TMT 19 Penultimate Day: Zee Hyo Jung Leads Main Event Final 36; Ca Phe Triumphs Sunday Challenge

The Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) 19 reached a fever pitch at Taipei’s Red Space venue, delivering a day defined by high-stakes international rivalry and record-shattering participation. While the marquee Main Event narrowed its massive field down to the final elite contenders, the Sunday Challenge provided its own explosive drama, proving that the appetite for premier poker in Taiwan has never been greater. From multi-million chip stacks to career-defining first-place trophies, the action showcased the very best of the Asian poker circuit.

Vietnam’s Ca Phe Conquers Massive 1,024-Entry Field to Claim Sunday Challenge Title

The Event #45 TMT 19 Sunday Challenge proved to be one of the most explosive side events of the finale stage of the Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) 19, drawing a staggering field of 1,024 entries to the venue Red Space. The massive turnout generated a significant TWD 6,649,700 (~USD 210,415) prize pool, overshadowing the TWD 2,000,000 (~USD 63,286) guarantee, and an electric atmosphere, with the competition ultimately rewarding the top 154 finishers who successfully navigated their way into the money.

After a grueling day of high-stakes action, Vietnam’s Ca Phe emerged as the ultimate victor, outlasting a four-figure field to capture the TMT 19 Sunday Challenge title along with a massive top prize of TWD 1,067,000 (~USD 33,762).

A rising talent on the Vietnamese poker scene, Phe’s triumph was more than just another win. It marked a significant milestone in his tournament career and set a new personal benchmark for his largest live cash to date. While he has primarily competed across regional Asian circuits, this victory in a high-participation, international field showcased his ability to navigate deep structures and perform under pressure against elite competition.

The final stage of the tournament showcased a truly international lineup, culminating in a fierce heads-up battle against Macao’s Eurico Machado, who earned TWD 690,000 (~USD 21,829) for a stellar runner-up performance. India’s Anish Dedhia also delivered a dominant display, rounding out the podium in third place for a TWD 511,000 (~USD 16,166) payday.

Final Table Results

The final table featured a diverse array of talent from across the region, highlighting the global appeal of the TMT series. South Korea’s Minjae Shin secured a deep run, finishing 4th for TWD 381,000 (USD 12,054). The remaining spots were dominated by a strong Taiwanese contingency, led by Po Hao Liao in 5th for TWD 288,000 (~USD 9,111) and Hung Chun Wu in 6th for TWD 219,000 (~USD 6,927). Jen Chieh Tu finished in 7th for TWD 169,000 (~USD 5,346), Lu Jie Wong in 8th for TWD 132,000 (4,176), and Chun Ai Wang in 9th for TWD 104,900 (~USD 3,319), completing the top nine, showcasing the formidable depth of local talent.

This record-breaking Sunday Challenge serves as a testament to the incredible momentum of TMT 19. As the festival continues toward its Main Event conclusion, the high level of participation and international competition in Event #45 has set a new benchmark for side events in the region.

Winner's Reaction

Following his monumental victory in the TMT 19 Sunday Challenge, Vietnamese champion Ca Phe took a moment to reflect on a journey that saw him rise from a local club player to a major international winner. Having discovered the game six years ago at a club near his home, Phe’s passion for poker has only intensified over time. Despite a difficult start to his trip, this win served as the ultimate redemption.

"Right now, I feel very excited," Phe shared. "I arrived ten days ago and lost quite a bit, so this is definitely my biggest win in Taiwan. The trophy is beautiful, and while the competition today was very tough, I feel like the 'poker gods' were finally on my side."

The path to the title was paved with high-stress encounters, but one specific hand stood out as the turning point for the champion. Phe recalled a massive clash where he held king-jack of diamonds against an opponent’s ace-king. A dramatic straight on the river completed a "huge comeback" at the final table, providing him with the momentum needed to win the trophy.

Looking ahead, Phe is already planning his return to the Taiwan Millions Tournament. Beyond the high-level competition, he expressed a deep appreciation for the local culture. "I love Taiwan so much," he said. "The people and the environment at TMT are so friendly, and the food is incredibly yummy. I will definitely be back to chase more trophies in the future."

South Korea’s Zee Hyo Jung Bags 12.8M Lead After a Relentless 10-Hour Day 2 Battle

After an action-packed 10-hour marathon of high-stakes navigation and heart-stopping eliminations, Day 2 of the TMT 19 Main Event has officially drawn to a close. The day began with a massive wave of 640 qualifiers descending upon the Red Space in Taipei, each eyeing a seat at the final table. By the time the final bags were sealed, the field had been ruthlessly whittled down to just 36 survivors, setting the stage for a dramatic final-day showdown.

Standing atop the leaderboard is South Korea’s Zee Hyo Jung with a commanding stack of 12,875,000. Close behind is Taiwan’s Shi Ping Wu, a formidable contender and third-place finisher at TMT 13 Main Event, who delivered a clinical performance to bag 12,300,000 chips. The duo now sets the stage for a high-stakes local-versus-international showdown at the top of the counts.

Top Ten Chip Counts

Rounding out the top three is Taiwanese fellow Shih Chieh Su with a healthy stack of 9,700,000. Still in the hunt from the Day 1 flights are former frontrunners Day 1G chip leader Xian Wen Fu (4,325,000) and Day 1F standout Shun Ping Wang (2,950,000).

The journey to the final 36 was anything but easy. From the first shuffle at 10:00 local time, the action was relentless, with multiple three-way pots unfolding throughout the venue, resulting in numerous knockouts and many survivors.

Kuan Yu Chen was the one to survive a chaotic three-way pot. Holding a short stack, Chen called off his chips with pocket kings when You Xi Yang shoved with pocket jacks. Evelyn Chang also joined the action with ace-jack suited, putting both opponents at risk. When the board ran out clean, Chen secured a crucial triple-up.

Soonjo Kwon was one of the victims to fall under the three-way pressure. Kwon shoved with ace-eight in response to Yuwei Zhang’s queen-nine shove, while Chun Lin Shih also joined the hand with pocket nines. The flop favored Zhang, who paired his queens, leaving Kwon behind. With no help on the runout, Kwon hit the rail while Zhang raked in the massive pot.

Later in the night, Chien Yun Wang capped his session in spectacular fashion with a double knockout. Facing off against Chunjou Chao and Mingyang Chen, Wang committed his covering stack. His pocket kings held strong on a clean board, cracking Chao’s ace-high and Chen’s pocket tens, sending both tablemates to the rail simultaneously.

The final hand of the night featured Evelyn Chang and Li Wei Wang. Chang shoved on the turn with pocket eights, running headfirst into Wang’s turned straight. Just like that, Chang’s run came to an end in 37th place, leaving the remaining 36 warriors to secure their seats for the Final Day.

The "Red Space" venue lived up to its name, becoming a high-energy battlefield where dreams of a Main Event title were forged and extinguished in equal measure. With the average stack intensifying and the money bubble long burst, the surviving players now shift their focus to the ultimate prize, with a massive payout and local glory waiting for the last person standing.