Series Opening APT National Cup Flight A Draws 488 Entries

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

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, February 28, 2024 – Welcome to the largest and longest festival in Asian Poker Tour history, with the action-packed 12-day APT Taipei 2024 squeezing in 105 Trophy Events and boasting over TWD 150M (USD 4.8M) in prize pool guarantees.

Running February 28 to March 10 in partnership with the Chinese Texas Hold'em Poker Club (CTP), the series is playing out over two venues; the CTP Asia Poker Arena – Asia's largest permanent poker room – and the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟) both located in central Taipei.

This marks the eighth time the APT has visited the Taiwanese capitol, with Natural8 ambassador Punat Punsri cementing his place in Asian Poker Tour history just over ten months prior during the record-breaking APT Taipei 2023, winning the richest Main Event ever to play out in Taiwan.

The APT Taipei 2024 Main Event boasts double the prize pool guarantee of its predecessor with a sizable TWD 65 million (~USD 2M) guarantee – the largest in the tour's 17-year history – and the series looks likely to set records once again if the numbers of the opening Flight A of the APT National Cup are anything to go by; which you can read about in more detail below.

In addition to the guaranteed marquee events, the series boasts daily High Roller tournaments and an eclectic selection of mixed games and assorted poker variants. Highlights include:

KEY EVENTS

• APT Main Event (TWD 65M/~USD 2M GTD): Mar 3-9 – TWD 70K/~USD 2.2K buy-in
• APT National Cup (TWD 15M/~USD 475K GTD): Feb 28-Mar 2 – TWD 10K/~USD 320 buy-in
• Superstar Challenge: Mar 1-2 – TWD 800K/~USD 25K buy-in
• Mystery Bounty Hunter – Sponsored by Natural8 (TWD 10M/~USD 317K GTD): Mar 2-3 – TWD 15K/~USD $475 buy-in
• APT Super High Roller (TWD 10M/~USD 317K GTD): Mar 2-3 – TWD 300K/~USD 9.5K buy-in
• Sunday Super Stack (TWD 2M/~USD 63K GTD): Mar 3 – TWD 30K/~USD 950 buy-in
• Zodiac Classic – Sponsored by Natural8 (TWD 20M/~USD 633K GTD): Mar 7-8 – TWD 60K/~USD 1.9K buy-in
• Mini Main Event (TWD 6M/~USD 190K GTD): Mar 9-10 – TWD 22K/~USD 700 buy-in
• APT High Roller (TWD 11M/~USD 348K GTD): Mar 9-10 – TWD 150K/~USD 4.7K buy-in
• Micro Main Event (TWD 2M/~USD 63K GTD): Mar 10 – TWD 11K/~USD 350 buy-in

Series Opening APT National Cup Flight A Draws 488 Entries

Taiwan's Chi Hang Chang topped the APT National Cup Flight A chip counts

While it was the 150-strong Event #1: APT National Cup Freeroll Freezeout kicking off the series' action – awarding 10 players a seat to the TWD 15,000,000 GTD APT National Cup – the series proper began with the five flight TWD 10,000 APT National Cup.

Flight A drew 488 entries in total (348 unique), generating a TWD 4,212,904 (~USD 133,060) Flight A prize pool with players battling it out over twenty-two 30-minute levels in an attempt to lock up a Day 2 berth.

However, while the field is paying out the top 14 percent, only the top 5 percent will be returning for Day 2, meaning that TWD 875,000 (~USD 27,640) of the prize pool was awarded to places 30 through 74 with a double bubble elimination seeing two players chop a min-cash. The remaining TWD 3,337,904 (USD 105,420) is carried over to the final day.

It is Taiwan's Chi Hang Chang who is leading the charge, bagging up 995,000 in chips to take the tournament top spot.

Compatriots Shi Tang Chen (980,000), and Chih Feng Li (890,000) rounded out the top three surviving players, with a total of 29 players successful in their quest to make Day 2 with the top ten stacks as follows:

NATIONAL CUP FLIGHT A TOP TEN STACKS

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

For APT National Cup Flight A Player List please CLICK HERE For APT National Cup Flight A Survivors please CLICK HERE For APT National Cup Flight A Results please CLICK HERE

Flights B & C play out on Thursday, February 29 at 11.30am and 6.30pm local time respectively, with Flights D & E getting underway on Friday, March 1 at 11am and 6.30pm and the tournament concluding on Saturday, March 2.

HIGH ROLLER ACTION

Hong Kong's Anson Tsang Claims Gold in Event #3: Single Day High Roller - Freezeout

Hong Kong's Anson Tsang added a second APT title to his extensive list of poker accolades

The first of the Single Day High Roller tournaments on the schedule – the TWD 100,000 Event #3: Single Day High Roller - Freezeout – drew some intense competition and a 60-strong field.

In addition to Natural8 Ambassadors Danny Tang, Punnat Punsri, and Yu Chung 'Nevan' Chang the field was packed with some of Asia's finest including triple bracelet winner Anson Tsang of Hong Kong, along with compatriots Sparrow Cheung, and Dicky Tsang, and Hanoi Billions Super High Roller champion Shimizu Nozomu to name but a few.

High-calibre talent such as Ireland's Steve O'Dwyer, the USA's Jason Mo, Austria's Daniel Smiljkovic and the Czech Republic's Roman Hrabec added some further international flair.

With TWD 5,238,000 (~USD 165,460) in the prize pool, only the top nine players would make the money.

It was Hong Kong's Anson Tsang the man to claim gold in the opening High Roller, defeating India's Krishna Madhariwar heads-up to take the TWD 1,526,000 (~USD 48,205) top prize, earning his second APT title in the process.

Madhariwar, who was on the hunt for his maiden title, was forced to settle for the TWD 1,100,000 (~USD 34,750) on offer for second, with Malaysia's Tien Loon Ling completing the winner's triumvirate, collecting TWD 715,000 (~USD 22,585) for third place with the tournament paying out as follows:

SDHR FREEZEOUT FINAL TABLE RESULTS

For Event #3: Single Day High Roller - Freezeout Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #3: Single Day High Roller - Freezeout Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #3: Single Day High Roller - Freezeout tournament page

Hong Kong's Edward Yam Wins Maiden APT Title in Event #7: Turbo - High Roller

Hong Kong's Edward Yam won his maiden APT title in Event #7 Turbo High Roller

The second of the festival's scheduled High Roller events – the TWD 25,000 Event #7: Turbo - High Roller drew a 38-strong (31 unique) field, generating a TWD 829,350 (~USD 26,200) prize pool.

In addition to players such as the previously mentioned Yu Chung Chang, Sparrow Cheung, and Dicky Tsang the field also included Filipino bracelet winner Mike Takayama, the prolific Pete Chen, and Ireland's Ryan Plant to list just a portion of the talent on display.

Once again it was the Hong Kong contingent dominating much of the action and claiming the glory.

While Cheung and Tsang were unable to cash, compatriot Edward Yam showed them how it's done.

Yam added a maiden APT title to his extensive list of tournament titles, bringing his total live title wins up to 49 after besting Takayama heads-up to take a TWD 307,350 (~USD 9,700) top prize.

Takayama took TWD for his runner-up finish, with yet another Hong Kong player earning a podium finish, with Hon Cheong 'Ivan' Lee rounding out the top three and collecting TWD 135,000 (~USD 4,265). for third.

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

TURBO HIGH ROLLER FINAL TABLE RESULTS

For Event #7: Turbo - High Roller Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #7: Turbo - High Roller Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #7: Turbo - High Roller tournament page.

Dicky Tsang Completes Hong Kong High Roller Sweep in Event #9: Hyper Turbo - High Roller

Hong Kong's Dicky Tsang won his fifth APT title in Event #9 Hyper Turbo - High Roller

Team Hong Kong made it three for three in the third and final High Roller event of the festival's opening day.

It was former Main Event champion Dicky Tsang the man to take the honours this time around, defeating compatriot Sparrow Cheung to take the TWD 117,440 (~USD 3,710) top prize, earning his fifth APT title in the process.

Cheung, who was gunning for his eighth APT title, received TWD 78,000 (~USD 2,460) for his runner-up finish, with Austria's Max Neugebauer the only other player to cash.

HYPER TURBO HIGH ROLLER FINAL TABLE RESULTS

For Event #9: Hyper Turbo - High Roller Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #9: Hyper Turbo - High Roller Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #9: Hyper Turbo - High Roller tournament page

SIDE EVENT ACTION

Japan's Yuji Watanabe Scores First Silverware of the Series in Event #2: PL Omaha High - 5 Card - 8 Max

Japan's Yuji Watanabe claimed his maiden APT title in Event #2 PL Omaha High - 5 Card - 8 Max

It was the TWD 10,000 Event #2: PL Omaha High - 5 Card - 8 Max that saw the first silverware of the series awarded, with the tournament drawing a 43-strong field and generating a TWD 371,219 (~USD 11,720) prize pool.

Japan's Yuji Watanabe claimed the accolades, defeating Taiwan's Patrick Liang heads-up to claim his maiden APT title and a top prize of TWD 126,220 (~USD 3,980).

Liang received TWD 87,000 (~USD 2,745) for his runner-up finish, with compatriot Tsui Han Hsiao rounding out the winner's podium, collecting TWD 56,000 (~USD 1,770) for third place.

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

PLO HIGH 5 CARD RESULTS

For Event #2: PL Omaha High - 5 Card - 8 Max Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #2: PL Omaha High - 5 Card - 8 Max please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #2: PL Omaha High - 5 Card - 8 Max tournament page

Australia's Mark Furniss Claim Maiden APT Title in Event #5: Limit Triple Draw Lowball Mix

Australia's Mark Furniss won his maiden APT title in Event #5 Limit Triple Draw Lowball Mix

Playing out at the tournament tables of the Chinese Mahjong League venue, the TWD 8,000 Event #5: Limit Triple Draw Lowball Mix (A-5, 2-7, Badugi) drew a 21-strong field (19 unique), generating a TWD 143,404 (~USD 4,525) prize pool.

It was Australia's Mark Furniss who showcased his triple draw skills to the best effect, defeating Japan's Kazuya Hyodo heads-up to take the TWD 60,404 (~USD 1,905) top prize, claiming his maiden APT title in the process.

Hyodo received TWD 40,000 (~USD 1,260) for second place, with Switzerland's Yannick Jobin taking bronze and TWD 26,000 (~USD 820) for third place. Taiwan's Yu Tang Wang was the only other player to cash, earning a TWD 17,000 payday for fourth place.

LIMIT TRIPLE DRAW LOWBALL MIX RESULTS

For Event #5: Limit Triple Draw Lowball Mix Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #5: Limit Triple Draw Lowball Mix Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #5: Limit Triple Draw Lowball Mix tournament page

###Australia's Aindrey Hawil Claims Maiden Asian Tournament Title in Event #8: Turbo - PL Omaha

Australia's Aindrey Hawil earned his first APT Title in Event #8 Turbo PL Omaha

The TWD 6,000 Event #8: Turbo - PL Omaha saw 30 entries (23 unique) compete for a TWD 151,902 (~USD 4,800) prize pool.

It was Australia's Aindrey Hawil who emerged victorious, besting compatriot Jan Larsson heads-up to claim the TWD 55,902 (~USD 1,765) top prize and his maiden Asian tournament title and APT title in the process.

Larsson locked up TWD 39,000 (~USD 1,230) for second place, with Taiwan's Wei Kai Lin taking third and a payout of TWD 25,000 (USD 790).

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

TURBO PLO RESULTS

For Event #8: Turbo - PL Omaha Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #8: Turbo - PL Omaha Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #8: Turbo - PL Omaha tournament page

Hong Kong's Wing Hon Cheng Wins First APT Title in Event #10: Hyper Turbo

Hong Kong's Wing Hon Cheng Wins First APT Title in Event #10 Hyper Turbo

The TWD 8,000 Event #10: Hyper Turbo attracted a 62-strong field, with the turbo-charged tournament boasting a 423,386 (~USD 13,370) prize pool.

It was Hong Kong's Wing Hon Cheng who took it down, triumphing over Thailand's Peerapon Iamjamrat heads-up to claim his first APT title and a top prize of TWD 122,385 (USD 3,865).

Iamjamrat, who was also looking to snag a maiden APT title, took a TWD 89,000 (~USD 2,810) payout for second, with Taiwan's Chien-Hsiang Hung rounding out the top three, collecting TWD 58,000 (~USD 1,830) for third place with the final table paying out as follows:

HYPER TURBO FINAL TABLE RESULTS 1|Wing Hon Cheng|Hong Kong|TWD 122,385.60 2|Peerapon Iamjamrat|Thailand|TWD 89,000 3|Chien-Hsiang Hung|Taiwan|TWD 58,000 4|Kuo Wei Kao|Taiwan|TWD 44,000 5|Ye Wei Bo|Taiwan|TWD 34,000 6|Barry Qi An|United States|TWD 26,000 7|Kátuhisa Watanabe|Japan|TWD 21,000 8|Edmond Chim|Hong Kong|TWD 16,000 9|Zhe Hao Wu|Taiwan|TWD 13,000

For Event #10: Hyper Turbo Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #10: Hyper Turbo Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #10: Hyper Turbo tournament page

Taiwan's Philip Wang Takes Second APT Title in Event #11: Hyper Turbo - NL Single Draw 2-7

Taiwan's Philip Wang claimed his second APT Title in Event #11 Hyper Turbo NL Single Draw

The TWD 5,000 Event #11: Hyper Turbo - NL Single Draw 2-7 saw 17 players in action (13 unique), all looking to win their share of the TWD 71,730 (USD 2,265) prize pool.

It was Taiwan's Philip Wang who showcased his draw poker credentials, defeating fellow countryman Sheng Fu Yu heads-up to claim the TWD 34,732 (~USD 1,100) top prize**.

Yu took TWD 23,000 (~USD 725) for his runner-up finish, with Japan's Kenji Hamamoto the only other player to cash, collecting TWD 14,000 (~USD 440) for third place.

HYPER TURBO FINAL TABLE RESULTS

For Event #11: Hyper Turbo - NL Single Draw 2-7 Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #11: Hyper Turbo - NL Single Draw 2-7 Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #11: Hyper Turbo - NL Single Draw 2-7 tournament page

Lo Chun-Ting Aims High in Event #12: Super Hyper Turbo

The last of the days' events to play out – the TWD 5,000 Event #12: Super Hyper Turbo – saw 41 players in action, fighting it out over twenty-three turbo-charged 5-min levels for a share of the TWD 173,000 (~USD 5,465) prize pool.

It was Taiwan's Lo Chun-Ting who topped the leaderboard, beating compatriot Yung-Tai Lin heads-up to claim the TWD 58,000 (~USD 1,830) top prize, his sixth live tournament title, and maiden APT title.

Lin locked up TWD 41,000 (~USD 1,295) for second, with Japan's Yasutaka Shimizu taking bronze and TWD 26,000 (~USD 820) for third. A total of six players made the money, with the tournament paying out as follows:

SUPER HYPER TURBO FINAL TABLE RESULTS

For Event #12: Super Hyper Turbo Player List please CLICK HERE For Event #12: Super Hyper Turbo Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #12: Super Hyper Turbo tournament page