Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier and Ka Chun Yuan conquer events at APT Taipei 2024

Asia-Pacific
Live Poker
03/03/2024

Another day of incredible poker at APT Taipei 2024 as Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier and Ka Chun Yuan fulfilled dreams and crushed hopes at Day 4’s richest events. Scroll down for the highlights.

Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier denies Lester Edoc at $25K Superstar Challenge

Amid an anxious rail with thousands viewing via the live feed, triple-crown champion Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier came from behind to defeat Philippine ace Lester Edoc for the coveted $25K Superstar Challenge title. In an interview with APT, Grospellier was ecstatic,

“Even though I’ve already played poker for so many years, when you reach the final table it’s always so intense, with so much emotion. It means everything to me to win this trophy.”

Bertrand
Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier

Along with his first-ever APT hardware, Grospellier pocketed the NTD 11,632,810 (~USD 367,300) top prize, and though it paled in comparison to his highest score, it was the largest APT payout to date. For runner-up Edoc, getting agonizingly close to beating one of the world’s greats earned him a career high payout of NTD 8,402,000 (~USD 265,630). You can relive the thrill via the recorded livestream or continue below for the brief summary.

Event recap

For the first time in APT history, the brand introduced a jaw-dropping $25K buy in event dubbed the NTD 800,000 Superstar Challenge. Ambitious as it may have seemed, it brought together some of the world’s elite to compete in Taipei City, Taiwan for the first time. As the crowd watched on, 38 players ponied up, boosted further by 11 re-entries, for a prize pool of NTD 36,930,000 (~USD 1,167,615). Day 1 wrapped up with Lester Edoc leading the final 9.

APT Taipei 2024 $25K Superstar Challenge final table
$25K Superstar Challenge final table

While there were many worthy highlights leading to the finish, it was at six-handed where a new leader emerged. Roman Hrabec sent Lester Edoc down a notch with a straight over flopped top pair. At four-handed, the winds shifted in Edoc’s favor, eliminating China’s Biao Ding to even up with the leader. The trend continued at three-handed with Edoc winning two big pots off Hrabec before sending the Czech out in 3rd place.

Five hours in, heads up was reached. Edoc was on the cusp of glory with 79 bb and Bertrand Grospellier looking to spoil that moment with his 22 bb. Grospellier also had an ace under his belt, he was unbeaten in all in showdowns with five wins to stay in the running.

Lester Edoc at APT Taipei 2024 $25K Superstar Challenge
Lester Edoc

Kicking off heads up, Edoc took charge of the initial hands until his Kc5d shove lost to Grospellier’s QdJc with a Queen turning up on the board 8cQhAd10c6d. Grospellier won another showdown with QhQs over Edoc’s 7c7s to switch the counts. For the first time since the start of the tournament, Grospellier was ahead.

Bertrand
Bertrand “ElkY Grospellier

It only took one more hand for Grospellier to seal the win and he did so in shocking fashion. Calling Edoc’s four-bet shove, Grospellier started off behind with AcJd to Edoc’s AhKc, however, with a Jack finding the flop 9s6hJh, Grospellier paired up. Hope arrived for Edoc on the turn 2h giving the Filipio the nut flush draw. The river 2s crowned ElkY champion.

Date: March 1 to 2, 2024
Buy in: NTD 800,000 (~USD 25,900)
Entries: 49 (38 unique)
Prize pool: NTD 36,930,000 (~USD 1,167,615)
ITM: 7 places

Place Player Flag Payout in NTD
in USD (approx)
1 Bertrand Grospellier France 11,632,810 367,313
2 Lester Edoc Philippines 8,402,000 265,298
3 Roman Hrabec Czech Republic 5,355,000 169,087
4 Biao Ding China 4,062,000 128,260
5 Klemens Roiter Austria 3,139,000 99,116
6 Danny Tang Hong Kong 2,401,000 75,813
7 Mikael Andersson Sweden 1,939,000 61,225

First big title for Ka Chun Yuan at record-breaking APT National Cup

Hong Kong’s Ka Chun Yuan was the envy of many after he conquered the record-breaking APT National Cup for a career high payout of NTD 2,263,639 (~USD 71,485). Yuan claimed his first ever APT win and catapulted his total live earnings to over USD 100K.

Ka Chun Yuan wins APT Taipei 2024 National Cup
Ka Chun Yuan

The APT National Cup displayed the brand’s increasing popularity with a roaring 2,305 entries across five flights for a record-breaking NTD 19,899,065 (~USD 629,650) prize pool. With this massive turnout, it clearly distinguished the APT National Cup as a low tier major title. While 343 (14%) players earned a piece of the pot, only 134 (5%) advanced to the final day.

Leading up to the final table, defending champion Chia Yun Wu burned out in 33rd place, and was later followed by flight leaders Chi Hang Chang (26th), Yann Lormel (17th), Edilberto Gopez Jr. (15th), Chih Wei Fan (11th), and Pi Ying Hsu who bubbled to the final table in 10th place.

APT Taipei 2024 National Cup final table
APT Taipei 2024 National Cup final table

Taking a look at final 9 player stats, every finalist was seeking its first monster score. Interestingly, with an eighth-place finish, each one was already guaranteed a career high payout. After three hours of play, the table trimmed to just three players, and an ICM deal was quickly reached. In addition to the guaranteed payouts, another NTD 213,139 (~USD 6,730) was set aside for the winner. For the next hour, chip leader Yuan kept his opponents at bay to capture his first ever APT title. Relive the final race to victory via the livestream.

Buy in: NTD 10,000 (~USD 315)
Guarantee: NTD 15,000,000 (~USD 474,000)
Entries: 2,305 (1,046 unique)
Prize pool: NTD 19,899,065 (~USD 629,650)
ITM: 343 players (14 %)
Day 2 qualifiers: 134 players (5%)

*Three way ICM deal

Place Player Flag Payout in NTD
in USD (approx)
1 Ka Chun Yuan Hong Kong 2,263,639 71,485*
2 Cheng En Tsai Taiwan 1,944,800 61,408*
3 Ting-Chieh Chen Taiwan 1,607,626 50,762*
4 Sheng Chang Lu Taiwan 873,000 27,640
5 Kuan Long Lu Taiwan 730,000 23,115
6 Kwan Cheng Taiwan 590,000 18,680
7 Dexter Brillo Philippines 450,000 14,250
8 Po Chun Chang Taiwan 323,000 10,230
9 Yiu Yeung Leung Hong Kong 246,000 7,790

APT Taipei 2024 – Results

APT Taipei 2024 – Main Event

TheAsian Poker Tour (APT) Taipei 2024runs fromFebruary 28 to March 10inTaipei City, Taiwan.Games are underway at theAsia Poker ArenaandChinese Mahjong League. The festival boasts a massiveNTD 150 Million (~USD 4.8 Million) guarantee.

APT Taipei 2023 Main Event trophy

Out of the packed lineup of 105 trophy events, the APT Main Event will be the most sought-after title with a substantial payout expected due to itsNTD 65,000,000 (~USD 2,000,000) guarantee.This is the largest prize pool ever offered in Asia. The event runsMarch 3 to 9, 2024with buy in set at NTD 70,000 (~USD 2,200).

The APT prides itself in its Main Event tournament structure and has been praised as one of the best in the region. Players start with a deep 40,000 stack (400 times the opening blind). Flight A blinds increase every 60 minutes, Flight B blinds increase every 45 minutes, and Flight C will see blinds increase every 30 minutes then 40 minutes at the start of Level 7. All entry flights play a total of 10 levels.

In 2023, Thailand proPunnat Punsriclinched the APT Main Event for NTD 11,210,400 (~USD 364,300). He is on site and will be looking to defend his title.

Asian Poker Tour Taipei sets the bar high with over TWD 150 Million (~USD 4.8M) in guarantees

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