Players Leap into APT National Cup Action – Field Climbs to 1,149 Entries With Two Flights Left to Play

APT TAIPEI 2024 SCHEDULE | OFFICIAL RESULTS | IMAGES | WINNERS | PLAYER LISTS

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, February 29, 2024 – What better way to utilise the rare additional calandar day a leap year grants than by spending it playing poker?

Clearly, a large portion of Asia's poker-playing population was in agreement judging by the turnout for the second day of the action-packed APT Taipei 2024, which saw a further ten events play out across the two Chinese Texas Hold'em Poker Club (CTP) tournament venues; the Asia Poker Arena and the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟).

The biggest draw was Flights B & C of the APT National Cup, which attracted 425 (298 unique) and 236 (189 unique) entries respectively.

This brings the total number of entries up to 1,149 with two final flights – D & E – left to play out on Friday, March 1.

With the top 14% of each respective flight making the money, and 5% of each flight's field moving on to the Final Day, a total of 24 Flight B players and 14 Flight C players made the cut and will be joining the 29 Flight A survivors.

The prize pool currently stands at TWD 9,919,317 (~USD 313,617), although TWD 2,055,000 (~USD 64,930) of this has already been awarded to the top 6-14% of each of the three respective flights to have played out so far.

It was Taiwan's Pi-Ying Hsu who topped the counts after the twenty-two 30-minute APT National Cup Flight B levels played out, bagging up a stack of 1,225,000. This puts Hsu in pole postion overall, although this could well change with two more flights left to play out.

Taiwan dominated the top five Flight B counts, with Wei Te Tai (1,000,000) the only other Flight B player to crack the seven figure chip mark. Compatriot Kwan Cheng (890,000) rounds out the top three, with the top ten Flight B stacks as follows:

NATIONAL CUP FLIGHT B TOP TEN STACKS

You can read how all the APT National Cup Flight B action played out via the APT Blog.

For APT National Cup Flight B Player List please CLICK HERE For APT National Cup Flight B Survivors please CLICK HERE

Full results will be available at the completion of the tournament. All tournament information can be found on the APT National Cup Flight B tournament page.

Taiwan's Chih Wei Fan bagged biggest on Flight C

APT National Flight C came with slightly faster 15-minute levels, with the 236-strong field whittled down to the final 14 players after twenty-six fast-paced levels.

It was a familiar face topping the Flight C counts, with APT Taipei 2023 Main Event finalist Chih Wei Fan rising to the top.

Fan was the only Flight C player to crack a million, concluding play with a stack of 1,050,000, which puts him third in the overall pecking order.

Fellow countryman Kuan Yu Lin (978,000) bagged the second largest stack, with Japan's Yuji Watanabe rounding out the top three, with the top ten Flight C stacks as follows:

NATIONAL CUP FLIGHT C TOP TEN STACKS

You can read how all the APT National Cup Flight C action played out via the APT Blog.

For APT National Cup Flight C Player List please CLICK HERE For APT National Cup Flight C Survivors please CLICK HERE

Full results will be available after the tournament concludes. All tournament information can be found on the APT National Cup Flight C tournament page

Flights D & E get underway on Friday, March 1 at 11am and 6.30pm, with the tournament concluding on Saturday, March 2.

Standup Comic Chien Yu "LungLung" Lin Laughing All the Way to the Bank After APT All-Star Showdown

Wild Card Chien Yu Lin claimed her maiden APT title beating some of the world's best players

While the APT National Cup pulled in the numbers, the invitational APT All-Star Challenge garnered the greatest attention from the watching rail.

But then, with players such as former World Series Main Event champion Espen Jørstad, French poker legend Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, reigning APT Taipei Main Event champion and Natural8 ambassador Punnat Punsri and fellow ambassadors Danny Tang, Eric "SixPoker" Tsai, and Yu-Chung "Nevan" Chang, plus APT host Greg "Greg Goes All-in" Liow in action, viewers were treated to a real spectacle.

The format was a 9-Max Sit & Go winner-take-all, with players coughing up a TWD 30,000 (~USD 970) buy-in, with the aforementioned notables joined by Frankie Cucchiara, and Natural8 Wild Card promotion winner Chien "LungLung" Yu Lin.

With TWD 235,710 (~USD 7,450) for the winner, in addition to a Main Event seat valued at TWD 70,000 (~USD 2,270) there was more than pride at stake.

Boasting a fast-paced 20-minute level length, action played out over 10 levels and 78 hands; Of the two non-professionals in action, it was Liow who would hit the rail first, and Lin who would hit the rail last.

The Taiwanese stand-up comic was laughing all the way to the bank come the conclusion of the action, after bringing over a 3-to-1 chip lead she would not relinquish into the heads-up confrontation with five-time Triton champion and bracelet winner Danny Tang.

So how does it feel to beat some of the best players in the world?

"I'm so surprised, I did not expect it at all!" gushed an elated Lin immediately after her epic victory.

"My friends told me I should be happy if I just beat one of them and finished in eighth, so to win everything feels great!"

APT ALL-STAR CHALLENGE RESULTS

*includes APT Taipei Main Event seat worth TWD 70,000 (~$2,270)

Lin, who has only been playing poker for close to a year, has now accomplished what many can only dream of, taking on some of the game's best and coming out on top. What a result!

You can read all about Lin's triumph on the APT Blog and also follow the action as it happened via the APT All-Star Showdown Live Stream using the following links:

• Youtube
• Twitch
• Facebook

All tournament information can be found on the APT All-Star Showdown tournament page.

HIGH ROLLER ACTION

The Philippines' Lester Edoc Defeats Stacked Field to Claim Gold in Event #15: Single Day High Roller

The Philippines Lester Edoc claimed an impressive 18th APT title with his Event #15

The first of the day's scheduled High Roller events got underway at 11:15am local time over at the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟) venue drawing an 86-strong field (56 unique) and generating a TWD 9,760,140 (~USD 308,500) prize pool.

Some of pokers' finest fought it out at the felt as the action played out over twenty-four 25-min levels.

Notables in the running included multiple bracelet winner's in the USA's Justin Saliba, the Philippines Mike Takayama, and India's Santhosh Suvarna, in addition to APT high rolling regulars Joshua McCully, Shimizu Nozomu, and Sparrow Cheung and poker luminaries such as Steve O'Dwyer, Daniel Smiljkovic and a whole host of others.

However, it was the Philippines Lester Edoc who came out on top, defeating Smiljkovic heads-up to claim the TWD 2,686,140 (~USD 84,915) top prize, his 32nd live tournament title and Edoc's 18th APT title – which include two Main Event titles both won back in 2018.

Smiljkovic will not be disappointed with the TWD 1,908,000 (~USD 60,320) on offer for second place, with Nozomu rounding out the winner's podium and taking TWD 1,249,000 (~USD 39,485) for third.

A total of 11 players made the money, with the tournament paying out as follows:

SINGLE DAY HIGH ROLLER RESULTS

For Event #15: Single Day High Roller Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #15: Single Day High Roller Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #15: Single Day High Roller tournament page.

Germany's Martin Sedlak Triumphs in Event #17: Turbo - High Roller

Germany's Martin Sedlak claimed his maiden APT title in Event #17 Turbo High Roller

The second of the days's scheduled High Roller tournaments – the TWD 30,000 Event #17: Turbo - High Roller – saw 29 players (25 unique) in action.

Players battled it out over seventeen 15-min levels, all looking to claim their share of the TWD 759,510 (~USD 24,000) prize pool.

It was Germany's Martin Sedlak who took it down, besting Singapore's Joel Loy heads-up to score the first Asian-based cash of his poker career.

Sedlak took TWD 281,510 (~USD 8,900) for his victory, with Loy receiving a TWD 194,000 (~USD 6,130) for his runner-up finish.

Japan's Kazuhiro Shirazawa completed the winner's triumvirate, collecting TWD 123,000 (~USD 3,890) for third place, with five players making the money and the tournament paying out as follows:

TURBO HIGH ROLLER RESULTS

For Event #17: Turbo - High Roller Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #17: Turbo - High Roller Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #17: Turbo - High Roller tournament page.

USA's Justin Saliba Wins Maiden APT Title in Event #19: Hyper Turbo - High Roller

The USA's Justin Saliba won his maiden APT title in Event #19 Hyper Turbo High Roller

The third of the day's scheduled High Roller events was the **TWD 25,000 Event #19: Hyper Turbo - High Roller, which drew a 23-strong (18 unique) field.

The action played out over fourteen turbo-charged 10-min levels, with players duking it out for a TWD 501,975 (~USD 15,870) prize pool.

It was the USA's Justin Saliba the man to muscle his way through the maelstrom, defeating the UK's Rehman Kassam heads-up to claim a **TWD 210,975 (~USD 6,670) top prize.

While Saliba may boast two World Series Online titles, and both a PokerGo, and an EPT title, and over USD 5.26 million in live tournament cashes, the one thing missing from his stacked resume was an APT title, which the US player has now rectified.

Kassam collected TWD 141,000 (~USD 4,455) for his runner-up finish, with Vietnam's Quang Huy Nguyen taking bronze and a payday of TWD 90,000 (~USD 2,845) for third.

Hong Kong's Dicky Tsang, making his second final table appearance in as many days, was the only other player to cash, with the tournament paying out as follows:

HYPER TURBO HIGH ROLLER RESULTS

For Event #19: Hyper Turbo - High Roller Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #19: Hyper Turbo - High Roller Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #19: Hyper Turbo - High Roller tournament page.

SIDE EVENT ACTION

Taiwan's Li Ta "Leon" Hsu Claims Maiden APT Title in Event #14: PL Omaha Hi-Lo - 5 Card (Big O)

Omaha specialist Li Ta "Leon" Hsu claimed his maiden APT title in Event #14 PL Omaha Hi-Lo

The first of the day's events to award a trophy was the high-octane TWD 10,000 Event #14: PL Omaha Hi-Lo - 5 Card (Big O), which saw 25 PLO enthusiasts (18 unique) in action.

Players competed over twenty-three 25-minute levels, all looking to claim their share of the TWD 215,825 (~USD 6,820) prize pool.

While the field was an interesting mix of both local and international players, it was the natives who dominated the final table action, with the top four paying positions all going to Taiwanese players.

It was Li Ta "Leon" Hsu the man to claim the accolades and the TWD 90,825 (~USD 2,875) top prize, besting compatriot Chia Yun Wu heads-up to claim his sixteenth live tournament title.

Hsu is something of an Omaha specialist, with 9 of his 15 live tournament titles coming in the game, although this win represents Hsu's maiden Hi-Lo, 5-card, and APT title.

Wu earned TWD 60,000 (~USD 1,900) for second place, with Fu Bang Huang taking TWD 39,000 (~USD 1,230) for third.

Yu Sheng Lin was the only other player to cash, receiving TWD 26,000 (~USD 820) for fourth place.

BIG O RESULTS

For Event #14: PL Omaha Hi-Lo - 5 Card (Big O) Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #14: PL Omaha Hi-Lo - 5 Card (Big O) Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #14: PL Omaha Hi-Lo - 5 Card (Big O) tournament page.

UK's Craig Cooper Claims Fifth APT Title in Event #16: Limit Triple Draw Mix

Craig Cooper claimed his fifth APT title in Event #16 Limit Triple Draw Mix

The TWD 10,000 Event #16: Limit Triple Draw Mix (Badugi, A-5, Badacey, 2-7, Badeucey, High) drew a 21-strong field (18 unique), generating a TWD 143,404 (~USD 4,530) prize pool.

It took the UK's Craig Cooper twenty-four 20-minute levels to claim his fifth APT title, defeating Japan's Kazuya Hyodo heads-up to take the TWD 60,405 (~USD 1,910) top prize.

The Brit is a firm fixture in the APT mixed game action, and Cooper can now add yet another string to his bow with all five of his APT titles coming in different poker variants – an impressive achievement!

Hyodo took TWD 40,000 (~USD 1,265) for his runner-up finish, with compatriot Masamori Tokuzato finishing in third for TWD 26,000 (~USD 820).

Taiwan's Sheng Fu Yu was the only other player to make the money, collecting TWD 17,000 (~USD 540) for fourth place.

LIMIT TRIPLE DRAW MIX RESULTS

For Event #16: Limit Triple Draw Mix Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #16: Limit Triple Draw Mix Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #16: Limit Triple Draw Mix tournament page

Third Time's the Charm for Taiwan's Sheng Fu Yu in Event #18: Turbo - NL Single Draw Mix

Taiwan's Sheng Fu Yu claimed his maiden APT title in Event #18 Turbo NL Single Draw Mix

After narrowly missing out on claiming a maiden APT title with a runner-up finish in Wednesday's Event #11 Hyper Turbo - NL Single Draw 2-7, and following this up with a final table appearance in the event above, it proved to be third time's the charm for Sheng Fu Yu.

The Taiwanese player defeated a 16-strong (12 unique) field to claim victory and the lion's share of the TWD 81,014 (~USD 2,560) prize pool in the TWD 6,000 Event #18: Turbo - NL Single Draw Mix (A-5, 2-7).

Yu received a TWD 39,014 (~USD 1,230) top prize for his maiden title win, with compatriot Yu Tang Wang taking silver and TWD 26,000 (~USD 820) for second place.

Hong Kong's Ka Chun Yuan was the only other player to cash, taking home a TWD 16,000 (~USD 505) payout.

TURBO NL SINGLE DRAW MIX RESULTS

For Event #18: Turbo - NL Single Draw Mix Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #18: Turbo - NL Single Draw Mix Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #18: Turbo - NL Single Draw Mix tournament page.

Japan's Keita Kitamura Scores First APT Title in Event #20: Hyper Turbo - NL Omaha

Japan's Keita Kitamura claimed his maiden APT title in Event #20 Hyper Turbo NL Omaha

The TWD 5,000 Event #20: Hyper Turbo - NL Omaha drew a 47-strong field (32 unique), generating a TWD 198,316 (~USD 6,270) prize pool.

These Omaha aficionados competed over nineteen turbo-charged 10-min levels, with Japan's Keita Kitamura the last man standing at the conclusion of play.

Kitamura bested compatriot Yashiro Naoki heads-up to claim a TWD 62,316 (~USD 1,970) top prize in addition to his maiden APT title.

Naoki received TWD 45,000 (~USD 1,420) for his runner-up finish, with the Philippines Ibrahim Nuno rounding out the podium and collecting TWD 29,000 (~USD 915) for third place.

A total of seven players made the money, with the tournament paying out as follows:

HYPER TURBO NL OMAHA RESULTS

For Event #20: Hyper Turbo - NL Omaha Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #20: Hyper Turbo - NL Omaha Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #20: Hyper Turbo - NL Omaha tournament page

Taiwan's Po Ting Chen Diffuses Event #21: Tick Tock BOOM! to Claim Maiden Live Tournament Title

Po Ting Chen earned his first live tournament title in Event #21 Tick Tock BOOM!

The last of the day's tournaments – the TWD 5,000 Event #21: Tick Tock BOOM! (Levels Decrease Every Hour 15/10/5/2) saw 105 played in action (85 unique).

Players fought it out at the felt over forty levels to claim a share of the TWD 443,047 (~USD 14,010) prize pool, with the level length decreasing every hour until it reached the 2-minute threshold.

It was Taiwan's Po Ting Chen the man to diffuse the explosive action and claim the TWD 113,047 (~USD 3,570) top prize, defeating Hong Kong's Ka Shun Tsang heads-up to earn his maiden live tournament title in the process.

Tsang took TWD 78,000 (2,465) for his runner-up finish, with Taiwan's Chiang Ming Liu rounding out the top three paying positions, collecting TWD 51,000 (~USD 1,610) for third place.

A total of 15 players made the money, with the final table paying out as follows:

TICK TOCK BOOM FINAL TABLE RESULTS

For Event #21: Tick Tock BOOM! Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #21: Tick Tock BOOM! Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #21: Tick Tock BOOM! tournament page