APT National Cup Sets Opening Event Record with 2,305 Entries; the Philippines' Edilberto Gopez Leads

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

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, March 1, 2024 – The action at the APT Taipei 2024 is coming to the boil, with two of the marquee tournaments setting tour records as the series enters its third day.

Action played out over the two Chinese Texas Hold'em Poker Club (CTP) tournament locations – the Asia Poker Arena and the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟) – with both venues packed to the rafters.

The biggest draw of the day proved to be the final two starting flights of the TWD 10,000 Event #4 APT National Cup, which set a new tour record for largest opening event, with Flight D drawing 665 entries (483 unique), and Flight E attracting a further 491 entries (398 unique), to bring the total number of entries up to 2,305 (1,046 unique).

This makes the APT National Cup the largest opening event in APT history – and the second-largest event the tour has ever run.

The prize pool stands at TWD 19,899,065 (~USD 629,650), although a total of TWD 4,135,000 (~USD 130,830) has already been awarded to the top 6-15% of the five respective starting flight fields.

The eventual winner will walk away with a 2,949,065 (~USD 93,400) top prize, in additon to the title and trophy.

For Prize Pool & Payout Information please CLICK HERE

The sizable field has been whittled down to a more manageable 134, with 39 players making the cut from Flight D and a further 28 players winning their way through from Flight E to join the 64 survivors from Flights A, B, & C.

France's Yann Lormel bagged biggest on Flight D of the APT National Cup

It is the Philippines's Edilberto Gopez who will be returning with the overall chip lead after dominating the Flight E action and concluding play with a sizable stack of 2,075,000 – close to 800k in chips more than next closest rival Yann Lormel of France, who topped the Flight D counts with a stack of 1,280,000.

Others to bag big on the final two flights included India's Mahier Hora (Flight D – 1,125,000), Taiwan's Yu Lun Ye (Flight D – 1,105,000), Romania's Zsolt Coraian (Flight D – 1,095,000), and Thailand's Pichet Permsubhirunya (Flight E –1,041,000), with the top ten stacks returning for the Final Day as follows:

NATIONAL CUP TOP 10 STACKS

• For APT National Cup Final Day Seat Draw please CLICK HERE.

• For APT National Cup Flight D Player List please CLICK HERE

• For Flight D Survivors List please CLICK HERE

• For APT National Cup Flight E Player List please CLICK HERE

• For Flight E Survivors List please CLICK HERE.

You can read how all the APT National Cup Flight D action played out via the APT Blog HERE, and follow along with all the Flight E action HERE.

All tournament information can be found on the APT National Cup tournament page.

The 134 survivors will return for the Final Day, which gets underway at 11:15am on Saturday, March 2, with the tournament playing down to a champion.

Lester Edoc Leads Final Nine of Richest-Ever Superstar Challenge

APT regular Lester Edoc leads the richest Superstar Challenge in APT history

While the National Cup saw the most players in action, it was the newly revamped Superstar Challenge and it's hefty new TWD 800,000 (~USD 25,000) price tag that drew the most attention.

It was a poker fan's dream, with a star-studded field featuring the likes of former World Series Main Event champion Espen Jørstad, French poker legend Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, the USA's Isaac Haxton, Ireland's Steve O'Dwyer, Natural8 ambassadors Danny Tang, and Punnat Punsri plus a whole host of other talent.

By the time registration closed at 6:40pm local time, the field had reached a total of 49 high-rolling entries (38 unique) and generated a sizable TWD 36,930,000 (~USD 1,167,615) prize pool.

For Superstar Challenge Prize Pool & Payout Information please CLICK HERE

The action played out over sixteen 40-min levels, with just nine players remaining in contention for a share of the tour's richest Superstar Challenge purse by the time the clock ticked into the red.

It is two-time former APT Main Event champion Lester Edoc who will be returning in the box seat with a stack of 2,875,000 after a late purple patch saw the Filipino send Haxton, Australia's Joshua McCully, and Canada's Aidan Tam to the rail in quick succession.

Austria's Klemens Roiter is Edoc's next closest rival, and the only other player to be returning with a stack over 2-million.

Other notables still in with a shout include Grospellier, the Czech Republic's Roman Hrabec, and Danny Tang, with Sweden's Mikael Andersson returning as the short-stack.

SUPERSTAR CHALLENGE DAY 1 STACKS

You can read about all the tournament thrills and spills on the APT Blog and you can watch all the action as it played out via the Superstar Challenge Live Stream using the following links:

▪ Youtube ▪ Twitch ▪ Facebook

All tournament information can be found on the Superstar Challenge tournament page.

The action will resume at 11:15am, with the tournament playing down to a champion.

HIGH ROLLER ACTION

Taiwan's I-Chun Chiu Takes Gold & Maiden APT Title in Event #24: Single Day High Roller

Taiwan's I-Chun Chiu earned his maiden APT title in Event #24 Single Day High Roller

The high-stakes action was not exclusive to the Superstar Challenge, with the TWD 100,000 Event #24: Single Day High Roller kicking off at 11:30am over at the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟) venue.

This drew a 68-strong field (54 unique), with **TWD 5,936,400 (~USD 187,665) in the prize purse.

The action played out over twenty-six 25-min levels, with Taiwan's I-Chun Chiu proving his high roller nous and making his maiden APT title win a memorable one.

In addition to claiming the coveted Golden Lion High Roller Trophy, Chiu earned a TWD 1,730,400 (~USD 54,790) top prize – the fourth-largest of his poker career.

Malaysia's Sean Ooi took silver and a payout of TWD 1,247,000 (~USD 39,485) for his runner-up finish, with Japan's Motoyoshi Okamura rounding out the podium with a bronze third-place finish, which was good for TWD 810,000 (~USD 25,650).

Other notables to make a final table showing included the UK's Jack Salter, Hong Kong's Edward Yam, and Natural8 ambassador Yu Chung "Nevan" Chang.

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

SINGLE DAY HIGH ROLLER RESULTS

For Event #24: Single Day High Roller Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #24: Single Day High Roller Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #24: Single Day High Roller tournament page.

Event #28: Hyper Turbo - High Roller

Singapore's Bao Qiang Ho earned his fourth APT title in Event #28 Hyper Turbo High Roller

The last of the day's scheduled High Roller tournaments – the TWD 20,000 Event #28: Hyper Turbo - High Roller – saw 45 players (35 unique) in action.

Players battled it out over eighteen high-octane 10-min levels, all looking to claim their share of the TWD 785,700 (~USD 24,870) prize pool.

It was Singapore's Bao Qiang Ho who emerged as the tournament top dog, defeating China's Man Chung Tsui heads-up to claim his fourth APT title and second high roller title, in addition to a top prize of TWD 266,700 (~USD 8,450).

Chung earned TWD 185,000 (~USD 5,860) for his runner-up finish, with Ireland's Ryan Plant rounding out the top three and taking TWD 118,000 (~USD 3,735).

Japan's Shimizu Nozomu made a second series final table showing, which was good for sixth place and TWD TWD 55,000, with the tournament paid out as follows:

HYPER TURBO HIGH ROLLER RESULTS

For Event #28: Hyper Turbo - High Roller Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #28: Hyper Turbo - High Roller Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #28: Hyper Turbo - High Roller tournament page.

SIDE EVENT ACTION

Event #22: PL Omaha High Mix - 4 Card, 5 Card, 6 Card - 7 Max

Taiwan's Yi Chen Lin won his maiden APT title in Event #22 PL Omaha High Mix

Playing out at the tournament tables of the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟) Event #22: PL Omaha High Mix - 4 Card, 5 Card, 6 Card - 7 Max attracted 35 (22 unique) entries.

These Omaha aficionados duked it out over nineteen 25-minute action-packed levels, all looking to earn a slice of the TWD 302,155 (~USD 9,550) prize pool.

It was local player Yi Chen Lin the man to showcase his mixed pot limit Omaha skills, defeating Australia's Jan Larsson heads-up to claim the TWD 111,155 (~USD 3,510) top prize and his maiden APT title.

Larsson, who finished runner-up in Event #8: Turbo - PL Omaha was forced to settle for second best once again, with the Aussie collecting TWD 77,000 (~USD 2,430) for second place.

Finland's Niklas Vuorinen rounded out the top three of what was a very international final table, taking TWD 49,000 (~USD 1,550) for third.

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

PLO HIGH MIX RESULTS

For Event #22: PL Omaha High Mix Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #22: PL Omaha High Mix Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #22: PL Omaha High Mix tournament page.

Furniss On Fire; Claims Second Series Title in Event #25: 8 Game

Australia's Mark Furniss bagged his second APT title in Event #25 8 Game

Australia's Mark Furniss is running hot, claiming his second title of the series in the TWD 8,000 Event #25: 8 Game (Limit H-E-R-O-S, +PLO, NLH, 2-7 Triple Draw).

Both of the Aussie's titles have come in non-NLH games, with Furniss following up his maiden APT title win in Wednesday's Event #5: Limit Triple Draw Lowball Mix with another outstanding final table performance.

Furniss bested compatriot Jarryd Godena to claim a TWD 60,404 (~USD 1,910) top prize and bag his second trophy of the festival, with Godena taking TWD 40,000 (~USD 1,265) for his runner-up finish.

Canada's David Spencer took bronze and a payout of TWD 26,000 (~USD 820) for third place, with Taiwan's Yu Tang Wang the only other player to make the money, cashing for TWD 17,000 (~USD 540).

8 GAME RESULTS

For Event #25: 8 Game Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #25: 8 Game Results please CLICK HERE.

All tournament information can be found on the Event #25: 8 Game tournament page.

Taiwan's Fu Bang Huang Claims Second APT Title in Event #27: Turbo - PL Omaha Hi-Lo - 5 Card (Big O)

Taiwan's Fu Bang Huang earned his second career APT title in Event #27 Turbo PL Omaha Hi-Lo

The TWD 6,000 Event #27: Turbo - PL Omaha Hi-Lo - 5 Card (Big O) saw 34 Hi-Lo enthusiasts (25 unique) ante up and do battle at the baize, all aiming to claim a piece of the TWD 172,155 (~USD 5,450) prize pool.

It was hometown hero Fu Bang Huang the man who ran roughshod over the field, defeating fellow countryman Yu Sheng Lin heads-up to take the TWD 64,155 (~USD 2,030) top prize, claiming his second career APT title, and ninth live tournament title in the process.

Lin locked up TWD 44,000 (~USD 1,390) for his runner-up finish. Japan's Keita Kitamura followed up his victory in Event #20 with a second final table appearance of the festival, taking bronze and TWD 28,000 (~USD 885) for third.

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

TURBO PLO HI-LO BIG O RESULTS

For Event #27: Turbo - PL Omaha Hi-Lo - 5 Card (Big O) Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #27: Turbo - PL Omaha Hi-Lo - 5 Card (Big O) Results please CLICK HERE.

All tournament information can be found on the Event #27: Turbo - PL Omaha Hi-Lo - 5 Card (Big O) tournament page

Japan's Kazuya Hyodo Claims Maiden APT Title in Event #29: Hyper Turbo - NL Single Draw Mix

Japan's Kazuya Hyodo claimed his maiden APT title in Event #29 Hyper Turbo NL Single Draw

The TWD 5,000 Event #29: Hyper Turbo - NL Single Draw Mix (Badacey, Badeucy) drew a 22-strong field (21 unique), generating a TWD 92,829 (~USD 2,940) prize pool.

The action played out over twenty turbo-charged 10-minute levels, with Japan's Kazuya Hyodo drawing his way to victory, besting Taiwan's Philip Wang heads-up to claim the TWD 38,830 (~USD 1,230) top prize, earning his maiden APT title in the process.

Wang – who was making his third final table appearance in as many days – came agonisingly close to earning a second series title, but had to settle for the TWD 26,000 (~USD 820) on offer for second place.

Taiwan's Yu Tang Wang took down third place, which was good for TWD 17,000 (~USD 540).

Hong Kong's Anson Tsang also made a second final table of the festival, and was the only other player to cash, earning TWD 11,000 (~USD 350) for fourth place.

HYPER TURBO NL SINGLE DRAW MIX RESULTS

For Event #29: Hyper Turbo - NL Single Draw Mix Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #29: Hyper Turbo - NL Single Draw Mix Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #29: Hyper Turbo - NL Single Draw Mix tournament page.

Hong Kong's Tsun Yin Ng Defeats Lively Field in Event #30: Tick Tock BOOM! - Super Hold'em

Hong Kong's Tsun Yin Ng claimed his maiden APT title in Event #30 Tick Tock BOOM!

The final tournament of the day was the TWD 5,000 Event #30: Tick Tock BOOM! - Super Hold'em (Levels Decrease Every Hour 15/10/5/2 - Play 3,2,1, or 0 Cards), which saw 108 (89 unique) night owls in action, all looking to claim their share of the TWD 455,706 (~USD 14,420) prize pool.

The action played out over 40 levels, with the level length decreasing every hour until it reached the 2-minute threshold.

This proved to be the largest and liveliest of the Tick Tock tournaments played so far, with a vocal rail and plenty of cheering.

It was Hong Kong's Ho Yuen Cheng who earned the accolades, defeating compatriot Ho Yuen Cheng heads-up to claim the TWD 115,706 (~USD 3,660) top prize, earning his maiden APT title in the process.

Cheng collected TWD 80,000 (~USD 2,530) for his runner-up finish, with Taiwan's Jia Chi Lee completing the winner's triumvirate and receiving TWD 53,000 (~USD 1,680) for third place.

APT hosts Hsiao-Chin "Elfin" Lin and Greg "Greg Goes All-in" Liow both managed to cash, Liow squeaking into the money with a min-cash, and Lin making a final table appearance, earning a TWD 43,000 (~USD 1,360) payday for her fourth-place finish.

Thailand's Napat Chokejindachai was another familiar face to make the final table, taking home TWD 34,000 (~USD 1,075) for fifth place.

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

TICK TOCK BOOM! SUPER HOLD'EM FINAL TABLE RESULTS

For Event #30: Tick Tock BOOM! - Super Hold'em Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #30: Tick Tock BOOM! - Super Hold'em Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #30: Tick Tock BOOM! - Super Hold'em tournament page