TMT 19: A Series for the History Books with Record Numbers and Unforgettable Champions

The 19th Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT 19) , held from January 22 to February 9, 2026, officially established itself as a historic milestone for the regional poker scene. Hosted across two premier Taipei venues, the Asia Poker Arena and Red Space, the festival attracted a staggering 30,788 total entries. With over 130 trophies awarded and a total prize pool exceeding USD 5.7 million, the series showcased the incredible growth and competitive spirit of the local and international poker communities.

Massive Turnout Crushes Guarantee as Taiwan’s Wu Chien Yu Triumphs

The Warm-Up GiantStack at Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) 19 kicked off the series in spectacular fashion, drawing a massive field that completely shattered its TWD 1,000,000 (~USD 31,600) guarantee. With 964 entries, the final prize pool ballooned to TWD 2,753,200 (~USD 87,130), nearly tripling the initial promise. This strong turnout set a high-energy tone for the rest of the tournament series, rewarding 145 players with a share of the prize pool.

The top honors went to local talent Wu Chien Yu , who skillfully navigated the deep-stacked structure to capture the title and a first-place prize of TWD 461,200 (~USD 14,595). His victory marks a stunning start to the 19th edition of the Taiwan Millions Tournament, crowning him as its first champion. In doing so, Wu not only secured his maiden TMT title but also recorded a career-best payout.

Attributing his success to a fearless tactical approach, Wu shared his perspective on the game.

“Once you enter a pot, you should play aggressively and fight for it. I’ve always felt that only the players who take the initiative have the chance to win; playing defensively makes you very vulnerable.”

Record-Breaking Kick-Off Field Crowned by Taiwan’s Yixuan Zhang

The Kick-off at Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) 19 delivered the first explosion of the series, attracting an incredible 3,248 entries that surged past the TWD 5,000,000 (~USD 158,000) guarantee. With a buy-in of TWD 4,000 (~USD 126), the prize pool more than doubled to reach a final total of TWD 10,532,510 (~USD 333,320). This massive turnout set a high standard for the remainder of the festival, ultimately rewarding the top 325 players for their deep runs.

The championship was secured by local player Yixuan Zhang , who claimed the top prize of TWD 1,356,900 (~USD 42,940) after navigating the gargantuan field. For Zhang, the victory was both a career milestone and a moment of personal disbelief.

“Honestly, this win feels unbelievable to me,” Zhang shared. “I rarely play large tournament series; most of the time, I play time-limited tournaments. This was my first time joining something like this, and I won it with a single bullet unexpectedly. It’s still something I can’t believe, especially since I’ve never won a major tournament like this before.”

Zhang’s path to the trophy was a true “underdog” story. He entered the final table as the shortest stack after narrowly surviving the bubble when a player at the next table busted just moments before him. Achieving his long-held goal of reaching a live-streamed final table, Zhang praised the professional environment and the friendly community. He hopes this championship serves as a lasting reminder to believe in himself through the inevitable upswings and downswings of the game.

Taiwan’s Jia Lun Chen Realizes Poker Dream in Massive Mini Main Field

The Mini Main at Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) 19 became one of the series’ standout attractions, drawing an enormous field of 4,428 entries. The competition more than doubled its original TWD 10,000,000 (~USD 316,000) guarantee, ultimately generating a staggering total prize pool of TWD 21,245,603 (~USD 609,315). The depth of the field was reflected in the payout structure, which saw 435 players walking away with a share of the prize pool.

The championship title and the top prize of TWD 2,292,000 (~USD 72,535) were claimed by Jia Lun Chen , marking the largest victory of his six-year poker career. Reflecting on the monumental win, Chen described it as the ultimate birthday gift, as the victory occurred just one day after his birthday. He attributed his success to a combination of exceptional luck in key spots and a hard-fought performance on the live-streamed final table.

“Wow… it’s hard to calm myself down as this is my first time achieving first place, and I think it’s going to boost my poker career,” Chen said. “There were two hands that impressed me most: one where my ace-king cracked pocket aces by making a flush, and the other on the live-streamed table where I made a tough hero call with an ace that held up against an all-in river shove. I’m especially grateful to my girlfriend, Ivy, for encouraging me to chase my dreams when I was thinking of quitting.”

Taiwan’s Yiping Feng Crowns Herself “Poker Queen” with Determined Victory

The Poker Queen at Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) 19 highlighted the growing talent within the ladies’ poker community, drawing a competitive field of 84 entries. The tournament generated a total prize pool of TWD 513,400 (~USD 16,245), with the top 13 players securing a payout for their performance. The event was a centerpiece for the “Poker Queen” ladies’ team, providing a platform for rising stars to showcase their skills in a high-stakes environment.

The title was claimed by Yiping Feng , known as Ping-Ping, who took home the top prize of TWD 142,200 (~USD 4,500). For Feng, who has been playing for just over a year, this victory was a personal declaration. She entered the event with the singular goal of winning the championship as a birthday gift to herself. Despite a major setback during heads-up play, where a tough hand against a turned straight left her with a short stack, she refused to concede, pushing through the fear to mount a successful comeback.

“I told myself I had to struggle until the very last moment,” Feng shared. “When I first started, my style was unstable and people didn’t expect much from me. But my coach helped me find my strength in an aggressive style to exploit other players. Overcoming the fear of tough opponents at the final table is key; you just have to focus on making the right decisions.”

Feng credited her transformation to the dedicated training of her team, noting that their support was instrumental in her journey from an unstable beginner to a major event champion. Looking forward, she plans to continue competing in large-scale tournaments to further sharpen her skills and face the best players in the circuit.

From Dealer to Champion: Taiwan’s Yu Jie Ni Triumphs in the TMT Master NLH

The LPT-Sponsored Master at Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) 19 concluded with local pro Yu Jie Ni outlasting a massive 867-entry field to secure his place in the tournament’s history books . The high level of participation generated a significant TWD 11,092,400 (~USD 352,275) prize pool, more than doubling its initial TWD 5,000,000 guarantee. Ni’s victory earned him a life-changing TWD 1,700,000 (~USD 53,800) top prize, marking a new benchmark on his resume as his career-best live tournament cash.

A former poker dealer with six years of experience, Ni attributed much of his success to the tournament’s professional structure.

“The Master has the best-designed structure among all the two-day events. With a TWD 15,000 buy-in and 40-minute levels, it’s really excellent, and that’s why I really wanted to join.”

Vietnam’s Ca Phe Becomes First TMT 19 International Champion to Claim Trophy Plate

The Sunday Challenge at Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) 19 became a landmark event for the series, drawing a staggering field of 1,024 entries to Taipei’s Red Space. The massive turnout shattered the TWD 2,000,000 (~USD 63,286) guarantee, generating a final prize pool of TWD 6,649,700 (~USD 210,415). This high-stakes side event rewarded the top 154 finishers, setting a new benchmark for participation and energy as the festival neared its conclusion.

Vietnam’s Ca Phe made history by becoming the first international player of the series to secure a trophy plate, capturing the title and a career-best top prize of TWD 1,067,000 (~USD 33,762). Phe’s journey to the top was a story of redemption; after a difficult first ten days in Taiwan, he found his momentum at the final table. A critical hand involving king-jack of diamonds against an opponent’s ace-king resulted in a dramatic rivered straight, catapulting him toward the championship.

Phe praised the trophy design at TMT and spoke highly of his overall experience in Taiwan.

“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 although the competition today was very tough, I feel like the poker gods were finally on my side.”

“I love Taiwan so much,” he added. “The people and the atmosphere at TMT are so friendly, and the food is incredible. I will definitely be back to chase more trophies in the future.”

South Korea’s Zee Hyo Jung Crowns TMT 19 Main Event Champion After Epic Comeback

The TMT 19 Main Event reached a spectacular conclusion at Red Space, officially cementing its place in the history books with a massive 8,066-entry field. This incredible turnout generated a staggering TWD 59,236,800 (~USD 1,871,792) prize pool. South Korea’s Zee Hyo Jung emerged as the ultimate victor, securing a monumental TWD 6,800,000 (~USD 215,200) first-place prize. In addition to the life-changing payout, the final nine players each awarded an invaluable ticket to the 2026 TMTC, ensuring their return for the tournament’s next milestone edition.

Jung’s path to the championship was defined by a remarkable “underdog story” and tactical resilience . Although he began the final day as the chip leader, a mid-day downswing saw him enter the final table with the second-shortest stack. He regained momentum through a series of precise plays, including a crucial double-up where he completed an open-ended straight draw to crack Po Yu Chang ’s two pair. Jung’s victory marked a personal redemption after a four-year break from the game, setting a new benchmark for his poker career with his largest live cash to date.

The final table was a high-stakes tug-of-war, primarily characterized by a fierce rivalry between Jung and Taiwan’s Pao Hsuan Hsu . The two frequently traded the chip lead in dramatic clashes; in one pivotal hand, Jung rivered a full house with pocket tens to extract a massive bet from Hsu’s pocket jacks. While Hsu managed to reclaim the lead twice using flopped and rivered flushes, Jung eventually stabilized his stack by eliminating Jin Yu Chen (9th) and Chun Lin Shih (3rd) to carry a dominant lead into the final showdown.

The heads-up battle against Pao Hsuan Hsu was a brief but intense sprint that lasted fewer than ten hands. In the final encounter, Jung four-bet shoved with king-jack against Hsu’s pocket jacks and immediately took control by flopping a King. With Hsu’s hooks cracked, the Taiwanese pro settled for a stellar runner-up finish, while Jung celebrated a historic win.

Reflecting on his first TMT experience, Jung praised the skill-heavy environment and expressed his intention to return to Taiwan to defend his title in the future.

“To have such a happy ending in my first TMT is wonderful,” Jung concluded. “I definitely plan to return, and next time, I’ll be looking to return as the chip leader.”

This record-breaking Main Event serves as a testament to the explosive growth of the Taiwan Millions Tournament. Beyond the champions, the day was filled with high-drama moments, such as Hong Kong’s Beng Hong Ker falling in a painful tenth-place bubble , just one spot shy of the final table and a 2026 TMTC ticket. As the festival looks toward its 20th edition, Zee Hyo Jung’s legacy of resilience stands as a primary highlight of an era-defining series.

Jinwoo Jung Captures Final Trophy Plate in TMT 19 Super High Roller

The Super High Roller provided a high-stakes finale to the Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) 19 festival, serving as the last trophy plate event of the series. The tournament drew a field of 97 entries, each putting up the TWD 70,000 (~USD 2,210) buy-in to create a total prize pool of TWD 5,959,700 (~USD 188,605). After an intense day of competition at the Red Space, South Korea’s Jinwoo Jung emerged victorious, claiming the title and a top prize of TWD 1,727,400 (~USD 54,665).

The final table was a truly international affair, culminating in an all-South Korean heads-up battle between Jung and Jaesung Park . Jung ultimately secured the championship holding ace-ten, while Park took home TWD 1,072,200 (~USD 33,930) for his runner-up performance.

Taiwan’s Chen Yu Yeh rounded out the top three, earning TWD 644,000 (~USD 20,380), while notable players like Singapore’s Jereld Sam and Japan’s Shiina Okamoto reached the final nine.

As the final cards were dealt at Red Space, TMT 19 concluded not just as a tournament series, but as a definitive benchmark for Asian poker excellence. From local hero Wu Chien Yu’s series-opening victory to Zee Hyo Jung’s historic Main Event triumph, the festival was defined by underdog stories, aggressive tactical mastery, and unprecedented participation. With the 2026 TMTC tickets now in the hands of the poker elites, the legacy of this record-shattering edition sets an ambitious stage for the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Taiwan Millions Tournament.

What’s on the Horizon

Building on the record-shattering momentum of its 19th edition, the Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) 20 is shaping up to be the most ambitious celebration in Asian poker history . From July 8 to August 3, 2026, CTP in Taipei will host a massive 27-day festival boasting a staggering USD 3,000,000 in total guaranteed prize pools, the largest series guarantee in TMT history.

The milestone festival will be headlined by two premier events: a USD 2,000,000 GTD Main Event featuring an accessible USD 300 buy-in, and the prestigious USD 1,000,000 GTD Crown Main Event, designed with a deeper structure for players seeking a high-stakes finale.

Whether you’re a local standout or an international contender, TMT 20 promises a global battlefield where life-changing prize pools and poker glory await.