WPF Asian Nation Cup Marks a Milestone for Poker as a Mind Sport

The inaugural World Poker Federation (WPF) Asian Nation Cup Team Event took place at the Asia Poker Arena in Taipei from October 21 to 23, bringing together national teams from eight nations for three days of structured competition.

Organized by the Asian Poker Sports Association (APSA) in collaboration with the WPF, the event received major support from three key partners, including the Asian Poker Tour (APT), Ace Poker League (APL), and Taiwan Millions Tournament Championship (TMTC).

Poker as a Mind Sport

The Asian Nation Cup was designed with a clear purpose in mind: to present poker as a skill-based competition that deserves recognition alongside other mind sports.

Raymond Wong, CEO of GPI Asia and Secretary General of APSA, described the event as a celebration of both competition and collaboration.

“The WPF Asian Nation Cup was more than just a competition; it was a true celebration of unity, strategy, and sportsmanship across Asia. Seeing national teams proudly represent their countries with such passion proves that poker is not just a game, but a mind sport that connects people.”

As Wong explained, this event is intended to become a recurring highlight on the Asian poker calendar.

“Our vision is to make the WPF Asian Nation Cup an annual tradition, a flagship event that brings together the best players from every nation, year after year, to showcase the competitive spirit of Asia’s poker community.”

Beyond the competition, the initiative reflects a broader goal to strengthen poker’s standing across the region.

“Through this event, we are showing the world that poker deserves its place among recognized mind sports. The level of discipline, teamwork, and mental skill displayed here demonstrates why poker should be treated as a legitimate sport, not just entertainment.”

Wong also emphasized that this movement is supported by a larger framework of development.

“The World Poker Federation and the Asian Poker Sports Association share a common mission, to promote poker as a respected and regulated mind sport. Together, we aim to build a clear structure for international cooperation and provide a platform for players and associations to grow.”

“WPF and APSA are working hand in hand to develop national poker associations, train officials and tournament directors, and build a sustainable ecosystem that supports poker’s journey into the world of sports.”

Competition Format

The Asian Nation Cup unfolded across three stages that tested both teamwork and individual ability.

Day 1 featured heads-up matches, where each team fielded six players across two rounds. Each victory earned five points toward the overall team total.

Day 2 moved into multi-table tournaments (MTTs). The first round was a standard No-Limit Hold’em format, followed by a Head Hunter MTT, where players collected additional points through bounties. The top four teams after the second day advanced to the Grand Finale.

Day 3 concluded with the final rounds, combining heads-up play and single-table (SNG) events. Each team sent six players per round, divided evenly between the two formats. Points from all matches, along with qualification bonuses, decided the final standings.

Team Results

When the final points were tallied, it was Team Philippines that stood tallest, claiming the title of Asian Nation Cup Champions. The squad of John Costiniano, Marc Rivera, John Tech, Rene Mar David, Moses Saquing, Ferlyn Cabaling, and Lester Edoc combined consistency with teamwork to take home the gold medal and the NT$300,000 sponsored credit from TMTC. 

Team South Korea finished as runners-up after a strong performance across both the heads-up and MTT stages. Led by Hyundong Lee and Eosoo Lee, the group also included Gunyong Kim, Yongbum Kim, Heewoong Lee, Geonwoo Park, Eden Kang, and Peter Hong, who together showcased a disciplined, team-first approach that kept them in contention until the very end.

Team Thailand rounded out the podium in third place, with Chane, Sorawit, Wutikrai, Jitrada, Titirasmi, Teerhasarn, Chin, and Tachin all contributing to a steady run that reflected the nation’s growing depth of talent on the Asian circuit.

Individual Awards

Alongside the team honors, the Asian Nation Cup also recognized the top individual performers based on total points from across the competition.

In the female category, Japan’s Mami Taira finished at the top with 40.5 points, ahead of Lancy Chan of Chinese Taipei (30.5) and Jice Tan of Singapore (22). Taira’s win earned her a US$3,000 sponsored credit from the Asian Poker Tour (APT).

The male category was led by Jason Cheng of Chinese Taipei, who accumulated 51 points to secure the top spot. Chane of Thailand followed closely with 50 points, while Tee Jia Sen of Malaysia finished third with 40 points. Cheng received a US$3,000 sponsored credit from the Ace Poker League (APL) in recognition of his performance.

Looking Ahead

The success of the first WPF Asian Nation Cup marks an important step forward for poker in Asia. With standardized structures, clear sporting principles, and official backing from multiple organizations, the event demonstrated how poker can grow within a regulated and respected framework.

Plans are already in motion to make it an annual tradition. Each new edition aims to widen participation, strengthen cooperation between national associations, and continue building recognition for poker as a legitimate sport.

The inaugural event also showed what can be achieved when structure and passion meet on a shared stage. For players, organizers, and fans alike, it represented more than medals or points, it was a statement that Asia’s poker community is ready to stand together, grow together, and be recognized for the sport it truly is.

WPF Ladies Weekend Goes Global

As the Asian Nation Cup concludes, attention now turns to the WPF Ladies Weekend, running at the Asia Poker Arena, the same venue that hosted the team competition. Organized by the WPF Women’s Committee, this first-of-its-kind global initiative brings together women from more than 20 cities around the world for a shared celebration of competition, connection, and community between October 24-26.

The Taipei stop, led by host Christy Huang, features the WPF Ladies Championship, a two-day event with an NT$1,000,000 guarantee and an NT$8,000 buy-in (6,800 + 1,200). The schedule includes Day 1A at 1:00 p.m., and Day 1B at 6:30 p.m. on October 24 , followed by the final day on October 25 at 11:00 a.m. The Champion will receive a TMTC Main Event Pass valued at NT$35,000, along with the beautifully crafted Queen’s Head Trophy, a Taiwan-exclusive prize symbolizing resilience, elegance, and wisdom.

Beyond the competition, the WPF Ladies Weekend includes workshops, networking sessions, and cultural activities aimed at empowering women in poker and strengthening the global community. It stands as another milestone for the World Poker Federation, continuing the momentum of the Nations Cup and highlighting the growing presence of women in the sport.