Taiwan, CTP Asia Poker ArenaEVENT #36

2026.01.12 - 2026.01.17Add to Calendar

Gods of Poker

Blind level

Level 3: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Live Coverage By GOP

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/13/2026, 8:15:16 AM

13 Players To Advance

With the start of the new level, registration for Flight B closed. A total of 92 registered with 71 players remaining. They will play down until the field reaches 13 players before bagging up for Day 2.

Break

15 minutes

It's break time at the Main Event once again. Latecomers have until the end of the break to sign up before registration closes. If you miss that window, you can still jump in at Flight C which kicks off at 6:00 PM.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/13/2026, 8:01:22 AM

Well Deserved Pot For Kang Against The Leader

Just before this hand, Jason Chin and Jaesung Kang were engaged in a pot that ended at the flop, with Chin raising and saying "good fold" to Kang.

The duo met again shortly after, with Kang calling Chin's 14,000 three-bet to take the battle to the flop, which came Q♣ 8♣ K♣.

Both players checked the flop to see the 2♥ turn. Kang led out for 11,000 and Chin flatted. The 5♦ landed on the river and Kang maintained control with a bet of 50,000. Chin tanked before paying to see the showdown.

Kang flipped over K♦ Q♥ for top two pair to scoop a well-deserved pot.

Player	Chips
JC Jason Chin	508,000
JK Jaesung KangSouth Korea	174,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/13/2026, 8:00:40 AM

Baba Takes It With A Four-Bet Jam

Level 2: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Kouichi Baba opened from early position before Mitchell Tsang, sitting two spots over, three-bet to 115,000. Joshua Figuerres joined the action with a call from the button, but after the blinds folded, Baba turned up the heat with a massive four-bet jam.

The action returned to Tsang, who opted to fold, and Figuerres followed suit. Baba kindly showed his A♦ K♦ as he collected the pot.

Player	Chips
KB Kouichi BabaJapan	520,000(260 BB)
MT Mitchell TsangUnited States of America	33,000(17 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/13/2026, 8:00:21 AM

River Bet Gets It Done For Halim

Level 2: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Harry Halim min-clicked from the hijack and found one caller before button player Ha Ram Joo three-bet to 14,000. Halim was the lone caller, taking them heads-up to a flop of J♦ 8♥ T♠.

Halim checked to the aggressor, Joo, who continued for 9,000. Halim called to see the T♣ on the turn. Halim checked again, and this time Joo checked back for a free look at the J♠ river.

With the board paired twice, Halim led out for 40,000. Joo didn't take the bait and folded, allowing Halim to claim the pot without a showdown.

Player	Chips
HJ Haram JooSouth Korea	219,000(110 BB)
HH Harry HalimIndonesia	115,000(58 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/13/2026, 7:59:56 AM

Lau's Jams Into Rockets

Level 2: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Alan Lau and Kai Yang got involved in a hand that boosted the pot to 12,000 pre-flop. More chips went in on the 8♠ J♣ 8♥ flop, starting with a bet of 6,000 from hijack Yang that Lau check-raised to 14,000 from the big blind.

A♠ soon as the 5♠ turn arrived, Lau led with a jam that well covered Yang, who snapped it off and quickly revealed A♠ A♥. Lau held Q♦ J♦.

The 5♣ river was safe for Yang, securing him a double-up and leaving Lau to rebuild.

Player	Chips
AL Alan LauHong Kong	71,000(36 BB)
KY Kai YangUnited States of America	60,000(30 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/13/2026, 7:24:15 AM

Lotsa Limpers Build a Decent Pot For Joo

Level 2: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Five players entered an unraised pot to see a flop for cheap. After the cards landed 6♣ J♥ A♠, the blinds checked to under-the-gun player James Casement, who slid out a bet of 10,000. Three players made the call.

On the 5♠ turn, action was checked to the button, Ha Ram Joo, who tossed in a 25,000 chip. This forced two folds, while Tung Cheung Wai stuck around to see the 3♥ river.

There was no more checking for Wai, who led out for 40,000. Joo called and Wai opened A♥ 8♦ for top pair. However, it was not enough to win the pot against Joo's 6♦ 5♦ two pair.

Player	Chips
HJ Haram JooSouth Korea	291,500(146 BB)
JC James CasementUnited States of America	68,000(34 BB)
TC Tung Cheung WaiHong Kong	63,500(32 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/13/2026, 7:14:40 AM

Up And Down And Out For Sean Tan

Level 2: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

After busting, Chung Howe Sean Tan re-entered and drew the same seat. Back in fighting form, he cleaned out a short-stacked Thomas Scheld, who shoved with jack-nine offsuit into Tan's aces.

Several hands later, he faced off against Fendy Kosasih on a board that completed Q♥ 8♠ 10c 4♣ 8♣ with 103,000 in the pot. After tanking, Kosasih shoved and Tan snap-called.

Kosasih flipped over Q♣ 9♣ for a runner-runner flush, which was good against Tan's K♣ K♥ to secure the double up. Shortly after, Tan was eliminated for a second time.

Player	Chips
FK Fendy KosasihIndonesia	232,000(116 BB)
TS Thomas ScheldGermany	busted
CH Chung Howe Sean TanSingapore	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/13/2026, 6:58:22 AM

Wang Sends Jung To The Rail

Level 2: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Zhi Yu Wang

With a pot of 26,000 brewed, two players stared down a flop of 6♠ Q♦ J♦. From middle position, Zhi Yu Wang bet 13,000, which small blind Jin Woo Jung check-called.

The T♦ turn drew another check from Jung. Wang deliberated until two time-banks were spent before he fired 75,000. This was more than Jung's remaining chips, who went ahead and risked his tournament life.

Jin Woo Jung: A♦ Q♣

Zhi Yu Wang: 6♦ 6♣

Jung needed a king or a diamond to avoid the rail, but the board failed to provide a savior as the 4♣ landed on the river. Wang’s set of sixes held firm to secure the knockout.

Player	Chips
ZY Zhi Yu WangTaiwan	160,000(80 BB)
JJ Jungwoo JinSouth Korea	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/13/2026, 6:47:27 AM

Kano Boosted by a Bust

Level 2: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Shinichiro Kano has returned from yesterday's unsuccessful run where he started off strong but then fell on a dominated pair. He is back on the beat with a slight boost after he railed Chung Howe Sean Tan with ace-king over ace-ten suited.

Player	Chips
SK Shinichiro KanoJapan	171,000(86 BB)
CH Chung Howe Sean TanSingapore	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/13/2026, 6:44:09 AM

Kawaguchi Steals It On The River

Level 2: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Three players put in 8,000 each pre-flop to build a pot of 27,000 before the dealer fanned a 4♣ 3♣ 9♦ flop.

From the small blind, Chang Yi Ho led for 5,000, Kawaguchi called, and button player Luke Dainton fired a raise to 16,000. Both players remained unfazed, keeping the action three-way to the 8♠ turn, which all three players checked.

On the 6♠ river, Chang checked once more and Kawaguchi tossed in 25,000. Dainton folded, and after slight deliberation, Chang did the same to award Kawaguchi the pot.

Player	Chips
AK Akihiro KawaguchiJapan	181,000(91 BB)
LD Luke DaintonUnited Kingdom	92,500(46 BB)
YC Yi Chang HoTaiwan	64,000(32 BB)

Level 2: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

90 minutes

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/13/2026, 6:02:40 AM

First Break Of The Day

Flight B is now on its first break of the day. Latecomers can still sign up at Level 2, closing at 4:00 PM.

Break

15 minutes

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/13/2026, 6:01:09 AM

Boat Over Boat Sends Lee Out and Chin Soaring

Level 1: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Xuan Ming Jason Chin

Jason Chin is currently leading the counts after a huge takedown in a huge cooler against Soohyeok Lee. The hand opened with a raise of 2,500 from late position Ta Wei Wang that was called by Lee on the button and by Chin on the big blind.

At the flop of J♣ 4♦ 7♠, Wang continued for 3,500 and both players stuck around to the turn 10s. Wang held on to the reins for 7,000 and again, both players called.

With the J♥ landing on the river, action flared up starting with a 17,000 bet from Wang, raised to 50,000 by Lee, then Chin check-raise to 150,000. Wang didn't defend, instead he quickly got out of the way while Lee went all in for 151,500. Easy call for Chin and they turned them over.

Soohyeok Lee: J♠ 4♠

Jason Chin: J♦ T♥

Both players had the boat with Chin ahead to ship it as Lee packed up and left.

Player	Chips
XM Xuan Ming Jason ChinSingapore	374,500(375 BB)
TW Tai Wei Wang	115,000(115 BB)
SL Soohyeok LeeSouth Korea	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/13/2026, 5:39:21 AM

Baba's Set Gets Full Value Off Tsang

Level 1: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Kouichi Baba

The first bust out player of the day, Mitchell Tsang, re-entered and was placed back in the same seat. Following a raise from Kouichi Baba of 2,500, Tsang three-bet from cutoff position to 8,500. Baba wanted to see the flop and called.

After the dealer laid out 9♦ 2♦ Q♠, Tsang fired again for 5,000 and Baba check-called. Heavier action came on the turn 4♣ with Tsang barreling 21,000 only to see Baba check-raise all in. Without hesitation, Tsang called.

Kouichi Baba: 4♠ 4♥

Mitchell Tsang: A♦ K♦

Baba was ahead with the set while Tsang had outs for the flush. With the river coming K♣, Tsang missed to give Baba the max.

Player	Chips
KB Kouichi BabaJapan	1,675,000(1675 BB)
MT Mitchell TsangUnited States of America	33,000(33 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/13/2026, 5:14:30 AM

Chin Delivers First Bust Of The Day

Level 1: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

The first bust out of Flight B has been delivered with Mitchell Tsang falling in two hands.

Before the knockout blow, he lost a pot to Chuang Lin Cheng who defended on the big blind. By the time it reached the river, the pot had swelled to 27,500 with a board showing 8♣ 3♥ 5♠ K♣ T♥.

Tsang bet 20,000 and Cheng check-called with 8♥ 5♥ wining the pot against Tsang's A♥ 8♠.

Immediately following the hand, Tsang opened 3,000 from middle position then called small blind Xuan Ming Jason Chin's 7,000 reraise. Action erupted on the flop 2♣ 2♦ 9♦ starting with a 3,500 continuation bet from Chin, raised to 12,000 by Tsang.

Chin assessed the board once more then fired all in. Tsang snap-called for his tournament life.

Jason Chin: Q♣ Q♥

Mitchell Tsang: J♦ 4♦

The turn and river produced K♣ 8♠, no diamonds for Tsang to pack up as Chin shipped it in.

Player	Chips
XM Xuan Ming Jason ChinSingapore	190,000(190 BB)
CL Chuang Lin ChengTaiwan	179,000(179 BB)
MT Mitchell TsangUnited States of America	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/13/2026, 5:12:34 AM

Peter Earns off a Disappointed Paredes

Level 1: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Daniel Peter

Following a raise from under the gun, next to act Yohn Paredes three-bet to 6,000. Several seats later, Daniel Peter in the small blind responded with a four-bet to 16,000, and only Paredes gave him action.

Peter continued on the flop 8♦ 9♣ K♣ with a bet of 15,000, but it didn’t shake off Paredes, who slid out the call. Both players then checked down the turn 2♣ and river 2♠.

Peter tabled A♦ K♥ for top pair, while a disappointed Paredes could only mutter “bummer” before exposing Q♥ Q♣.

Player	Chips
DP Daniel PeterSweden	143,000(143 BB)
YP Yohn ParedesPeru	83,000(83 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/13/2026, 4:50:36 AM

Early Aggression By Kok Beng Tan

Level 1: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Kok Beng Tan

Kok Beng Tan three-bet preflop in back-to-back hands, with the first one kicked off by Chuang Lin Cheng for 2,000. Tan three-bet to 7,000 and they went heads up after the call.

On a flop of 5♦ 8♣ 2♣, Tan continued for 5,000 and another 11,000 on the turn 9♦. Both were check-called by Cheng to see the river Q♥.

Cheng checked again, Tan gave it some thought and then checked back. Cheng showed K♦ J♦, while Tan picked up the pot with A♣ 7♥ for ace-high.

The next hand opened with a 2,000 raise from Sean Tan in late position, and again hijack Kok Beng Tan three-bet to 7,000. Sean Tan called and they took it to a board of Q♣ 6♦ 4♦ Q♠ 6♥.

Sean Tan value-bet 11,000 on the river and got the call. He turned over 6♣ 4♣ for a full house to win the pot.

Player	Chips
CH Chung Howe Sean TanSingapore	139,000(139 BB)
KB Kok Beng TanMalaysia	125,000(125 BB)
CL Chuang Lin ChengTaiwan	110,000(110 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/13/2026, 4:37:00 AM

Cards In The Air For Flight B; Cronus Golden Window Closed

Level 1: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Cards are now in the air for Flight B of the Main Event which means, the Cronus Golden Window has closed. Only 12 players qualified for the Double Bubble Protection:

Player	Chips
YP Yohn ParedesPeru	120,000(120 BB)
MT Mitchell TsangUnited States of America	120,000(120 BB)
DP Daniel PeterSweden	120,000(120 BB)
ZY Zhi Yu WangTaiwan	120,000(120 BB)
TW Tai Wei Wang	120,000(120 BB)
KB Kok Beng TanMalaysia	120,000(120 BB)
LH Leh Hua WeiTaiwan	120,000(120 BB)
SK Shinichiro KanoJapan	120,000(120 BB)
CH Chung Howe Tan	120,000(120 BB)
KW Kim Wah ChiuSingapore	120,000(120 BB)
KC Kang Chien ShaoTaiwan	120,000(120 BB)
HJ Haram JooSouth Korea	120,000(120 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/13/2026, 3:28:17 AM

GOP Main Event Flight B Kicks Off At 12:30 PM; Sign Up Early For Double Bubble Protection

The Gods of Poker Taipei: The Titan Assemby opens today, January 13, with the festival's crown jewel - Main Event - taking place at the CTP Asia Poker Arena in Taipei City, Taiwan Headlined by a NT$ 21,000,000 (~US$ 670,000) guarantee and the coveted Black-and-Gold GOP Gauntlet, Flight B gets underway at 12:30 PM, with registration open until 4:00 PM.

With a buy-in of NT$ 45,000 (~US$ 1,400), players begin with a 120,000 stack, equivalent to 120 big blinds at the opening level. For players that sign up at Level 2, starting stack is equivalent to 60 big blinds. And for last second sign ups, the starting stack is equivalent to 30 big blinds.

Everything You Need To Know About the Main Event

Yesterday’s opening flight set the early benchmark with 136 entries and 19 players through to the money round. Local star Chihwei Fan bagged the chip lead with 2,375,000, making him the player to chase for the ensuing flights.

Good news for players that sign up early. GOP has introduced the Cronus Golden Window. Under the watch of Cronus, timing is everything and is rewarded with DOUBLE Bubble Protection.

For those that qualify, that means, if you stone cold bubble the Main Event, you will receive a consolation prize of two Main Event buy-ins back in the form of GOP tournament credits. To be eligible, players need to sign up before the start of Level 1.

If you miss that Golden Window, all is not lost. Players that sign up at Level 1 will be eligible for Bubble Protection which awards a consolation prize of one Main Event buy-in back in the form of GOP tournament credits.

*It is important to keep in mind that protection is only available for Flight A and Flight B.

Be sure to read up on all the flight details here.

Here is the daily schedule:

Flight A: 136 entries, 19 survivors
Flight B: January 13 at 12:30 PM, registrations closes at 4:00 PM
Flight C: January 13 at 6:00 PM, registrations closes at 8:15 PM
Flight D: January 14 at 12:30 PM, registration closes at 12:30 PM on January 15
Flight E: January 15 at 6:00 PM, registrations closes at 8:15 PM
Day 2: January 16: 12:30 PM
Final Day: January 17: 12:30PM

Be sure to read up on all the flight details here as level duration varies per flight.

Stay tuned to GOP as we bring you live updates of the action from start to finish.