TMT Championship Main Event Sets Final 9 Players Led By Chiehchi Liu

11/05/2024

The inaugural TMT Championship wrapped up its penultimate day at the Asia Poker Arena with the final 9 players of the TMTC Main Event officially set. After nearly twelve hours of Day 2 play, the finalists now have just one more hurdle to go to determine who will be crowned its first ever champion and claim the handsome NTD 4,538,600 (~US$142,000) top prize and specially crafted trophy.

TMT Championship – TMTC Main Event

The TMTC Main Event kicked off on November 1, 2024 boasting a US$ 600,000 guarantee. With 936 turning up at NTD 33,000 (~US$ 1,030) each, that figure was shattered for a richer NTD 27,237,600 (~US$ 850,000). The biggest cuts will be awarded on November 5, 2024 when the finalists return for the last dash to claim the victory.

TMTC Main Event – LIVE UPDATES

Chiehchi Liu Leads Final 9

Leading the way is Taiwan’s own Chiehchi Liu, who enters with a commanding 12,275,000 (98 bb). Liu built his huge stack defending the big blind with 3♥2♠ that landed trips. He surged further ahead after knocking out Chih Wei Chen (15th) and Jee Weon Kim (13th).

Not too far behind is Macau’s Manlok Chan with 11,175,000 (89 bb). Chan knocked out two players during the final two tables – Yoda Lin (12th) and Wonkyu Kang (11th) – to earn his spot just below Liu.

Since the record-breaking 16th Taiwan Millions Tournament last July where Macau’s Ka Lam triumphed over a massive field of 6,953, entries, players from the region have been increasingly active in Taiwan’s poker scene. A back-to-back title would be a significant win for Macau, and possibly see more attend the Asian circuit.

Final 9 Players

Player	Flag	Stack
Chiehchi Liu	Taiwan	12,275,000
Manlok Chan	Macau	11,175,000
Weichun Cheng	Taiwan	5,175,000
Park Yu Cheung	Hong Kong	5,000,000
Lin Yun Tse	Taiwan	4,225,000
Justin Chi Jen Chu	Taiwan	3,475,000
Ko Chia Hsiang	Taiwan	3,450,000
Kuo Wei Kao	Taiwan	1,325,000
Gyu Won Jang	Korea	675,000

After the top two leaders, leading the rest of the pack is Park Yu Cheung aka Sparrow with 5,000,000 (40 bb). Cheung is one the most highly decorated players from Hong Kong and President of the HKPPA (Hong Kong Poker Players Association). Out of Cheung’s numerous takedowns and big pots since the start of the Main Event, none was more exciting and celebrated than eliminating Kai Cheng Hsu in 10th place to from the final 9.

The next five down the rung are well known local players starting with Lin Yun Tse who entered Day 2 as chip leader. Despite several hiccups at the start, Lin maintained a decent stack to earn his spot with 4,225,000 (34 bb) coming in.

Probably the most renowned contender at the table is Chi Jen Chu, better known as Justin Chu, fresh from a 3rd place finish at the APPT Manila Championship Main Event. With momentum on his side and a solid fan following, Chu is the one to watch and the player to beat. He will enter the final table with 3,475,000 (28 bb).

Ko Chia Hsiang celebrates at TMTC Main Event Day 2

Just below is Ko Chia Hsiang who has been on a tear since the start of the festival. On the first three days, Hsiang finished 3rd, 2nd, and 1st at each successive Single Day High Roller. Now securing a final table seat at the Main Event further displays he is the most dangerous player in he lineup.

Cheng Wei Chun and Kao Kuo Wei follow down with Cheng sitting on a decent 3,100,000 (25 bb) while Kao has less than half that of 1,325,000 (11 bb). Both players have pulled in good results this year. Back in August, Cheng reached his first major final table at the WPT Prime Main Event finishing in 8th place and Kao ran deep at the recent APT Taipei Classic which included a victory at The Closer.

The largest international contingent at the festival is Korea, and they still have hope in locking up the title with Jang Gyu Won as one of the finalists. However, Jang has his work cut out with 5 bb behind.

Read up on the Day 2 action via the TMTC Main Event – LIVE UPDATES