TMT Main Event (9,000 TWD)

After a relentless 20 levels of high-octane poker action, the curtain has finally dropped on Day1D of the Taiwan Millions Tournament 17 (TMT17) Main Event. Out of a field of 618 entries, only 49 battle-hardened survivors have punched their tickets to Day 2. With a jaw-dropping NTD 32,500,000 (~USD 1,000,000) guaranteed prize pool up for grabs, the stakes have never been higher. Expect to see a flood of players returning for redemption in the upcoming heats, running from Friday, January 17th, through the weekend.

Leading the charge is none other than Hong Kong’s own Ka Chuen Yip also known as Michael Yip, who sits atop the chip count mountain with a staggering 1,270,000 chips (105BB). Yip’s journey to dominance was a rollercoaster of twists and turns, but he emerged victorious, clinching the top spot after a pivotal showdown against Deng Deng Kai. Yip’s daring all-in play sent Kai packing, boosting his stack to a formidable 590,000. His momentum didn’t stop there—later, in Level 20, Yip snapped up another huge pot, showing down trip eights to obliterate Jeong In Jae’s hopes, catapulting himself to the peak of the leaderboard. Michael Yip is currently the overall chip leader of all the day 2 qualifiers.

Among the notable names advancing to Day 2 are Jeffery Lee from the USA, carrying 410,000 chips (34BB), David Erquiaga from the Philippines with a solid 512,000 (42BB), and Korea’s Park Jae Yun, who bagged 365,000 chips (30BB).

Date/s: January 12, 15-20, 2025

Buy-in: NTD 9,000 (~USD 280)

Guarantee: NTD 32,500,000 (~USD 1,000,000)

Starting stack: 25,000

Day 1A - Early Bird: 901 entries, 136 ITM / 73 qualified

Day 1B Turbo: 400 entries, 60 ITM/ 32 qualified

Day 1C: 662 entries , 100 ITM / 53 qualified

Day 1D: 618 entries,93 ITM / 49 qualified

Day 1E: Friday, January 17

Day 1F Turbo: Friday, January 17

Day 1G: Saturday, January 18

Day 1H Turbo: Saturday, January 18

Day 2: Sunday, January 19

Day 3/ Final: Monday, January 20

as the dust settles on Day1D, the anticipation is palpable. With four more heats set to fire up this weekend, the stage is set for an epic showdown. Who will rise, who will fall, and who will claim the lion’s share of the million-dollar prize pool? Stay tuned as the action continues to unfold in TMT17’s Main Event!

With a pot of 110,000 centered around board A♦ J♣ 8♥ 8♦ , Michael Yip made a go for it with a bet of 60,000. Jeong In Jae on the small blind, check raised for 100,000 more, followed by a final 175,000 on river 3♣ . Yip snap called to showdown with trip eights 8♠ 5♣ , sending Jeong's A♠ 6♥ bound for the muck.

Facing a late position open and a call, Lo Kam Fai pushed his last 40,000 and saw initial raiser Michael Yip bump it up to 120,000. Player on the button folded, leaving the two to showdown.

Board 5♠ 6♥ 5♣ 3♠ 6♦ ran safe for Lo's cowboys, earning him a much needed double up.

Deng Deng Kai opened 16,000 utg+1 and called off for his 49,000 behind after Michael Yip moved all-in.

In rough shape, Kai bound for the exit after failing to improve on board 4♣ 3♠ 7♥ A♣ 6♠ .

Noh Min Hyuck opened utg and called a 30,000 three bet from Michael Yip right behind. On flop 3♥ 6♥ 7♥ , Noh check called another 15,000, and went on to check jam on turn 7♣ . Yip called off for his entire 177,000 with A♥ A♠ , leaving Noh's A♦ Q♦ drawing dead instantly.

The 88 big blind pot was shipped towards Yip's way just as river 2♦ hit the felt.