Main Event (9,000 NTD)

Day 1F of the TMT 18 Main Event games wrapped up strong with 985 entries pushing the excitement to new heights. Of the evening field, only 144 players secured a payout, while a further reduced 77 survivors advanced to Day 2.

Leading the pack was local gunner Zeng Ji Kun, who closed the day with an impressive stack of 725,000 (36 BB). Hot on his heels was Yu Xuan Gao carrying 680,000 (34 BB), followed by Filipino pro David Erquiaga, who also showed great form with 620,000 (31 BB).

/As the tournament clock ticks down, the pressure intensifies with just two starting flights left for tomorrow, giving players their last opportunities to qualify. The chase for the massive prize pool continues to heat up, with all those qualified deemed to return to Red Space on Sunday, July 27, ready to battle for the next round.

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: 502 entries, 76 ITM / 41 qualified

Day 1C: 628 entries, 95 ITM / 51 qualified

Day 1D: 817 entries, 123 ITM / 65 qualified

Day 1E: 884 entries, 133 ITM / 70 qualified

Day 1F: 958 entries, 144 ITM / 77 qualified

Day 1G: Saturday, July 26

Day 1H Turbo: Saturday, July 26

Day 2: Sunday, July 27

Final Day: Monday, July 28

Down to just 40,000 in the big blind, Pei Yao Lin was forced to commit his stack on the bubble against opener Yau Xin Chu.

With no help on board A♥ 6♥ 6♦ 7♣ 5♦ , Lin bowed out as Day 1F’s stone cold bubble, officially sealing the flight’s 77 qualifiers.

Yu Chen Lin open stuffed 180,000 and saw Yi Fan Chen in the small blind call off his last 115,000, putting himself at risk right on the soft bubble.

Whilst behind, Lin was in luck to roll a wheel straight on board 2♣ 4♥ 5♠ 7♥ T♥ , more than enough to keep her in contention and show Chen the door.

The tournament clock is officially paused as Day 1F hits the bubble — 79 players remain, but only 77 will move on to Day 2.

With the end of Day 1F fast approaching, just 83 players remain in contention, all now safely in the money. However, only 77 will qualify for Day 2, meaning a few more eliminations still stand between the field and a secured seat in Sunday’s next stage.

Pin Rui Wang open ripped folded to him and saw Tsung Yu Hou call off his last 115,000 in the small blind.

In for a race, Wang kept ahead all the way through board T♦ Q♥ 2♥ 8♣ A♠ , busting out Hou in the process.

Action folded down to the blinds, where Taeho Ahn flicked in his last 57,000. Yunhui Feng snap called right behind, taking them both to a flop of 4♣ 5♣ 3♥ . Ahn held the nuts and was in no danger, with the turn Q♣ and river 4♦ sealing his double up and keeping his hopes alive.

Action was picked up with Yeh Hung Wei staring down a 298,000 all-in from Yun Hui Feng in the small blind, with 70,000 already in the pot. After some thought, Wei decided to lay it down, open-folding T♦ T♥ . Feng gave him the same courtesy, flipping over Q♦ Q♥ for the win.

Byungho Lim opened mid position and called Tzu Yuan Lai's all-in from the button for 85,000 total.

Lai at risk, stepped off the floor as board 6♦ A♦ 3♣ 5♠ Q♥ kept him behind all the way.

Kuo Wei Kao pushed 106,000 in the hijack and was met with another shove from Qian Hao Lin behind.

Kao dominated, was in luck to flop a pair of tens on board 6♠ J♦ T♦ 2♦ 5♣ , enough to earn him the much needed double up.

Down to his last 8,000 right on the big blind, Yu Yung Lin had no choice but to go with T♥ 9♣ and was up against small blind Yao Wen Yang's K♥ T♦ .

No help for Lin arrived on board Q♦ A♦ 2♦ 8♥ 6♦ , sealing the win for Yang and leaving Lin just one spot shy of a cash.

Kuo Wei Chun opened utg and called Hoi Kiu Chen's all-in from the big blind for 90,000 total.

Chen was well ahead and faced no trouble as the board rolled A♥ T♠ 7♥ 2♣ T♣ , securing him the double up right on bubble time.

With 88,000 already in the pot and the board reading T♠ 4♣ 5♣ 8♦ K♦ , Yu Xuan Gao checked it over to Kwok Hin Lai, who fired a final 49,000. Gao responded with a shove, putting Lai to the ultimate test for his remaining 65,000.

After a brief tank, Lai made the call with A♥ K♣ for top pair but quickly saw the bad news. Gao tabled 4♦ 4♠ for a flopped set, cutting Lai out of a payday.

The tension is peaking here at Red Space as the Day 1F money bubble has officially arrived. With 147 players still in contention and only 144 guaranteed a payout, the tournament clock has been paused to ensure a hand for hand process moving forward.

Action folded down to the blinds, where Po Hung Lin open shoved his remaining 65,000. Zong Chi He stepped up to the plate, putting his opponent at risk close to the money.

Board Q♥ 6♥ 6♠ 6♣ 7♠ ran dry for Lin, sending him to the rail empty-handed.

Shung Er Sua open jammed 65,000 and was looked up behind by Yu Xuan Gao.

Sua in rough shape, missed to catch up on board T♠ 6♦ 2♣ 9♣ 2♠ , eliminating him from today's Main Event games.

Chia Chi Lin open ripped his last 62,000 and was met with another push from Yu Xuan Zheng behind.

Lin dominated, exited the arena shortly after the board 7♦ K♦ T♠ 4♣ K♠ landed on the felt.

Pitching for 30,000 in the middle alongside flop A♣ 5♥ 6♣ , Yu Yeonseo took a stab for 17,000, but soon found himself in a difficult situation after Yi En Chen moved all-in for 88,000 total. Yu tanked and eventually found the call with top pair A♦ T♦ , only to come crashing down as Chen revealed a set of sixes 6♥ 6♠ .

Runout 9♥ 8♥ changed nothing, leaving Yu on the ropes following the loss.

David Erquiaga in the big blind, called a button short stack jam with 8♥ 7♥ and was up against K♦ 9♦ . The flop 5♣ 6♠ K♥ gave Erquiaga an open ended straight draw, which instantly filled up on turn 9♥ . River 8♠ missed to improve his opponent's two pair to a boat, shipping Erquiaga the minor boost.

A blind vs blind battle between Li Yu and Shupha Kao saw both stacks rush to the middle on turn 4♦ T♦ 3♣ 5♣ , Yu at risk for his remaining 72,000.

Yu A♦ 9♦

Kao K♣ 4♣

The river K♦ completed Yu's flush, keeping him right on his seat while Kao slipped down to 14 BBs.

Day 1F of the TMT 18 Main Event delivered another strong turnout, wrapping up registration at 958 entries. The fast-paced format continued to attract a diverse field, with 144 players set to make the money and 77 advancing to the next stage.

Two more Day 1 starting flights remain before the full Day 2 roster is set. Stay locked in as we bring you all the action from Red Space!

The evening shift is about to kick off at Red Space as the Day 1F Turbo flight takes the TMT 18 Main Event into high gear. With the NTD 31 million (~USD 1M) guarantee still drawing massive interest, this faster-paced heat offers another prime shot at locking up a seat into Day 2.

Cards go in the air at 5:00 PM, with players receiving a 25,000 starting stack, worth 125 big blinds to start as blinds open at 100/200. The NTD 9,000 (~USD 300) buy-in remains an attractive and affordable option for both newcomers and seasoned players looking to make multiple attempts.

Late registration runs through Level 9 @22:00, so there's plenty of time to join the chase. Stay tuned in as SMP brings you live updates, key hands, and all the big moments straight from the tournament 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: 502 entries, 76 ITM / 41 qualified

Day 1C: 628 entries, 95 ITM / 51 qualified

Day 1D: 817 entries, 123 ITM / 65 qualified

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