TMT Main Event

The excitement is reaching a fever pitch at the CTP Asia Poker Arena, as Day 2 of this season's TMT Main Event has officially come to a close. A formidable 519 players returned to the felt today, all vying for a spot in tomorrow's Final Day showdown.

When the dust settled, only 45 contenders remained with local hero Yi Xin Li emerging at the top of the counts following a grueling thirteen levels of play. Yi ended the day with a towering 12,950,000 stack, leaving second in position, Bo Han Chen (8,000,000) trailing by nearly 25 big blinds. Yi’s surge to the summit came in the final hour, where his ace-king held strong against pocket queens, not once but twice, catapulting him right to the front of the leaderboard.

Each player is now guaranteed a minimum payout of NTD 98,000 (~USD 2,990), already a tenfold return on the entry fee. Talk about profit! All eyes however, are focused on the NTD 5,324,500 (~USD 162,425) top prize, where one will lay claim to across tomorrow's Final Day festivities. Also back in return is TMT 14 Main Event winner Chia Yun Wu with a chip count of 2,875,000, just below the average stack.

Action will resume this Sunday, January 20th at 11:00 sharp! Stay tuned for updates as SMP brings you all the latest directly off the floor.

TMT Main Event 17

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

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

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

Entries: 6,463

Prize pool: NTD 47,958,700 (~USD 1,456,825)

By the Numbers

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

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

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

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

Day 1E: 769 entries, 116 ITM / 62 qualified

Day 1F: 623 entries, 94 ITM / 50 qualified

Day 1G: 1,276 entries, 192 ITM / 102 qualified

Day 1H: 863 entries, 130 ITM / 70 qualified

Day 1 Local & Overseas: 351 entries, 28 qualified

Day 2: 519 players, 45 qualified

Day 3/ Final: Monday, January 20

Chan Chon (UTG) raised all-in pre-flop with 850,000 while Bo Yi Xiao (UTG+2) and Liao Da Xian (BB) call. The flop brings Q♦ 4♠ 6♣ . The players check and K♥ appears on the turn. The players check down again to see the river, 6♠ . The showdown ensues after another check by the players. Chan Chon held 9♠ J♠ , Yi Xiao held 9♥ 9♣ and Da Xian held T♠ T♣ . Da Xian takes the pot as Chan Chon gets knocked out. 45 survivors move on to Day 3. Congratulations to the survivors.

Ci Hong Ho (UTG+1) raised all-in pre-flop with 1,050,000 and Lu Wen Cheng (UTG+2) three-bets all-in with 1,600,000. The showdown had Hong Ho holding A♠ 3♥ and Wen Cheng holding Q♣ A♣ . The board ran K♦ J♠ 9♣ J♦ T♥ handing Lu Wen Chen the pot knocking Ci Hong Ho out.

Chisen Wu (SB) raised 500,000 and Shih Yu (BB) calls. The board had 4♠ J♠ 6♦ . Shih Yu bets 700,000 after Wu checks. Wu calls and the turn comes with 2♦ . The players check and the river brings 9♦ . Chisen Wu bets 900,000 causing Shih Yu to fold.

Tseng Hsien Wei (SB) commits the entire stack of 1,200,000 pre-flop and Rick Jason Ambata (BB) calls. In the showdown, Hsien Wei held K♠ 8♥ and Ambata held 6♠ A♣ . The board 5♠ 4♣ A♦ 2♠ T♣ giving Ambata the pot knocking out Hsien Wei.

Jhen Yi Chin opened on the button and was met with two all-ins from Ci Hong Ho and Wen Chen Lu (2,675,000). Jhen called off for his 1,825,000 stack, making it a three way showdown.

A dream spot for the rockets, Chin cruised to victory on board 4♦ 3♣ T♦ Q♣ 3♠ , earning him a full triple up.

Jhen Yi Chin open shoved 2,000,000 utg and was challenged by Cheng Chih Cheng behind.

Both tabled the same hand and split the pot down the middle as board T♦ 7♦ 2♦ 7♥ 8♣ ran on the felt.

A preflop back and forth between chip leader Yi Xin Li and Hsuan Cheng Lai saw the latter make the final call for his entire 3,050,000 stack.

A crucial flip, Yi's run good failed to falter on board 7♥ 5♣ 5♦ T♥ K♠ , earning him another boost to his towering pile of chips.

Chia Yun Wu opened to 350,000, followed by a three bet to 800,000 from Jhen Yi Chin behind. Wu answered with an all-in for 2,150,000 total, sending Jhen to take a minute before tossing his hand in the muck.

Liou Da Xian (HJ) raised 300,000 pre-flop and Bo Han Chen (CO) and three-bets 800,000. Da Xian folds giving the pot to Han Chen.

Having lost a flip just moments ago, Piyalap Ungprasert pushed his remaining 975,000 and was looked up by Yi Xin Li on the small blind.

On the opposite end of the flip this time, Ungprasert lost it once more after board J♦ 6♦ 4♣ K♠ 7♦ paired up his opponent's overcards to deliver his bust.

Piyalap Ungprasert opened on the cutoff and called Chi Wang's all-in for 2,100,000 total.

Wang at risk, was left with no worries, having landed a boat right on the flop Q♣ J♥ J♦ 6♣ 7♣ , leaving his opponent in pieces straight away.

Lau Wing Yu (UTG+1) raised 300,000 pre-flop while Denny Kruezi (SB) three-bets 850,000. Wing Yu four-bets all-in with 3,800,000 causing Kruezi to fold.

Zi Hen Huang opened on the hijack and faced a 1,000,000 three bet from Bo Yi Xiao right behind. Huang responded with an all-in for 2,550,000 total, snap called by Xiao for a showdown.

Huang at risk, dodged the ace on board 2♦ 6♥ 8♠ J♣ 4♥ , leaving his ladies good for the takedown.

Bo Han Chen (UTG+2) raised 300,000 pre-flop and Bo Yi Xiao (BTN) three-bets 1,000,000. Han Chen hits back with an all-in four-bet of 3,900,000 causing Yi Xiao to fold.

Lin Fang Jin opened 300,000 on the cutoff and was met with a raise to 850,000 from Philip Wang on the small blind. Lin immediately surrendered, shipping Wang the boost.

Having been boosted just minutes before, Fan Yu Cheng opened 535,000 in middle position, and saw Cheng Chih Cheng move all-in behind. Cheng went deep in the tank and eventually open folded, showing Q♠ Q♣ .

Daito Kamei (CO) made a pre-flop all-in raise of 1,250,000 holding A♥ 7♠ while Chien Tse Lee (SB) called holding K♦ A♣ . The board gave 6♦ T♠ K♠ Q♣ 8♥ giving the victory to Tse Lee.

Fan Yu Cheng flicked in his last 315,000 and faced three opponents on flop 5♥ T♥ 3♣ . Initial raiser Chi Wang bet 300,000, pushing the two off the action.

Fan Yu Cheng A♠ J♣

Chi Wang K♠ T♣

Cheng gunning for overcards, found one on runout A♦ 2♥ , enough to keep him alive in the Main Event games.

Huang Yung Chu (UTG+2) raises 270,000 pre-flop and Chen Chun Ru (BB) three-bets all-in 300,000. Yung Chu calls and the players enter showdown. Yung Chu held A♠ J♥ while Chun Ru held 4♣ Q♠ . The board ran T♠ 9♣ Q♣ A♣ 7♥ giving the victory to Yung Chu.

Jhen Yi Chin open shoved 1,395,000 with T♠ T♣ and saw Zih Hao Pan behind, push likewise with A♦ K♥ .

Flipping for a 25 big blind pot, Jhen's pocket pair held on board 9♦ 5♦ 4♠ 5♥ J♦ , crippling Zih in the process.

Jeorge Lagatuz (HJ) raised 260,00 pre-flop while Wong Ming Hin (SB) and Lin Jin Fang (BB) called. The flop brought 5♥ 2♠ 6♦ . Ming Hin checked letting Jin Fang bets all-in. Lagatuz and Ming Hin fold giving up the pot for Jin Fang.

Jeorge Lagatuz defended his big blind against Po Ching Lee's 300,000 hijack open, and check called another 250,000 on flop A♠ 5♠ 3♣ . No more bets went in on either turn 8♠ or river Q♣ , revealing Lagatuz' pair of fives 5♥ 4♥ , no good against Lee's pair of queens Q♦ T♦ .

Wei Che Lin defended his hijack open and called a 640,000 three bet from Ching En Chen on the button. On flop J♦ 4♦ 3♠ , Ching continued for 360,000, enough to get Lin out of the way.

Hsu Chun Chi (CO) raised all-in pre-flop 435,000 with A♠ A♦ in hand while Hsiao Shih Yu (BTN) three-bets all-in with K♦ A♣ in hand. The board brings 6♦ Q♦ 9♣ 5♦ J♠ giving Chun Chi's pocket rockets the pot.

Yamaguchi Junya opened on the hijack and gladly called off Wei Che Lin's all-in for 1,680,000.

Crushed against the rockets, Lin was in luck to find a jack on board 9♦ 3♠ Q♥ J♣ T♣ , giving him a set for another run at the title.

Bo Yi Xiao (UTG) raises pre-flop 200,000 and Chiu Tzu Heng (CO) three-bets 550,000. Yi Xiao four-bets 1,100,000 and Tzu Heng calls. The flop brings in 4♠ 7♠ 2♦ . The players check to see the turn, 9♦ . Yi Xiao bets 1,600,000 and Tzu Cheng folds

Li Wei Kuo opened on the hijack and called off Zheng Yu Huang's all-in behind, putting his opponent at risk.

A huge favorite to win, Kuo kept ahead all through board 7♣ 5♠ 3♦ K♣ Q♦ , ending Huang's run completely.

The pot had 400,000 when Yoda Lin (BTN) raised 680,000 and Liou Da Xian (SB) three bets all-in with 2,700,000. Yoda Lin folds handing the pot to Da Xian.

Shung Er Sua opened 200,000 utg, followed by a 600,000 raise from Szu Jui Chiu on the small blind. Shung put in the call for a three way pot with Surawit Suriyakarn already forced all-in on the big blind. On flop Q♥ 5♥ K♥ , Szu led all-in and pushed Shung out of the pot successfully.

Szu Jui Chiu A♦ A♠

Surawit Suriyakarn J♦ 7♦

Runout T♥ 5♦ left Suriyakarn with jack-high, shipping the pot over to Szu with his overpair.

Pai Kuei Lin (UTG+3) raised 270,000 all-in pre-flop and Kim Chang (BB) called without looking at his cards. The Showdown saw Kuei Lin holding J♠ K♦ and Chang holding 2♥ 4♣ . The board ran 3♥ 2♣ 4♠ 7♣ A♠ giving Kim Chang the pot knocking out Pai Kuei Lin.

Surawit Suriyakarn opened 600,000 utg and was priced to call 295,000 more after Andrew De Ocampo shoved behind.

Drawing slim, Suriyakarn shot down to a single big blind, having received no help on board Q♦ 4♥ 7♠ T♣ Q♥ .

Ching En Chen sent out a 625,000 three bet against Chi Wang's hijack open and saw the latter complete. On flop 8♦ 4♦ 3♣ , Chi led 400,000, called by Ching onto turn 7♦ . Chi checked this time around, pushing Ching to fire 1,100,000. Chi gave it a thought and eventually decided to lay it down.

With pressure of the blinds continuing to increase, Jeorge Lagatuz is taking advantage of the fact by pumping up his aggression. Two back to back steals went Lagatuz' way, adding a 500,000 boost to his stack at an instant.

Hsiau Shih Yu (UTG+3) raised 200,000 pre-flop and Ho Man Tsung (HJ) hits back with all-in three-bet with 1,200,000. The players showdown with Shih Yu holding A♠ K♣ while was Man Tsun holding J♠ J♣ . The board had 6♦ 9♣ A♦ T♣ A♣ knocking Man Tsun out and handing the pot to Shih Yu.

Ching En Chen defended his big blind vs Chi Hao Lee's button open, and faced another 175,000 bet on flop K♠ T♦ 2♦ . Ching check raised to 400,000 yet folded after Chi reshoved all-in.

Lu Yu Cheng (BTN) raised 160,000 pre-flop while Sarawit Suriyakam (BB) calls . The flop brings T♥ 4♥ 5♠ . The players checks to turn, 5♣ . Suriyakam checks and Yu Cheng bets 100,000. Suriyakam hits back by raising 425,000 and Yu Cheng calls. The river shows 8♠ . Suriyakam bets all-in 2,000,000 and Yu Cheng calls all-in with 1,150,000. In the showdown, Yu Cheng had 6♦ 4♦ and Suriyakam A♥ 7♥ giving Yu Cheng the victory.

Zi En Huang opened 160,000 on the button and called 300,000 more following an all-in from Lin Chun Da.

Lin in rough shape, headed out shortly after board 7♠ 4♦ 5♥ J♠ 6♠ missed to pair either player, leaving Huang's ace-king high good for the bust.

Wen Chen Lu opened 300,000 on the cutoff and called Jian Hong Chen's all-in from the big blind for 1,530,000 total.

In great form, Wen cruised to victory on board 2♦ T♣ K♥ A♦ 9♦ , knocking Jian out of the running.

Changjun Kim (CO) raised all-in 300,000 pre-flop and Wang Shi Rong (BTN) hits back with a three-bet all-in of 445,000. Lloyd Fontillas (SB) and Changjun Kim call to showdown. Changjun Kim had J♦ A♥ , Wang Shi Rong had K♦ K♠ and Lloyd Fontillas brought A♣ K♣ . The board brought T♣ 2♣ 7♠ T♠ 9♦ giving the pot to Wang Shi Rong and knocking out Changjun Kim.

Chi Wang opened 300,000 on the button and called off Raymond Edwards' jam on the small blind for 775,000 more.

Dominated, Edwards was in luck to find three diamonds on board J♠ T♦ 5♦ 7♦ 3♣ , giving him a king high flush to bank the win.

Man Tsun Ho raised 650,000 on the hijack, leaving himself 30,000 behind. Shung Er Sua on the big blind, asked for the rest and Ho put in the final call.

Running behind, Shung managed to spike an ace on flop A♣ Q♣ 4♠ , yet was left crushed as the runout 9♣ 6♣ turned the tables back in Ho's favor.

Chien Tse Lee (UTG+2) raised 160,000 pre-flop and Ng Ka Wai (SB) responded with a three-bet all-in 600,000. Tse Lee calls to showdown. Tse Lee held K♠ Q♥ while Ka Wai held 9♦ 9♥ . The board showed 2♦ 5♥ A♠ T♣ A♣ giving Ka Wai the pot.

Lee Hong Qing (UTG) raised all-in pre-flop with 220,000 while holding 4♦ 3♣ and Wang Shi Rong (UTG+3) called holding A♦ Q♣ . The board brings T♦ 2♥ 9♠ 8♥ K♦ giving the victory to Wang Shi Rong.

A preflop back and forth between Ting Chieh Chi and Ci Hong Ho saw the latter make the final call for 1,590,000, putting Chi at risk entirely.

Chi in rough shape, accepted his fate as board 8♠ 3♦ 8♦ T♣ 2♥ ran down on the felt.

Li Wei Kuo raised 800,000 on the hijack, leaving himself with 70,000 behind. Yu Hsiu Chou a seat after raised all-in and Li flicked in the rest.

Li in search of an ace, found one on board T♣ 4♣ 2♣ A♠ 8♥ , earning him a second chance with top pair.

Surawit Suriyakarn opened 160,000 utg and was met with an all-in behind from Andrew De Ocampo for 735,000 total. Suriyakarn took a minute and eventually gave up the fight.

Yi Da Ho (UTG+1) raised 130,000 pre-flop and Lloyd Fontillas (CO) three-bets 200,000. Da Ho calls and the flop brings 5♠ 9♦ 5♥ . Fontillas bets 300,000 after Da Ho checked. Da Ho folds handing the pot to Fontillas.

Hoi Kit Wong raised all-in utg and saw Shih Cheng Kao call off for his last four big blinds on the small blind.

Wong a favorite to win, easily did so on board A♦ 7♦ 7♠ K♥ 3♣ , taking one out of the counts.

Michael Yip (UTG+2) raised 120,000 pre-flop while Huang Zi En (HJ) and Po Kai Peng (SB) called. The flop showed 9♦ A♥ T♥ . Zi En made a bet of 150,000 following checks from Kai Peng and Yip . Kai Peng and Yip call to see the turn, J♣ . The players check down to the river, 6♠ . The players check down again to showdown. Kai Peng showed 2♦ A♦ while the remained players mucked.

Po Kai Peng (UTG+1) raised 125,000 pre-flop while SB and Huang Zi En (BB) called. The flop showed 5♥ Q♦ 5♣ . The players checks to see the turn, A♥ . Another round of checks show the river, 8♣ . Kai Peng bets 225,000 after SB and Zi En check. Following Kai Peng's bet SB folds and Zi En calls to showdown. Kai Peng showed K♣ A♦ while Zi En mucked his hand.

Raymond Edwards stuffed his last 680,000 and was called by Jimin Lee on the button, putting him at risk.

Edwards dominated, was in luck to find board 9♦ 8♦ 7♠ 5♠ 6♠ run a straight for both players for a split pot.

Hsuan Cheng Lai open shoved his entire 750,000 stack utg, and saw Manuel Geronimo call off for his lesser 590,000. Hoi Kit Wong on the big blind, made the final call for a three way showdown.

Wong dominating both players at risk, was crushed to see the board A♥ 5♣ 4♣ 9♣ K♣ run four clubs, giving Hsuan a flush to steal the win.

With a pot of 1,000,000 already centered across board T♥ 7♣ 4♥ 5♠ , Ching En Chen led out a bet of 300,000 on the small blind and followed with another 500,000 on river 6♦ . Jimin Lee gave it up by the final bet, shipping Ching the pot with no showdown.

Facing a late position open and a call, Hongrui Tang lodged a three bet to 320,000 and saw Lloyd Fontillas complete on the cutoff. Tang continued for 210,000 on flop A♦ 4♣ 6♦ , yet folded shortly after Fontillas bumped it up to 450,000.

Yen Hao Chiu opened to 130,000 and was met with a 360,000 three bet from Chi Wang on the small blind. Yen responded with an all-in for 940,000 total, called by Chi for a showdown.

Crushed against the best hand in the deck, Yen exited the arena shortly after board K♦ 7♥ 4♣ 4♥ 3♠ rolled on the felt.

Kim Youngkyu (UTG+1) raises all-in with 215,000 holding A♦ J♥ while Lee Seok Young (BTN) three-bet all-in with 360,000 holding 8♥ 8♦ . The board brought J♣ T♣ 6♠ K♠ T♥ giving Youngkyu the winning hand.

Taejoon Cho (HJ) raised 100,000 before the flop a d King Cheung Wang (BTN) three-bet 350,000. Cho hits back with a four-bet of 1,000,000 causing Wang to fold.

Zhi Hao Pan open shoved 615,000 and was challenged by Yew Kiat Tock on the button.

Running a flip, Zhi secured the double up after board 6♦ 4♣ 3♣ 3♦ J♦ felted none of his opponent's overcards.

A limp pot button vs blinds dealt a flop of J♥ 4♥ 8♠ . Action checked to Chi Wang, who bet 100,000, called by Justin Chu on the small blind. No bets went in on turn 5♦ , revealing river A♥ . Chi sent out a final 200,000, convincing Chu to lay it down.

Hsu Li Sheng (BTN) raises 100,000 before the flop and Hongrui Tang (BB) three-bets 400,000. Li Sheng hits back with an all-in four bet of 1,040,000 causing Tang to folds. Li Sheng takes to pot.

Kuo Po Chung (CO) made an all-in pre-flop raise of 270,000 while holding J♥ Q♠ and Yoda Lin (BB) called with A♦ A♥ in hand. The board brought T♠ 2♦ 5♥ 6♣ 4♠ . Kuo Po Chung is knocked out as Yoda Lin's pocket rockets claim victory.

Daito Kamei shoved 760,000 in against an open and saw Jaejoong Kim behind push likewise. Initial raiser got out of the way, leaving the two to showdown.

A classic NLH flip, board Q♠ 7♥ 8♦ T♣ Q♦ favored Daito's pocket pair this time, running him quads for the pot.

The pot was 300,000 deep with the flop showing A♦ K♠ 8♥ when Lai Wei Lin (UTG+3) bets 85,000 following a check by Chung Hong Ha (BB). Hong Ha calls and the turn brings, 7♣ . Hong Ha checks to see Wei Lin bet 175,000. Hong Ha calls and the river brings in 4♠ .the players check into showdown. Wei Lin held A♥ 3♥ while Hong Ha had K♣ Q♣ . The pot goes to Wei Lin.

Qiu I Ping (UTG) raised all-in pre-flop with 400,000 while holding J♦ A♦ while Lagatuz Jeorge (CO) called holding K♦ K♥ . The board ran T♥ T♠ Q♦ 9♣ 5♦ handing the win to Jeorge.

Facing a late position open and a button call, Chuan Chao Ting on the small blind, squeezed all-in for 555,000, and was called by Wei Che Lin with his pocket pair.

At risk, Ting managed to turn the tables in his favor on board Q♥ J♣ 4♥ 3♠ , up until the river 9♦ landed Lin a set to take the win.

Pai Cheng Qun opened 100,000 utg and called off Iat Man Leong's jam from the big blind for 155,000 more.

Leong dominated, was in luck to find a pair of fours on board 4♣ 3♠ T♥ 8♥ 2♥ , keeping him in the Main Event running.

King Cheung Wang (UTG+1) raises 100,000 pre-flop and UTG+4 calls while Suya Lee (HJ) threebets all-in 270,000 holding J♥ J♣ . Wang four-bets all-in holding K♣ Q♦ and UTG+4 folds. The board ran 4♠ K♥ 8♣ 4♥ 9♦ handing the pot to Wang knocking out Suya Lee.

With 600,000 already in the middle across flop 9♣ T♦ 5♥ , Jin Fang Lin made a go for it with a bet of 300,000. Yamaguchi Junya check raised all-in for Lin's twelve big blinds behind, and shipped the pot straight away following a fold.

Man Tsun Ho open shoved 410,000 utg and was looked up by Chong Sun Chang right on the big blind.

In for a flip, Man quickly paired up his overcards on board TH Q♣ 2♥ A♣ K♥ , costing Cheng a huge chunk off his stack.

Kim Younghyun (UTG) raised 80,000 before the flop and Martin Gonzales (BB) three-bets all-in 200,000. The players showdown with Younghyun holding T♥ T♦ and Gonzales holding K♥ A♦ . The board ran 7♠ 2♣ 3♠ 6♣ Q♣ , Younghyun's pocket tens trump Gonzales's cards and knocks him out.

The pot was 250,000 deep and the flop showed 5♣ 6♦ 2♣ when Yip Ka Chien (BTN) called Chin Wei Fang's (BB) 55,000 bet. The turn showed 6♠ . Wei Fang bets again, this time putting in 185,000 and Ka Chuen calls. The river brings A♥ . Wei Fang checks and Ka Chuen places an all-in river bet. Wei Fang folds handing the victory to Ka Chuen.

Wang Ka Seng (UTG) raises 25,000 all-in pre-flop holding J♠ J♣ while Jaejoong Kim (UTG+1) calls holding K♣ K♠ . The board brings A♠ Q♦ 7♦ 2♠ 5♥ . Jaejoong Kim claims the pot with pocket Kings knocking out Wong Kai Seng.

Daniel Donohue (UTG+1) commits 175,000 in a pre-flop raise and King Cheung Wang three bets all-in with 1,200,000. Donohue calls. The showdown shows Donohue holding A♣ J♥ . Wang holding Q♦ A♥ . The board brings 2♣ 6♦ T♣ 8♦ K♥ giving the pot to Wang's Ace-high with Queen Kicker.

Leong Iat Man (CO) raised 80,000 pre-flop and Wong Hoi Kit (SB) three bet all-in 300,000 holding 4♦ 4♣ . Iat Man calls with T♣ A♥ in hand. The board brought K♥ J♠ 9♦ 3♥ K♠ handing the victory for Hong Kit's two pairs.