Taiwan, CTP Asia Poker ArenaEVENT #36

2026.01.12 - 2026.01.17Add to Calendar

Gods of Poker

Blind level

Level 10: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Entries

25/119

Total Chips

14,280,000

Average

571,200

Live Coverage By GOP

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 1:15:59 PM

Flight D Closes With Andy Tsai Leading the 25 Survivors

Level 10: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Day 2 of Flight D began with registration closing at the opening buzzer, as 38 late entries pushed the flight’s total turnout to 184 entries. When play resumed, 101 players were seated, all chasing one of just 25 guaranteed ITM spots.

With 60-minute blind levels setting the pace, the day was as a grind across eight levels of play. The bubble finally burst with **Kazuki Okamoto’**s elimination, while Andy Tsai (Qing Yu Cai) emerged at the top of the counts, bagging the chip lead with 2,245,000.

Top 10 Survivors of Flight D

Player	Chips
AT Andy TsaiUnited States of America	2,245,000(112 BB)
SL Soohyeok LeeSouth Korea	1,945,000(97 BB)
CC Chien Chiao TsengTaiwan	1,800,000(90 BB)
BA Billy AlfonsoPhilippines	1,695,000(85 BB)
JS Juhyung SonSouth Korea	1,500,000(75 BB)
CR Chaehun RyuSouth Korea	1,130,000(57 BB)
KY Kai YangUnited States of America	1,005,000(50 BB)
LH Long Hin ShiaoHong Kong	975,000(49 BB)
YT Yuan Tu WenTaiwan	925,000(46 BB)
CW Chiayun WuTaiwan	855,000(43 BB)

Andy Tsai

To read up on the day's action, scroll down.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 1:10:11 PM

Runner Runner Busts Okamoto On The Bubble

Level 10: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Kazuki Okamoto on the bubble

Dramatic bust on the bubble!

Action opened with Billy Alfonso raising from the button and out of the big blind, Kazuki Okamoto committed his last 39,000 to place himself at risk of falling on the bubble.

Kazuki Okamoto: 3♦ 3♣

Billy Alfonso: K♠ J♦

Celebration erupted at Okamoto's side of the table when the flop ran Q♠ 6♣ 3♠ that gave him the set. Then a scare card came on the turn in the form of the 9♠ which gave Alfonso a load of outs.

Okamoto now needed to dodge spades and tens to survive. The river came and with it the crushing T♦ , to complete Alfonso’s runner-runner escape and send Okamoto out on the bubble to bring Flight D to a close.

Player	Chips
BA Billy AlfonsoPhilippines	1,695,000(85 BB)
KO Kazuki OkamotoJapan	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 12:55:15 PM

Bubble Time At Flight D

Level 10: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

The field is down to 26 players which means, it is bubble time. The tables are now going hand-for-hand until the bubble is delivered.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 12:50:40 PM

Shiao Rails Chen On Soft Bubble

Level 10: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Chung Hsin Chen open-shoved 128,000 and got called by small blind Long Hin Shiao to be in danger of elimination.

Chung Hsin Chen: A♠ 8♦

Long Hin Shiao: T♣ T♥

Chen only had the ace to help him survive the hand but there was no such luck as the board ran Q♣ 2♥ Q♥ 8♣ 4♦ to end his day on the soft bubble.

Player	Chips
LH Long Hin ShiaoHong Kong	1,075,000(54 BB)
CH Chung Hsin ChenTaiwan	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 12:45:55 PM

Main Event Guarantee Breached!

Level 10: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

With registration for Flight E now officially closed, the Main Event drew a combined field of 555 entries to eclipse the NT$ 21,000,000 guarantee. A♠ a result, all ITM finishers are now assured a share of the boosted NT$ 21,617,280 (~US$ 684,700) prize pool.

At present, 63 players have already secured their seats for Day 2, with Flight E still in progress. A further 14 players are set to advance into the money round, rounding out the final group of qualifiers.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 12:35:17 PM

Alfonso Sends Johan To The Exit

Level 10: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

All in preflop with Jimmiy Johan behind both in chips and in kicker against Billy Alfonso. The board offered no help either bite the dust a few spots from the money..

Jimmy Johan: A♦ Q♥

Board: 9♠ 7♥ 4♥ A♠ K♠

Player	Chips
BA Billy AlfonsoPhilippines	1,634,000(82 BB)
JJ Jimmy JohanIndonesia	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 12:25:00 PM

Wen Pushes Okamoto Out of the Pot

Level 10: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Yuan Tu Wen

Kazuki Okamoto can't get it going to watch his stack dwindle. It dropped further in a hand against Yuan Tu Wen to drop to just seven big blinds.

The hand opened with Okamoto raising 40,000 and only Wen called defending his big blind. At the flop T♠ 2♠ 5♥ , Wen led with a bet of 32,000 and Okamoto called.

Action switched on the turn 9♦ with a check from Wen answered with a 100,000 bet from Okamoto. Wen called and the river came K♠ .

Wen slid out a tower of orange chips that well covered Okamoto's stack who then folded before the clock ran out.

Player	Chips
YT Yuan Tu WenTaiwan	895,000(45 BB)
KO Kazuki OkamotoJapan	145,000(7 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 12:15:47 PM

Hu's Hooks Hold The Fort

Level 10: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Hengzhe Hu

Heng Zhe Hu opened from under the gun and watched as everyone folded down the orbit until it reached the small blind Edgar Asehan who shoved his big stack. Hu was not happy but called for his tournament life nonetheless.

Heng Zhe Hu: J♦ J♥

Edgar Asehan: K♠ Q♠

Hu was ahead but still sweat it out as he was flipping. When the board ran 8♠ T♣ A♥ 3♠ 5♥ , Hu's pair to stood tall to double through. Hu looked over at Asehan and commented, “bro, don't do that, no ICM.”

Player	Chips
EA Edgar AsehanPhilippines	970,000(49 BB)
HH Hengzhe HuTaiwan	790,000(40 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 11:50:41 AM

Kim Ends Phraikhieo's Run Close To The Money

Level 9: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Jae Yoon Kim

Wutikrai Phraikhieo jammed his last 133,000 and Shun Hei Lee called out of the small blind. Next to act, Jae Yoon Kim on the big blind three-bet all in for 305,000 to send the action back to Lee.

Lee didn't react as fast this time and after using up two time banks, he opted to fold and it was showtime.

Wutikrai Phraikhieo: 2♦ 2♥

Jae Yoon Kim: A♠ K♣

Wutikrai Phraikhieo

Phraikhieo was at risk but had a pair that survived the flop T♦ 8♥ 8♦ . On the turn, the A♣ came out putting Phraikhieo far behind Kim's top pair. With the river 8♠ that ended Phraikhieo's run just four spots to the money.

Player	Chips
JK Jaeyoon KimSouth Korea	588,000(37 BB)
WP Wutikrai PhraikhieoThailand	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 11:40:27 AM

Yang's Ducks Railroad Park

Level 9: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Kai Yang

No action until the small blind Chulho Park jammed and was quickly called by big blind Kai Yang.

When they showed, it was the best Park could hope for with his K♣ 8♣ for a flip against Yang's 2♦ 2♣ .

Big cards came up on the flop Q♠ 9♥ T♦ then the 2♠ joined the spread for a set to Yang. Only a jack for Park to stay alive but it was not to be as the river paired the board with T♥ for Yang to collect and eliminate Park.

Player	Chips
SL Soohyeok LeeSouth Korea	1,540,000(96 BB)
JY Jintae YangSouth Korea	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 11:20:48 AM

Lee Spikes Two-Outer To Eliminate Yang

Level 9: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Soohyeok Lee

Everyone folded to the small blind Soohyeok Lee, he shoved. Big blind Jintae Yang tanked then risked his tournament life.

At showdown, Yang was ahead holding 7♣ 7♦ against Lee's 5♦ 5♥ and was in great shape for a full boost. The board ran a clean Q♥ K♦ Q♣ until the turn found the 5♠ giving Lee the set. The river 3♦ was no help to Yang and he quickly headed out.

Player	Chips
SL Soohyeok LeeSouth Korea	1,540,000(96 BB)
JY Jintae YangSouth Korea	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 11:10:46 AM

Andy Stacks Far Ahead of the Pack

Level 9: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Andy Tsai “Andy Stacks”

The field is down to four tables with 32 players remaining. Billy Alfonso has since dropped out of the 2M range while a new leader has emerged.

Famous GGPoker live streamer Andy Tsai aks “Andy Stacks” is the current frontrunner with 2,687,000. His latest pick up was against Chulho Park who tried to bluff out the leader.

Park opened 32,000 from under the gun and Tsai raised to 100,000 out of hijack. Park called and both players went hunting at the flop.

No bets landed until the board was 4♥ 8♠ 5♦ 5♥ . Park led for 85,000 and Tsai called. When the 3♠ arrived on the river, Park banged out a larger 190,000 bet that sent Tsai into the tank.

After a minute or so, Tsai called. Park showed A♠ Q♠ bluff, Tsai had a pair in the hole, the 7♣ 7♦ , to drag in the pot.

Player	Chips
AT Andy TsaiUnited States of America	2,687,000(168 BB)
CH Chul Ho ParkSouth Korea	180,000(11 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 11:00:34 AM

Break Time

Level 8: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Another 15-minute break at Flight D with 34 players remaining. Still a long way to go until they bag up with the average currently at 40 big blinds. Only 25 are slated to advance.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 10:50:04 AM

Kobashigawa Paid In Full By Alfonso

Level 8: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Toshimitsu Kobashigawa

Billy Alfonso opened for 25,000 and Kazuki Okamoto wanted in and raised it up to 75,000. Out of the small blind Toshimitsu Kobashigawa shoved and Alfonso made the call while Okamoto stepped aside.

Toshimitsu Kobashigawa: A♦ Q♠

Billy Alfonso: Q♥ Q♣

The board quickly dropped an ace for Kobashigawa to overtake and with the runout completing J♦ A♥ 4♥ 5♠ 6♠ , he survived against the hot-handed chip leader.

Player	Chips
BA Billy AlfonsoPhilippines	1,732,000(144 BB)
TK Toshimitsu KobashigawaJapan	470,000(39 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 10:35:05 AM

Alfonso Shows The Sick Bluff

Level 8: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Billy Alfonso after getting a bluff through

Jinsoo Kim and Billy Alfonso met again with Kim kicking off the action from lojack with a raise to 25,000. Alfonso was the lone caller at hijack.

At the flop of K♣ 8♣ 7♠ Kim continued for 35,000 and Alfonso matched up to see the turn 2♠ . Again Kim dipped in his stack and pulled out 50,000 which Alfonso called.

Action heated up on the river 2♦ with Alfonso taking the reins after Kim checked, laying out an 80,000 bet. Kim answered with a raise to 250,000, and Alfonso stood up while tossing his time-banks out front. After two were spent, Alfonso announced all in with his massive stack.

Kim was stunned in disbelief, shaking his head while assessing the board. Restless in his seat, Kim dusted all of his remaining eight time-banks and still without a decision, his hand was deemed a fold.

Alfonso jumped out of his seat and revealed A♠ 4♠ bluff.

Player	Chips
BA Billy AlfonsoPhilippines	2,000,000(167 BB)
JK Jinsoo KimSouth Korea	388,000(32 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 10:25:55 AM

Kim Banks With The Better Kicker

Level 8: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Jinsoo Kim

Jinsoo Kim and Billy Alfonso built a pot of 142,000 preflop then proceeded to keep it friendly until the river A♠ 7♣ Q♣ 8♠ 2♣ .

Kim took a stab for 30,000 then faced a raise from Alfonso for 75,000. Kim took over a minute to make a decision then three-bet to 230,000. Alfonso called and showed A♦ 9♠ top pair saying he couldn't fold.

Kim had him out-kicked with A♣ T♣ which played to ship a big pot.

Player	Chips
BA Billy AlfonsoPhilippines	1,520,000(127 BB)
JK Jinsoo KimSouth Korea	796,000(66 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 10:15:58 AM

Sung Jams To Claim A Big Pot

Level 8: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

On a board showing 2♥ 8♣ A♥ T♦ J♣ and a hefty 390,000 in the pot, Chi Wen Sung went all in for 260,000 sending Sangjun Jung straight into the think tank.

Jung had Sung covered if he called but after three time banks spent, Jung opted otherwise and open-folded A♠ . Sung was asked to show, and opened T♥ .

Player	Chips
CS Chiwen SungTaiwan	650,000(54 BB)
JS Jung SangjunSouth Korea	386,000(32 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 10:05:00 AM

Feng's Snowmen Save Him From The Rail

Level 8: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Chih Feng Li

Li Chih Feng has been draining out and finally shoved but got no callers. On his next one, Edgar Asehan gave him action.

Li Chih Feng: 8♣ 8♠

Edgar Asehan: A♥ 9♥

The board avoided Asehan's overcards running out 7♥ Q♣ J♣ 6♠ K♠ for Feng to stay in the game.

Player	Chips
EA Edgar AsehanPhilippines	1,120,000(93 BB)
CF Chih Feng LiTaiwan	260,000(22 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 9:50:11 AM

Lee Catches The River To Crack Broadway

Level 7: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

James Patrick Casement opened then four-bet all in for 320,000 and still wasn't able to push out Soohyeok Lee.

Casement was at risk with A♥ Q♦ flipping against J♠ J♦ .

The flop improved Lee to a set with cards landing K♦ J♥ 6♦ , but Casement had a draw that connected on the turn T♣ .

One card to come, Lee called out for his outs and it was heard with the 6♥ pairing the board to dust Broadway with a full house.

Player	Chips
SL Soohyeok LeeSouth Korea	715,000(72 BB)
JC James CasementUnited States of America	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 9:45:20 AM

Kim Pressured Into Folding a Big Hand

Level 7: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Middle position Kiyoung Kim and big blind Chien Chiao Tseng had already built a pot of 76,000 before the flop came running 4♠ 5♦ 6♣ .

Tseng checked, Kim bet 50,000, then Tseng answered with a big shove of 425,000. Kim was well covered and went deep in the tank. After burning through five time banks, Kim open-folded J♦ J♥ .

It was the right decision with Tseng revealing his 6♠ 5♠ two pair.

Player	Chips

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 9:30:15 AM

Choi Gets A Jam Through

Level 7: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Eng Loong Choi

Eng Loong Choi kicked off the hand with a raise to 20,000 and big blind Simon Hoffmann defended to go hunting down the streets.

Choi continued for 10,000 on the flop J♦ 2♠ A♣ and another :35,000 on the turn K♠ . Hoffmann check-called both to fill up the board with a river card 3♥ .

With 134,000 left, Choi went all in, Hoffmann gave it a bit of thought then tossed his hand in the muck.

Player	Chips
SH Simon HoffmannGermany	340,000(34 BB)
EL Eng Loong ChoiMalaysia	209,000(21 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 9:25:50 AM

Kobashigawa Gets Lucky On Chang

Level 7: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Toshimitsu Kobashigawa three-bet jammed and open-raiser Carlos Chang attempted to clean him out. Kobashigawa flipped over A♣ 8♣ and Chang was headed in that direction with A♥ K♥ .

However, the poker gods had other plans as it quickly paired up Kobashigawa's kicker card that held throughout the board 8♠ 3♦ Q♥ 7♠ T♦ .

Player	Chips
TK Toshimitsu KobashigawaJapan	290,000(29 BB)
CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	205,000(21 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 9:15:11 AM

Cho Dominates For A Double Up

Level 7: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Jaegeol Cho

At middle position, Kiyoung Kim had 65,000 out front and was tanking on Jaegeol Cho's button shove of 209,000. After a minute of restlessness, he called and the frustration continued with his kicker behind.

Jaegeol Cho: A♥ K♠

Kiyoung Kim: A♣ Q♦

No bad beat cards found the board 5♥ 6♣ 9♥ 7♥ K♦ instead Cho further improved on the river to secure a double up.

Player	Chips
JC Jaegeol ChoSouth Korea	443,000(44 BB)
KK Kiyoung KimSouth Korea	230,000(23 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 9:05:32 AM

Johan Takes The Rest Of Li's Stack

Level 7: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Vincent Li could not keep his stack intact and at the start of the new level, he was down to just 63,000. He put it all on the line and found one caller in Jimmy Johan out of the small blind.

Vincent Li: A♠ 9♦

Jimmy Johan: Q♣ J♣

Li had the slight edge with the ace but Johan's cards were live. One of them quickly paired up on the flop and held through the runout K♣ J♠ 5♥ 7♥ T♠ to eliminate Li.

Player	Chips
JJ Jimmy JohanIndonesia	445,000(45 BB)
KN Kwun Ngai Vincent LiHong Kong	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 8:45:59 AM

Break Time

Level 6: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Players are now on another 15-minute break. 49 players remain with ITM at 25.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 8:35:42 AM

Alfonso Barrels Into 1M

Level 6: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Billy Alfonso

Billy Alfonso was teetering on the edge and finally crossed the seven digit marker after taking charge in a hand against Jin Woo Jung.

Raising the minimum from under the gun, Alfonso continued the barrage after Jung called on the button.

On the flop 9♦ 8♦ 2♠ , Alfonso bet 30,000, and another 55,000 on the turn 4♥ . Both were called by Jung to take them to the river where the 9♣ paired the board. Alfonso fired once more, albeit a larger 125,000 bet, and this was enough to claim the pot through sheer aggression.

Player	Chips
BA Billy AlfonsoPhilippines	1,150,000(144 BB)
JJ Jinwoo JungSouth Korea	218,000(27 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 8:25:55 AM

Park's Kicker Plays to Earn The Max

Level 6: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

With a pot of around 240,000 and a board showing 2♥ 4♦ Q♣ J♥ 5♠ , Kuo Kai Ma's shove sent Chulho Park tanking. It took two time banks before he decided to call for his tournament life.

Ma flipped over K♠ 8♣ , Park excitedly turned over K♥ Q♥ for the better kicker.

Player	Chips
CH Chul Ho ParkSouth Korea	768,000(96 BB)
KK Kuo Kai MaTaiwan	70,000(9 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 8:10:02 AM

Yang's Hooks Send Kang To The Rail

Level 6: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Wongyu Kang looked down at A♣ K♣ and gave it a bump to 16,000. Two spots over, Kai Yang pumped it up more to make it 47,000 to with J♦ J♣ on hand.

Action back on Kang, he four-bet but before the count Yang snap-shoved and Kang snap-called for his tournament life.

Upon revealing, it was fifty-fifty for Kang however the board refused to grant it running a low 4♠ 7♠ 2♥ 7♦ 4♣ to end his run and Yang to catapult to 950,000. Yang is now one of the biggest stacks in the field.

Player	Chips
KY Kai YangUnited States of America	950,000(119 BB)
WK Wongyu KangSouth Korea	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 8:00:06 AM

Massive Stacks

Level 6: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Juhyung Son

Two players have distanced themselves from the pack…

Player	Chips
JS Juhyung SonSouth Korea	1,270,000(159 BB)
BA Billy AlfonsoPhilippines	955,000(119 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 7:50:19 AM

Enriquez's Suckout Denied By Asehan

Level 6: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Edgar Asehan

First to act Edgar Asehan opened and a fews spots over Li Chi Feng three-bet to 50,000. Following several folds, button player Kim Enriquez tossed in his short stack of 36,000 and action was back on Asehan after the blinds got out of the way.

Asehan shoved and isolated the action after Feng backed down.

Kim Enriquez: A♠ K♠

Edgar Asehan: T♣ T♥

Asehan was slightly ahead at the flip and surged further ahead with a set on the flop J♠ 5♦ , then Enriquez turned the Q♥ for Broadway and overtook.

Asehan still had outs to avoid losing the hand, and one of them appeared on the river with the Q♠ pairing the board for a full house and takedown.

Player	Chips
EA Edgar AsehanPhilippines	570,000(71 BB)
CF Chih Feng LiTaiwan	260,000(33 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 7:40:02 AM

Short Stacked Lin Hangs in There

Level 5: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Down to just 82,000, Yu Ying Lin three-bet all in and initial raiser Chung Hsin Chen tossed in the one-chip call.

Yu Ying Lin: A♥ Q♥

Chung Hsin Chen: K♣ Q♦

Lin was in good shape for a double up with top kicker which held on a board of 2♣ T♦ Q♣ J♣ T♥ .

Player	Chips
CH Chung Hsin ChenTaiwan	260,000(43 BB)
YY Yu Ying LinTaiwan	184,000(31 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 7:25:23 AM

Chu Takes It On A Four-Bet

Level 5: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

From early position, Luke Brendan min-clicked only to see his next door neighbor Jaehyeok Ha three-bet to 36,000.

Everyone folded around to the big blind Tao Chu who defended with a four-bet to 100,000. Brendan quickly let go while Ha gave it a bit of thought before letting go as well.

Player	Chips
JH Jaehyeok HaSouth Korea	362,000(60 BB)
BL Brendan Luke McmanusUnited Kingdom	307,000(51 BB)
TC Tao ChuTaiwan	260,000(43 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 7:10:28 AM

Wu Back To Starting

Level 5: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Late entry player Chiayun Wu was down below half stack then doubled up through Soon Jo Kwon to return to where he started the day.

Wu was all in with A♣ 5♣ and won the flip against Kwon's 4♦ 4♥ with a full house dealt immediately on the flop. By the turn, Kwon was drawing dead.

Player	Chips
SK Soonjo KwonSouth Korea	216,000(36 BB)
CW Chiayun WuTaiwan	120,000(20 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 7:00:35 AM

Jung Value-Bets The River

Level 5: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Sangjun Jung

A big pot of 87,000 was already weighing down the middle of the felt with two players fueling it further on the flop Q♦ T♣ 9♦ .

Huang Yu Chen started it off with a 35,000 bet from under the gun position and button player Sangjun Jung called.

The turn 6♠ slowed down Chen giving Jung the reins which he used to slide out 75,000. Chen called and the final card was tabled, the A♥ on the river.

Again Chen led with a check while Jung spent one time-bank before betting 135,000. Chen assessed the board for over a minute and decided to pay up to see Jung's hand.

Jung flipped over A♦ Q♣ two pair and it was good to claim the big pot and rise to rise to the upper ranks.

Player	Chips
JS Jung SangjunSouth Korea	744,000(124 BB)
HY Huan Yu ChenTaiwan	630,000(105 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 6:50:20 AM

Big Stacks At The New Level

Level 5: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Player	Chips
JS Juhyung SonSouth Korea	755,000(126 BB)
HY Huan Yu ChenTaiwan	740,000(123 BB)
BA Billy AlfonsoPhilippines	710,000(118 BB)
SH Shun Hei LeeHong Kong	610,000(102 BB)
KK Kiyoung KimSouth Korea	585,000(98 BB)
WK Wei Kai LinTaiwan	558,000(93 BB)
JC Jaegeol ChoSouth Korea	501,000(84 BB)
CL Chun Lung WongHong Kong	475,000(79 BB)
CY Chen Yu HungTaiwan	464,000(77 BB)
KN Kwun Ngai Vincent LiHong Kong	460,000(77 BB)
CH Chung Hsin ChenTaiwan	452,000(75 BB)
HH Hengzhe HuTaiwan	434,000(72 BB)
KY Kai YangUnited States of America	430,000(72 BB)
JJ Jinwoo JungSouth Korea	430,000(72 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 6:30:42 AM

Break Time

Level 4: 2,500 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

First 15-minute break of the day with 80 players remaining. When they return, the hunt continues for one of the 25 spots to ITM.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 6:20:37 AM

Shiao Survives The Flip

Level 4: 2,500 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

From early position, Long Hin Shiao min-raised then was challenged for all of his chips by Sangjun Jung who three-bet shoved.

After taking over a minute to decide, Shiao risked it and he was flipping with overcards against Jung's made pair.

Long Hin Shia: A♦ Q♦

Sangjun Jung: 7♠ 7♦

The flop of 9♦ 6♦ J♥ increased Shiao's chances to survive, and with the turn Q♥ he improved to a bigger pair. The river K♠ ensured Shiao's win to double up into decent health.

Player	Chips
LH Long Hin ShiaoHong Kong	176,500(35 BB)
JS Jung SangjunSouth Korea	81,000(16 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 6:05:47 AM

Cho Catches Feng Bluffing

Level 4: 2,500 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Li Chih Feng and Jaegeol Cho were the last two players battling for a pot that ballooned to 102,500 by the time the board reached the river T♣ 5♣ T♥ 3♠ J♥ .

First to act on the big blind position, Feng fired a bet of 90,000 that sent Cho tanking until two time banks were spent before he decided to call.

It was the right decision as Feng was caught bluffing with A♥ 4♠ . Cho scooped up the pot with a winning Q♥ Q♠ .

Player	Chips
JC Jaegeol ChoSouth Korea	378,000(76 BB)
CF Chih Feng LiTaiwan	70,000(14 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 5:50:59 AM

Lees At Opposite Ends

Level 4: 2,500 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Following a min-raise from Ching En Chen on the button, small blind Dong Jae Lee jammed his last 62,500 hoping to steal the pot but big blind Gyeonbyeong Lee reraised to isolate the action.

Dong Jae Lee: A♣ 9♣

Gyeongbyeong Lee: A♥ Q♥

Dong Jae Lee did not like his odds and expressed it saying “ay yay yay”, but as the flop ran 3♥ K♣ J♣ it was Gyeongbyeong's turn let out “ay yay yay” with a flush draw on the board.

The sweat for both players ended when the turn 6♠ and river 4♥ completed the board. Dong Jae Lee missed the flush and packed up and left as Gyeongbyeong Lee raked it in.

Player	Chips
GL Gyeongbyeong LeeSouth Korea	240,000(48 BB)
CE Ching En ChenTaiwan	75,000(15 BB)
DJ Dong Jae LeeSouth Korea	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 5:40:03 AM

Asehan Rails Liu On A Cooler

Level 4: 2,500 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Plenty of action preflop starting with an early raise that was called, followed by button player Jen Li Liu three-betting 40,000 then small blind Edgar Asehan four-bet to 80,000. Everyone checked back to Liu who went all in another 90,000. Asehan snap-called and showed the nuts.

Jen Li Liu: K♥ K♠

Edgar Asehan: A♠ A♥

With both players holding the same suits, Liu was in a world of hurt, needing for a miracle to stay in his seat however none were given as the board ran 8♣ 7♥ 5♠ Q♥ 6♥ .

Player	Chips
EA Edgar AsehanPhilippines	475,000(95 BB)
JL Jenli LiuTaiwan	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 5:25:46 AM

Weng Finishes Off Short Stacked Suh

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

Chien Chih Weng

With everyone folding to the button Soonjong Suh, he went all in for his last ten big blinds and was denied the steal with Maggie Weng calling from the small blind.

Soonjung Suh: A♥ 8♠

Maggie Weng: K♠ 9♠

Suh was ahead but not for long. Weng paired up on the flop and it held throughout the board T♠ 9♥ T♣ 2♣ Q♠ to send Suh packing up and out.

Player	Chips
CC Chien Chih WengTaiwan	147,000(37 BB)
SS Soonjong SuhSouth Korea	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 5:20:30 AM

Full Value For Pape's Rockets

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

Piet Pape

Piet Pape entered the day with a substantial stack but lost a large portion of it but has now recovered with aces giving paying in full.

The hand opened with a min-raise from Chulho Park, Pape three-bet to 20,000, then Jin Woo Jung squeezed to 100,000. Park got out of the way while Pape announced all-in for his tournament life for a total of 135,000. Jung topped up and they flipped them over.

Piet Pape: A♠ A♦

Jin Woo Jung: K♣ Q♥

Pape was far ahead and scooped the pot after the board ran out 7♠ 2♠ 3♣ J♠ Q♦

Player	Chips
PP Piet PapeGermany	288,000(72 BB)
JJ Jinwoo JungSouth Korea	255,000(64 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 5:15:01 AM

Argao Pushes to the Limit

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

Maria Cristina Argao

Maria Cristina Argao opened 10,000 from hijack and big blind Sangjun Jung defended to bring the action to the flop 8♣ J♣ 9♥ .

Jung checked to the aggressor Argao who continued to represent with a bet of 12,000 that was called again.

On the turn 5♣ , Jung checked like previous then Argao cranked it up all the way, moving all in for her last 84,000. This sent Jung into the think tank until he burned through a time-bank before surrendering his hand.

Player	Chips
JS Jung SangjunSouth Korea	145,000(36 BB)
MC Maria Cristina ArgaoPhilippines	134,000(34 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 5:05:55 AM

Figuerres Back On The Hunt

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

Joshua Figuerres

Joshua Figuerres is one the flight's last second registrants and quickly put all of his chips on the line. Eng Loong Choi had him covered and they went flipping.

Joshua Figuerres: A♥ K♣

Eng Loong Choi: J♥ J♣

With a king on the flop 9♠ 7♦ K♥ , Figuerres jumped ahead and held on through the runout 8♥ 8♣ to secure a double up as Choi took a big dip.

Player	Chips
JF Joshua FiguerresPhilippines	248,000(62 BB)
EL Eng Loong ChoiMalaysia	85,000(21 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 5:00:16 AM

Hung Puts Sharma On the Ropes

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

Chen Yu Hung

Catching the action on a board showing 5♠ 3♦ 9♥ 8♣ and a hefty 91,500 in the pot, Nishant Sharma checked then Sam Hung put him on the ropes with a shove.

Sharma was well covered and after several seconds, he opted not to risk it to award Hung the pot uncontested.

Player	Chips
CY Chen Yu HungTaiwan	485,000(121 BB)
NS Nishant SharmaIndia	59,000(15 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 4:45:05 AM

Lee Fires Down Every Street

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

Shun Hei Lee

Shun Hei Lee continued where he left off yesterday, taking charge of the table. In a recent hand, he raised from under the gun and big blind Wutikrai Phraikheo defended to head down the streets.

Lee was unrelenting, firing 12,000 at the flop 9♠ 2♦ 7♦ and 20,000 on the turn 2♣ , both of which were called by Phraikhieo to reach the river where the 9♦ appeared.

With two pair on the board, Lee was unfazed, betting 58,000, Phraikhieo counted out his remaining stack then opted to let go of his hand.

Player	Chips
SH Shun Hei LeeHong Kong	530,000(133 BB)
WP Wutikrai PhraikhieoThailand	147,000(37 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/15/2026, 4:30:26 AM

Cards In the Air! Registration Closed For Flight D

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

That's it! Cards are back in the air at Flight D which means registration has officially closed with 120 entries. The race is now for a spot at ITM which is 17 players. Good luck to all!

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

1/14/2026, 7:30:57 PM

Last Chance To Enter The Main Event; 81 Return For Flight D

The Gods of Poker Taipei Main Event kicks off today, January 15 with Flight D registration still open until the start of Level 3 at 12:30 PM. Players that sign up will enter with 120,000 in chips, equivalent to 30 big blinds.

Once the clock starts running for Level 3, Flight D registration ends. The remaining players continue on until ITM is reached. With its deep structure, blinds increase every 60 minutes, giving players plenty of time to maneuver.

At 6:00 PM, Flight E joins on the floor. This is the last flight offered with registration closing at 9:30 PM. Level 1 blinds run at a 60 minute pace and Level 2 blinds run at a 120 minute pace. Once Level 3 starts, blinds increase at a faster 20 minute pace.

Returning to the felt today are the 81 players that survived Flight D - Day 1. You can track their action via the live updates right here.

SMPSMP

1/14/2026, 5:16:53 PM

Qualifiers from Day1D-1

Player	Chips
KK Kiyoung KimSouth Korea	581,500
HY Huan Yu ChenTaiwan	569,500
HY Ho Yi ChangTaiwan	529,500
CH Chung Hsin ChenTaiwan	486,000
BA Billy AlfonsoPhilippines	482,500
SH Shun Hei LeeHong Kong	480,000
CY Chen Yu HungTaiwan	459,500
JJ Jimmy JohanIndonesia	433,000
CW Chi Wen SungTaiwan	416,000
HH Hengzhe HuTaiwan	407,000
JH Jaehyeok HaSouth Korea	404,000
CP Chulho ParkSouth Korea	373,000
QY Qing Yu CaiChina	369,000
KO Kazuki OkamotoJapan	360,000
CT Chia Ta TsaiTaiwan	340,500
JN John Niko CostinianoPhilippines	315,000
JJ Jinwoo JungSouth Korea	303,500
JY Jintae YangSouth Korea	302,000
PP Piet PapeGermany	298,000
SK Soonjo KwonSouth Korea	279,500
TC Tao ChuTaiwan	273,000
JS Juhyung SonSouth Korea	265,000
DL Dongying LingSingapore	261,000
EL Eng Loong ChoiMalaysia	255,500
KB Kok Beng TanMalaysia	245,000
SY Seungmin YuSouth Korea	244,500
CL Chun Lung WongHong Kong	241,000
CC Carlos ChangTaiwan	232,000
JS Jung SangjunSouth Korea	228,500
RK Raiden Kan Yew FattHong Kong	227,000
ZC Zong Chi HeTaiwan	223,000
JK Jinsoo KimSouth Korea	218,000
YC Yi Cheng LoTaiwan	215,000
DY Dong YanCanada	208,500
YT Yuan Tu WenTaiwan	206,000
JC Jaegeol ChoSouth Korea	205,000
WP Wutikrai PhraikhieoThailand	197,000
ZY Zhi Yu WangTaiwan	196,000
GJ Gwanu JuSouth Korea	191,500
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	190,000
YL Yohwan LimSouth Korea	184,000
HK Hayato KitajimaJapan	182,000
YK Yusuke KawanishiJapan	181,500
YY Yiu Yeung LeungHong Kong	176,500
SH Simon HoffmannGermany	173,000
AK Akihiro KawaguchiJapan	166,000
CT Chien Te LeeTaiwan	159,500
BL Brendan Luke McmanusUnited Kingdom	157,500
AL Anson LauHong Kong	156,500
EA Edgar AsehanPhilippines	154,500
NK Nishant KumarIndia	149,000
SC Shao Chien PengTaiwan	146,000
KY Kai YangUnited States of America	145,500
LH Long Hin ShiaoHong Kong	141,000
JL Jenli LiuTaiwan	140,500
WK Wongyu KangSouth Korea	139,500
DJ Dong Jae LeeSouth Korea	134,000
GJ Guo Jin ZengTaiwan	131,000
SJ Soo Jo KimSouth Korea	130,500
HH Ho Hoi ChoyHong Kong	129,000
HC Hon Cheong LeeHong Kong	128,000
AL Alan LauHong Kong	126,500
YH Yuan Hsu LeeTaiwan	122,000
FK Fendy KosasihIndonesia	121,500
JC Junghun ChoiSouth Korea	121,000
CH Chia Hsiang KoTaiwan	120,000
CC Chien Chih WengTaiwan	120,000
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	120,000
JL Junho LeeSouth Korea	120,000
DS Dicky Siu Hang TsangHong Kong	118,000
HK Hogyun KangSouth Korea	110,000
JK Jaeyoon KimSouth Korea	104,000
GL Gyeongbyeong LeeSouth Korea	103,000
WT Wai Tung CheungHong Kong	97,000
WT Wai Tsun TangHong Kong	92,000
SJ Sung Jin YunSouth Korea	89,000
WT Woon Tshung YeoMalaysia	63,500
CJ Chan Justin Pak KwanHong Kong	54,500
YS Yi Shing YiuHong Kong	54,000
KS Kil Soo KimSouth Korea	51,500
KW Katsutoshi WatanabeJapan	50,000