NLH Master - Day 2

After an intense eleven-hour battle, Ha Seong Min's determination paid off with a victory at today’s NLH Master games. Ha triumphed over a massive field of 521 entries and secured a career best score of NTD 870,000 (~USD 26,275) for his impressive display. In addition to his winnings, Ha earned his first ever TMT trophy, proudly resembling the map of Taiwan.

Only 79 runners returned to the felt this Wednesday, January 15th, each guaranteed a share of the NTD 6,822,500 (~USD 206,045) prize pool. By midday, more than half the field had already been eliminated with Ha stacking atop the charts. The South Korean contender stormed to the lead as the final three tables approached after a mishap from Day 2 frontrunner Zheng Xuan Cai awarded Ha an eighty big blind pot straight away. Ha carried this advantage all the way through the final table, allowing him to kick off the action with a third of the chips in play in arm.

With a commanding position, Ha extended his lead even further, having delivered the first three eliminations by the first hour. His momentum however, soon hit a major bump following five costly showdowns that saw his stack dip below the average. Despite the setback, Ha’s aggression allowed him to bounce back in the game with Australia's Jonty O'Brien bearing the brunt of it. Local runner Tai Yu Cheng on the other hand, managed to catch a double bust, eliminating both Lance De Vera and O'Brien in third and fourth place respectively, to come into heads up play with a 20 big blind lead.

The final two contenders agreed to an ICM deal right before the duel began, guaranteeing Cheng a bigger payout of NTD 919,500 (~USD 27,770) and only the trophy left to be decided. It took just half an hour for Ha to clinch the win, with the final hand seeing his pocket sixes hold over Cheng's queen-nine of spades.

Reflecting on his triumph, Ha related to the SMP Team that he feels proud of this recent feat and had an undeniably great experience at the world-class venue (CTP Asia Poker Arena) .As for his celebration, Ha plans to toast his victory with friends over drinks - a well-deserved moment to remember in time!

NLH Master

Date/s: January 13-15, 2025

Buy-in: NTD 15,000 (~USD 460)

Guarantee: NTD 4,000,000 (~USD 120,800)

Prize pool: NTD 6,822,500 (~USD 206,045)

Entries: 521

ITM: 79 places

Final Table Results

Tai Yu Cheng raised all-in on the button for 2,500,000 and was called by his opponent, Ha Seong Min.

Gunning for overcards, Cheng found one on board Q♦ T♦ 8♥ K♠ but had his hopes quickly swept away as the river 6♦ landed a set for Ha to close the games.

Another limp pot saw a flop of 2♠ 6♦ 6♥ . Action checked round to turn Q♣ , where Ha Seong Min bet all-in. Tai Yu Cheng called off his last 1,100,000 with 8♥ 2♦ and was ahead against Ha's 9♣ 4♣ . River A♠ made no difference, shipping Cheng the win with two pair.

Tai Yu Cheng limped on the button once more and was met with a raise to 400,000 from Ha Seong Min. Cheng stood his ground and shoved 2,375,000 in, and picked up the pot uncontested.

Tai Yu Cheng limp called 350,000 on the button, revealing flop 6♣ 6♦ 2♥ . Both checked it through to turn 4♦ , where Ha Seong Min bet 250,000. Cheng failed to continue once more, earning Ha another pot.

A limp pot dealt a flop of 5♦ K♥ 7♣ , where Tai Yu Cheng fast tracked the action with a check raise to 400,000. Ha Seong Min continued to turn 9♦ , and called another 650,000. On river 8♥ , Cheng barreled a final 1,450,000, and was snap called by Ha with a straight 6♦ 2♦ , good against Cheng's single pair J♦ 8♣ .

Tai Yu Cheng limp called 425,000 on the button, and faced a 150,000 continuation bet on flop T♠ K♠ 2♥ . Cheng quickly gave it up, shipping Ha Seong Min the boost.

The two remaining players have agreed to an ICM deal with Tai Yu Cheng taking the bigger share off of the NTD 6,822,500 (~USD 206,045) prize pool. Play will continue with only the TMT trophy left at stake.

Adjusted Payouts

Tai Yu Cheng - NTD 919,500

Ha Seong Min - NTD 870,000

NLH Master action is down to heads up with Taiwan's Tai Yu Cheng holding the advantage against South Korea's Ha Seong Min.

Chip Counts

Remaining Payouts

Tai Yu Cheng opened 275,000 utg, followed by two all-ins behind - Jonty O'Brien (1,150,000) and Lance De Vera (3,275,000). Cheng made the final call, risking half his stack for a three way showdown.

Cheng instantly flopped the nut flush on board 2♦ 5♦ 7♦ 2♣ 3♠ , delivering the double bust just as the runout completed.

Down to his last 475,000, Jonty O'Brien got it in on the big blind and faced button raiser Tai Yu Cheng at showdown.

O'Brien easily secured the double up, having landed top pair on board 2♦ 4♦ 9♥ 6♠ 7♥ for another run at the title.

With 1,200,000 in the middle across board 7♠ Q♦ 9♠ T♣ K♠ , Ha Seong Min led all-in for his last 2,375,000 and was called behind by Jonty O'Brien. Ha showed a flush T♠ 8♠ , crushing O'Brien's broadway straight A♦ J♠ entirely.

Tai Yu Cheng open shoved 2,525,000 on the button and was challenged by Ha Seong Min on the small blind.

Up for a flip, Cheng's pocket pair held on board 6♣ 4♥ 2♣ 7♠ 8♣ , shooting him back up the counts.

Lance De Vera opened 250,000 on the small blind, called behind by Tai Yu Cheng. On board A♥ 8♦ 3♠ 6♦ Q♦ , De Vera triple barreled - 300,000, 450,000, and a final all-in for 1,925,000. Tai check called two streets yet laid it down after De Vera proceeded with aggression.

Facing an open and a call, Jun Yu Du squeezed all-in on the big blind for 975,000 and was called by initial raiser Jonty O'Brien.

In search of an ace, Du's hopes came crashing down as his opponent landed a boat on board 8♠ Q♥ J♥ J♣ T♣ to take the win.

Lance De Vera open jammed 1,325,000 utg and was called by Ha Seong Min on the button.

In for a race, De Vera's suited ace pulled through on board 5♦ K♦ A♥ 3♦ 3♥ , leaving Ha to pay up a fourth time around.

Tai Yu Cheng shoved 1,825,000 from the big blind against Ha Seong Min's utg open, and saw the latter make the call.

A pocket pair battle, Ha's eights were no match against Cheng's cowboys all the way through A♥ 7♥ Q♣ 2♣ 9♣ , costing Ha another 18 big blinds off his stack.

Ha Seong Min shoved all-in against a late position open and saw Jun Yu Du behind, call off his remaining 550,000. Initial raiser opted out, and the two ran board 8♦ 2♠ 2♣ A♦ Q♠ . Du's pocket pair held for the win, earning him the much needed double up.

Tai Yu Cheng pushed 925,000 on the small blind and saw Ha Seong Min rise to the challenge.

Flipping for his tournament life, the suspense disappeared straight away after Cheng flopped a set on board A♥ J♥ 8♣ 5♣ 9♠ to secure the advantage.

Lai Hsuan Yu opened 200,000 utg and was met with a 650,000 three bet from Ha Seong Min on the small blind. Lai answered with an all-in for 1,725,000 total, snap called by his opponent.

A huge underdog, Lai failed to catch up on board 9♣ 2♣ 8♠ 7♦ J♣ , sending him out a few places shy of a podium finish.

Chan Sim pushed his last 575,000 in on the cutoff and was looked up by Ha Seong Min right on the big blind.

Sim dominated, exited the final table shortly after board 5♣ J♠ 8♥ J♣ 3♦ turned up on the felt.

Lai Hsuan Yu raised all-in on the cutoff and saw Jonty O'Brien call for his 1,375,000 stack a seat after.

Board Q♣ 9♦ 7♦ K♠ T♥ ran a once card straight for O'Brien, costing Lai a huge chunk off his stack.

Lance De Vera opened 200,000 utg but tank folded after table captain Ha Seong Min raised the stakes to 550,000.

Lance De Vera opened 185,000 utg, and was met with a raise to 440,000 from Lai Hsuan Yu on the button. De Vera four bet jammed the rest, pushing Lai out of the action instantly.

Hung Chang Lin went with K♠ 6♦ for his last 505,000 and was put to the test by Ha Seong Min with Q♦ T♥ .

Looking to double up, Hung instead headed for the rails as the river J♦ 3♠ 2♦ J♣ Q♥ landed two pair for Ha to take him out.

Ha Seong Min opened to 160,000 and called Jonty O'Brien short stack shove for 600,000.

Board 9♣ 5♠ 8♣ 8♠ 4♦ missed to connect with either player, leaving O'Brien's ace-high good for the takedown.

Hung Chang Lin opened 160,000 on the cutoff and called Jun Yu Du's all-in for 180,000 more.

Running a flip, Du was glad to flop a set on board 7♦ 5♠ 4♠ Q♠ J♥ to survive through.

Tai Yu Cheng defended his big blind against Ha Seong Min's utg open and headed to flop Q♠ 8♦ 7♣ . Action checked round to turn 2♠ , where Ha bet 90,000. Tai check called one street and arrived at showdown shortly after Ha checked back river 2♦ . Tai showed A♦ 8♥ , good enough to win the pot.

Lai Hsuan Yu opened on the cutoff and was met with a 760,000 three bet from Lance De Vera on the big blind. Lai responded with an all-in for 1,550,000, called by De Vera.

A flip for 40 big blinds, board 6♥ 5♥ 3♠ Q♠ A♥ went in favor of Lai's overcards, allowing him to hold on to his seat.

Chan Sim opened 120,000 utg, followed by a 300,000 three bet from Tai Yu Cheng behind. Lai Hsuan Yu on the small blind, pushed all-in for 1,010,000 total, and shipped the pot unchallenged.

Following eight hours on the floor, the 78-player NLH Master Day 2 field is officially down to its final eight players with South Korea's Ha Seong Min in the lead. Ha has been stacking atop the counts since the last three tables, and has continued to extend his lead further level after level. Each final table contender is now guaranteed NTD 154,000 (~USD 4,700) in winnings, backed by a chance to claim the NTD 1,048,500 (~USD 31,985) top prize!

NLH Master

Date/s: January 13-15, 2025

Buy-in: NTD 15,000 (~USD 460)

Guarantee: NTD 4,000,000 (~USD 120,800)

Prize pool: NTD 6,822,500 (~USD 206,045)

Entries: 521

ITM: 79 places

Day 1A: 231 entries / 35 qualified

Day 1B: 290 entries / 44 qualified

Day 2/ Final: 79 players

Final Table Chip Counts

A blind vs blind battle saw Lance De Vera open to 150,000, called behind by Kun Han Lee. On flop 2♦ J♥ 4♥ , De Vera continued for 180,000 and went on to shove all-in against Lee's 520,000 raise. Lee called off with top pair for his 420,000 behind, and is in rough shape against De Vera's higher kicker.

Lance De Vera Q♦ J♠

Kun Han Lee J♣ T♣

No help for Lee arrived on either turn 6♦ or river 4♦ , sealing his elimination as the final table bubble.

Ha Seong Min opened 120,000 on the cutoff and was priced in to call after Ka Shun Tsang moved all-in behind for 265,000 total.

Tsang at risk, headed out shortly after board Q♦ J♠ 6♠ Q♠ 2♣ ran a flush for his opponent.

Jun Yu Du opened 120,000 on the cutoff and called Lance De Vera's all-in for 1,065,000 total.

A crucial spot, De Vera was in luck to flop the nuts outright on board 4♥ 7♥ T♥ T♠ 8♠ , dodging a potential elimination deep in the game.

Action folded to Jun Zhong Wang on the small blind, prompting him to push 570,000 in. Ha Seong Min afforded the call and put Wang at risk.

Running a race, Ha's momentum remained unbeatable, crushing his opponent swiftly with two pair on board Q♣ 5♣ 2♦ 9♥ T♥ .

Park Jaehyung committed 180,000 on the button, leaving himself 5,000 behind. Lai Hsuan Yu on the small blind, made the call and flicked in the rest on flop K♦ 3♦ 3♠ .

Lai Hsuan Yu K♦ 9♣

Park Jaehyung A♠ Q♥

Park, in need to catch up, failed to do so on runout 8♥ 6♣ , cutting his hopes of an NLH Master victory.

Woo Seok Kim went with A♠ 6♦ for his last 320,000 and was called by initial raiser Jun Yu Du with a better A♦ 9♥ .

Gunning for at least a chop, the board 7♠ 2♠ 7♣ K♥ 3♦ unfortunately, left Kim in pieces, sending him out a few places short of the final table.

Ha Seong Min defended his big blind vs a 150,000 button open from Lance De Vera, and went on to check jam on flop Q♥ 5♣ 4♦ . De Vera tanked and eventually let it go, open folding J♠ J♣ .

Chan Sim opened 100,000 utg and called 85,000 more following a jam from Woo Seok Kim on the small blind.

An ace high battle, Kim's better kicker ran in play on board A♦ 3♦ 4♥ 9♣ T♣ , securing him a boost back to nine big blinds.

Woo Seok Kim pushed 590,000 utg and saw Jun Yu Du on the button, call off for his lesser 380,000.

In for a flip, Du's pocket pair held on board 7♣ 9♥ 3♠ 6♦ 5♣ , keeping him in the running for the NLH Master title.

Park Jaehyung raised 165,000 on the cutoff, leaving himself 10,000 behind. Jonty O'Brien made the call on the big blind, and got the rest in on flop A♥ 7♠ 8♠ .

Jonty O'Brien 5♦ 3♥

Park Jaehyung A♦ 9♥

Ahead with top pair, Park secured the double up shorty after turn K♦ and river J♠ rolled on the table.

Ha Seong Min completed his big blind vs Lai Hsuan Yu's early open, and check called 75,000 on flop 9♣ A♠ 5♠ . Lai barreled another 200,000 on turn 8♠, and called 300,000 more following a check raise from Ha. Lai however, quickly gave it up on river 2♦ after Ha pulled the trigger with an all-in.

Chan Sim opened 100,000 utg+1 and called 170,000 more following an all-in from Anton Widjaya on the big blind.

Widjaya right on the ropes, failed to hang on as board T♥ Q♣ 8♣ K♣ A♣ landed Chan two pair to knock him out.

David Erquiaga shoved 560,000 against Tai Yu Cheng's hijack open and saw the latter put him to the test.

In terrible shape, Erquiaga's move cost him his tournament life after completely missing to connect with board 3♣ Q♣ 4♠ Q♠ 4♦ for his elimination.

Kai Hung Hu defended his big blind against Chan Sim's 80,000 open, and check called for his last 20,000 on flop A♥ 6♦ 6♠.

Chan Sim Q♦ Q♠

Kai Hung Hu 9♦ 4♦

Drawing only to a runner runner, Hu exited the arena shortly after turn 2♣ and river A♦ completed the board.

Park Jaehyung defended his hijack open and called a 180,000 three bet from Tai Yu Cheng on the button. Action on board K♦ Q♣ J♦ 5♦ K♥ was checked down to the river, where Park led 330,000. Cheng raised all-in for 365,000 more, convincing Park to save his chips.

Hsuan Cheng Lai open shoved 660,000 on the hijack and saw Lai Hsuan Yu on the button, push likewise, slightly covering his opponent.

In for a flip, Lai's overcards quickly paired up on board K♦ J♥ J♣ J♦ T♣ , sending Hsuan's pocket pair towards the muck.

Tai Yu Cheng defended his big blind vs Park Jaehyung's button open, dealing flop 2♠ 2♣ 7♦ . Action checked round to turn 5♥ , where Cheng check called another 80,000. Both players checked down river 5♠ , revealing Cheng's 9♦ 8♦ , no good against Park's two pair king kicker K♦ 4♦ .

Anton Widjaya raised all-in for 210,000 utg+1 and was called by Hung Chang Lin on the button.

Board 8♣ 7♠ 6♥ 5♥ 3♠ ran dry for both, awarding Widjaya the win with ace-high.

Jonty O'Brien pushed all-in on the cutoff and saw Feng Wen Chen call off for his last 320,000 for a flip.

Board 3♦ K♥ 5♦ 2♥ Q♦ quickly landed O'Brien a set, knocking Chen out of the running.

Kun Han Lee opened 80,000 on the cutoff and called 120,000 more following an all-in from Wang Zhi Yu.

In for a race, Lee kept his advantage all the way through board T♠ 5♠ A♠ T♥ 8♠ , eliminating Wang in 19th place.

Down to a single big blind just moments ago, Anton Widjaya found himself all-in once more for his last 90,000 against David Erquiaga.

Lucky for Widjaya, board 7♦ 4♦ 4♥ 8♥ K♦ landed him trip fours instantly for another double up.

Tai Yu Cheng opened 60,000 on the button and faced a 180,000 three bet from Lance De Vera on the big blind. Cheng decided to four bet shove his big stack in, only to be snap called by De Vera for his entire 845,000.

Crushed against the rockets, Cheng forked over nearly half his stack as board 9♦ 6♣ J♠ 6♦ J♦ sealed his fate.

Anton Widjaya opened 350,000 on the hijack and saw Chan Sim on the big blind, call off for his tournament life.

A classic NLH flip, Widjaya's overcards were no match for Sim's ladies on board Q♦ 8♥ 2♠ 6♦ Q♠ as it ran quads for the win.

Lai Hsuan Yu limp called for his remaining 310,000 on the small blind after Tai Yu Cheng raised all-in right behind.

Tai a huge underdog, flopped some hope with a straight draw on Q♦ T♠ 5♠ . The runout A♠ T♦ , however bricked for the big stack, earning Lai the pot with two pair.

Hung Chang Lin open shoved 400,000 utg+1 and saw Ka Shun Tsang on the big blind, rise to the challenge.

Hung, a favorite to win, did so on board 5♦ T♦ 9♦ K♥ 2♣ , leaving Tsang at a loss.

Ci Hong Ho opened 50,000 on the cutoff and called 120,000 more following an all-in from Wang Zhi Yu.

Whilst ahead, Ci suffered another beat as the river on board A♠ 4♥ 3♦ Q♣ T♦ ran two pair for Wang to take the win.

A blind vs blind clash saw Jun Yu Du at risk for his last 150,000 against Ci Hong Ho.

Du with the advantage, secured the double up shortly after board K♥ Q♥ 3♣ T♣ 4♣ ran on the felt.

Hong Yu Huang committed his last 140,000 with A♠ J♣ and was called by Kun Han Lee behind with a better A♥ K♣ .

A terrible spot for Hong, no hope arrived on board K♠ 5♦ 7♦ Q♦ 2♥ , ending his run in 24th place finish.

Feng Wen Chen pushed for 130,000, followed by another all-in for 220,000 from Jee Weon Kim. Hung Chang Lin on the button took the final spot for a three way showdown.

Running as the underdog, Chen was spared from elimination after board 7♣ 5♣ 2♥ 3♦ Q♣ landed him a set to claim the full triple up. Lin bagged the side pot, knocking out Kim in 25th place.

Chan Sim open shoved 255,000 in on the cutoff and was tank called by Zheng Xuan Cai right on the big blind.

Dominated, Zheng once again booked the loss after failing to improve on board A♥ 2♣ T♣ 3♠ 6♣ .

Ha Seong Min opened 50,000 utg+1 and was met with a 125,000 three bet from Kai Hung Hu behind. Koji Matsumoto flicked in his last 40,000, followed by another raise from Ha to 500,000. Hu tanked and eventually decided to fold, leaving the two to showdown.

Board 2♣ 3♦ 4♠ K♣ K♦ kept Ha's ladies ahead all the way through, knocking Matsumoto from the running.

Fresh off the break, Kai Hung Hu opened on the cutoff and went on to risk his entire 250,000 against Koji Matsumoto for a flip.

Board 6♣ T♠ 4♦ K♠ 6♥ paired up Hu's overcards, leaving Matsumoto crippled down to a single big blind.

Jun Yu Du opened on the button and called off for his entire 194,000 following an all-in from Wang Zhi Yu.

Running a flip, Du was glad to see his overcards pair up on board 8♣ 8♦ 2♦ 4♥ A♣ , keeping him in the NLH Master games.

Up against a button open and a call from Ha Seong Min, Zheng Xuan Cai on the big blind, squeezed all-in for over a million in chips. Ha called off his entire 766,000 with a premium pair, alarming bells on the table with 80 big blinds right in the middle.

Board J♣ 2♣ 5♥ A♦ 8♦ offered no help to Zheng's demise, sending him plummeting down below the average stack.

Ka Shun Tsang defended his big blind vs Ci Hong Ho's button open, and went on to check raise 82,000 on flop Q♥ 8♣ 5♠ . Ci padded it further to 183,000, sending Tsang deep in the tank. Tsang eventually decided to fold, shipping Ci the boost.

Park Jaehyung open shoved 142,000 utg+1 and was tank called by Jonty O'Brien right on the big blind.

In great form, Park cruised to victory on board J♦ 5♣ 7♥ A♠ K♥ , earning him a full double up along the way.

Lance De Vera opened 40,000 on the button and called 133,000 more after En Hao Chan put his tournament life on the line.

Dominated, Chan's hopes of a split pot came crashing as board T♣ T♦ 4♠ 8♣ 2♥ saw De Vera's better ace run in play.

Park Jaehyung limped on the small blind, followed by a 45,000 raise from Lance De Vera right behind. Park bumped it up further to 135,000, yet gave up the fight after De Vera moved all-in.

Hsuan Cheng Lai opened utg and snap called Chan Sim's 200,000 all-in right behind.

Sim in rough shape, was in luck to find a jack on board T♠ 3♠ 4♦ 6♥ J♠ , allowing him to survive through.

Jun Zhong Wang went with A♦ 6♠ for his last 76,000 and was called by Hung Chang Lin with Q♣ 9♥ right on the big blind.

In for a race, Wang survived the rundown, having earned the pot with a full house on board 6♥ J♥ Q♥ J♣ 6♣ .

Kai Hung Hu opened 30,000 utg, joined by two other players onto flop Q♣ 6♠ T♦ . Hu continued for 25,000, check called by Zheng Xuan Cai on the small blind. On turn 9♦ , Zheng took the lead for 100,000, and successfully convinced Hu to lay it down.

With a pot of 140,000 in the middle across board K♦ K♥ T♣ 7♦ 6♥ , action was caught on Zong Chi He with an all-in from the big blind for 98,000. Hung Chang Lin behind, made the call, only to find his A♥ A♣ head towards the muck as Zong revealed a straight 9♣ 8♦ .

Denny Kruezi open shoved 123,000 on the button and was looked up by Ci Hong Ho on the small blind.

Gunning for overcards, Kruezi found none on board J♠ T♠ 3♥ 6♥ 2♦ , ending his run completely.

Feng Wen Chen defended his big blind against Lai Hsuan Yu's 30,000 open, and check called another 40,000 on flop A♠ 9♠ T♣ . On turn 3♥ , Feng found no way to continue after Lai put him all-in.

Hong Yu Huang shoved 220,000 in against an early open and saw Sim Eun Jung call off behind for her slightly lesser 218,000 stack.

A crucial flip, Sim found none of her overcards on board Q♥ 6♦ 4♥ 5♦ T♥ , ending her run for the NLH Master trophy.

Facing an open and a call, Hessaum Sadri on the button squeezed all-in for 222,000 and was happily called by David Erquiaga.

Crushed against the rockets, Sadri headed out shortly after board 9♠ 6♣ 4♥ 3♦ 5♥ rolled on the felt.

Park Jaehyung opened on the hijack and called a 75,000 three bet from Hsu Kai Cheng on the button. Cheng continued for 40,000 on flop 6♥ J♠ T♠ , check called by Park. Both players checked turn Q♠ through to river 6♠ , where Park led 63,000. Cheng paused, and shoved for the rest, convincing Park to opt out.

Ha Seong Min opened to 24,000, followed by a 72,000 three bet from Kai Hung Hu on the button. David Erquiaga on the small blind, made it 175,000 to go and picked up the pot uncontested.