Players Series: Tom Verbruggen Ships PS Super High Roller From Three BBs to Victory; Daniel Yang Catches Second Series Win

Nonstop action continues to run at CTP Asia Poker Arena with the Players Series’ debut in full swing. Yesterday’s games awarded five trophies across the schedule, with Netherlands’ Tom Verbruggen emerging as the biggest winner of the day after crushing the esteemed PS Super High Roller highlight. Verbruggen made an amazing comeback from pulling through at the brink of elimination to closing out the win for his fifth title of the year. 

Local runner Daniel Yang also booked another incredible run, having captured his second series victory at the Mini High Roller event. Three more winners – Lai Hsuan Yu, Wu Hung, and Jass Chew, rose to the podium with first place finishes over the smaller field side events.

Stay tuned to SMP Live Updates as the games unfold, and catch the latest action directly off the floor.

Players Series Taipei 2024 – Schedule
Players Series Taipei 2024 – Festival Results
Players Series Taipei 2024 – Live Updates

Tom Verbruggen Wins PS Super High Roller

“Amazing. I’m really happy. Actually, this is the first year that I’m playing almost full-time, live poker. I would say completely full-time. For the past months, I’ve been grinding really hard. I had some fortune here in Taipei recently at the APT where I won two trophies. Recently, I got second place. I think the last three heads-ups in a row, I got second place. One was APT Manila, one was a big one recently at USOP, also in the high roller, I got second. That heads-up lasted only one hand. So I was really hungry to win the trophy because obviously the money is amazing.”, commented Verbruggen following his victory.

“I feel very grateful, but it’s an extra nice feeling when you win. Because the feeling I have now is pure happiness. I always say, when you’re a poker player and you’re really competitive, second place, it doesn’t matter how you lose. If it was unlucky, if you were lucky, winning feels great and becoming second is just a tap away from that great feeling. So I’m really happy.”

Following a thirteen hour grind, the PS Super High Roller games has finally crowned its newest champion with Netherlands’ Tom Verbruggen reigning in all the glory. Verbruggen endured a wild roller coaster ride from nearly a forty big blind lead over the field, to down to three big blinds at one point. For his impressive display, Verbruggen earned the lion’s share of the NTD 3,712,800 (~USD 114,190) prize pool at NTD 1,120,000 (~USD 34,445), and a career first Players Series trophy to pair it with.

“I remember, I think it was Dave who jammed, four-handed, and I had 84 off with four and a half BB in the big blind, and I wasn’t sure, but I decided to fold it. And eventually, I guess this is one of the things that led to chipping back up.”

Verbruggen entered the final rounds with a commanding lead yet set off to a rocky start. The Dutch regular missed to find any good spots and shot down to the bottom of the ranks as the payouts carried more weight. Verbruggen finally found some momentum four-handed, having bagged three consecutive double ups, giving him enough ammo to play postflop. A crucial pot against David Erquiaga saw his top pair hold up for the win, shipping him 70% of the chips in play. A truly incredible comeback, Verbruggen went on to close the final victory over a quick heads up duel against the Filipino pro for the title.

When asked about his Players Series experience, Verbruggen related, “I think it’s great. Actually, it surprised me. It’s really well organized. I’ve been here in Taipei before, and I think here in Taipei, it’s always well organized in very big fields.”

“In my opinion, the numbers exceed my expectations because it’s the first tournament. And recently, there are so many tournaments, so you never know what to expect, but the first high roller already had 48 entries. Today, we had 85, which I think, honestly, is great. I hope they continue. Thumbs up to them, credits to them. Everything is really well organized. Floors are great, dealers are great. Venue is nice, as always. I’m happy here.”

• Date/s: December 15-16, 2024
• Buy-in: NT$ 50,000 (~US$ 1,585)
• Guarantee: NT$ 3,000,000 (~US$ 92,270)
• Entries: 85
• Prize pool: NT$ 3,712,800 (~US$ 114,190)
• ITM: 13 places

PS Super High Roller Full Payouts

Backtrack on the day’s action via SMP Live Updates 

Daniel Yang Bags Second Series Victory at Mini High Roller

Taiwan’s Daniel Yang likewise booked an astounding feat, having clinched back to back victories at the Mini High Roller games. Yang came out on top of the opening highlight, Warm Up Mystery Bounty, and followed his grand NTD 697,000 (~USD 21,435) payday with another substantial score. The local amateur this time, bested a smaller field of 48 entries, and secured NTD 353,000 (~USD 10,590) in winnings after dominating the final rounds. Yang stands to be the biggest series winner to date with nearly a million NTD in cashes.

• Dates: December 16, 2024
• Buy-in: NT$ 25,000 (~US$ 795)
• Entries: 48
• Prize pool: NT$ 1,036,800 (~US$ 31,888)
• ITM: 8 places

Mini High Roller Full Payouts

Side Event Winners

Lai Hsuan Yu Bests Superstack

The earliest side event of the Players Series day four lineup, Superstack, drew in 80 entries across registration, leaving twelve runners to walk away with a share of the NTD 683,600 (~USD 21,025) prize pool. An international affair was seen across the final table with five different flags seeking the title and NTD 208,900 (~USD 6,265) top prize. The final duel landed with both Taiwanese runners Shen Hao and Lau Hsuan Yu in battle, with the latter closing out the win for his first ever PS trophy.

• Dates: December 16, 2024
• Buy-in: NTD 10,000 (~USD 320)
• Entries: 80
• Prize pool: NTD 683,600 (~USD 21,025)
• ITM: 12 places

Superstack Full Payouts

Wu Hung Triumphs Over Pot Limit Omaha Double Board

The Pot Limit Omaha Double Board returned back on schedule due to popular demand and saw another local runner rise to victory. Wu Hung outlasted the 22-entry field and banked the largest payout on the list at NTD 58,600 (~USD 1,760). Hung came up short in the last PLO Double Board event, having finished in 8th and this time, closed out the win with flair.

• Dates: December 16, 2024
• Buy-in: NT$ 7,000 (~US$ 225)
• Entries: 22
• Prize pool: NT$ 130,100 (~US$ 4,000)
• ITM: 4 places

Pot Limit Omaha Double Board Full Payouts

Jass Chew Wins Hyper Turbo Knockout

Slated on the evening lineup, the last side event on schedule, Hyper Turbo Knockout, attracted 47 entries vying for the lion’s share of the NT$ 196,300 (~US$ 6,035) prize pool. Eight players walked away with a return, with Singapore’s Jass Chew emerging as the biggest winner. Chew added NTD 22,500 (~USD 690) in bounty prizes to his NTD 26,200 (~USD 785) top prize, and took home NTD 48,700 (~USD 1,500) in total winnings.

• Dates: December 16, 2024
• Buy-in: NT$ 5,000 (~US$ 160)
• Entries: 47
• Prize pool: NT$ 196,300 (~US$ 6,035)
• ITM: 8 places

Hyper Turbo Knockout Full Payouts

*Excluding bounty prizes