Inaugural USOP: Poker2U Taiwan Series Kick Off event draws 375; Jung Chou Chen 陳榮州 bags overall chip lead

The inaugural U Series of Poker: Poker2U Taiwan Series has arrived at the Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association (CTP Club) in Taipei City. The opening Kick Off event drew a tremendous field of 375 entries. There certainly was no shortage of action nor talent as familiar locals and international players battled it out for a spot in the money round. After 11+ hours, both entry flights completed. 48 advanced with Taiwan’s Jung Chou Chen 陳榮州racking up a commanding 696,000 stack (116 BB) to earn the overall chip leader title.

Kick Off – Day 1 results

Buy in: TWD 8,000 (~$265)
Guarantee: TWD 2,000,000 (~$65,260)
Entries: 375 (Flight A – 214, Flight B – 161)
Prize pool: TWD 2,619,000 (~$86,800)
ITM: 48 players (Flight A – 27, Flight B – 21)

End of Day 1 survivors

Chips in play: 9,375,000
Average stack: 195,312 (32.5 BB)
Opening Day 2 blinds: 3K-6K (6K BB Ante)

Flight A recap

It was action packed from the start with six tables up and running at Flight A of the Kick Off event. All level 1 players were in for a treat; each one was eligible for a Lucky Draw. Malaysia’s Mandy Lim was on the lucky seat to win a Day 1A ticket worth TWD 10,000 (~$330) to the upcoming Mystery Bounty TWD 3M guaranteed.

After ten levels of play, registration closed with 214 entries. Notables in action were Zong Chi He, En Ching Wu, Shyh Chyn Lim, Chia Jun Wu, Fu Bang Huang, and WSOP Online bracelet winner Aaron Si Yang Phua.

As the players raced for a spot in the money round / 12.5% of the field, a four way showdown catapulted Taiwan’s Jia Xiang Li 李嘉祥 to the top with set dusting straight flush draw, flush draw, and two pair on a board . Li 李嘉祥 closed the day third in chips with 485,000 (81 BB).

At a separate table, Jung Chou Chen 陳榮州 was causing havoc, eliminating numerous players to challenge for the chip lead. It was neck and neck until Chen 陳榮州 cleaned out Chou Chien Fa on a cooler with over . Chen 陳榮州 bagged a towering 696,000 (116 BB), and was the only player reach the 100 BB mark.

Just under nine hours of play, the flight ended with Kyle Hu Kai Hung 胡凱閎knocking out Pot Limit Omaha specialist Kristof Segers on the bubble. Hung 胡凱閎 ace on the turn denied . Hung 胡凱閎 closed the heat running third in chips, 558,000 (93 BB). 27 players advanced to Day 2.

Flight B recap

Flight B was turbo format with blinds increasing every 20 minutes instead of every thirty. By level 4, the TWD 2 Million guarantee was breached with six levels still left in late registration. At the close, 161 entered to bring the combined event turnout to 375 and the prize pool to a bulkier TWD 2,619,000 (~$86,800). Only 21 players in this heat were guaranteed a spot to Day 2.

Early in the heat, Taiwanese high roller Kun Han Lee 李昆翰was the player to catch after he eliminated Vietnam’s Duy Ho with pocket Eights turned quads. As the bubble neared, Lee 李昆翰 bobbed in and out of the top spot to eventually bag second ranked flight leader with 436,000 (73 BB).

Overtaking Lee 李昆翰 was Wen Shan 單文 who surged after taking out Chi Jen Chen. Shan 單文 followed it up with a winning nut flush holding on a board to end the day as flight leader with 456,000 (76 BB).

After a quick 6+ hours of play, Flight B wrapped up with Billy Hsu 許必穎 delivering the bubble. Hsu 許必穎 had the higher full house over on a board . 21 players advanced to Day 2. Among them was WPT Prime Paris € 400 NLH winner Maggie Chien Chih Weng 翁芊智 with 246,000 (41 BB).

The final 48 Day 1 survivors return on Saturday, February 11 at 1pm. While each one is guaranteed a minimum TWD 13,000 (~$430), what they will be chasing is the title and the TWD 547,000 (~$18,130) top prize. Blinds open at 3K-6K (6K BB Ante), increasing every 30 minutes.

Payouts

USOP: Poker2U Taiwan Series runs from February 10 to 19, 2023. A total of 23 trophy events are lined up and TWD 20 Million in guarantees. More action ahead. So stay tuned to Somuchpoker as we bring you Live Updates of the Kick Off Day 2.