APT Taipei 2025 Blasts Open With Record Breaking APT National Cup

The Asian Poker Tour‘s dominance across the Asian region is undeniable, and it didn’t take long for the world to be reminded once again. Returning to Taiwan for its second stop of the year, APT Taipei 2025 wasted no time filling up the brand new Red Space – a new venue built to handle the massive wave of players eager to be part of the action.

Asian Poker Tour – APT Taipei 2025

Record Breaking APT National Cup

The games opened on April 25 with the APT National Cup which featured a NT$ 10,000,000 (~$305,000) guarantee and buy-in at NT$ 12,000 (~$365). But that figure quickly became just a starting point, as players flooded the room, smashing all expectations with a record 2,161 entries across three flights. Even more impressive, the turnout included 1,265 unique players, a clear sign of how much anticipation surrounded the brand’s return.

Flights Review

Breaking down the flights, by the time registration closed for Flight A, the 821 entry tally still had over 500 players seated, all vying for one of the 113 ITM spots. As players fell, the venue quickly refilled with Flight B contenders which drew an even larger 844 field. It wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine the organizers questioning if the space was big enough, as an alternates list was already starting to build. Flight B wrapped up well past 1am with 119 players finding success.

The final flight was a turbo with many fallouts from the earlier flights looking for redemption. The last wave added another thunderous 496 entries which trimmed to just 70 by the time the bubble burst.

• Flight A: 821 entries / 113 advanced
• Flight B: 844 entries / 119 advanced
• Flight C: 496 entries / 70 advanced

When all the flights completed, the numbers were finalized. The APT National Cup prize pool soared to a massive NT$ 21,264,240 (~US$ 656,304), officially making it the richest opening event in APT history. Up top, the eventual champion will lock up a hefty NT$ 3,454,240 (~US$ 106,612). 

Players At The Scene

With the APT National Cup attracting 1,265 unique players, it was the locals who made the biggest impact. Taiwanese players dominated the tables and made up the majority of the 302  that advanced to Day 2. There was also strong representation from Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea, and APT regulars from all over the world.

Among the familiar faces spotted in the field were Charlie Chiu, Chi Jen Chen, Chia Hsiang Ko, King Lun Lau, Kunal Patni, Peter Kiem, Yohwan Lim, Joris Michl, and David Erquiaga, to name a few.

While some of the notables found a bag, it was UK’s Jayson Lee Cooper who topped the charts. Cooper was seen at the APT’s first stop in Manila last February where he picked up a couple of small cashes, hoping for this to be the largest. You can follow the Day 2 action via the Live Updates.

First Champions

The APT National Cup wasn’t the only event running on opening day. With a packed lineup of 126 events running from April 25 to May 4, ten of those completed with players happily hoisting APT Lion memorabilia.

#2 Women's Event (3,500 TWD)

Marina Ueda Wins First Women's Event

In an effort to boost female attendance at APT festivals, there is a Women's Event scheduled every day. The first one was already a huge success with a turnout of 135 entries. Out of the NT$ 378,043 prize pool, only 20 earned a cut. Japan's Marina Ueda claimed the largest portion after denying local hope Caixin Wong at heads up. This was Ueda's first ever APT win. For Wong, it was a near back-to-back title having won the Lady's Event at the ZSOP festival just last month in Taiwan.

Total Prize USD

$11,615

Total Prize

NT$378,043

Entries

135

ITM

20

#	Payout	Player
1	NT$92,043 $2,830	MU Marina Ueda Japan
2	NT$61,500 $1,890	CW Caixin Wong Taiwan
3	NT$40,500 $1,245	YY Ying Yi Wu Taiwan
4	NT$33,500 $1,030	OA Ohta Ami Japan
5	NT$27,000 $830	KR Kira Ravnak Czech Republic
6	NT$21,000 $645	SU Sumire Uenomachi Japan
7	NT$16,000 $490	SK Sakuya Kanda Japan
8	NT$11,500 $355	HM Hoi Man Leung Taiwan
9	NT$9,000 $275	SY Sheng Ying Chen Taiwan

Check the 20 Payouts & Results ...

#3 PL Omaha Hi-Lo - 5 Card (Big O) (15,000 TWD)

Sosuke Hatano's Victory Streak Continues

Before this win, Japanese recreational player Sosuke Hatano racked up six cashes since the start of the year in Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. Impressively, four were victories and two were 2nd place finishes. Now in Taiwan, Hatano continued the hot streak with victory at the PLO Hi-Lo 5 Card, outlasting a field of 33 runners. He earned a career high payout of NT$ 150,886 (~US$ 4,635).

Total Prize USD

$12,545

Total Prize

NT$408,386

Entries

33

ITM

5

#	Payout	Player
1	NT$150,886 $4,635	SH Sosuke Hatano Japan
2	NT$104,000 $3,195	YC Yu Cheng Tai Taiwan
3	NT$66,500 $2,045	SR Sin Ren Chen Taiwan
4	NT$48,000 $1,475	GS Gary Steven Benson Australia
5	NT$39,000 $1,200	LM Lok Ming Chan Hong Kong

#4 Single Day High Roller (60,000 TWD)

Alfie Poetra Wins Single Day High Roller

High profile players could not resist the opening day's Single Day High Roller which included Chih Wei Fan, Ryan Plant, and recent Korea Poker Cup SHR winner Meng Ling Lin. These heavy hitters ran deep into the final table of the 33 entry field however could not get past USA based Indonesian player Alfie Poetra who locked up the win and the lion's cut of the NT$ 4,406,400 (~US$ 135,370) prize pool. This was Poetra's first ever APT High Roller win for a payout of NT$ 1,212,400 (~US$ 37,245).

Total Prize USD

$135,370

Total Prize

NT$4,406,400

Entries

85

ITM

11

#	Payout	Player
1	NT$1,212,400 $37,245	AP Alfie Poetra United States of America
2	NT$861,500 $26,465	CW Chih Wei Fan Taiwan
3	NT$564,000 $17,325	ML Meng Ling Lin Taiwan
4	NT$434,000 $13,335	RP Ryan Plant United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
5	NT$343,500 $10,555	KC Kai Cheng Hsu Taiwan
6	NT$269,000 $8,265	FJ Frank Joseph Cucchiara United States of America
7	NT$211,500 $6,500	CJ Chan Je Min Jeremy Malaysia
8	NT$165,000 $5,070	AT Akira Takashima Japan
9	NT$125,500 $3,855	SJ Seunghyuk Jung Korea (Republic of)

Check the 11 Payouts & Results ...

#5 Limit Triple Draw - Lowball Mix (A-5, 2-7, Badugi) (10,000 TWD)

Total Prize USD

$11,840

Total Prize

NT$385,415

Entries

47

ITM

7

#	Payout	Player
1	NT$121,415 $3,730	DA David Arthur Spencer Canada
2	NT$87,500 $2,690	DS Dong Soo Han Korea (Republic of)
3	NT$56,000 $1,720	LT Li Ta Hsu Taiwan
4	NT$42,500 $1,305	PC Pui Cheung Ng United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
5	NT$33,000 $1,015	AJ Adam James Greenlee United States of America
6	NT$25,000 $770	JE Jacob E Nepom United States of America
7	NT$20,000 $615	AC Andy Chen Canada

#6 Turbo - PL Omaha High - Double Board - Bomb Pot (10,000 TWD)

Total Prize USD

$13,350

Total Prize

NT$434,616

Entries

53

ITM

7

#	Payout	Player
1	NT$136,116 $4,180	TK Tony Khoang Netherlands
2	NT$99,000 $3,040	CC Chan Cheng Hao Japan
3	NT$63,000 $1,935	HK Hayato Kitajima Japan
4	NT$48,000 $1,475	DM Danny Ming Fan Chang United States of America
5	NT$37,000 $1,135	CY Chia Yen Lu Taiwan
6	NT$28,500 $875	WK Wooseok Kim Korea (Republic of)
7	NT$23,000 $705	SP Shun Ping Wang Taiwan

#7 Turbo - High Roller (35,000 TWD)

Redemption For Hirotaka Fukatsu

In February, at the APT Manila Classic, Japan's Hirotaka Fukatsu, came close to winning two APT Turbo - High Roller events, finishing 5th and 3rd. Looking to get past that hump, Fukatsu returned with a vengeance at APT Taipei 2025, taking another shot at the same event on opening day. This time, he got the result he was chasing, outlasting the 34-entry field to capture his first-ever live tournament title and the lion's cut of the NT$ 1,028,160 (~US$ 31,585) prize pool. He pocketed a career high payout out of NT$ 380,660 (~US$ 11,695) and his first champion's trophy.

Total Prize USD

$31,585

Total Prize

NT$1,028,160

Entries

34

ITM

5

#	Payout	Player
1	NT$380,660 $11,695	HF Hirotaka Fukatsu Japan
2	NT$262,000 $8,050	WW Wei-hsiang Wang Taiwan
3	NT$167,000 $5,130	MP Matthew Paul Belcher United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
4	NT$121,000 $3,715	TF Tetsuya Fujiwara Japan
5	NT$97,500 $2,995	HS Hyun Sup Kim Korea (Republic of)

#8 Hyper Turbo Home Games - NL - Hold'em - Rivers (Each Player Receives Their Own Face-Down River Card) (3,500 TWD)

Total Prize USD

$4,990

Total Prize

NT$162,418

Entries

58

ITM

8

#	Payout	Player
1	NT$48,918 $1,505	DS Daniel Shiang An Yang Taiwan
2	NT$35,000 $1,075	WM Watanabe Miyu Japan
3	NT$22,500 $690	PL Po-jung Lin Taiwan
4	NT$17,000 $520	KW Kaijui Wang Taiwan
5	NT$13,500 $415	YC Yu Chi Liu Taiwan
6	NT$10,500 $325	YT Yun Ting Chen Taiwan
7	NT$8,500 $260	GB Gulbahar Bay Janova Australia
8	NT$6,500 $200	YZ Yuanfu Zhang Canada

#9 Hyper Turbo - No Limit - Dealer's Choice 7 Card Stud (9 Games) (8,000 TWD)

Total Prize USD

$3,540

Total Prize

NT$115,205

Entries

18

ITM

4

#	Payout	Player
1	NT$48,205 $1,480	YW Yuya Wakayama Japan
2	NT$32,500 $1,000	CH Chi Ho Kevin Tse Hong Kong
3	NT$20,500 $630	KY Keita Yamashiro Japan
4	NT$14,000 $430	JZ Jie Zhang Hong Kong

#10 Hyper Turbo - High Roller (25,000 TWD)

Total Prize USD

$22,560

Total Prize

NT$734,400

Entries

34

ITM

5

#	Payout	Player
1	NT$270,900 $8,320	QT Quang Thai Do Viet Nam
2	NT$187,500 $5,760	YC Yu Chung Chang Taiwan
3	NT$119,500 $3,670	CS Chia Shan Tsao Taiwan
4	NT$86,500 $2,655	LC Laitai Chung Taiwan
5	NT$70,000 $2,150	HW Hao Wang Taiwan

#11 Super Hyper Turbo (8,000 TWD)

Total Prize USD

$9,830

Total Prize

NT$320,016

Entries

50

ITM

7

#	Payout	Player
1	NT$100,516 $3,090	IL I Lin Shin Taiwan
2	NT$73,000 $2,245	IM Iat Man Leong Macao
3	NT$46,500 $1,430	JK Jenn Kang Chong Taiwan
4	NT$35,000 $1,075	YJ Yu Jay Shih Taiwan
5	NT$27,000 $830	WZ Wangcheng Zhang China
6	NT$21,000 $645	JC Jia Cheng Luo Taiwan
7	NT$17,000 $520	KY Kuei Yang Chen Taiwan

Coming up: APT Main Event

There are still plenty of APT Lions up for grabs with the festival running until May 4, 2025. Coming up on April 27 is the brand’s flagship tournament, the APT Taipei 2025 Main Event with a huge NT$ 70 million (~US$ 2.1 million) prize pool guarantee. According to the APT, more than 700 players have already won seats via satellites on Asia online platform Natural8.

Links:

Extra Tips for Players At APT Taipei 2025
APT Taipei 2025 Schedule
APT Taipei 2025 Results