Record-Breaking APT National Cup Draws 2,940 Entries; Thanarattrakul Wins Single Day Super High Roller

The Asian Poker Tour (APT) Taipei 2026 has made history at Red Space and Asia Poker Arena, with the APT National Cup officially became the largest side event in the tour’s history. A massive field of 2,940 entries shattered all previous records, building a prize pool of TWD 28,929,620 (~USD 924,270). From that huge field, only 148 players remain to battle for the title today.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s Kannapong Thanarattrakul added to the excitement by dominating the Single Day Super High Roller, taking home TWD 7,371,000 (~USD 235,495) and crossing the USD 4 million mark in career earnings. Today also marks the historic Asian debut of the high-action Sviten Special, introduced to the schedule by Martin "Franke" von Zweigbergk.

APT National Cup Sets Record With 2,940 Entries

The APT National Cup at APT Taipei 2026 has set a new record as the largest side event in APT history.

Following the final two starting flights, E and F, the festival opener surged to 2,940 entries, building a prize pool of TWD 28,929,620 (~USD 924,270). This breaks the previous records set at APT Taipei 2025, setting new highs for both field size and prize pool.

The TWD 15 million (~USD 477,000) guarantee was passed midway through Flight E, with the total prize pool reaching almost double, around 36% higher than last year. A total of 426 players will be paid, with a large portion of the prize pool still reserved for the Final Day.

The eventual champion will earn TWD 4,129,000 (~USD 132,340), along with an APT Championship Main Event ticket and the APT National Cup trophy.

Dakota Anderson Tops Record-Breaking Flight E

Flight E made history, drawing a huge 956 entries to become the largest single flight ever in APT history. The USA’s Dakota Anderson topped the flight with 1,455,000 chips, followed by Taiwan’s Chia Chi Kuo with 1,360,000 and Macau’s Hang Fong Che with 1,165,000. A total of 143 players cashed, while 48 players advanced to the Final Day.

Flight F attracted 605 entries to close out the qualifying rounds, played over fast 15-minute levels. China’s Jin Wang topped the flight with 1,200,000 chips, followed by Taiwan’s Pei Yao Lin with 1,095,000 and South Korea’s Yuchan Kim with 1,065,000. A total of 87 players cashed, while 31 players advanced to the Final Day.

APT National Cup Final Day Seat Draw: Click To Expand

APT National Cup Final Day Payouts: Click To Expand

Final Day Set

From a massive 2,940 entries, only 148 players will return for the Final Day. The eventual champion will walk away with TWD 4,129,000 (~USD 132,340), along with an Asian Poker Tour Championship Main Event ticket and the National Cup trophy.

Beyond the big payouts, all final tablists will also receive a 30-day DeepRun subscription package from the APT’s official training sponsor to help them sharpen their game for the final stretch.

The Final Day resumes today at 11:15 AM local time, where players will battle for the title, trophy, and top prize.

Kannapong Thanarattrakul Wins The Single Day Super High Roller

Thailand’s Kannapong Thanarattrakul came out on top, claiming his fourth APT title with a dominant performance and a payout of TWD 7,371,000 (~USD 235,495). The win also pushes him past USD 4 million in live earnings, strengthening his place among the region’s top players.

Lithuania’s Gytis Lazauninkas had a breakout run, finishing runner-up for a career-best TWD 5,323,500 (~USD 170,079) as he came close to his first APT title. Philippines’ Mike Takayama, a seasoned pro with over USD 4 million in earnings, completed the podium in third place for TWD 3,393,000 (~USD 108,402).

The final table also featured several big names from the international poker scene. American content creator Ethan “Rampage” Yau finished fourth, while China’s Tony Ren Lin continued his strong form with a fifth-place finish and his first cash of the festival.

Franke Brings Sviten Special To APT Taipei 2026

For the first time ever in Asia, Sviten Special is hitting the schedule at APT Taipei. Martin "Franke" von Zweigbergk is the man behind the push, and he’s here specifically to introduce the game to this side of the world.

For Franke, poker has never been about just one format. From underground clubs in Scandinavia to the biggest poker rooms in Europe, the Swedish promoter and founder of The Festival Series has spent decades changing how people experience the game. Now, he’s brought that energy to the Asia Poker Arena (APA).

I’m here because of the Sviten Special. We’re trying to push it out into the world.

Franke created the Cash Game Festival and later The Festival Series, always focusing on the social side of poker. He believes mixed games like Sviten are the best way to keep the game fun.

The vibe at a mixed-game table is more loose. People talk with each other. It’s not so much headphones and hoodies.

What is Sviten Special?

If you haven’t played it before, it’s a high-action mix of 5-Card Draw and Omaha High. It’s a split-pot game, which means the pot is divided between two different hand winners:

• The Deal: Every player gets five cards.

• The Board: A community board (flop, turn, and river) is dealt just like in Omaha.

• The Draw: After the flop, there is a round where you can throw away cards and get new ones.

• The Showdown: The pot is split 50/50:

1. 1. Half goes to the best 5-card draw hand (using the 5 cards in your hand).

   2. Half goes to the best Omaha hand (using 2 cards from your hand and 3 from the board).

The result is a game that is fast, interactive, and full of action.

A Natural Stage In Taipei

Taipei is the perfect place for this debut. Franke was impressed by the diversity of the APT schedule and the skill of the staff. He even brought a group of 12 players from Europe with him to experience the festival. He’s already telling his friends back home to book at least one APT trip a year.

What you create here at APT is insane. In Europe, we might run one or two mixed games a day. Here, you have several. It’s a dream.

Don't Miss The Debut

Sviten Special makes its official debut tonight, April 25, at the Asia Poker Arena (APA). The tournament starts at 7:45 PM, and registration stays open until 9:45 PM.

If you're looking for something different that’s fast-paced and social, this is the one to jump into. As Franke puts it:

Whatever you do, play Sviten Special.

Key Events: Saturday, April 25

The weekend action at APT Taipei 2026 is now in full swing. While the record-breaking National Cup moves into Day 2 to find a champion, the massive TWD 20,000,000 GTD Mystery Bounty Hunter kicks off with three separate starting flights. High rollers also have the APT Super High Roller to look forward to, featuring a TWD 15 million guarantee.

All facts, figures, and images courtesy of Asian Poker Tour.