Main Event (9,000 NTD)

The TMT Main Event is off to a fiery start with today’s opening flight drawing a packed field of 985 entries, a strong sign that this year’s edition is on track to break records. After eleven hours of play, 148 players secured a share of the NTD 31,000,000 (~USD 1M) guaranteed prize pool, with the field eventually trimmed down to 79 survivors moving on to Day 2.

Leading the charge is local standout Zeng Chen Wei, who built his stack early and maintained momentum throughout the day to bag a towering 1,044,000 (104 BB) in chips, the only player to crack the million mark. Hot on his heels is fellow Taiwanese runner Chia Lin Luo, who also closed strong with 819,000 (82 BB).

A few more local names followed closely behind with Mushiang Huang ending the day with 740,000 (74 BB), Guoliang Kang with 726,000 (72 BB), and Huanyu Chen right behind at 715,000 (71 BB). Meanwhile, past season champions Chiayun Wu and Jyun Yang Cheng were among those who failed to advance but are expected to return in the coming flights.

With numbers holding strong, this year’s TMT Main Event is already shaping up to be one of the biggest yet. All 79 Day 1A qualifiers will have the week to rest as they make their return next Sunday, July 27, for Day 2. Stay tuned as SMP continues to bring you all the latest action straight from the floor!

TMT 18 Main Event

Dates: July 20–28, 2025

Buy-in: NTD 9,000 (~USD 300)

Guarantee: NTD 31,000,000 (~USD 1,000,000)

Day 1A: 985 entries, 148 ITM / 79 qualified

Day 1B Turbo: Sunday, July 20

Day 1C: Wednesday, July 23

Day 1D: Thursday, July 24

Day 1E: Friday, July 25

Day 1F Turbo: Friday, July 25

Day 1G: Saturday, July 26

Day 1H Turbo: Saturday, July 26

Day 2: Sunday, July 27

Final Day: Monday, July 28

Folded to Chi Wa Cheng on the small blind, he shoved for 89,000 and was quickly looked up by Tsungyen Tang to his left.

Slightly behind, Cheng’s hopes of bagging were dashed right away as Tang flopped two pair on the board 4♦ A♥ T♦ Q♦ J♣ shutting down any chance of a chop. Cheng bowed out as the Day 1A bubble, locking in the 79 remaining players a Day 2 seat.

Down short, Shao Ting Jian flicked in his last 18,000 blind and was followed with a 50,000 raise from Yi Chun Yu a seat after. All else folded, leaving the two to showdown.

Jian in danger of a bubble elimination, lucked out as the board A♠ 7♣ Q♣ 6♣ 5♣ paired up his seven to earn the double up.

With 82 players left and only 8% of the field advancing to Day 2, the tournament clock has been paused for bubble time. Just three more eliminations stand between the field and the finish line, with 79 players set to qualify for the next round and make their return on Sunday, July 27th.

Facing an early open and a call, player on the button decided to take the spot for his last 93,000, and was challenged by initial raiser Chengnan Tseng.

Tseng J♠ J♣

BTN 2♦ 2♣

Tseng a significant favorite to win, had no issues bagging the boost across board 6♠ 4♦ A♠ 8♦ 7♠ .

Chengsun Yu opened mid position and shelled out 80,000 more after a player two seats over committed his last ten big blinds.

Yu A♥ T♥

CO 7♦ 7♣

Running a coinflip, Yu quickly scooped up the pot, having found two pair on board 3♠ T♣ 9♣ K♠ A♦ to bag the win.

Fresh on the table, Xiangen Ni locked in a raise on the hijack, and was met with a 65,000 three bet from Zi Xiang Lin on the small blind. Ni responded with a raise to 120,000, yet slipped his hand back in the muck after Lin pushed all-in.

Vying for roughly 100,000 in the middle, turn action on board K♠ 8♣ 4♠ 4♥ saw Xiangen Ni on the button, gun for a bet of 42,000. Yutung Liu check jammed for 181,000 total, finally convincing Ni to give up the fight and concede the pot.

With the pressure of the blinds mounting, Chengnan Tseng risked his last 89,000 on the button and ran smack into Chia Hsuan Lin's big blind special.

Lucky for Tseng, the board T♦ Q♠ 4♠ 2♠ T♠ landed him a full house to crack his opponent's aces and survive through.

Running short, a shove for 38,000 came from early position and was called by Hua Hui Wang in the big blind.

Wang 4♦ 4♠

UTG+2 K♥ Q♥

Wang instantly flopped a set on 4♥ 9♥ 8♠ , and with no additional hearts landing on the J♣ 6♠ runout, he scored the knockout to mark Day 1A’s final elimination before the money.

The remaining 148 players have now locked up a share of the NT$ 31,000,000 guaranteed pot.

With a pot of 160,000 already built between Zi Xiang Lin and Fong Shaing Lee, it wasn’t until the river 6♣ 8♦ 7♣ K♣ 6♥ did Lin make his final move, shoving in his remaining 108,000.

Lee was put in a tough spot and eventually made a last minute crying call with K♦ T♣ , only to find himself outkicked by Lin’s K♠ Q♦ , who scooped up the 64 BB pot right on bubble time.

Taking full advantage of bubble pressure, Josei Kamei was caught firing a sizeable 35,000 into the big blind on a turn of K♥ T♣ 4♥ A♠ . The big blind gave it some thought but ultimately couldn't risk his tournament life after Kamei shoved the river 7♦ . Kamei then flipped over 2♠ 2♣ , pure air as he raked in the pot uncontested.

Cheng Han Zhan lodged a 30,000 three bet against an utg open, and was cold called by Yumi Ko on the big blind. The initial raiser stepped aside, leaving the two to battle on board J♣ 8♠ 9♠ .

Ko went ahead and pushed her remaining 75,000 with Q♦ Q♥ , only to be called by Cheng shortly with a better pair K♠ K♣ . Drawing slim, Ko hit the rails just as turn 3♥ and river K♦ sealed her fate.

The tournament clock has been paused to make way for bubble time with 153 players left in the running. Just five more eliminations to go before the top 148 players lock up a payout in today’s Day 1A flight.

Yung Kuei Wu opened 12,000 utg and was joined by Pan Tsun Yi on the cutoff, along with player in the big blind.

On flop Q♣ 2♣ 4♠ , Wu continued for 15,000 and saw both come along to turn 5♦ . This time, action checked to Yi, who took a stab for 25,000. The big blind folded, while Wu responded with a shove for 107,000 total. Yi tanked for a bit but eventually decided to lay it down, open folding Q♦ top pair.

The money bubble is closing in with just ten more players to bust before the Main Event opening flight rolls out the dough. Out of the 985 total entries, only 148 will walk away with a return, and a further reduced 79 players guaranteed a seat into Day 2.

Hsien Kuan Chen opened to 11,000 from the cutoff and found two callers — Junhao Ke on the button and player in the big blind.

Three way action on flop 9♠ 8♠ 5♥ was checked to Ke on the button, who fired a bet of 13,000. Chen called, then led out for 30,000 when the Q♣ hit the turn. Ke stuck around, and faced another 20,000 bet when river K♦ completed the board.

This time, Ke came in with a hefty raise to 125,000. Chen tanked but eventually paid it off, only to be shown the nuts as Ke tabled J♠ T♠ for a straight.

Shao Ting Jian moved all-in over a late position open and got looked up by his opponent, who committed the rest of his 69,000 stack.

Shao 5♥ 5♣

HJ A♣ K♣

It was a classic coin flip, but the board ran out 4♠ 2♠ 2♣ 7♥ T♦ in favor of the pocket pair, earning Shao the knockout and trimming the field by one.

Up against an open and a button three bet, Chia Hsuan Lin jammed his 49,000 stack from the big blind, leaving the player on the button priced in to call.

Lin A♣ Q♦

BTN A♥ J♠

The board ran out 2♦ 9♥ 6♣ 3♦ 5♠ , missing both players entirely and securing the double for Lin with his better ace.

Sing Wen Chen woke up with a monster hand right on the small blind and was happy to take the spot against a short stack.

Chen K♦ K♠

UTG K♥ Q♥

No surprises arrived on board 4♥ 8♠ 4♣ J♣ Q♠ , earning Chen the much needed boost, just barely covering his opponent to score the knockout.

Zheng Ting Lin fired a three bet against Yun Tsu’s mid-position open and went on to call off his remaining 11 BB stack after Tsu responded with a shove. Lin, a huge favorite, smooth sailed to victory on board 8♠ 5♣ Q♦ 4♦ 7♥ , earning him the much needed double up.

Running up a stack, South Korean contender Song Ju Chan gained even more momentum after scooping up another preflop showdown. The player at risk was in rough shape once the cards were tabled, and with no help from the board 6♣ J♦ K♦ K♥ 9♠ , Chan snagged a clean 15 BB boost to his already growing tower of chips.

With 40,000 already in the middle, Yi Chun Yu led the three-way action from the big blind with a bet of 25,000. Chi Jen Chen gave it some thought before jamming his last 42,000. The player on the button quickly got out of the way, while Yu made the call to put Chen at risk.

Chen was dominated with A♣ 7♣ against Yu’s A♥ Q♣ , and couldn’t catch up as the board ran out 8♦ 9♣ , sealing his elimination in today's Day 1A.

A hefty pot was brewing on Table 83 as action reached the river on a board of 7♦ A♠ 7♥ 3♦ T♣ . Tee Jia Sen had already checked over to Stefan Wiesebrock on the button, who fired a bet of 40,000.

After a brief pause, Sen made the call and quickly tabled A♣ 9♣ for two pair. Wiesebrock could only shake his head and slip his 6♦ 6♣ into the muck.

After a string of raises and calls, the player on the button moved all-in for his last 27,000. The initial raiser got out of the way, but Wesley Chen came over the top with another shove. One more player called behind, setting up a three-way showdown.

Chen was ahead preflop and stayed in front through the runout 3♣ 2♠ 4♣ K♠ 8♠ , scoring a double knockout to thin the field.

Another three-way preflop all-in unfolded with Tung Ouyang wedged between two short stacks. Chasing overcards, Tung found help on board 2♥ Q♥ 2♦ K♦ 6♦ , pairing his king to score the double knockout and sweep the pot.

Action was picked up on the river with the board showing Q♦ K♣ T♠ 8♠ 6♦ , and two separate pots already brewing - 43,500 in the main and 63,000 in the side. pot, with Chien Chih Wei already all-in.

Wang Xiao Yung had checked and was facing a hefty bet from Ting Hsu Hsieh, who pushed for Wang’s remaining 33,500. After some thought, Wang made the call with A♣ Q♣ for mid pair, catching Ting’s bluff with A♦ 7♦ to scoop the side pot.

But it was Chien who had the last word, revealing A♥ J♥ for a flopped straight, more than enough to take down the main pot and keep his tournament run alive.

A smashing start to this season’s TMT Main Event as the opening flight pulled in a whopping 985 entries, just edging past last year’s Day 1A and signaling what could be a record-breaking field ahead.

Of those, only 474 players remain on their seats, with 148 set to make the money and a further reduced 79-runner pack advancing to Day 2. For those who missed the mark, there’s little time to dwell with Day 1B Turbo kicking off in just under an hour, offering a fresh shot at the NTD 31 million guaranteed prize pool.

A quick-fire exchange between Kean Yee Choo and Teng Li Chun saw both stacks fly into the middle preflop, with Choo at risk for his full 42,400. But there was no sweat needed as Choo tabled pocket aces and left Chun nearly drawing dead as the board ran out 8♣ 8♥ 8♠ 5♦ J♠ .

After an open and a call, Huang Chai Yi in the big blind decided to squeeze it up to 7,000, getting both opponents to come along. The flop landed 6♠ 3♣ 8♥ , and Huang fired a 9,000 cbet, which chased one out of the pot, leaving only Hung En Cheng to respond.

The 5♥ rolled in on the turn, and this time Huang slowed down with a check. Hung didn’t hesitate to rip 24,000 into the middle, prompting Huang to give it up and let the hand go.

Chia Hsuan Lin limped in from utg and called a 4,000 raise from Chen Yu Zhou on the cutoff. On the 6♥ 2♥ 8♥ flop, Chia took the lead with a 6,000 bet, which Chen called.

The K♦ landed on the turn, and this time Chia checked and called a 12,000 barrel from Chen.

The 5♠ hit the river, and after another check from Chia, Chen went for the final push. Chia decided to call off his last 17,800 with 9♥ 9♣ and found it good against Chen's bottom pair A♥ 2♣ .

Danny Su opened from middle position and was quickly met with a 6,500 three bet from Akira Suzuki on the button. Su wasted no time shoving for 15,000 more. After a brief pause, Suzuki made the call and two premium hands were seen on the felt.

With the nutted pair, Su had no problems keeping ahead all the way through board A♠ Q♠ T♦ 4♣ 8♣ , leaving Suzuki on the ropes.

A three-way all-in preflop situation saw Woo Meng Wei make the final call, comfortably covering both opponents who were in for their last 18 big blinds. The board ran out Q♠ 3♣ T♣ 9♠ 2♣ , giving Woo a slam dunk win and sending both players packing in one clean sweep.

After an open and a three bet from Victor Chen, the player in the cutoff decided to rip it in with A♦ Q♠ for his last 22,200. The initial raiser stepped aside, and Chen quickly made the call with 5♦ 5♠ . It was a classic race, but Chen’s pocket pair held strong as the board ran out 4♣ 9♦ 4♦ 9♣ 3♣ , giving his opponent no help and locking up the pot.

Vying for 19,000 in the middle across board 6♣ 8♣ 8♦ 4♠ , Steven Yang on the big blind led all-in, applying maximum pressure on his opponent. Hsiao Yu Zhe on the button took his time, and eventually found the call for his last 9,600 with A♦ K♠ . Yang revealed a flush draw Q♣ 2♣ , which failed to find a third club on river 7♠ , forcing him down the ranks.

Two short stacks got it all in preflop, with the big blind putting her tournament life on the line in a classic race against Shan Wang. She held a slight edge going in, but the board ran out 8♣ 5♣ 9♥ 2♣ Q♥ , giving Wang a pair of queens to take the win.

With an open and a call in front, TMT Season 14 Main Event champ Chiayun Wu jammed his last 12,000 in the middle, only to see Zheng Ting Lin reshove behind. The rest of the table quickly got out of the way, setting up a heads up showdown.

Wu looked optimistic as the 4♣ hit the window, but was left entirely crushed as the runout J♥ J♦ K♥ A♣ gave Zheng a stronger full house to deliver the bust.

Tsai Cheng Lin opened and picked up three callers, among them Wesley Chen in the big blind. The flop came K♦ J♣ 2♣ and Tsai followed through with a 2,000 cbet. Two players called before the action reached back to Chen, who sprang a big check raise to 40,000, turning up the heat on all three opponents.

Tsai tank folded, accidentally flashing A♦ K♥ while Tin Han Lin decided to gamble, calling off his remaining 22,500 with the nut flush draw A♣ 6♣ . The turn 8♦ and river 7♦ bricked out, and Chen raked in a healthy pot with his flopped two pair, K♣ 2♦ .

Facing an open and a three bet, Yoda Lin cold called on the small blind, and was followed by an all-in from the initial raiser for 8,500 total. While one bowed out, Lin decided to flick in the call and was in for a flip for a 40 BB pot.

Lucky for Lin, his pocket pair held through on board J♣ 4♥ 3♥ 3♣ 8♦ , earning him a boost to course through the rest of the day.

Up against an early open and two calls, Zhenxian Wu decided to squeeze all-in on the big blind for 14,000. Only Chin Te Lai fours seats down the line was willing to take the spot, slipping two thirds of his stack with a suited ace.

Wu at risk, faded elimination having spiked two pair on board 4♥ Q♠ 4♣ J♦ 3♦ to keep his Main Event hopes intact.