TMTC Main (35,000 TWD)

Day 1b of the Taiwan Millions Tournament Championship (TMTC) Main Event is in the books and saw 289 entries over the course of its nine levels of registration. Added to the 249 from Day 1a, it brings the cumulative total to 538 with two starting flights to go.

Of those that ponied up the NTD 35,000 buy-in, just 44 survived to make it through to Day 2 and guarantee themselves a slice of the NTD 30,000,000 prize pool.

The United States’ Yousef Nassr emerged as the Flight B chip leader, bagging a towering stack of 1,165,000 to end the day in style. Yu Yung Lin of Taiwan follows closely behind with 1,133,000, while fellow Taiwanese Ching En Chen rounds out the top three with 1,022,000 in chips.

Three players built dominating stacks, each surpassing the one-million-chip mark heading into Day 2, putting them in prime position to create a career-defining moment in the Main Event.

Flight B Top Ten Chip Counts

On the direct bubble, Jen Ii Liu called off his stack against Youngjun Ji’s shove, putting his pocket queens up against Ji’s pocket kings. However, the deck flipped the script in dramatic fashion, completing Liu’s quad queens and allowing him to narrowly escape the day’s most unwanted title.

Following Liu’s nail-biting moment, Yu Yung Lin rode the momentum and avoided the title successfully, his ace connecting with the board to outlast Ting Yu Chen’s pocket jacks. Another player joining the winners’ ride was Yang Hsin Shih, whose pocket aces cracked John Tech’s big slick, securing him a key double-up.

After roughly fifteen hands of tense hand-for-hand play, Moses Saquing was the one who delivered the final knockout of the day as he sent Chan Man Lok out in 45th, securing the rest of the field a payday. Saquing’s ten kicker paired on the flop, easily besting Lok’s eight-four and earning him the dreaded bubble boy title.

Saturday, October 25, will play host to the final two starting flights, with the regular-paced Day 1c kicking off at 11 a.m. Day 1d offers a much faster way into Day 2 with 20-minute levels, and both will offer spots in the money for the top 15%.

Stay tuned to Somuchpoker to keep up to date with all the action from the TMTC Main Event inside the Asia Poker Arena.

That's a wrap for Day 1b. Stay tuned for a recap of the day's action plus those all-important chip counts.

Moses Saquing raised to 24,000 from under the gun, and Chan Man Lok called for his last 16,000 from the big blind.

Chan Man Lok: 8♠ 4♦

Moses Saquing: A♠ T♠

Saquing was ahead with ace-high and extended his dominance on the T♥ 6♦ J♣, improving him to a pair of tens and leaving Lok drawing very thin.

Soon after, the deck sealed the title for Lok with a runout of 6♥ 3♥, bursting the bubble and guaranteeing the remaining 44 players a share of the prize pool.

Ting Yu Chen opened to 40,000 from the hijack and Lin Yu Yung shoved around 400,000 from the cutoff. When it got back to Chen, he called.

Lin Yu Yung: A♦ K♥

Ting Yu Chen: J♦ J♣

Chen had a chance to end the night, but that seemed a lot less likely after the 4♦ A♣ T♠ flop gave Yung a pair of aces. No jacks appeared on the 2♥ 9♠ runout, and Yung survived.

On another table, John Tech had opened the cutoff and then put Yang Hsin Shih at risk, who moved all in from the big blind for around 142,000.

Yang Hsin Shih: A♥ A♦

John Tech: A♠ K♦

Shih had the goods, but was made to sweat as the 4♦ J♦ T♠ flop gave Tech a gutshot to Broadway. However, no queens appeared on the 3♥ turn or 7♦ river, and Shih survived.

Jen Ii Liu made it 22,000 to go from the hijack, only to be jammed by Youngjun Ji from the big blind for around 730,000. Liu called for his 311,000, putting his tournament life on the line.

Jen Ii Liu: Q♠ Q♦

Youngjun Ji: K♦ K♥

Ji held the lead with pocket kings; however, the dealer brought bad news on the 2♦ 8♠ Q♥ flop, which connected with Liu’s queens.

To end the hand in an even more dramatic fashion for Liu, the runout came 4♦ Q♣, giving him quads and shipping him the double-up in style.

Youngjun Ji made it 22,000 to go from under the gun, only to be shoved by Jaesung Park in the cutoff for 150,000. Ji dropped in the call to put his countryman at risk.

Jaesung Park: J♦ J♠

Youngjun Ji: A♣ A♠

Park's pocket jacks ran straight into Ji's aces. Much to Park's dismay, the dealer spread a clean board of 9♣ 9♦ 7♣ 5♥ 6♠, sending him to the rail.

With Park’s exit, the field was down to 45 players, marking the start of the direct bubble. One more knockout, and the remaining players will be guaranteed a share of the NT$30,000,000 prize pool.

Po Hsin made it 22,000 to go from middle position, only to be jammed by Wonki Kim for 64,000 in the big blind. Hsin dropped in the call to put Kim at risk.

Po Hsin: A♠ 5♦

Wonki Kim: T♣ T♥

Kim picked up the lead with pocket tens and maintained his dominance on the 9♥ 3♦ 8♦ flop. The dealer revealed a Q♦ on the turn, giving Hsin a flush draw.

Unfortunately for Hsin, the river bricked out a J♠, securing a much-needed double-up for Kim.

With just two spots to go until the money bubble bursts, the remaining 46 players are now hand-for-hand until two more eliminations have been recorded.

Once that happens, the survivors will bag up for the night and return for Day 2 on Sunday, October 26.

Liao Po Hsun made it 16,000 to go from under the gun and got himself two callers in the blinds: Ching En Chen and Yousef Nassr.

The trio checked through the 8♦ 3♦ 7♠ flop to the Q♣ turn, where action checked to Chen, who bet 8,000. Only Nassr check-called.

It went check-check on the T♥ river. Nassr revealed 6♥ 5♥, while Chen tabled A♣ 3♣ for a flopped pair of threes.

Tzu En Lin made it 16,000 to go from the hijack and got himself two callers from the blinds: Anson Lau and Takatoshi Memoto.

On the 6♠ 7♣ K♠ flop, the blinds checked to Lin, who continued for 13,000. Only Lau tagged along.

The dealer revealed a T♠ turn and Lau changed his pace here with a bet of 21,000. Lin stuck around.

When a 9♦ rolled off on the river, Lau shoved all in 345,000, sending Lin into the tank. After mulling it over, Lin eventually flicked in a call.

Lau quickly tabled 9♠ 8♠ for a turned straight to beat Lin's two pair with K♣ 9♣.

Chuyi Huang raised to 13,000 on the button and Songgi Yanagi shoved all in for 62,500 from the small blind. Huang made the call to put the Japanese player at risk.

Chuyi Huang: A♦ 9♦

Songgi Yanagi: A♠ 7♣

Huang dominated the lead with a stronger kicker nine and held control on the 4♣ 2♠ A♣ flop. The turn showed a 3♠, giving Yanagi a chance to chop.

Unfortunately for Yanagi, the river revealed a Q♣, sending him to the rail.

Pete Chen raised the hijack to 12,000, only to be jammed by Yan Zhi Wang for 38,000 on the button. Chen dropped in the call.

Pete Chen: J♣ 9♣

Yan Zhi Wang: A♦ A♥

Chen's jack-high ran straight into Wang's aces. Despite receiving help from the dealer on the K♠ 9♦ K♥ flop, Chen still couldn't take over the lead.

Soon after, the deck locked up a double-up for Wang with a runout of 3♠ T♦, leaving Chen a short stack.

Shingo Kawagoe shoved all in on the button for 47,500 and John Tech called from the small blind.

John Tech: K♥ 9♠

Shingo Kawagoe: K♣ Q♦

Kawagoe picked up the lead with a stronger kicker queen and held control on the J♥ 7♦ 6♣ flop.

The dealer then sent the J♦ turn and 3♦ river, locking up a double-up for Kawagoe.

Yejun Kim was all in on the button for 66,000 and Ching En Chen called in the big blind.

Yejun Kim: K♣ Q♦

Ching En Chen: A♣ T♠

Chen picked up the lead with ace-high, but the dealer delivered bad news to him with a 2♣ Q♣ 8♦ flop, connecting to Kim's queen.

The 6♦ landed on the turn, and Chen was still looking to spike an ace to avoid Kim's double-up. However, the river bricked out the 5♥, prolonging Kim's tournament life.

Chih Wei Fan opened to 8,000 from under the gun and Lee Sung Hak called from middle position, as did Yu Yung Lin from the big blind.

On the T♥ A♠ 7♣ flop, action checked to Fan, who continued for 7,500. Only Hak stuck around to see the J♥ turn. Fan checked over and Hak bet 18,400 after thinking for a long time. Hsu made the call.

An A♦ filled out the board, Fan checked again, and Hak fired out 60,000, sending Fan into the tank. Hsu eventually tossed his cards into the muck after a long time.

The action was picked up when a board showing 5♣ T♠ 5♥ 7♣ and around 45,500 chips in the pot.

Chien Chang Liu checked in the big blind. Sheng Wen Chang bet 30,000 from under the gun, only to be jammed by Liu for around 160,000. Chang called off his remaining 30,000, putting himself at risk.

Sheng Wen Chang: K♦ K♥

Chien Chang Liu: Q♦ 5♦

Chang's pocket kings ran headfirst into Liu's flopped trip fives. The dealer then delivered a 2♥ on the river, sending Chang out of the field.

Jia Sen Tee limped in from the small blind and I He Huang checked in the big blind.

Both players checked through the 5♣ A♠ Q♠ flop to the 9♣ turn, and Tee check-called after Huang bet 4,500.

A board-pairing 9♥ filled out the board, Tee checked to Huang again, who sent another bet of 10,000. Tee called.

Huang revealed T♣ 7♥, while Tee tabled K♠ 2♦ for king-high and took down the pot.

Yu Yung Lin raised 5,000 from early position, and Kei Wong Lou shoved from middle position for 25,500. Lin made the call.

Kei Wong Lou: A♦ 7♠

Yu Yung Lin: A♣ 9♠

Lin picked up the lead with a stronger nine kicker and maintained his dominance throughout the 6♥ 3♦ 4♥ Q♥ K♥ board, sending Lou to the rail.

The action was picked up on the turn with around 35,000 chips in the pot and a board reading 8♣ 4♣ 9♥ 3♠. Kei Wong Lou checked from middle position, and Kevin bet 12,000 on the button. Lou called.

The dealer then delivered a J♠ on the river, and action went check-check. Lou revealed J♥ T♠ for a rivered pair of jacks, but it was not enough against Hasler's turned two pair with 8♦ 3♦.

Seeing the all-in triangle in the middle of the table on a flop of 5♠ K♦ 3♠ , Ka Ho Sun had his stack of around 28,500 in the pot from the big blind, and was put at risk by the hijack.

Sun held a flush draw with Q♠ 8♠ , and needed to connect as his opponent held A♥ 4♥ for ace-high with a wheel draw.

It wasn't a spade that came to Sun's rescue though, instead it was the unlikely snowman that helped him as the 8♣ turn gave him a pair. Nothing changed on the J♣ river, and Sun doubled up.

Chien Chang Liu raised to 5,000 from under the gun and I He Huang defended his big blind.

The two checked through the 3♦ 2♣ 8♦ flop to see a 6♠ turn, and Huang bet 7,000. Liu stuck around.

The J♣ rolled off on the river, and action went check-check. Huang revealed his pair with 4♥ 4♣, while Liu mucked his cards.

Chien Chang Liu raised to 5,000 from under the gun and I He Huang defended his big blind.

The two checked through the flop to see a 6♠ turn, and Huang bet 7,000. Liu stuck around.

The J♣ rolled off on the river, and action went check-check. Huang revealed his pair with 4♥ 4♣, while Liu mucked his cards.

Shiina Okamoto, who is having a stellar series so far at TMTC, is in the Main Event looking to advance to Day 2.

So far, things are going smoothly for the Japanese player as she has around 60,000 in her stack, good for around 24 big blinds as the level just hopped up.

Chien Te Lee opened the cutoff to 4,500 and Chuyi Huang three-bet to 13,500 in the big blind. Lee dropped in the call.

Both players checked through the T♥ A♠ 3♣ flop to a board-pairing A♥ turn, where Lee check-called after Huang bet 10,000.

When a K♥ rolled off on the river, Lee checked over again, and Huang sent another barrel of 10,000. Lee check-called.

Huang quickly showed A♣ J♠ for trip aces and dragged in the pot as Lee mucked.

Jun Minsung opened the cutoff to 4,000 and Fang Chi Hsweh called on the button, only to be jammed by Tin Chieh Yang from the small blind for 20,000. Minsung made the call, and Hsweh stepped aside.

Jun Minsung: A♥ 6♣

Ting Chieh Yang: A♦ J♠

Yang’s jack stayed ahead against Minsung’s six-kicker as the dealer spread a 7♦ 3♣ A♣ flop, offering little help to Minsung.

The K♠ turn and 4♣ river sealed his fate, sending the pot Yang’s way and Minsung out of the tournament.

Fang Chi Hsweh shoved all in from under the gun for 23,000 and Ting Chieh Yang called from early position.

Ting Chieh Yang: A♣ J♣

Fang Chi Hsweh: J♠ J♦

Hsweh was well ahead with his jacks and maintained his dominance well throughout the 8♥ 2♥ 2♠ 8♣ Q♦ board, securing a tournament-extending double-up.

With a total of 289 entries being recorded in Day 1b, it means there are 44 spots on offer in Day 2, which plays out on Sunday, October 26.

Currently, there are 160 players still with chips, meaning the field needs to be cut into around a quarter before the survivors can bag up for the evening.

Players are now on a 15-minute break. Once play resumes, registration will officially close.

Yuan Jui Chang raised the hijack to 3,000 and Hsin Kai Huang three-bet to 13,000 from the cutoff. Chang called.

Chang checked the 5♣ 7♠ J♠ flop to Huang, who then shoved all in for around 172,000. Chang responded with a call with his last 34,000, putting his tournament life on the line.

Yuan Jui Chang: A♣ J♥

Hsin Kai Huang: K♦ K♥

Huang picked up the lead with his Cowboys, leaving Chang drawing thin. The deck sealed Chang's fate soon after with a runout of 5♦ 3♥, shipping the pot Huang's way.

Kevin Hasler raised the hijack to 3,000 and Hong Leung Ip called from the cutoff, as did Changjun Kim in the big blind.

The trio checked through the 9♦ J♥ Q♠ flop to see a board-pairing 8♥ fall on the turn, where Kim led out for 4,000. Only Hasler dropped in the call.

When a 7♦ filled out the board, Kim sent another barrel of 10,000, and it was good for the pot as Hesler let go of his cards.

After a raise from under the gun, Chien Chang Liu shoved for 9,100 from the small blind. Kequn Wu called in the big blind. The initial raiser folded, leaving Liu's tournament life on the line against Wu.

Chien Chang Liu: A♦ Q♣

Kequn Wu: 8♦ 8♣

Wu picked up the lead with his snowmen, but soon they melted by the heat from Liu as he improved to a pair on the K♣ Q♠ 4♠ flop.

The dealer revealed a 9♦ on the turn while Wu was still looking to spike an eight to avoid Liu's double-up. Unfortunately for Wu, the river bricked out a J♠, locking up a double-up for Liu.

Ting Chieh Yang raised the cutoff to 2,500 and Mark Sia called on the button, as did Chien Chang Liu from the big blind.

On the K♥ 9♠ 8♣ flop, Liu led out for 1,300, and Yang cranked it up to 3,500. Sia and Liu came along for the ride.

When the J♣ hit on the turn, Liu fired another barrel of 2,800 and Yang called. Sia turned up the heat here with a 15,000 raise, which didn't deter his two opponents from dropping in the calls.

A 4♦ filled out the board, and action checked to Sia. He then shoved for 20,400. Liu called and Yan stepped aside.

Sia quickly revealed a turned straight with Q♥ T♥ to beat the flopped pair of kings of Liu's K♣ 5♠.

Unlike the typical metal or glass trophies seen across the poker circuit, the TMT Championship Main Event trophy stands out as a true work of art. Crafted in the shape of a large ceremonial plate, its design highlights the outline of Taiwan engraved into polished wood with a golden geometric inlay that reflects the country’s character and craftsmanship. The intricate border pattern and natural woodgrain finish make it a symbol of heritage as much as victory, perfectly representing the local pride behind the Taiwan Millions Tournament Championship.

The trophy’s circular form also carries meaning. It represents unity, continuity, and the unending pursuit of excellence, which are all values shared by both the players and the community behind TMTC. This is not a prize that sits quietly on a shelf; it is a statement piece that celebrates culture, skill, and the spirit of competition that defines poker in Taiwan.

Ting Hao Wu opened the button to 2,000 and Chien Yu Lin defended her big blind.

Both players checked through the T♥ T♣ J♠ flop to see a 4♠ fall on the turn, where Lin check-called after Wu bet 2,000.

When the T♠ filled out the board, Lin checked and Wu sent another barrel of 3,500. Lin then immediately laid it down.

Yoonsang Jo shoved for 11,700 from middle position and was put at risk by Ta Wei Wang on the button.

Yoonsan Jo: A♦ 3♦

Ta Wei Wang: 8♣ 8♦

Wang picked up the lead with pocket eights and maintained his dominance on the Q♠ Q♦ 2♣ flop. When the dealer sent a 4♦ on the turn, Wang sweated as Jo received a flush draw.

Much to Jo's dismay, the river didn't come to his favor and revealed a 7♠, sending him to the rail.

Taeyong Kwon made it 1,600 to go from early position and Andy Ho called in the cutoff.

After seeing the dealer reveal the T♦ Q♦ 7♠ flop, Kwon continued for 1,300, only to be jammed by Ho for 19,500. Kwon snap-called to put his opponent at risk.

Taeyong Kwon: A♦ Q♠

Andy Ho: J♦ J♠

Ho's pocket jacks ran straight into Kwon's flopped pair of queens. The deck offered no help to Ho as a runout came T♥ 9♥, sending him out of the field.

Koichi Baba limped in from the hijack, only to be jammed by Chen Hsuanyu for around 19,000. Baba dropped in the call to put Yu at risk.

Koichi Baba: A♥ 3♠

Chen Hsuanyu: A♦ 3♥

It looked destined to be a chop, and as expected, the dealer spread a 7♣ A♣ K♣ 9♦ 7♠ board, splitting the pot between both players.

Chieh Hsiang Hsu open-shoved for 10,100 from under the gun. Jong Hyun Park called off his last 9,000 on the button, putting his tournament life on the line.

Jong Hyun Park: J♦ 8♥

Chieh Hsiang Hsu: A♣ T♠

Hsu picked up the lead with ace-high and held control on the 7♣ K♣ Q♥ flop while he received a gutshot from the dealer.

Soon after, the deck sealed Park's fate with a runout of 4♥ 9♣, sending him to the rail.

Fumihiro Baba made it 1,500 to go from early position and Ting Yu Chen called in the cutoff, as did Songgi Yanagi from the big blind.

On the 6♥ K♥ 8♦ flop, Yanagi checked to Baba, who continued for 2,200. Chen and Yanagi came along for the ride.

When a 9♥ landed on the turn, three players checked through to see a 5♣ fill out the board. After action checked to Chen, he sent a bet of 5,500. Only Yanagi called.

Chen tabled K♦ J♦ for a flopped pair of kings, while Yanagi also revealed a pair of kings with K♠ Q♥ and raked in the pot.

Koichi Baba limped in from middle position and Yin Kwan Chim raised the hijack to 1,600. Chi Jen Chen defended his big blind. Baba then cranked it up to 3,200. Chim and Chen tagged along.

Chen checked the J♥ 8♥ 9♠ flop to Baba, who continued for 2,000. Only Chen stuck around to see a 2♣ land on the turn, where Chen check-called a bet of 2,000 from Baba.

Action went check-check on the 7♥ river. Chen revealed his pair with 4♦ 4♥, but it was no match for Baba's ladies with Q♥ Q♠.

Ki Young Kim opened the button to 2,100, and Alan Yip three-bet to 4,300 in the big blind. Kim then shoved for 17,100, and Yip snap-called to put his opponent at risk.

Ki Young Kim: A♦ K♦

Alan Yip: J♥ J♠

Kim was behind as his Big Slick ran straight into Yip's pocket jacks, but the dealer delivered help on the K♥ 8♠ T♠ flop, improving him to top pair.

The Q♣ landed on the turn, giving Yip more outs with a straight draw.

Unfortunately for Yip, the river bricked out a 4♠, locking up a much-needed double-up for Kim.

With around 2,600 chips in the middle, a flop revealed 7♥ Q♥ 3♦ and action checked to Cheng Yi Lin, who bet from early position to 1,100. Wen Chien Lin called from the small blind. Jintae Yang stepped aside in the big blind.

It went check-check on the 8♣ turn, and the T♣ filled out the board, where Chien Lin checked. Yi Lin bet 2,300. Chien Lin then cranked it up to 5,300, sending his opponent into the tank. After burning one time bank card, Yi Lin eventually let go of his cards.

Jan Hwuan Kim limped in from middle position, as did Chang Hyun Kim in the small blind. Yao Wen Yang checked his big blind.

Three players checked to the river on the 2♦ 6♣ 5♥ K♣ K♦ board, where Hyun Kim checked to Yang, who bet 500. Hwuan then put in a raise to 1,500. Only Hyun Kim dropped in the call.

After seeing Hwuan Kim revealed trip kings with K♠ 8♥, Yang laid it down.

Tung Man Tam raised the hijack to 500 and received calls from the blinds: Jaehyung Park and Guojin Zeng.

Action checked to Tam, who continued for 1,000 on the K♦ 4♦ Q♠ flop. Only Park came along for the ride.

It went check-check on the 3♥ turn, then the river brought a 2♦. Park bet 1,000, to which Tam cranked it up to 3,500. It successfully pushed Park out of the pot.

Po Hsin opened to 600 from under the gun and Ashton Goh called in the cutoff. Tatsuto Chinen then three-bet the small blind to 2,500, which only Po Hsin dropped in the call.

On the 9♥ K♦ Q♦ flop, Chinen continued for 1,800 and Hsin stuck around.

Chinen kept his pace and fired out another barrel of 5,500 on the 8♦ turn. It was good for the pot as Hsin tossed his cards into the muck.

Play has begun, and cards are in the air for Flight B of the TMTC Main Event. Players are now on their journey toward Day 2.

Flight B of the Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) Championship today kicks off inside the Asia Poker Arena at 11:00 local time, featuring a guaranteed prize pool of NTD 30,000,000.

After nearly 13 grueling hours of play in Flight A yesterday, 38 survivors bagged their chips and advanced to Day 2.

It was Malaysia’s Ming Ken Thoo who outlasted a 249-entry field to emerge as the chip leader with a commanding stack of 1,046,000, becoming the only player so far to cross the one-million mark.

Chasing close behind is Korea’s Won Gyun Lee with 785,000, while Taiwan’s Yu Chang rounds out the top three with 677,000.

Following the same structure, players will start with 50,000 in chips today, blinds at 100/200 with a 200 big blind ante, and play through 40-minute levels. To keep minds sharp and energy steady, 15-minute breaks will be held after every three levels.

Late registration closes at Level 9, giving hopefuls plenty of time to take their shot at this premier event.

Stay tuned as we bring you live coverage, chip counts, and highlights from start to finish as the race for the 2025 TMTC Main Event title continues.