Daniel Neilson Leads Main Event into Day 3; Pei Yi Du Wins First APT Title

Day 8 of the APT Taipei 2026, held across Red Space and Asia Poker Arena, saw the flagship APT Main Event attract a total of 2,354 entries (1,300 unique), creating a TWD 111,862,080 (~USD 3,585,320) prize pool, while Chen Hao Wu etched his name in the APT history books in the Go x Poker event, and Pei Yi Du marked a milestone in her resume after winning her very first APT title in the Women’s High Roller.

Daniel Neilson Tops Main Event Day 2A

After Day 2 play in the premier event, a total of 340 players will make the money, with the eventual champion taking home the Gold Lion APT Main Event trophy and a coveted TWD 16,640,100 (~USD 533,340) top prize.

Main Event Day 2A kicked off at 11 a.m. local time, with survivors from Day 1A, 1C, and 1D joined by a further 187 late entries. After eight 60-minute levels of play, it was Daniel Neilson who held the chip lead with a stack of 1,425,000.

With total live tournament winnings of nearly $6 million, two-time APT titlist Neilson is a familiar face at final tables across the globe and has put himself in an advantageous position, advancing to Day 3.

South Korea's Hoseong Ha is close behind in second with a stack of 1,180,000, while Laos' Mangkone Sanaphanith rounds out the top three with 1,054,000 to work with on Day 3.

Day 2A Top Ten Chip Counts

Day 2A Bubble Boy

The stone bubble burst in the Main Event Day 2A when Yung Teng Wang shoved from under the gun with pocket kings and was called by Chun Shing Lau in the hijack with queens. Offering no help to Lau on the clean board, Lau was sent to the rail with the most unwanted title, locking up a cash for all remaining players.

Suhwan Kwon Sits Atop of Day 2B

Day 2B action got underway at 3:00 p.m. local time, with 147 players from Day 1B joined by 104 additional players before registration officially closed. In the end, it was South Korea's Suhwan Kwon who sat firmly as the Day 2B chip leader with a hefty stack of 957,000.

Next in line is Selim Oulmekki from France, who accumulated 803,000 chips by the end of the day. Rounding out the top three is Kwon's fellow countryman Jaejoong Kim with 752,000 in chips.

Day 2B Top Ten Chip Counts

Day 2B Bubble Boy

At the end of the night, it was chip leader Kwon who sent the last elimination, Grant Wang, to the rail, securing a share of the mammoth prize pool for the remaining survivors. Wang found himself all-in preflop with pocket eights and at risk against Kwon’s king-jack. The flop soon revealed bad news for Wang as it connected with Kwon’s jack, improving him to top pair and the lead in the hand. Unfortunately for Wang, the turn and river brought no help, sending him to the rail as the Day 2B bubble boy.

Chen Hao Wu Wins the Go x Poker

Another thrilling highlight of the day was the Go x Poker event. A total of 31 players participated in the newly invented event today, with Canada’s Chen Hao Wu emerging as the eventual winner to claim TWD 38,709 (~USD 1,169), along with an additional TWD 10,000 bonus generously contributed by the Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Club (CTP).

Pei Yi Du's Maiden APT Title in Women’s High Roller

At the same day, Event #106: Women’s High Roller found its eventual winner. Local player Pei Yi Du claimed her first APT title and took home the first-place prize of TWD 391,600 (USD 12,511) after outlasting the field.

Women’s High Roller Final Table Results

Fellow local Yu Han Su, also in pursuit of her maiden APT title, delivered a strong performance to reach heads-up play but eventually settled for second place, earning TWD 269,900 (USD 8,622). Rounding out the top three is notable name Sin Lan Chen, who earned TWD 172,000 (USD 5,495).

What's Next on Thursday, April 30

Thursday's schedule at APT Taipei 2026 is headlined by the continuation of the marathon event, APT Main Event Day 3, kicking off at 11:15 a.m. local time at the Asia Poker Arena, while Event #108 High Roller will crown its champion today.

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