TMTC Main (35,000 TWD)

From a massive field of 1,076 entries, only one player rose above the rest in the Taiwan Millions Tournament Championship (TMTC) Main Event. Chih Kai Chang captured the title in style, completing a dream run that ended with him lifting the trophy and earning the NTD 5,000,000 (~USD 162,085) top prize.

Chang’s journey to victory featured fearless play throughout the series, including an insane bluff late on Day 2 that turned momentum firmly in his favor. He carried that confidence into the final day and navigated a tough table before ultimately defeating Ori Kossonogi in a rollercoaster heads-up duel.

The NTD 30,000,000 guaranteed prize pool was comfortably surpassed as NTD 33,894,000 (~USD 1,098,740) was generated inside the Asia Poker Arena in Taipei, marking the largest TMTC Main Event to date.

While the blinds got rolled back a few levels to deepen the stacks, that didn’t slow down the action as the fireworks were out in the very first hand. Shun Yi Zheng picked up queens, and after his three-bet was called by Chih Kai Chang, the chips went in on a two-club flop.

Chang held a flush draw with king-queen, and connected with it on the river to end Zheng’s day before it really got going.

It took over an hour for the next elimination to come, but in that period, Kossonogi had battled his way from the bottom of the pack to the podium places, with a chunk of those coming from a double-up when his pocket queens beat the pocket eights of Yu Chang.

Ching En Chen lost a big pot and was then finished off by the defending champion Mu Teng Liu in a flip, when his pocket sixes were rivered by the ace-jack of Liu. Chengjyun Yang then found himself on top of the pack as his pocket kings got a full double against the pocket queens of Yu Chang.

Hyosung Kim had been quiet for most of the final table, and his timing of when to play a hand couldn’t have been worse as he shoved with jack-ten over the button limp of Taowei Chang, who held pocket kings. Despite flopping a gutshot, Kim couldn’t find any help from the board, which left him out in seventh.

After the first break, six players remained, but that was quickly reduced to five as Yu Chang got his pocket tens in on the flop, only to run into the flopped straight of Liu, who held ten-nine. No miracle came, leaving Chang out in sixth.

After a great run, Liu’s attempt at back-to-back Main Event titles came crashing down in an audacious bluff against Kossonogi. Holding four-deuce, Liu called the flop, raised the turn, and shoved the river, but unfortunately for him, he ran into the rivered set of Kossonogi with pocket kings.

Taowei Chang’s stack then began to slide, and despite finding a double-up, he was eliminated in fourth when his ace-eight lost to the ace-ten of Kossonogi, who held a commanding chip lead.

Yang found the ladder he was looking for, and after surviving several orbits at the new blind level, he locked up a podium finish. His final stand with king-nine was outkicked by the king-queen of the eventual champion, ending his run in third.

Heads-up play saw Kossonogi begin with a two-to-one chip lead, but that did not last long. In the very first hand, Chang got his chips in with ten-seven on a seven-high flop against the flush draw and overcard of Kossonogi with queen-ten. Both the turn and river bricked out, and Chang suddenly held a sizable lead.

After battling back and forth, the final hand looked to be in sight as Kossonogi got his pocket jacks in the middle, but ran into the pocket kings of his opponent. However, just when it seemed all was said and done, a jack on the turn gave Kossonogi a full house and the chip lead once again.

Chang was soon all-in once more with ace-ten against the king-eight of Kossonogi. Both players picked up flush draws, but neither improved, allowing Chang to double and stay alive.

Another double-up followed, and the chip counts hovered around even for quite some time. Eventually, someone had to give, and after numerous lead changes, it was Chang who finally sealed it in style, with what else but pocket aces.

That concludes Somuchpoker's coverage of the TMTC Main Event, but be sure to be on the lookout for updates from the next event running January 22 - February 9th.

Chih Kai Chang open-shoved for 44,600,000 on the button and Ori Kossonogi called off his 8,600,000 from the big blind.

Ori Kossonogi: Q♣ 6♥

Chih Kai Chang: A♦ A♣

Kossonogi's queen-high ran straight into Chang's pocket aces. The flop came 3♦ 2♠ 9♦, giving little help to Kossnogi.

The deck delivered a 5♠ on the turn, giving Kossonogi a gutshot.

Soon after, the Q♥ slid on the river, sending Kossonogi to the rail.

Chih Kai Chang shoved all in on the button for 49,500,000 and Ori Kossonogi called off his 3,700,000 from the big blind.

Ori Kossonogi: Q♠ 3♣

Chih Kai Chang: Q♦ 5♥

Chang picked up the lead with a stronger kicker five, but Kossonogi took it over soon after as the dealer sent a J♦ 3♥ T♠ flop, improving Kossonogi to a pair of threes.

The turn also came to help Kossonogi with another 3♦, giving him trip threes, leaving Chang drawing dead.

The river brought a 7♦ and officially pushed a double-up to Kossonogi.

Ori Kossonogi raised T♥ 8♠ to 1,200,000 on the button and Chih Kai Chang called from the big blind with 3♦ 2♦.

On the A♥ 4♠ A♠ flop, Chang check-called after Kossonogi continued for 900,000. It went check-check on the 2♠ turn.

When a K♦ filled out the board, Chang checked and Kossnogi fired out 2,500,000. It took Chang a while to respond with the call.

Chang caught Kossnogi's bluff and raked in the pot with his turned pari of deuces.

Chih Kai Chang raised to 1,200,000 on the button with T♠ 6♥, and Ori Kossonogi called from the big blind with 9♠ 8♠.

The dealer revealed a 6♦ 6♠ 5♥ flop, giving Chang trip sixes. Kossonogi check-called a continuation-bet of 1,200,000 from Chang. The turn showed a K♦, and Chang bet 3,500,000. Kossonogi snap-folded.

In next hand, Kossonogi raised A♠ 6♦ to 1,200,000 on the button and Chang called with K♠ 2♠ from the big blind.

Both players checked through the 7♣ 7♥ 9♥ 4♥ J♦ board, and Kossonogi took down the pot with ace-high.

After a while, Chang raised K♣ 4♥ to 1,200,000 on the button and Kossonogi called with 8♦ 8♣.

The flop dealt 5♣ 4♦ K♦, and Kossonogi check-called a bet of 1,000,000 from Chang.

Action went check-check on the 5♥ turn. When the 3♠ filled out the board, Kossonogi bet 2,300,000 and Chang snap-called to take down the pot.

Right after this hand, Chang successfully took over the chip lead from Kossonogi.

Ori Kossonogi raised to 1,200,000 with 7♠ 3♠ on the button and Chih Kai Chang called in the big blind with K♦ J♥.

A flop came K♠ 6♥ 9♠, improving Chang to top pair, while Kossonogi picked up a flush draw. Chang check-called after Kossonogi continued for 1,000,000.

The dealer sent a 3♣ on the turn, and it went check-check. When a 2♠ hit on the river, Chang checked and Kossonogi fired 4,800,000. Chang called and paid to see Kossonogi's flush.

Chih Kai Chang raised J♥ 5♥ on the button to 1,200,000 and Ori Kossonogi called A♣ 4♦ from the big blind.

A flop came J♦ A♠ 2♠ and gave both players a pair, with Kossonogi holding the lead. Action went check-check. The turn showed a 5♦, and Kossonogi bet 1,900,000. Chang cranked it up to 5,000,000. Kossonogi folded.

In the next hand, Kossonogi raised to 1,200,000 with Q♠ 3♥ and Chih Kai Chang called from the big blind with Q♥ Q♦.

On the 8♠ 2♣ 8♣ flop, Chang check-called after Kossonogi continued for 800,000. The dealer revealed a 3♣ on the turn, and Chang check-called again, this time for 2,200,000.

The 5♥ filled out the board, and it went check-check. Chang took down the pot with his pair.

Chih Kai Chang raised to 1,000,000 on the button and Ori Kossonogi called from the big blind.

On the 3♠ 7♣ J♥ flop, Kossonogi check-called a bet of 1,000,000 from Chang. Action went check-check on the J♦ turn.

The Q♥ filled out the board, and Kossonogi bet 1,600,000, only to face a shove for 6,600,000 from Chang. Kossonogi snap-called.

Chang tabled J♠ 3♦ for a full house to beat Kossonogi's trip jacks with J♣ 5♥ and raked in a double-up.

Chih Kai Chang raised to 1,000,000 on the button and Ori Kossonogi called from the big blind.

On the 8♣ 9♣ 4♥ flop, Kossonogi check-called after Chang bet 500,000. The turn showed a T♣, and Kossonogi fired 2,000,000. Chang snap-folded.

A few hands after, Chang raised to 1,000,000 with Q♣ 9♣ on the button and Kossonogi three-bet to 3,900,000 with J♥ J♠. Chang made the call.

On the 7♥ J♦ 5♣ flop, Kossonogi bet 1,300,000 and Chang called to see the K♠ turn, where Kossonogi fired again, this time for 2,500,000. Chang stuck around.

When a board-pairing K♥ rolled off on the river, Kossonogi shoved for 25,175,000, prompting a snap-fold from Chang.

Chih Kai Chang raised to 1,000,000 on the button and Ori Kossonogi called from the big blind.

On the 3♣ 9♣ 7♥, Kossonogi checked to Chang, who bet 1,000,000. Kossonogi then shoved for 41,650,000. Chang sanp-called off his 9,675,000, putting himself at risk.

Ori Kossnogi: K♣ 8♣

Chih Kai Chang: A♣ T♣

Both players picked up a flush draw, but Chang took the command with ace-high. The turn showed a 3♠, and Kossonogi still needed an eight or king to win the title.

The deck was unwilling to finish Chang's day in this way, as it delivered a Q♥ on the river, ensuring a double-up for him to continue his run.

Ori Kossonogi opened to 1,000,000 on the button and Chih Kai Chang three-bet to 3,500,000 out of the big blind. Kossonogi then shoved 22,625,000, and Chang quickly called.

Ori Kossonogi: J♦ J♣

Chih Kai Chang: K♥ K♦

Was this the moment Chang had been waiting for? He was a clean runout away from clinching the title, and the Q♣ A♥ A♠ flop was safe for him.

However, in a cruel twist of fate, Kossonogi spiked a full house on the J♥ turn to take the lead. Kossonogi didn't even want to watch the river, but the reaction of Chang would have told him all he needed to know as the Q♥ was a brick.

Insanity.

Ori Kossonogi raised 3♣ 2♣ to 1,000,000 on the button, and Chih Kai Chang called with K♥ J♦ from the big blind.

The flop came K♣ 8♣ 5♠, and Chang check-called after Kossonogi bet 1,000,000. The turn brought a J♣. Chang check-called again, this time for 1,800,000.

When the river showed the T♠, Chang checked, and Kossonogi sent his third barrel of 4,200,000. Chand dropped in the call and paid for Kossonogi's turned flush.

In the very next hand, Chang raised to 1,000,000 with T♥ 7♥ and Kossonogi called from the big blind with Q♦ 6♦.

Both players checked through the 4♣ 4♥ 3♦ flop to see the 9♥ turn, where Kossonogi bet 1,700,000. Chang called.

When the river showed a 7♠, Kossonogi checked to Chang, who bet 1,500,000. It was good for the pot as Kossonogi laid it down.

Ori Kossonogi raised K♥ J♠ to 800,000 on the button and Chih Kai Chang called with Q♣ 8♦ from the big blind.

Both players checked through the 9♦ 4♠ Q♦ flop. The dealer sent an A♥ on the turn, and Chang check-called after Kossonogi bet 1,300,000.

When the 5♥ rolled off on the river, action went check-check. Chang collected the pot with his turned pair of queens.

Ori Kosonogi raised to 800,000 on the button with K♣ 9♦ and Chih Kai Chang called in the big blind with Q♠ 2♣.

On the Q♣ Q♠ 7♠ flop, Chang picked up trip queens. Action went check-check. The dealer then revealed a 2♦ on the turn, blooming Chang's trips into a full house. Both players checked through again.

The river brought a 3♠, Chang checked to Kossonogi, trying to trap his opponent. Unfortunately for Chang, Kossonogi checked over and avoided a big loss.

A few hands after, Chih Kai Chang raised Q♦ 2♥ to 800,000 on the button and Ori Kossonogi called with A♣ T♣ in the big blind.

Both players checked to the river on the Q♣ K♠ 6♣ 4♣ 4♥ board, where Kossonogi bet 2,500,000. Chang dropped in the call and paid for Kossonogi's turned flush.

In the first hand of heads-up play, Chih Kai Chang raised to 800,000 on the button and Ori Kossonogi called from the big blind.

On the 7♦ 3♦ 4♠ flop, Kossonogi check-raised to 4,200,000 after Chang bet 800,000. Chang then took no time to shove for 17,650,000. Kossonogi dropped in the call instantly.

Ori Kossonogi: Q♦ T♦.

Chih Kai Chang: T♥ 7♣

Chang picked up the lead with a flopped pair of sevens, while Kossonogi had a flush draw with an overcard.

The dealer revealed a 3♠ on the turn, and Kossonogi was still looking for a diamond or a queen to win the heads-up.

Fortunately for Chang, the river bricked out a 3♣, improving Chang to a full house and locking up a double-up for him.

Chih Kai Chang shoved all in from the small blind for 15,450,000 and Chengjyun Yang called for his remaining 3,600,000 in the big blind.

Chengjyun Yang: K♥ 9♠

Chih Kai Chang: K♦ Q♥

Chang took the command with a stronger kicker queen and maintained his dominance on the A♦ 4♦ 2♠ flop.

The dealer sent a board-pairing A♥ on the turn, while Yang still had many out to stay alive.

Unfortunately for Yang, the river came an 8♣, finishing Yang's Main Event dreams in third place.

In the next hand after doubling up, Taowei Chang shoved 3,500,000 from the small blind. Ori Kossonogi was in the big blind and quickly called.

Taowei Chang: A♣ 8♥

Ori Kossonogi: A♥ T♣

Chang was dominated, and his run came to an end as the Q♥ 2♦ 4♠ J♣ J♠ runout didn't provide any help.

Chengjyun Yang shoved all in from the small blind for 6,750,000 and Taowei Chang called for his last 1,550,000.

Taowei Chang: 9♠ 7♥

Chengjyun Yang: Q♥ 6♥

Yang picked up the lead with queen-high. The dealer revealed the monochrome 3♣ 9♣ 6♣ flop, turning the tide for Chang as it connected with his nine.

The deck sent a runout of 7♣ A♠, blooming Chang's pair to two pair and locking up a tournament-extending double-up for him.

Chih Kai Chang took his turn to pick up pocket queens as he looked down at Q♠ Q♥ on the button and raised. Taowei Chang was in the big blind and defended J♦ 8♥.

The flop came K♠ 7♦ A♦ and both checked to the Q♦ turn, which gave Taowei a combo draw and Chih Kai a set. It checked to Chih Kai, who bet 500,000. Taowei called and bricked the 4♥ river, which was checked to showdown.

Taowei was left with 2,100,000 after the hand, while Chih Kai moved to 18,300,000.

Taowei Chang raised from under the gun to 600,000 with Q♠ Q♥ and Chengjyun Yang called out of the big blind holding A♠ T♠.

The all-diamond flop of 5♦ A♦ 2♦ gave Yang top pair and he checked it over to Chang, who bet 300,000. Yang then put in a raise to 900,000, which got Chang to fold.

Chih Kai Chang raised to 2,650,000 from the small blind and Chengjyun Yang shoved for 1,600,000. Chang called.

Chih Kai Chang: T♥ 3♣

Chengjyun Yang: J♥ 9♥

Yang's jack-high picked up the lead and held control on the K♣ 6♦ 4♦ flop. The dealer revealed a borad-pairing 4♠ on the turn, while Chang was still looking to spike a ten or three to collect one knockout.

Fortunately for Yang, the river came a J♣, improving him to a pair of jacks and shipping him a double-up.

It seemed Yang's momentum started to rise here, as in the very next hand, Ori Kossonogi raised to 600,000 from under the gun, only to face a jam from Yang for 3,500,000. Kossonogi dropped in the call.

Chengjyun Yang: A♥ Q♣

Ori Kossonogi: T♥ T♣

Kossonogi took the command with pocket tens; however, the dealer sent bad news to him with a 5♠ A♠ 6♦ flop, improving Yang to top pair of aces.

The 5♥ hit on the turn, and Kossonogi still needed a ten to send Yang to the rail.

Nonetheless, it was still not time for Yang to leave as the river showed a 7♦, locking another double-up.

Chih Kai Chang shoved the small blind for 7,950,000 and Chengjyun Yang took some time before he called from the big blind with a slightly covering stack.

Chih Kai Chang: 8♣ 5♣

Chengjyun Yang: A♦ T♥

Chang had live cards, but was staring fourth place in the face if he couldn't improve. Fortunately for him, he did find some help as the 5♠ 6♠ 4♦ flop gave him a pair and gutshot. Yang needed an ace or a ten, but neither appeared on the 6♣ 8♦ runout, meaning he was left short-stacked.

Chih Kai Chang raised Q♥ J♣ to 600,000 on the button and Taowei Chang called from the big blind with 6♥ 5♥.

A flop revealed 2♣ 8♣ 2♥ and both players checked through to see the 7♦ turn, where Taowei Chang bet 500,000, and Kai Chang called.

The 9♠ jumped on the river, completing Taowei Chang's straight, and he fired out 2,050,000. Kai Chang snap-folded.

The defending champion is out!

Ori Kossonogi raised to 500,000 from under the gun and Mu Teng Liu called on the button.

The flop came down T♠ 2♦ 3♠ and Kossonogi continued with a bet of 500,000, which Liu called quickly to the 6♣ turn. Kossonogi reached for chips again and bet 1,300,000, then Liu raised to 3,000,000. Kossonogi needed some extra time while he pondered how to proceed, then he called.

A K♦ completed the runout and Kossonogi checked it over to Liu, who shoved for 5,950,000. Kossonogi snap-called to reveal he had rivered a set holding K♠ K♥ , and that was good against the bluff of Liu, who held 4♥ 2♥.

Ori Kossonogi raised the A♦ K♠ on the button to 500,000 and Chih Kai Chang called with J♠ T♠ from the small blind.

Both players checked through the T♣ J♦ 9♥ flop to see a 5♥ land on the turn, where Chang bet 600,000 and Kossonogi called.

The river carried out an 8♦, and Chang checked to Kossonogi, who fired 2,225,000. Chang snap-folded.

Chengjyun Yang opened to 500,000 from the cutoff holding 9♠ 9♦ and Ori Kossonogi three-bet the small blind to 1,800,000 holding A♣ J♥. When it was back on Yang, he called.

They saw a flop of 3♣ Q♥ 4♥ and Kossonogi continued with a bet of 1,100,000, which Yang called to see the 6♠ fall on the turn. A check then came in from Kossonogi, and Yang glanced at the clock before he bet 1,500,000. Kossonogi let it go.

There's a new chip leader in town!

Chih Kai Chang looked down at A♥ J♥ from under the gun and made it 500,000 to go. Ori Kossonogi was in the big blind and called holding J♣ T♥.

The flop spelled trouble for Chang as he made top pair on J♦ 5♦ T♣ , but Kossonogi made top two. When it got to Chang, he bet 300,000, Kossonogi raised to 1,100,000, and Chang called.

A 3♦ on the turn drew checks out of both players and the scary 8♦ river put four diamonds on board. Neither player held a diamond, and when it was on Chang, he bet 1,000,000. Kossonogi didn't need to think for too long before he called, and took it down with his two pair.

Mu Teng Liu raised to 500,000 with 2♠ 2♣ from under the gun and Chih Kai Chang called from the big blind with J♥ T♠.

On the T♦ 8♦ 6♠ flop, Chang check-called after Liu continued for 300,000. The turn showed a 3♥, and Chang check-called again, this time for 600,000.

When the 5♥ rolled off on the river, Chang checked to Liu, who bet 1,600,000. Chang snap-called and raked in the pot.

Chengjyun Yang raised the button with Q♠ T♥ to 500,000 and Taiwei Chang called out of the small blind with J♦ T♦. Ori Kossonogi was in the big blind and also came along holding 8♥ 5♥.

On the 2♣ J♠ 7♣ flop, it checked to Yang, who put out a continuation-bet of 800,000. Chang folded his top pair, and Kossonogi also got out of the way.

Chih Kai Chang raised to 500,000 with 8♠ 8♦ from the cutoff and Chengjyun Yang three-bet to 1,500,000 with A♦ T♣ from the small blind. Chang dropped in the call.

On the J♥ Q♥ J♣ flop, Yang continued for 1,200,000, only to face the shove from Chang for 5,425,000. Yang snap-folded.

Yu Chang opened the cutoff to 500,000 and Mu Teng Liu called from the button. Taowei Chang also called from the big blind.

The trio saw a flop of 6♣ 8♦ 7♥ and after Taowei Chang checked, Yu Chang also tapped the table. Liu then fired 600,000, which Taowei called. Yu Chang then shoved for 3,700,000, which Liu called after some deliberation. Taowei folded.

Yu Chang: T♥ T♦

Mu Teng Liu: T♣ 9♠

A total disaster for Chang, who was drawing to a chop after the defending champion had flopped the nuts. Unfortunately for Chang, no nines appeared on the 2♠ 5♦ runout, meaning he exited in sixth.

Mu Teng Liu raised to 400,000 with K♠ Q♠ on the button and Taowei Chang defended his big blind with 9♦ 8♣.

Chang check-called on the 7♥ A♣ 6♥ flop after Liu bet 350,000. It went check-check on the Q♦ turn.

When a J♣ filled out the board, Chang bet 550,000. Liu snap-called and collected the pot with his turned pair of queens.

Ori Kossonogi raied the J♠ T♣ to 400,000 from the hijack and Chengjyun Yang called with K♥ Q♣ from the big blind.

Yang check-called on the 6♣ A♦ Q♦ flop after Kossonogi bet 525,000. The two checked over the 6♦ turn to see an 8♥ river, where was another check round.

Yang collected the pot with his flopped pair of queens.

Yu Chang limped in from the small blind with A♥ Q♦, and Mu Teng Liu checked the big blind with 6♠ 4♣.

Both players checked throughout the board of 9♥ 2♠ 2♦ 7♥ T♠, and Chang got the pot.

Taowei Chang limped in on the button and Hyosung Kim shoved for 3,000,000 from the big blind. Chang snap-called.

Hyosung Kim: J♦ T♥

Taowei Chang: K♥ K♣

Kim's jack-high ran straight into Chang's pocket kings and received a gutshot from the dealer on the 4♠ 8♠ Q♦ flop.

The turn came a board-pairing 4♣, changing nothing for Kim. When the 5♣ filled out the board, Kim hit the rail in 7th.

The fireworks keep coming!

Yu Chang raised to 400,000 from the hijack and Chengjyun Yang three-bet to 1,000,000 on the button. When it got back to Chang, he four-bet to 2,000,000, then Yang five-bet shoved for 6,275,000. Chang took some time and eventually called, creating the biggest pot of the tournament so far.

Chengjyun Yang: K♠ K♦

Yu Chang: Q♦ Q♣

Yang had the Cowboys and just needed to fade a queen to vault into the chip lead. The 3♥ 3♣ A♥ flop was safe, as was the T♠ turn. Nothing changed on the 9♦ river, and Yang took the pot and the chip lead!

Ori Kossonogi opened to 400,000 from early position and Ching En Chen shoved 1,025,000 on the button. Mu Teng Liu then clicked it to 2,000,000 from the small blind, which got Kossonogi to fold.

Ching En Chen: 6♥ 6♦

Mu Teng Liu: A♣ J♥

Chen was flipping for his tournament life, and his pocket sixes kept their lead through the 3♣ 9♦ 4♣ flop. However, things got a bit sweaty on the 2♣ turn as Liu picked up a flush draw to go along with his overcards.

The sixes of Chen couldn't hang on as the J♠ on the river paired Liu's jack.

Taowei Chang raised to 400,000 from early position with A♦ Q♦ and Ching En Chen three-bet the small blind with A♣ 3♣. Chang called.

On the A♥ 8♣ 8♠ flop, Chen check-raised to 1,000,000 after Chang bet 500,000, who dropped in the call after thinking for a while.

The dealer revealed a 4♦ turn, and Chen bet 1,500,000. Chang stuck around. When a J♠ filled out the board, and Chen shoved for 2,550,000. Chang called off his last 1,525,000.

Chang scored a double-up with his queen.

Ori Kossonogi opened to 400,000 from the hijack with 6♥ 6♣ and Ching En Chen defended his big blind holding Q♣ J♣.

They went to a flop of 2♦ 8♠ 4♣ , where Chen elected to check-call a bet of 325,000 to see the 5♣ on the turn give him a flush draw. Chen then decided to lead for 1,100,000, which Kossonogi called.

A 5♥ on the river paired the board and didn't improve Chen, and he couldn't find another bet in him. Both checked it down, and Kossonogi took the pot.

Mu Teng Liu raised to 300,000 with 8♦ 8♣ from early position and Yu Chang defended his big blind with T♠ 9♥.

A monochrome 3ss 4♠ 2♠ flop came, giving Chang a flush draw. Action went check-check. The turn brought another spade 9♠, completing Chang's flush. Chang checked to Liu, who bet 300,000. Chang made the call.

When an A♠ rolled off on the river, both players checked to a free showdown. Chang dragged in the pot.

Chengjyun Yang limped in from the small blind with K♣ 5♣ and Tao Wei Chang checked from the big blind with 9♣ 4♥.

Both players checked to the river on the 2♠ T♦ 2♦ K♦ 3♥ board, where Yang bet 150,000 and Chang folded.

Ori Kossonogi opened Q♦ Q♣ from the hijack to 300,000 and Ching En Chen defended A♦ T♥ from the big blind.

Chen paired his ace on the 3♠ A♠ 7♦ flop and check-called a bet of 275,000 from Kossonogi to the Q♠ turn, which gave Kossonogi a set. Chen then chose a bad time to lead out as he bet 550,000 as the third spade hit the board, and Kossonogi dropped in the call.

A 9♣ on the river didn't change anything and Chen reached for chips again before sliding out a bet of 1,050,000. Kossonogi threw in a few time bank chips as he pondered how to proceed with his set, but eventually settled on just a call.

After winning that hand, Kossonogi is up to third in chips after being last not too long ago.

Chih Kai Chang raised to 475,000 from the small blind with A♣ 9♣ and Yu Chang three-bet to 1,500,000 in the big blind with A♥ A♦. Kai Chang then four-bet to 3,700,000.

After a while, Yu Chang shoved for 7,225,000. Kai Chang let go of his cards.

Yu Chang opened to 300,000 from under the gun and Ori Kossonogi shoved the button for 2,175,000. After it folded back to Chang, he called.

Ori Kossonogi: Q♥ Q♦

Yu Chang: 8♥ 8♦

Kossonogi had the bigger pair and just needed to see a clean runout in order to kickstart his final table into gear. A flop of 3♠ A♦ T♣ offered no backdoor help for Chang, and the 5♥ turn left him with one shot at two outs.

The eight didn't appear as the 7♠ fell on the river, earning Kossonogi a much-needed double to lift him off the bottom of the pack.

Chengjyun Chang raised to 300,000 from the cutoff with 9♠ 9♥, and Hyuosung Kim defended his big blind with Q♠ 8♣.

The flop came 3♥ K♦ 8♠, and Kim check-called after Yang bet 175,000. The turn brought an A♦, and it went check-check.

When a 9♦ filled out the board, Kim checked to Yang, who fired 650,000. Kim laid it down.

Ching En Chen raised to 300,000 from under the gun and Mu Teng Liu three-bet to 950,000 from the next seat. When the action got back to Chen, he rechecked his cards and called.

Both checked the 3♣ 2♠ A♥ flop to the 4♠ turn, where Chen stuck out a bet of 350,000. Liu called and the T♣ rolled off on the river. Chen reached for chips again and put 750,000 with his A♣ Q♣, forcing Liu to muck his J♥ J♣.

Hyosung Kim raised to 350,000 from the small blind with T♥ 8♥ and Chih Kai Chang defended his big blind with 7♥ 6♣.

A flop came 9♣ K♣ 5♥, and Kim check-called after Chang bet 225,000. Action went check-check on the 4♥ turn.

When a board-pairing 5♦ hit on the turn, Kim checked to Chang, who bet 1,000,000. Kim let go of his cards.

Fireworks in the first hand!

Chih Kai Chang opened to 300,000 from middle position and Shun Yi Zheng three-bet to 1,000,000 from the small blind. When it got back to Chang, he called.

The flop came 8♦ T♣ 2♣ and Zheng ripped it in for 2,200,000. Chang snap-called.

Shun Yi Zheng: Q♥ Q♦

Chih Kai Chang: K♣ Q♣

Zheng had a pair of queens, but had to dodge a lot of outs as Chang had a flush draw with an overcard. More outs arrived for Chang in the form of a straight draw on the J♦ turn, but it was the flush that came in on the 9♣ river to earn him the pot and send Zheng out in the first hand.

Action has started on the Final Day of the TMTC Main Event, and the final nine players are in contention for the championship and the NT$5,000,000 top prize.

Updates will be posted on a delay to match the stream to ensure no spoilers are leaked. The first updates will start to push shortly after 1:45 p.m. local time.

To watch the stream: Click here.

The atmosphere inside the Asia Poker Arena is set to reach its peak today as the Final Day of the Taiwan Millions Tournament Championship (TMTC) gets underway at 13:00 local time. With only nine finalists remaining from a record-breaking 1,074-entry field, each has already secured a minimum payout of NT$500,100, but all eyes remain fixed on the life-changing top prize of NT$5,000,000.

Leading the charge is Taiwan’s Yu Chang, who enters the final table with a commanding stack of 9,850,000. He’s in a strong position to capture the coveted title and the lion’s share of the prize pool. Close behind is fellow countryman Ching En Chen with 9,025,000, while Chih Kai Chang rounds out the top three with a healthy 7,500,000.

Final Table Seat Draw

Last year’s TMTC Main Event champion Mu Teng Liu remains in contention, keeping his dream of a back-to-back title alive. Despite entering the final table as one of the shortest stacks with 4,450,000, Liu has proven time and again that he thrives under pressure. Known for his resilience and sharp instincts, the defending champion now faces the challenge of mounting an underdog comeback from the bottom of the counts. If he can spin it up once more, it would mark the beginning of yet another remarkable chapter in his TMTC legacy.

Blinds resume at Level 29 (75,000/150,000 with a 150,000 big blind ante). The final nine contenders will battle it out for the ultimate prize, the prestigious TMTC trophy,and a career-defining title.

All the action from the Asia Poker Arena in Taipei, Taiwan, will be streamed on a 30-minute delay, ensuring fans can follow the action without spoilers.

Live updates will remain in sync with the broadcast to provide a seamless experience.