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USOP: Poker 2U Taiwan Series: Main Event Day 1B draws 201 entries; Filipino Edwin Dela Cruz bags a monster stack; two flights remain

SMP Editor
SMP EditorEditor-in-Chief

It was another massive day at the inaugural U Series of Poker: Poker2U Taiwan Series with the Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association (CTP Club) jampacked as players poured in for a seat to Main Event Day 1B. After the scheduled nine rounds of registration, it closed with 201 entries.

Five and half hours later, the day wrapped up with Filipino player Edwin Dela Cruz bagging up a towering 573,000 (95 BB). Cruz now leads the combined list of Day 2 qualifiers. Read up on the action via the Live Updates.

Edwin Dela Cruz
Edwin Dela Cruz

Main Event Day 1B – Top 10 in chips

Edwin Dela Cruz

Philippines

573,000

Hong Che Wang

王洪哲

Taiwan

508,000

Yao Wei Huang

黃耀緯

Taiwan

391,000

Noel Llamedo

Philippines

372,000

Yu Sheng Lin

林祐聖

Taiwan

370,000

Tsung Ying Lee

李宗英

Taiwan

336,000

Chien Fa Chou

周建發

Taiwan

299,000

Yung Bing Chu

祝永斌

Taiwan

286,000

Ori Kossonogi

Israel

282,000

Chi Han Hsieh

謝其翰

Taiwan

279,000

CLICK HERE for complete list of Day 2 qualifiers

For a majority of the day, Cruz sat on a healthy stack until he ran into a big hand against Jen Li Liu. This sent him skyrocketing far ahead of the pack. With betting at every stage, except the river, the board completed JhAh. Liu had KsKd, Cruz with the nut flush AsKh.

Hong Che Wang
Hong Che Wang

Taiwan’s Hong Che Wang also surged, racking up 508,000, to place him roughly 10 BB behind Cruz and second in the overall Day 2 qualifier list. During the bubble round, with the board showing QsKh, Wang tanked on a player’s check-shove. He eventually found the courage to call for all his chips and banked a double up with KdQd two pair. Cruz and Wang were the only two players in the 500K mark.

Other notable players advancing were WSOP bracelet winners Paul Ming Juen Teoh and Webster Chin Wei Lim. Taiwan’s Chien Fa Chou delivered the bubble, eliminating Jen Li Liu with pocket Kings beating Ace-Queen.

Main Event – Day 1C and Day 1D Turbo up next

The Main Event kicked off on February 15 at the CTP Club in Taipei City and will run through February 19. For an affordable price of just TWD 20,000 (~$660), players have a chance at a whopping TWD 10 Million (~$330,00) prize pool. Only two entry heats remain, both take place on Friday, February 17. A total of 462 entries is now in the books,. Excitement is in the air as a much bigger pot than advertised is certain.

Day 1C starts at 1pm. Starting stack is 30,000 (300x the starting blinds). Blinds go up every 40 minutes. If you plan to sign up late, keep in mind registration closes at the start of Level 10, by 7:30pm. If you miss that window, the last chance is Day 1D Turbo flight which starts at 7pm. Registration closes at 10:20pm. Starting stack is 30,000 (300x the starting blinds) but blinds increase at a much faster rate of every 20 minutes.

Buy in: TWD 20,000

Guarantee: TWD 10,000,000

Day 1A: 261 entries / 33 advanced

Day 1B: 201 entries / 26 advanced

Day 1C: Friday, February 17 @ 1pm

Day 1D (Turbo): Friday February 17 @ 19:00

It pays to get there early, register, and have your chips in play by the first deal. This ensures you withBubble Protection.Click the link below for all theMain Event detailsincluding this exclusive incentive.

Everything you need to know about the Main Event

About the Editor

SMP Editor

The SMP Editor covers international poker and iGaming for SoMuchPoker, providing news, tournament coverage, and industry insights. With a focus on accuracy, clarity, and relevance, the editor helps readers stay informed about developments across the global poker community.