥

Man Hang Tse: J♥ J♣

Tammel dominated the hand by pairing a queen against Tse’s pocket jacks. The K♦ turn and 3♦ river quickly dealt to complete the board and ensured a double-up for Tammel.

Jiang Dong Hao shoved his last 160,000 from the button and monster-stacked Kim Ryan Shyun Yuan defended his big blind. Hao showed J♦ K♠ versus Yuan's A♠ 7♣ .

The board ran T♥ 5♥ 6♣ T♠ A♣ , shipping the pot to Yuan and eliminating Hao from the National Cup.

Battle of big stacks!

Big bling Chen Hong Yu and UTG Kim Ryan Shyun Yuan were staring at a pot of around 130,000 beside a board that showed 6♠ 3♥ 2♠ 2♣ 6♦

Yu led out for 80,000 and Yuan folded immediately.

Chiu I-Chun had his last 160,000 in the middle and was matched by Chang Shiuan Cen for an all-in preflop showdown.

Chiu I-Chun: A♥ 9♣

Chang Shiuan Cen: Q♥ Q♣

The board ran 2♥ 6♣ A♠ 9♠ 7♦ giving I-Chun a two-pair to take down the pot and double up.

One preflop all-in hand was played between Taiwan’s Kuan Yi Chen and his countrymate Yao Mao Hsieh just now, resulting in one elimination.

Chen open-shoved from the small blind for 34,000 and was defended by Hsieh from the big blind.

Kuan Yi Chen: T♠ 8♥

Yao Mao Hsieh: K♠ T♣

Chen paired his eight on the flop of 7♦ A♣ 8♣ and picked up the lead, while Hsieh received a backdoor flush draw.

The turn revealed a J♦ , announcing Hsieh flush drawing dead but providing him with gutshot draw.

Unfortunately for Chen, the river brought help to his opponent as it showed a K♣ , improving Hsieh to a higher pair to collect the pot and stake Chen out of the field.

Small blind Wang Wen-Chi and big blind Auaypornsong Tawan were looking at around 95,000 in the middle of the pot beside a board that showed 7♠ 8♦ 5♦ J♥ 3♣

Wen-Chi bet out 60,000 and Tawan made the call. Tawan flipped over J♠ T♥ for top pair while Wen-Chi threw his cards back to the dealer without showing, giving up the pot to Tawan.

Action folded to Yang Yin Bong on the button, who min-raised for 32,000. Big Blind Ahn Ushang shoved all-in. Bong thought about it a while then shook his head while he sent his cards to the muck.

Jason Lee Coooper opened the hijack to 24,000 and Man Hang Tse three-bet to 65,000 on the button. Cooper came along for the ride after thinking for a long time.

Cooper checked over the flop of 7♣ 4♣ K♥ , and Tse continued with a bet of 35,000. Cooper called to see the J♠ turn, where the action went check-check.

The river showed an A♣ and it was another check round. Cooper tabled 6♥ 6♣ while Tse turned over his winning holding Q♦ Q♣ to drag in the pot.

Chen Feng Wen and Andrew Lee were all-in on the flop with Lee at risk for his last 100,000. Lee showed a formidable K♦ Q♦ but was dominated by the A♣ K♥ of Wen. An ace spiked the turn and that was all she wrote for Lee.

Peteris Enders opened to 26,000 from under the gun, only to be shoved by Ka Chuen Yip for 38,000. Enders made the all swiftly to put his opponent at risk.

Peteris Enders: A♣ Q♠

Ka Chuen Yi: K♣ K♠

Yi maintained the lead with pocket kings on a flop of 5♦ J♠ 7♣ , but Enders still got chance to bust his opponent in early level today.

Fortunately for Yi, the runout showed T♦ J♥ and sent no help to Enders, locking up a double-up for Yi.

Play has resumed here at the Red Space Events Center in Taipei, Taiwan with the APT Taipei 2025 currently holding the final day of the National Cup. 302 survivors from three Day 1 flights are continuing to compete today until a champion will be crowned.

Each one is guaranteed a minimum payout of TWD 18,000 with all eyes on the huge champion's purse of TWD 3,454,240 (~US$ 106,000).

The UK's Jason Lee Cooper enters the final day as the chip leader with 1,125,000 - the only one to break the million mark so far. Will he be able to sustain it all the way to the championship?

Just within 10 minutes, the field has been significantly reduced with the shorter stacks taking some risks to double-up or go home.

Some of the early eliminations include: Chien Chen Han, Yee Yan Wen, Chienhsun Wang, Su Yu Han, Ryan Gebow, Ho Kin Lao, Kim Fernandez, Chien Chienh An, Yang Weichung, Lo Yuan Fu, Cai Zheng Xuan, Premphonkamol Isara, Yang Zong Ping, Yu Fang Hsin, Yung Chin Wei, Nishigata Yomoyuki, Sheng Ming Tsai, Kao Shih Chi, Ko Seunghun, Lai Wei Ta, Lin Yu Chieh, Fok Sum Him Rickt, Wang Chiang An, Lo Kin Yee, Wan Tsz, Masaki Matoba and Kunal Patni.

Shuffle up and deal has been announced and the cards are in the air for the Final Day of National Cup.

The spotlight stays focused on the APT Taipei 2025 as the curtain rises for the Final Day of the TWD 12,000 National Cup, taking place in the Red Point Center’s brand-new Red Space, a venue capable of accommodating 130 tables for this grand series.

After three opening flights in Day 1 officially entered in the history books with a staggering 2,161 (1,265 unique) entries confirmed, this monstrous turnout not only shattered the record for largest single flight in APT history twice in the same day — first for Flight A (821 entries), then surpassed by Flight B (844 entries) — but also generated the richest opening event prize pool in tour history.

With these remarkable entries, the event produced a sizable prize pool of TWD 21,264,240 (~USD 656,304), including the coveted TWD 3,454,240 (~USD 106,612) first-place prize and marked itself as the richest-ever opening APT event. By the end of Day 1, the field was whittled down to 302 survivors, securing a spot in the money and advancing to Day 2.

Sitting atop the counts with a commanding stack of 1,125,000 chips, Jason Lee Cooper of England leads the charge into Day 2. He was the only player to surpass the one-million milestone in chips after Flight A and successfully defended his chip lead through the remaining opening flights. The Englishman is certain to apply plenty of pressure on the field today.

Taiwan’s Chien Yu Lin rounded out the top three after accumulating 680,000 chips in Flight C. She is the only female player to secure a spot on the top ten leaderboard following an intensive day of competition.

Also still in contention are Hong Yu Chen (588,000), Cheng Feng Chiu (569,000), and Jae Yi Chang (553,000).

The action kicks off at 11:00 a.m. local time, and contenders will play through 30-minute levels until a winner is crowned. Blinds will resume at 8,000/16,000 with a 16,000 big blind ante.

Stay tuned here for live updates, chip counts, and all the actions to see who will eventually outlast the field and seize the title of champion.