TMTC Main (35,000 TWD)

Day 2 of the Taiwan Millions Tournament Championship (TMTC) has come to an end with just nine players remaining from the enormous 1,076-entry field. What began as a marathon inside the Asia Poker Arena has now set the stage for an all-Taiwanese showdown, with eight of the nine finalists representing the host nation.

Leading the charge into the final day is Yu Chang, who bagged a commanding 9,850,000 after a strong late surge that saw him extend his edge over the field. Hot on his heels is Ching En Chen with 9,025,000, who bulldozed his table during the final stretch to secure second place in the counts.

Rounding out the top three is Chih Kai Chang, who experienced a wild ride through the closing levels. After slipping from the chip lead to the danger zone, he pulled off a gutsy bluff that turned the momentum back in his favor, keeping his hopes of lifting the TMTC Main Event trophy alive.

One of the standout moments of the day came from Chang, who pulled off what might be the bluff of his life. In a button versus small blind battle against Mu Teng Liu, Chang fired on every street before shoving the river after Liu made a small blocking bet. Liu eventually folded, and Chang revealed a complete bluff to the disbelief of the table.

Moments later, Liu delivered the final blow of the night to send the field down to nine. After limping from early position, he called the shove of Chih Han Hsu from the small blind and found himself trailing against pocket queens. The tide quickly turned on the flop as Liu paired both his king and jack, and the board ran out clean to eliminate Hsu in 10th place and set the official final table.

The final table of the Taiwan Millions Tournament Championship (TMTC) gets underway at 1 p.m. on Monday, October 27. Keep it with Somuchpoker for the latest live updates as we find out who will be crowned the next TMTC Main Event champion inside the Asia Poker Arena.

The surviving 9 players have all earned themselves a minimum payday of NT$500,100 and are currently bagging up their chips.

Stay tuned for a recap of the day's action.

Mu Teng Liu limped in from under the gun and Chih Han Hsu shoved 1,650,000 from the small blind. When it got back to Liu, he called.

Chih Han Hsu: Q♠ Q♣

Mu Teng Liu: K♠ J♦

Hsu had the best of it with his pocket queens, but fell behind on the K♣ J♣ A♥ flop as Liu made two pair. Only a queen or a ten could save Hsu, but neither appeared on the 4♥ 9♣ runout, ending his run in 10th.

Ching En Cheng limped in from the small blind, as did Ori Kossonogi in the small blind. Instead of a check, Chengjyun Yang mucked his cards from the big blind.

Ori Kossonogi chek-called after Cheng led out for 250,000 on the 4♥ 2♦ Q♥ flop. Action went check-check on the 8♦ turn.

When a 7♥ rolled off on the river, Kossonogi checked to Cheng, who fired out 1,000,000. Kossonogi dropped in the call.

Cheng revealed A♥ 9♥ for ace-high, and it was good enough for the pot as Kossonogi laid it down.

Chih Kai Chang probably just made the bluff of his life.

Chang opened to 500,000 on the button and Mu Teng Liu called out of the small blind.

Liu check-called a bet of 725,000 on the 7♠ Q♠ Q♥ flop and again on the Q♦ turn for 1,300,000.

When the J♣ hit the river, Chang shoved out of turn and Liu confirmed that if he checked, the shove would be binding. He got the nod from the floor and then put out a min-bet of 250,000. Chang then immediately shoved, and Liu took a while before he folded.

Chang then revealed T♣ 9♥ for a total bluff!

Syosung Kim limped in from the small blind and Yu Chang checked in the big blind.

Kim led out for 250,000 on the A♣ 4♣ J♠ flop, and Chang called.

Both players then checked through a runout of 9♥ T♦. Kim tabled 9♣ 8♥ for a turned pair of nines, but it wasn't enough for Chang's flopped pair of jacks.

Ori Kossonogi raised the button to 500,000 and Ching En Chen defended his big blind.

The flop came 8♣ 9♠ Q♣ and after Chen checked, Kossonogi fired 425,000. Chen called to see the 2♠ hit the turn, where again he knuckled it over.

Kossonogi then bet 825,000, Chen shoved 3,300,000, and Kossonogi quickly folded.

Due to the field being on the final table bubble, they are playing hand-for-hand until one more player has been eliminated.

After each hand, the tournament director is knocking three minutes off the clock.

It was a tough few hands for chip leader Chih Kai Chang, as his stack took a hit in consecutive hands.

First, Chih Han Hsu shoved the small blind for exactly 1,000,000, and Chang snapped from the big blind.

Chih Han Hsu: 8♥ 8♣

Chih Kai Chang: A♦ Q♥

It was a flip that could determine the nine final tablists, but that seemed unlikely as the 5♥ 8♦ 9♣ flop gave Hsu middle set. The floor announced that Chang needed runner-runner, but the 8♠ turn instead improved Hsu to quads, earning him a double.

In the next hand, Chang and Mu Teng Liu had got to the turn on a 3♣ 5♦ A♣ 2♣ board and after Chang checked the small blind, Liu bet 400,000. Chang then shoved, and Liu snap-called for his remaining 1,775,000.

Chih Kai Chang: A♥ Q♥

Mu Teng Liu: 6♦ 4♣

Chang was already shaking his head before the cards were revealed, and was not at all surprised to see that he was drawing dead. A meaningless 2♦ fell on the river, and Chang coughed up even more chips.

Ori Kossonogi raised the button to 450,000, only to face a shove from Sangbeom Lim for 650,000 in the big blind. Kossonogi called.

Ori Kossonogi: A♥ 3♠

Sangbeom Lim: A♠ 7♦

Lim picked up the lead with a stronger kicker seven. However, the dealer revealed the bad news to Lim soon after as the flop showed 3♠ 9♦ K♦, improving Kossonogi to a pair of threes.

The runout rolled off 8♠ 4♦, bringing no help to Lim and sending him out of the field.

With Lim’s elimination, the field is down to 10 players, entering final table bubble time.

Yu Hsiang Huang rised to 1,625,000 from the hijack, leaving only 500,000 behind. Hyosung Kim then shoved all in from the cutoff for 4,825,000. Huang dropped in the call and put his tournament life on the line.

Yu Hsiang Huang: 9♥ 9♦

Hyosung Kim: A♦ A♥

Huang's pocket nines ran straight into Kim's aces and received little help from the dealer on the 4♣ 5♥ 5♦ flop. The dealer revealed a 6♣ turn, while Huang was still looking for a nine for his survival.

Unfortunately for Huang, the river bricked out a K♠, showing him the direction of the cash out desk.

Chih Kai Chang opened the hijack to 300,000 and then called a three-bet of 800,000 from Chia Wei Kuo, who was in the big blind.

On the 8♥ 3♦ T♠ flop, the rest of Kuo's stack of around 2,000,000 found its way into the middle, which left him at risk.

Chia Wei Kuo: K♥ K♦

Chih Kai Chang: 9♦ 8♦

Kuo had the goods, but needed to fade a few outs as Chang had paired his eight. The 2♠ turn was a brick, but the brutal 8♠ river gave Chang trips, which ended Kuo's run in 12th.

Yu Chang raised to 300,000 from middle position and Mu Teng Liu called on the button. Hyosung Kim then shoved all in for 1,600,000 in the big blind. Chang folded. Liu called.

Mu Teng Liu: A♣ 9♣

Hyosung Kim: A♥ J♥

Kim picked up the lead with his stronger kicker jack. The flop came Q♣ K♠ 7♣, giving Liu a flush draw and putting Kim on edge.

The dealer completed the board with a 3♠ 8♠ runout, and Kim successfully faded the club, securing a crucial double-up.

Shun Yi Zheng opened from middle position to 300,000 and Ori Kossonogi three-bet to 725,000 from the hijack. Kai Hung Hu was in the big blind and four-bet to 1,925,000, leaving himself just 25,000 behind. Zheng folded, Kossonogi shoved, and Hu eventually called off his last chip.

Kai Hung Hu: Q♥ Q♣

Ori Kossonogi: A♠ A♦

Hu was in trouble, and his Ladies didn't bring him any luck as the 7♣ J♥ 4♦ A♥ 6♦ runout meant he was eliminated by the top set of Kossonogi.

John Tech opened to 925,000 from under the gun, leaving only 100,000 behind. Ching En Chen called from the hijack.

A flop came 5♣ 4♠ 2♥, and Tech shoved for 100,000. Chen called.

John Tech: A♦ J♦

Ching En Chen: A♣ Q♣

Chen picked up the lead with a stronger kicker queen. The dealer revealed a Q♣ on the turn, improving Chen to a pair of queens and leaving Tech drawing dead.

The J♣ river was a little needle for Tech, who walked out of the table in 15th place.

Hyosung Kim opened to 275,000 from early position and Chih Kai Chang three-bet to 800,000 on the button, only to face a shove from Jinwoo Jung for 1,600,000 from the small blind. Kim stepped aside, and Chang called.

Jinwoo Jung: 6♦ 6♥

Chih Kai Chang: A♣ A♥

Chang took the command with pocket aces and maintained his dominance throughout the 2♦ 4♠ 7♣ 3♥ T♠ board, sending Jung to the rail in 16th.

Chia Wei Kuo limped in from the small blind and Yu Chang checked from the big blind.

Kuo led out for 150,000 on the 7♣ J♠ K♥ flop, and Chang dropped in the call. It went check-check when the 4♣ landed on the turn.

The river brought a 5♣, and Kuo checked. Chang then fired out 625,000. After thinking for a while, Kuo called.

Chang tabled a flush with J♣ 8♣ and took down the pot as Kuo folded.

One three-way all-in pot just unfolded, culminating with a double knockout.

Yu Yung Lin open-shoved from under the gun for 200,000, and Chih Kai Chang called in the cutoff. Anson Lau three-bet the button to 1,200,000, leaving only 100,000 behind. Chang then jammed for 2,500,000. Lau called off his last chips.

Yu Yung Lin: 7♥ 4♠

Anson Lau: T♠ T♣

Chih Kai Chang: Q♣ Q♦

Chang took command with his pocket queens and maintained control on the J♥ A♣ 6♣ flop. When the dealer revealed a 3♦ on the turn, Lin picked up a gutshot, putting pressure on his two opponents.

Much to Chang’s relief, the river came clean with the K♣, sealing the deal and sending both Lin and Lau to the rail, whittling the field down to 17 players remaining.

Chia Wei Kuo shoved on the button for 1,260,000, and Keith Ong called off his 960,000 from the big blind.

Chia Wei Kuo: A♣ 6♣

Keith Ong: A♦ K♦

Ong picked up the lead with a stronger kicker king and maintained his dominance on the 2♠ 3♣ 7♣ flop, while Kuo received a flush draw from the dealer.

The turn showed another club with 2♣, completing Kuo's flush and leaving Ong drawing dead.

The 7♥ river dealt on the felt to finish Ong's tournament run officially.

Yu Hsiang Huang limped in from the small blind and Hyosung Kim checked over in the big blind.

Both players checked to the river on the 3♥ J♥ J♦ 6♠ Q♣ board, where Huang checked and Kim fired 400,000. Huang let go of his cards.

Keith Ong raised the cutoff to 125,000, and Mu Teng Liu three-bet the button to 525,000. Hyosung Kim then shoved all in from the big blind for 595,000. Ong stepped aside, and Liu dropped in the call.

Hyosung Kim: K♦ 8♣

Mu Teng Liu: K♥ T♣

Liu picked up the lead with a stronger kicker ten and held control on the T♠ 7♣ 2♦ flop. The turn brought a 9♣, giving Kim a straight draw and making Liu sweat.

Asked, and you should receive. The deck sent a 6♦ on the river, completing Kim’s straight and awarding him a crucial double-up.

Anson Lau opened the cutoff to 120,000 and Yu Chang defended his big blind.

Chang check-called on the 7♠ 4♠ J♣ flop after Lau made a continuation-bet of 60,000. Both players then checked through the 5♠ turn.

The river carried out a 6♥, and Chang changed his pace here with a 310,000 bet, which was good for the pot as Lau let go of his cards.

Kim Min Jun raised from middle position to 125,000 and Yu Yung Lin defended his big bliind.

Lin check-called on the 8♠ 6♠ Q♣ flop after Jun continued with a 100,000 bet. Action went check-check on the Q♥ turn.

When a K♠ filled out the board, Lin checked to Jun, who fired 375,000. It was good for the pot as Lin laid it down.

Chih Kai Chang raised the cutoff to 125,000, only to face a shove from Im Heesoo on the button for 470,000. Chang called to put his opponent at risk.

Chih Kai Chang: K♥ 3♥

Heesoo Im: T♠ T♦

Im picked up the lead with pocket tens against Chang's king-high and maintained his dominance on the 8♠ J♦ 9♣ flop. The 4♦ hit on the turn, and Chang was still looking for a king to eliminate Im.

Fortunately for Im, the river came clean with an A♣, locking up a much-needed double-up for him.

Jae Sung Park opened the hijack to 185,000, leaving only 5,000 behind. Ching En Chen then three-bet ot 1,725,000 from the small blind. Park called off his last yellow chip.

Jae Sun Park: A♦ 9♦

Ching En Chen: A♣ K♣

Chen picked up the lead with a stronger kicker king and maintained his dominance on the 8♠ J♠ 3♦ flop. The turn showed a 4♣, leaving Park drawing to a nine.

Unfortunately for Park, the river bricked out a J♥, sending him to the rail.

A huge hand just played out on Table 3, which saw Taowei Chang's stack rocket up the counts.

John Tech opened from under the gun and a player in the cutoff called. Anson Lau then three-bet the button to around 300,000 before Chang shoved the small blind for close to 2,000,000. Pu Yu Su was in the big blind and eventually called off his stack of around 700,000.

Tech folded, the cutoff folded, and after a long time in the tank, Lau folded and claimed to have mucked ace-king.

Po Yu Su: Q♥ Q♦

Taowei Chang: K♠ K♦

Su was in trouble, and his queens couldn't find a way out on the A♣ 4♥ J♦ A♦ 4♣ runout. Lau didn't look too happy as he would have made a full house, and he asked Tech if he also folded an ace, who gave an affirmative response.

Keith Ong opened to 80,000 from under the gun and received calls from the blinds: Chia Wei Kuo and Zih Jyun Huang.

The blinds checked on the T♥ 3♣ 8♦ flop to Ong, who continued for 100,000. Only Huang stuck around.

It went check-check on the 2♦ turn and the river brought a 3♠. Huang bet 325,000, prompting a snap-fold from Ong.

John Tech opened to 60,000 from under the gun, and Anson Lau called on the button, as did PoYu Su from the big blind.

The trio tapped the table on the monochrome Q♣ 9♣ 6♣ flop to see a board-pairing 6♠ fall on the turn, where Su checked to Tech, who bet 115,000. Only Su dropped in the call.

Action went check-check when the river brought a 5♠. Su revealed K♥ J♣ for king-high, while Tech tabled A♦ 4♦ for ace-high and took down the pot.

With 75,000 in the pot, Bo Wei Lin moved all in with his last yellow chip for 5,000 from middle position against Yang Hsin Shih in the small blind.

Yang Hsin Shih: A♣ T♣

Bo Wei Lin: 3♦ 3♥

Lin took the command with pocket threes against Shih's ace-high and held control on the 9♥ 8♠ Q♣ flop, while Shih picked up a gutshot.

The dealer revealed a J♣ on the turn, completing Shih's straight and leaving Lin drawing dead.

Just as a formality, the river brought a 2♥ and officially put Lin's name on the payout list.

King Puimast opened to 50,000 from under the gun and Ori Kossonogi called from middle position.

Puimast continued with a 65,000 bet on the Q♣ J♣ 6♥ flop, only to face a shove for 350,000 from Kossonogi. After thinking for a while, Puimast dropped in the call to out his tablemate at risk.

King Puimast: A♣ 8♣

Ori Kossonogi: A♠ A♦

Kossonogi took command with his pocket aces, while Puimast picked up a flush draw. The dealer dealt the 2♥ on the turn, giving Puimast plenty of outs to deny Kossonogi a double-up.

Unfortunately for Puimast, the goddess Fortuna was on Kossonogi’s side as the river brought the Q♠, forcing Puimast to cough up the chips to his tablemate.

Yan Qin Yang raised the cutoff to 50,000 and Shun Yi Zheng three-bet the button to 125,000. Yang called.

On the Q♥ 2♣ K♥ flop, Yang check-called after Zheng continued for 80,000. The turn showed a 7♠, and Yang check-called again, this time for 200,000.

Action went check-check on the 6♠ river. Yang flipped over A♥ A♠ for the pot as Zheng laid it down.

Yueh Lung Lee open-shoved from the small blind for 285,000 and was put at risk by Tao Chu from the big blind.

Yueh Lung Lee: A♦ Q♠

Tao Chu: T♣ T♠

Chu picked up the lead in the coin flip and maintained his dominance on the 7♣ 8♥ 5♦ flop. The dealer delivered a 9♥ on the turn, leaving Lee drawing to an ace or queen.

The deck punched Lee's name on the payout list with a 4♦ river, adding more ammunition to Chu's stack.

Nhu Hai Le opened the cutoff to 40,000 and Chi Ting Chieh called on the button.

Le checked on the A♠ J♦ K♠ flop to Chieh, who continued for 75,000, leaving only 50,000 behind. Le then cranked it up to 275,000. Chieh called for 130,000, putting himself at risk.

Chi Ting Chieh: A♦ 5♦

Nhu Hai Le: Q♣ T♠

Le took command with a flopped Broadway, leaving Chieh drawing nearly dead. The board ran out 9♣ 7♥, sealing Chieh’s fate and shipping the pot to Le.

Pai Cheng Qun made it 100,000 to go from middle position and Yu Yung Lin called in the cutoff, as did Yousef Nassr on the button.

The dealer spread the 5♠ 7♦ 6♣ flop, and Qun checked, only to face a shove from Lin for 1,425,000. Nassr stepped aside after thinking for a while, and Qun check-called, putting his tournament life on the line.

Pai Cheng Qun: K♠ J♠

Yu Yung Lin: T♣ T♦

Lin picked up the lead with pocket tens against Qun’s king-high. The turn brought an 8♥, giving Lin a straight draw while Qun still needed a king or jack to stay alive.

Unfortunately for Qun, the river 9♠ completed Lin’s straight, allowing him to rake in the pot in decisive fashion.

Yu Chang made it 40,000 to go from early position and received calls from the blinds: Yousef Nassr and Ki Hin Lee.

On the 3♠ T♥ 4♣ flop, action checked to Chang, who continued with a 50,000 bet. Nassr and Lee check-called.

The trio knuckled it back on the 7♠ turn to see the 9♠ river, where Nassr checked and Lee shoved for 640,000 after thinking for a long time. Chang and Nassr snap-folded.

Fei Tang Lo opened to 30,000 from under the gun and Soo Hak Eo called in the cutoff.

On the 8♥ J♣ 8♦ flop, Lo continued for 25,000, which Eo cranked it up to 20,000. Lo dropped in the call.

When a 5♠ slid on the turn, Lo checked and Eo fired out 110,000. Lo snap-folded.

In the next hand, Ching En Chen opened the button to 30,000 and John Tech called from the small blind.

Both players checked to the river on the K♠ J♦ K♣ 8♦ 3♠ board, where Tech fired out 50,000 and Chen called.

Tech revealed a flopped full house with K♥ J♣, leaving Chen no choice but to muck.

Kai Hung Hu opened to 30,000 from under the gun and Zih Jyun Huang called on the button, as did Songklot Sermsirimongkol from the big blind.

Sermsirimongkol checked on the monochrome J♠ 7♠ 3♠ flop, and Hu continued for 60,000. Huang folded and Sermsirimongkol stuck around.

Both players checked through the A♠ turn to see a board-pairing 3♣ fall on the river, where Sermsirimongkol shoved for 120,000 after thinking for a long time. Hu instantly announced the call.

Hu revealed a full house with J♣ J♥, overpowering Sermsirimongkol’s flush with K♠ 9♠ and sending him to the rail.

With a pile of chips in the middle, Kouichi Baba raised from the cutoff to 62,000 and Miyagi Tomo moved all in on the button for 160,000. After thinking for a long time, Baba dropped in the call to put his tablemate at risk.

Miyagi Tomo: A♣ K♦

Kouichi Baba: 2♠ 2♦

Baba's pocket deuces picked up the lead and held control on the 3♣ J♣ 8♠ flop. The turn then showed a 5♣, leaving Tomo only one shot to stay alive.

Fortunately for Tomo, the river came with help as it sent an A♠, connecting with his ace and locking up a tournament-extending double-up for him.

John Tech made it 24,000 to go from middle position and received calls from the blinds: Jui Tai and Fumihiro Baba.

The blinds checked the 7♥ 9♠ 2♣ flop to Tech, who continued for 25,000. Only Baba dropped in the call.

Baba then check-called on the A♥ turn after Tech sent another bet of 48,000.

The river brought the 5♥, and it went check-check. Baba tabled T♠ 8♠ for ten-high, while Tech flipped over his pair with J♣ J♠ and took down the pot.

Kouichi Baba raised to 20,000 in the cutoff, and Antoine Delacampagne three-bet the small blind to 40,000. Zi Jian Jiang shoved for 66,000 from the big blind. Baba stepped aside and Delacampagne called.

Antonine Delacampagne: A♥ 9♣

Zi Jian Jiang: A♦ T♦

Jiang picked up the lead with a stronger kicker ten and extended his dominance on the monochrome 4♠ T♠ 5♠ flop, connecting with his ten.

The dealer then revealed the Q♦ on the turn, leaving Delacampagne drawing dead. The 2♣ came on the river as a formality, awarding a double-up to Jiang and keeping him alive.

William Jia open-shoved for around 150,000 from the hijack and was called by Hsin Kai Huang in the cutoff, putting Jia at risk.

Hsin Kai Huang: A♣ K♦

William Jia: 3♥ 3♠

Jia’s pocket threes were ahead preflop, but the flop of A♥ K♥ 5♥ flipped the script for Huang, giving him top two pair while Jia picked up a flush draw.

The 9♠ landed on the turn, leaving Jia still searching for one heart to survive. Unfortunately for him, the river Q♠ bricked out, ending his Main Event run.

Bo Wei Lin opened to 20,000 from early position, only to face a shove from Yohwan Lim in the hijack for 148,000. Keith Ong made the call, while Lin stepped aside, leaving Lim at risk against Ong.

Yohwan Lim: J♠ J♣

Keith Ong: A♣ A♦

Lim’s pocket jacks ran headfirst into Ong’s pocket aces. The dealer delivered the bad news right away as the flop came 6♥ 8♦ A♥, improving Ong to a set.

Lim could only watch as the board completed 2♦ K♦, sealing his fate and shipping the pot to Ong.

Shun Yi Zheng made it 20,000 to go from middle position and Ori Kossonogi three-bet to 78,000 in the big blind. Zheng moved all in for around 750,000. Kossonogi called to put his tournament life on the line.

Ori Kossonogi: A♥ K♣

Shun Yu Zhen: A♦ K♦

The dealer quickly revealed a board of 6♥ T♠ Q♣ 3♦ J♦ and slipt the pot for both players.

The remaining 166 players are seated at their tables with cards already in the air as Main Event Day 2 gets underway.

At the heart of the Asia Poker Arena, the NT$35,000 Main Event Day 2 kicks off today, setting a historic milestone for the tournament. Following four opening flights, the event has attracted a record-breaking 1,076 entries, surpassing last year’s mark of 936 entries in the inaugural Taiwan Millions Tournament Championship (TMTC) Main Event. This achievement sets a new benchmark for the series' future.

Thanks to the overwhelming turnout, the NT$30,000,000 guarantee didn’t stand a chance, as the prize pool soared to a finalized NT$32,538,300, with everyone eyeing the coveted top prize of NT$5,000,000.

After navigating through three intense days of starting flights and outlasting thousands of entries, 166 survivors will come together for the first time at the venue to battle it out in Day 2.

Top Ten Chip Counts

Leading the pack is Yousef Nassr of the United States, who bagged a commanding 1,165,000 chips from Flight B. Close behind is Taiwan’s Yu Yung Lin with 1,133,000, also from Flight B, while Malaysia’s Min Ken Thoo rounds out the top three with a solid 1,046,000 in chips.

These top stacks will face tough competition from notable contenders, including last year’s TMTC Main Event Champion Mu Teng Liu (851,000), Lester Edoc (777,000), who boasts over two million in total live earnings, and William Jia (236,000), who has also surpassed the one million milestone in career winnings.

Cards are in the air at 11:00 local time, with blinds resuming at Level 17 (5,000/10,000 with a 10,000 big blind ante). The main objective for players today is to battle their way down to the final table, where each will be guaranteed a minimum payout of NT$500,100.

Stay tuned to Somuchpoker as we bring you all the thrilling moments, hand highlights, and live chip updates on the road to the final table.