Hsing Hsiung Tai

Hsing Hsiung Tai aka David Tai from Taiwan is more than your average poker player. The founder of Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association (CTP), Tai is appropriately known as the godfather of the Taiwanese poker scene.

Under the banner of CTP, Tai has not only taken local players to international tournaments but also orchestrated satellite games. His efforts have seen the organization grow from a modest two tables in Tao Yuan to a staggering 8,000 Taiwanese members and eight local poker rooms. Additionally, he plays a key role in the operation of seven clubs in Taiwan.

Tai has hosted major poker tournaments in CTP that included Global Poker League Taiwan, All Japan Poker Circuit, PPPoker, Taiwan Millions, Asian Poker Tour, and J88-sponsored events.

An avid player himself, Tai got his start on the felt in 2016, playing in Macau and the Philippines. Today, Tai has over USD 400,000 in total live earnings, with his best live cash occurring in 2018 at WPT Vietnam. Tai placed third in the Main Event, cashing VND 1,097,540,000 (USD 47,210).

Even during the pandemic, Tai’s career persevered. Tai participated and placed first in the NT$ 5,500 No Limit Hold’em and NT$ 3,000 No Limit Hold’em – Monster Stack Turbo events at the Taiwan Millions Tournament,

Tai seconded his biggest live cash at APT Jeju in May 2024, placing fourth in the Zodiac Classic by Natural8 and earning KRW 50,740,000 (USD 36,679).

A chat with Hsing “David” Tai: the man at the forefront of Poker in Taiwan

*Profile by Zoe Alcazaren