TMT Main Event (9,000 TWD)

"I'm so happy and dreamy. It's my first time playing in Taiwan. I played only in Korea, so I felt awkward and couldn't adapt at first, but the active atmosphere and the interaction with foreign players made it easier.", commented Kim following his victory.

The Taiwan Millions Tournament has wrapped up another successful chapter in its books with this season's Main Event games done and dusted. From a chart-topping field of 6,463 entries, the homegrown brand has once again brought a seven-digit headline figure on the table. With NTD 32,500,000 (~USD 1,000,000) in guarantees from the get-go, its prize pool ballooned to nearly 50% in added value, awarding a total of NTD 47,958,700 (~USD 1,456,825) in prizes for its Main Event alone.

The star of the show was South Korea's Young Kyu Kim, who bagged the largest share across the list, earning a career-defining cash of NTD 4,124,500 (~USD 125,285). Kim's first visit to the city of Taipei paid off wonders with the highly coveted TMT Main Event Trophy, crafted from the rare Calocedrus Formosana wood, right in tow for his journey back home.

"After advancing to Day 2, I felt I was behind on experience and knowledge. So I reviewed hand ranges carefully, and played more conservatively against good players in the table."

Kim’s path to the top was highlighted by three pivotal moments in the final rounds that shifted the momentum in his favor. Entering the final table with a stack just below the average, Kim quickly gained traction, having delivered the first elimination of the table, setting the tone for the rest of the ride. Kim's two turning points came at the cost of Ching En Chen with both situations seeing a 30-70 win rate at best. Kim shipped the two fortunate double ups his way, leaving Chen to succumb in 4th place not long after.

Following the last local runner's exit, chip stacks evened out across the remaining three players, resulting to a deal on the table. Each contender was secured NTD 3,600,000 (~USD 109,820) in winnings, leaving NTD 524,500 (~USD 15,930) and the TMT trophy to play for. Hyper aggressive Denny Kruezi was the first to fall after his roller coaster ride came to a halt right at Kim's doorstep. Kim brought this 2:1 advantage onto the final duel against Yamaguchi Junya and closed it out in just two short deals. The final hand saw Kim's king-jack of clubs hold against Junya's ten-eight offsuit, leaving the latter to settle for a runner up finish.

"I will go and celebrate with my family, my beloved girlfriend, and supportive friends, and definitely play more poker back in the poker room I often go to - Yajasu in Korea."

On top of their payouts, all final table contenders received a Main Event entry for this October's TMT Championship games, keeping the excitement going for the next season. Congratulations to all the winners!

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: 45 players

Final Table Results

Yamaguchi Junya open shoved his remaining 35,500,000 and saw Young Kyu Kim on the big blind, rise to the challenge.

Junya at risk, missed to improve on board 7♦ 6♥ 4♣ 4♥ 6♣ , capping his run ultimately in runner up finish.

Yamaguchi Junya defended his big blind vs a 4,000,000 button open from Young Kyu Kim, and headed to flop 4♣ 9♠ T♠ . Action checked round to turn K♣ , where Kim bet 10,000,000. Junya check called, and arrived at showdown shortly after river 9♥ was checked through.

Junya revealed a busted straight draw 8♦ 7♣ , leaving Kim's queen-high Q♣ 5♣ good for the pot.

Action is down to heads up play with Young Kyu Kim stacking a 2:1 advantage against his final opponent, Yamaguchi Junya. Both are already guaranteed NTD 3,600,000 (~USD 109,820) in winnings, with an additional NTD 524,500 (~USD 15,930) and the coveted TMT trophy left on the table.

Chip Counts

Denny Kruezi opened 10,800,000 on the small blind, joined behind by Young Kyu Kim onto flop 6♣ 2♦ 2♠ . Kruezi led all-in for 41,300,000 and was snap called by his opponent with two pair 8♠ 6♠ . Kruezi behind with K♥ Q♥ , failed to catch up on either turn 8♥ or river A♥ , sealing his fate in third place.

Denny Kruezi opened 24,000,000 on the button, leaving himself 200,000 behind. Young Kyu Kim called on the small blind, and asked for the rest on flop 8♦ 5♠ 5♥ . Kruezi called off with K♠ Q♦ , ahead of Kim's K♦ T♦ . Turn 2♥ and river 5♣ made no difference, leaving Kruezi's better king-high good for the win.

Denny Kruezi open jammed 22,700,000 on the button, called by Young Kyu Kim on the small blind.

Dominated, Kruezi hung on to his seat as board 3♦ A♣ 3♠ 8♣ A♦ ran a split pot for the two.

Denny Kruezi jammed his last 8,700,000 against Young Kyu Kim's button open and saw the latter complete.

In for a race, board 8♦ 6♠ 5♠ T♥ 7♥ swung for Kruezi, earning him a double up.

A blind vs blind battle began with Denny Kruezi putting in a raise to 3,100,000. Young Kyu Kim padded it to 10,000,000, and Kruezi defended. On flop 9♣ 8♠ 4♠ , Kruezi led all-in and Kim boldly made the call with ace-high.

Denny Kruezi K♦ T♦

Young Kyu Kim A♣ Q♣

Kim ahead, improved further on runout 2♥ A♥ , crippling Kruezi in the process.

Yamaguchi Junya opened 3,000,000 on the button and fired one continuation bet against Young Kyu on the big blind, and earned the pot straight away.

On the next deal, Junya raised all-in against Denny Kruezi's button open and picked up the pot uncontested.

With the chips evened out amongst the three players, a deal has been agreed upon, guaranteeing each contender NTD 3,600,000 (~USD 109,355) in prizes. Play will continue with NTD 524,500 (~USD 15,930) and the coveted TMT trophy left on the table.

Blind levels have been adjusted to run 15 minutes on the clock from here on out.

Yamaguchi Junya defended his big blind against Denny Kruezi's 2,500,000 button open, and check called 3,500,000 on flop 3♣ K♣ 9♥ . On turn 9♦ , Kruezi barreled 13,500,000 yet snap folded after Junya moved all-in.

A limp pot blind vs blind saw Denny Kruezi lead out 1,000,000 on flop A♠ 6♦ 6♥ . Young Kyu Kim called behind, and arrived at showdown shortly after turn 8♥ and river 7♥ collected no bets. Kruezi revealed Q♣ J♥ , no good against Kim's trip sixes 6♠ 4♣ for the pot.

Ching En Chen completed his big blind vs Yamaguchi Junya's 2,500,000 utg open, and went on to battle on board J♠ 6♠ 4♥ 5♦ 3♦ . Action was checked down to the river, where Ching led all-in for his remaining 3,700,000. Junya tank called with ace-high A♦ Q♠ , sending Ching out just as he revealed bluff K♦ T♦ .

A back and forth between Young Kyu Kim on the button and Ching En Chen saw the latter five bet jam his 31 big blind stack right in the middle. Kim called off for his entire 26,600,000 and found himself in trouble against his opponent's monster pair.

Ching in great shape to take it down, found no scare cards across board 4♥ 6♥ 2♠ 6♣ , up until the river spiked an A♦ to turn the tables. Kim was spared from elimination, earning him a full double up back to second in chips.

Yamaguchi Junya opened 2,000,000 on the button and was met with a 5,500,000 three bet from chip leader Denny Kruezi. Junya responded with an all-in for 21,000,000 total, convincing Kruezi to surrender.

Zi En Huang open shoved his remaining 8,900,000 utg, called by Young Kyu Kim on the small blind. Ching En Chen right behind, reshoved for 10,700,000 and saw Kim make the final call for a three way showdown.

Crushed against the rockets, Ching smooth sailed to victory on board J♦ Q♠ 4♠ 3♠ 2♣ , shipping the massive boost towards his way.

A blind vs blind battle brewed a pot of 8,000,000 in the middle across board 8♣ 7♥ A♣ 6♣ . Yamaguchi Junya fired a bet of 3,500,000, check called by Zi En Huang. On river Q♥ , Junya decided to check back his top pair A♦ 2♣ , and found it good against Huang's K♠ Q♣ .

Liang Hao Lin raised 7,000,000 on the cutoff, leaving himself 500,000 behind. Young Kyu Kim bumped it up on the small blind, and Lin flicked in the rest.

Dominated, Lin managed to outflop his opponent on 8♠ 5♠ 6♣ , but came crashingly shortly as the runout 7♥ T♥ landed Kim a better pair to take it down.

Action folded to Shih Yu Hsiao on the button, who raised all-in for his last 7,700,000. Denny Kruezi on the big blind, looked him up with suited connectors, putting his opponent at risk.

Keeping the positive momentum, Kruezi outran his opponent on board 9♦ 8♠ 4♦ T♥ T♠ , running trip tens to knock Hsiao out.

Yamaguchi Junya opened utg and was joined by three other players onto flop 6♠ 9♥ K♦ . Action checked round to turn 7♦ , where Zi En Huang led out a bet of 2,800,000 on the big blind. Junya folded, followed by a raise to 8,000,000 from Denny Kruezi. All else slipped the fold, adding more chips to Kruezi's already towering pile.

Denny Kruezi opened 1,700,000 on the hijack, called behind by Ching En Chen along with the big blind. Action on flop J♣ 9♥ 7♦ was checked to Ching, who bet 1,600,000. Kruezi check called, and put out another 2,400,000 on turn J♦ . On river 9♣ , Ching went for a final 3,800,000, but tank folded after Kruezi jammed for the rest.

Yamaguchi Junya opened 1,600,000 utg, called by Denny Kruezi behind. Action on board 8♣ 4♣ 3♠ Q♠ 3♥ was checked to showdown, revealing Junya's 9♠ 9♣ , good against Kruezi's 6♥ 6♠ .

Denny Kruezi opened 1,700,000 on the button, joined by Ching En Chen on the big blind to flop A♠ Q♦ 7♥ . Kruezi bet 1,500,000, check raised by Chen to 3,200,000. Kruezi fired back with an all-in, leaving Ching unable to continue.

Ching En Chen opened 1,600,000 utg and faced an all-in for 13,800,000 from Young Kyu Kim on the big blind. Ching gave it some thought and eventually found a call, risking a third of his stack.

Kim in luck, spiked a queen on board T♥ 6♥ 3♠ Q♠ A♣ , more than enough to send Ching's pocket pair bound for the muck.

Liang Hao Lin raised 6,000,000 on the cutoff, leaving himself with 500,000 behind. Denny Kruezi a seat after, put in the call, and chucked in the rest on flop 8♠ 4♥ 3♦ for a showdown.

Liang Hao Lin 8♦ 6♦

Denny Kruezi A♦ Q♦

Lin ahead with top pair, locked in the double up as runout T♦ 9♠ faded Kruezi's overcards.

Liang Hao Lin raised 5,300,000 off the small blind against Zi En Huang's hijack open, leaving himself with 400,000 behind. Zi completed, and called for the rest on flop 6♠ 4♠ 5♥ .

Liang Hao Lin A♦ T♣

Zi En Huang A♣ T♦

With the same hand, both split the pot down the middle just as turn 2♣ and river 5♠ completed the board.

Having just shoved the hand before against a button open, Yamaguchi Junya did so once more, this time out of the small blind for 9,200,000. Shih Yu Hsiao behind, looked Junya up, putting him at risk.

Dominated, Junya managed to turn the tables, having paired up his jack on board J♠ 2♣ 8♥ K♦ 7♥ to survive through.

Zi En Huang defended his big blind against Young Kyu Kim's 1,600,000 button open, dealing flop 6♦ J♠ K♥ . Both checked it through to turn 7♦ , where Huang led 1,800,000. Kim raised to 4,000,000, called by Huang onto river T♣ . No more bets went in, tabling Huang's pair of tens Q♣ T♦ , no good against Kim's pair of jacks Q♥ J♥ .

A limp pot blind vs blind read a flop of T♦ A♣ J♠ . Action checked round to turn 4♣ , where Denny Kruezi led 700,000. Young Kyu Kim called behind, and went to bet 3,400,000 on river K♦ checked to him. Kruezi gave it up, shipping Kim the boost.

Denny Kruezi limped utg and called Young Kyu Kim's 1,500,000 raise right behind. Action on board J♣ 2♣ 8♣ 4♦ 5♠ was checked down to the river, where Kruezi led 2,600,000. Kim made the call and mucked as Kruezi turned over a wheel straight A♦ 3♦ .

Denny Kruezi opened 1,300,000 utg+1, joined by two other players onto flop Q♣ Q♥ 3♠ . Kruezi continued for 2,400,000, check called by Shih Yu Hsiao on the big blind. Both players checked turn 3♦ through to river 7♦ , where Kruezi gunned for a final 3,600,000. Hsiao check jammed, successfully convincing his opponent to lay it down.

Denny Kruezi opened 1,300,000 on the hijack, called behind by Ching En Chen on the button. On board K♣ 8♣ 8♠ 4♣ , Kruezi double barreled 1,000,000 and 3,500,000, leaving Chin to give it up by the turn.

Shih Yu Hsiao opened 1,200,000 utg+1, joined by Zi En Huang onto flop T♥ 3♥ 5♠ . Action was checked round to turn Q♠ , where Hsiao bet 1,800,000. Huang check called, and paid another 2,000,000 on river K♥ , only to muck after Hsiao tabled the nut straight A♠ J♥ .

Shih Yu Hsiao picked up back to back pots - first having shoved against a cutoff open, followed by a second all-in on the button, folded to him.

Denny Kruezi opened on the cutoff and called a 4,000,000 three bet from Ching En Chen on the small blind. On flop 7♠ 2♠ 4♦ , Ching continued for 5,200,000 and Kruezi surrendered.

Ching En Chen defended his big blind vs Denny Kruezi's 1,300,000 button open, and check called another 1,000,000 on flop Q♦ J♥ 5♠ . Action on turn J♠ and river T♦ was checked to showdown, revealing Ching's 9♦ 9♠ , no good against Kruezi's rivered two pair K♥ T♠ .

With two limps ahead, Cheng Chih Cheng raised all-in on the cutoff, for his last 2,400,000 and was challenged by utg limper Denny Kruezi.

Gunning for a double up, Cheng's hopes was immediately shut down as Kruezi spiked a set on board 6♣ 5♠ Q♠ 7♦ T♥ to seal his fate.

Zi En Huang defended his big blind vs Denny Kruezi's 1,200,000 cutoff open, dealing flop K♣ 6♣ 8♥ . Both checked to turn T♣ , where Huang led 1,000,000. Kruezi called behind, and got to showdown after river 8♦ was checked through.

Huang showed two pair T♦ 4♦ and shipped the pot.

Young Kyu Kim opened 1,700,000 utg+1 and put out 2,000,000 more following an all-in from Chang Chang Kim behind.

Chang dominated, exited as the first final table casualty as board 6♣ 8♣ 9♥ 3♥ T♣ left him high and dry.

Ching En Chen opened 1,100,000 on the hijack and was met with a 2,800,000 three bet from Zi En Huang on the button. Ching responded with another raise to 5,600,000, pushing Huang out of the action enitrely.

Denny Kruezi opened 1,200,000 on the hijack, called by Ching En Chen on the button along with Zi En Huang on the big blind. Action on flop 8♥ 5♦ 3♦ was checked round to turn 8♦ , where Huang led 1,500,000. Only Kruezi stuck around to see river A♥ , prompting him to bet 3,700,000, checked to him. Huang bumped it up to 9,000,000 and was snap called by Kruezi with two pair A♦ J♦ , sending his 5♥ 4♦ flying towards the muck.

A limp pot blind vs blind dealt a flop of 3♣ 3♠ 2♠ . Action checked round to turn A♦ , where Ching En Chen led 600,000. Chang Chang Kim called behind, and paid another 800,000 on river 8♥ , only to muck as Ching revealed two pair 8♣ 7♦ .

Denny Kruezi opened 1,200,000 on the small blind, called behind by Young Kyu Kim. On flop J♦ 7♣ 5♣ , Kruezi continued for 1,700,000 and called his opponent's raise to 3,500,000. Kim went for another 1,800,000 on turn 2♥ , yet folded after Kruezi check raised all-in.

Liang Hao Lin defended his big blind against Zi En Huang's 1,000,000 hijack open and headed for battle on flop 8♥ 4♥ 2♦ . Action checked round to turn 8♠ , where Lin led 1,000,000. Huang called and arrived at showdown after river 3♦ met no bets. Huang showed A♠ 2♠ and collected the pot.

Ching En Chen opened 1,100,000, joined behind by Zi En Huang onto flop J♣ Q♥ 3♥ . Checked to Huang, he bet 1,200,000 and shipped the pot straight away.

The TMT Main Event action is officially down to its final nine players following a grueling week of intense action. From a staggering 6,463 entry field, today finally sees one rise to victory. Listed up top is an eye-catching NTD 5,324,500 (~USD 162,425) along with the highly coveted TMT Main Event Trophy, crafted from the rare Calocedrus Formosana wood endemic to Taiwan. Each runner is already secured a minimum payout of NTD 533,000 (~USD 16,260) and a fighting chance to go for the gold.

Blind levels have been rolled back to 300,000/ 500,000, with the average stack listing 36 big blinds, giving players more room for play. Good luck to all!

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)

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, 2814 qualified

Day 2: 519 players, 45 qualified

Final Table Chip Counts

Remaining Payouts

Jhen Yi Chin pushed his last 2,700,000 in the middle utg and saw Young Kyu Kim move all-in as well on the button. No other joined in, revealing board 9♣ 9♥ 4♣ A♣ Q♠ .

Kim spiked a boat on the river, eliminating Jhen as the final table bubble.

Denny Kruezi opened 2,700,000 utg and was met with a 5,400,000 three bet from Ching En Chen on the button. Kruezi responded with an all-in for 18,600,000, leaving Ching ultimately unable to continue.

Yamaguchi Junya raised all-in for 4,900,000 on the cutoff, leaving chip leader Zi En Huang to take a minute. Huang eventually made the call, putting the latter at risk right as the final table bubble.

Junya ahead, kept his advantage all the way through board K♣ Q♦ T♠ A♣ 3♠ , shipping him a full double up while hand for hand play continues.

Cheng Chih Cheng open shoved 5,000,000 on the cutoff and found himself in rough shape after Liang Hao Lin snap called on the big blind.

Crushed against the cowboys, Cheng was in luck to find two aces on board A♣ 2♠ 7♠ 7♦ A♥ , keeping him in the Main Event running.

Ching En Chen opened 2,100,000 on the cutoff and snap called Denny Kruezi's all-in for 7,200,000 total, putting the latter at risk of being the final table bubble.

Lucky for Kruezi, the board 9♥ 8♣ 6♠ 9♣ 9♠ ran him quads, giving him another chance at the title.

Shih Yu Hsiao opened 2,000,000 on the cutoff and was met with a 5,000,000 raise from Zi En Huang on the small blind. Shih padded it further to 11,000,000, enough to push Zi out of the way.

Action is playing hand-for-hand with one more elimination to go before the final table is set. Nine players will advance to the final round, each looking to capture the NTD 5,324,500 (~USD 162,425) top prize up for grabs.

Chi Sen Wu flicked in his last 1,600,000 utg and was called by Liang Hao Lin on the big blind.

Wu at risk, was close to locking in the win on board T♣ A♥ 5♠ 2♠ , up until the river 3♣ shot out a wheel straight for his opponent to snag the win away.

Young Kyu Kim opened 2,400,000 on the button and was met with an all-in from Chang Chang Kim for 5,100,000 more. Young didn't hesitate to lay it down, shipping Chang the pot.

Yu Cheng Lu pushed his last 3,500,000 on the button and was tank called by Young Kyu Kim on the big blind.

Gunning for a double up, Yu soon bowed out as board 6♣ A♥ 7♥ K♣ 9♣ landed his opponent a straight to bag the win.

Chang Chang Kim jammed his 4,000,000 stack utg+1 and was looked up by Ching En Chen on the big blind.

Kim ahead, kept his advantage all the way through board 9♦ 5♦ J♥ 8♣ 4♠ , with his ace-high good for the takedown.

Jhen Yi Chin raised all-in on the button and saw Jeorge Lagatuz call off for his remaining 3,500,000.

Lagatuz a favorite to win, instead headed out after board 9♦ J♦ 6♠ 5♥ Q♦ ran the nut flush for his opponent to serve the elimination.

Yi Xin Li open shoved for 4,900,000 utg+1 and saw Cheng Chih Cheng on the button, push likewise.

Yi in trouble, accepted his fate as board A♥ J♠ Q♣ 9♣ A♣ left him behind on all streets.

Ching En Chen opened to 1,600,000 and faced an all-in for 6,500,000 from Young Kyu Kim behind. Ching chose not to take a showdown, shipping Kim the pot.

Chi Sen Wu opened 2,000,000 on the cutoff and was met with a push from Zi En Huang on the small blind. Wu failed to continue, opting to save his eight big blinds behind.

With the pressure on the blinds continuing to build up, Ching En Chen is seen wielding his big stack to the fullest by pumping the aggression preflop. Three back to back steals landed in Ching's way, gaining him more chips as the final table action draws near.

Jae Joong Kim pushed his last 3,200,000 in the middle off the hijack and saw Yamaguchi Junya take the spot right from the big blind.

In for a race, Junya immediately spiked top pair on flop J♥ 5♦ 7♥ , with the runout A♣ 6♥ leaving Kim's king-high headed for the muck.

Jae Joong Kim raised all-in on the cutoff and saw Cheng Chih Cheng snap call on the big blind for his last 3,400,000.

Flipping for his tournament life, Cheng was glad to see a ten right on board Q♣ 8♦ T♥ Q♠ 6♣ , giving him more room to maneuver with the added boost.

Chang Chang Kim open shoved his last 3,400,000 utg and was looked up by Young Kyu Kim right on the big blind.

Slightly behind, Chang Chang Kim managed to outrun his opponent on board K♠ 3♠ T♣ J♦ T♥ , keeping him in contention for the Main Event title.

Chang Chang Kim open shoved 6,600,000 utg+1 and saw Yu Cheng Lu on the small blind, call off for his lesser 3,200,000 stack.

Running a flip, Yu quickly spiked a set on board 4♣ 7♠ Q♥ 5♦ T♦ , earning him a much needed double up.

Denny Kruezi opened 1,600,000 on the hijack and put out 800,000 more after Jhen Yi Chin moved all-in behind.

Chin at risk, secured the double up as board 2♠ K♠ 8♠ 5♦ 9♠ faded his opponent's ace.

Syu Yong Jie raised all-in for his last 2,000,000 against Zi En Huang's hijack open and was crushed to see his opponent table a better pair.

Drawing slim, Syu bowed out shortly after board A♦ 4♦ 7♣ 8♥ 8♣ ran on the felt.

Zi En Huang defended his big blind against Jae Joong Kim's 1,200,000 button open, and check called another 1,500,000 on flop A♦ 3♣ 9♥ . Both players checked turn J♣ through to river K♥ , where Huang led 1,200,000. Kim raised it up to 4,000,000, and Huang made the final call.

Kim showed two pair K♣ J♠ , no good against Huang's better A♥ 9♦ .

Jeorge Lagatuz pushed his last 4,400,000 on the cutoff and saw Ching En Chen isolate for 10,000,000. All else folded, leaving the two to showdown.

Lagatuz at risk, stood at the brink of elimination through board A♣ J♥ T♠ 4♥ , up until the river K♠ filled up his straight, keeping him alive in the Main Event games.

A button vs big blind situation saw Shih Yu Hsiao risk his entire 3,400,000 preflop with A♥ J♣ against Syu Yong Jie's similar A♠ J♥ .

Board 9♥ 4♥ 8♣ 3♥ 4♠ did no damage to either, offering a split pot for the two.

With 4,800,000 in the pot across board 3♦ 8♦ 4♠ 2♦ 6♦ , Jae Joong Kim fired a final bet of 2,500,000, and saw Yamaguchi Junya check call to showdown. Kim revealed the nut flush A♦ Q♥ and earned the pot.

Down short, Chi Hao Lee committed his remaining few big blinds with nine-seven and faced Yu Cheng Lu's king-jack for a race. No help for Lee arrived on board, ending his Main Event run entirely.

Yamaguchi Junya stuffed his entire 6,000,000 against Jhen Yi Chin's early open and was snap called his opponent with a premium pair.

Drawing slim, Junya dodged elimination after a lucky runout on board 8♣ A♣ T♦ Q♣ 9♥ offered him another chance at the title.

Denny Kruezi open shoved utg and saw Bo Yi Xiao on the big blind, call off for his lesser 4,800,000.

In rough shape, Bo headed out just as board T♣ 5♦ 8♦ T♠ 5♥ failed to save him from his demise.

TMT Main Event action is down to its final two tables with Ching En Chen towering over the field. Each remaining contender is now guaranteed NTD 265,000 (~USD 8,085) in winnings, and a step closer to clinching the NTD 5,324,500 (~USD 162,425) top prize.

Chip Counts

Andrew De Ocampo raised all-in off the small blind and saw utg raiser Shih Yu Hsiao rise to the challenge.

Dominated, De Ocampo exited the arena shortly after failing to catch up on board A♠ 5♣ 8♣ 4♥ 3♥ .

Chi Sen Wu opened 1,200,000 utg and called off Li Sheng Hsu's all-in for 4,000,000 total right behind.

A pocket pair battle, Wu's better holdings kept ahead all the way through board 5♦ 8♣ 4♠ Q♣ 9♣ , knocking Li out of the running.

Yamaguchi Junya stuffed his last 2,500,000 from the big blind against Zi En Huang's cutoff open, and saw the latter make the call.

In for a race, Junya dodged elimination, having found a pair on board J♠ 8♥ Q♦ T♦ 6♥ to survive through.

Yi Xin Li opened 1,000,000 on the button, followed by an all-in from Cheng Chih Cheng for 3,250,000 more. Still nearly half of his stack, Yi decided to opt out, shipping Cheng the dead money in the middle.

Da Xian Liou (UTG) raises all-in 3,400,000 pre-flop holding T♥ J♥ and Yong Jie Syu (SB) called all-in holding 9♦ 9♠ . The board ran A♥ 3♠ K♥ 7♦ 4♣ giving Jie Syu's pocket nines the victory.