One Chance, One Champion: The APT Championship Main Event Set to Redefine Competition

In an era dominated by re-entries and bullet-heavy tournaments, regional powerhouse Asian Poker Tour (APT) sponsored by Natural8 , is shaking up the scene with a bold statement to mark the end of its grandest year to date. From November 14-30, the inaugural APT Championship will take center stage at Red Space 多元商務空間 in Taipei, Taiwan, presented in partnership with the Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association (CTP Club). This highly anticipated headliner reintroduces the freezeout format, reviving the spirit of poker’s golden age. 

For a tour that has consistently shattered attendance and prize records throughout its New Era, this groundbreaking decision comes with no compromise. The APT is rolling out its largest single-event guarantee in history, a staggering USD 5,000,000. More than a nod to tradition, it reinforces the tour’s belief in poker as a true test of endurance, discipline, and timing, where survival remains the focus of tournament play. 

APTC Main Event: A Format for Purists

True to the game’s roots, the APT Championship Main Event’s freezeout format brings back the rush of putting it all on the line with one stack, one shot, and no safety net. Everyone begins on equal footing, and once the chips are gone, so are the chances. The format rewards focus, preparation, and resilience, leveling the playing field so that skill and composure, not bankroll, determine who advances.

Beyond sentiment, the structure reflects the leading brand’s growing commitment to authentic competition. Asia’s poker scene has evolved rapidly, players are sharper, fields deeper, and standards higher than ever. APT fully embraces this growth, offering a modern proving ground for those who thrive under pressure and understand that greatness is built one decision at a time. 

APTC Main Event: Structure

Players start deep with 250 big blinds, backed by a structure built for strategic play, featuring 75-minute levels for the first two days before increasing to 90 minutes from Day 3 onward. Every hand matters, and the deliberate pace gives players the space to think, adapt, and perform at their best, ultimately rewarding both patience and precision. 

APTC Main Event: Schedule

• Dates: November 24–28, 2025 
• Buy-in: USD 10,000 
• Guarantee: USD 5,000,000
• Day 1: Monday, November 24 
• Day 2: Tuesday, November 25 
• Day 3: Wednesday, November 26 
• Day 4: Thursday, November 27 
• Day 5: Friday, November 28 

*Registration closes at the start of Level 11 in Day 2

Over 500 players are expected to join the fray, each investing USD 10,000 for a shot at APT’s most prestigious title. For those seeking a more accessible route, satellites starting at USD 350 will run throughout the series, offering players a chance to earn their way into the year-ender’s crown jewel for a fraction of the price. 

Online Satellites at Natural8

Players eager to secure their spots early can do so now via Natural8 , with online qualification already in full swing. Step Satellites start at USD 20, while Mega Satellites and direct qualifiers offer a quicker pathway into the Main Event. Weekly USD 150 Step Satellites and monthly USD 1,100 events are ongoing, and for an added twist, any player who wins their seat through Natural8 and goes on to claim the APTC Main Event title will earn an exclusive USD 50,000 champion’s bonus. 

Field to Watch

The lineup is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive the Tour has ever seen yet. 2025 APT Main Event champions Ivan Govorov, Akira Takasugi, Junjie He, and Ceesvin Abraham headline the early list of confirmed entrants, joined by international standouts Danny Tang, Joseph Cheong, Calvin Lee, Mingcong Chen, and Ngo Khoa Anh. Close-call Main Event runner-ups Lili Tang, Shuang Qiu, Kouki Okumiya, and Kuroda Kiyoto are also set to make another bid for glory, returning to the felt for the Championship games after their impressive deep runs in the recent Korea stops. 

This season’s APT Championship Main Event represents how far poker in the region has come. What was once seen as an emerging market has now become one of the most dynamic and competitive regions in the world. With its unwavering dedication to structure, fairness, and player experience, APT continues to set the benchmark for excellence, honoring tradition while pushing the game forward.

As the cards are shuffled, one thing is certain: in a world of second chances, the APT Championship Main Event offers only one. And for those who can rise to the challenge, one is all it takes. 

Asia’s Biggest Poker Festival Just a Month Away

The countdown is on as the APT Championship approaches, bringing seventeen days of continuous poker action to the city of Taipei. Running from morning to night, the festival features 200 events on tap and a total guarantee of TWD 276 million (~USD 8.4 million), making it the largest poker series ever held in the region.

Alongside the Main Event, more than a dozen Championship titles await, each offering prestige and recognition to players seeking their moment of glory. 

Visit the Asian Poker Tour’s official website for the full event schedule and registration details.