APT Taipei 2025 Main Event: The Biggest in APT’s 19-Year History
In what is now officially the largest Main Event in the 19-year history of the Asian Poker Tour (APT), the APT Taipei 2025 Main Event drew a record-breaking 2,547 entries, creating a monumental TWD 121,033,440 (~USD 3.7M / ~INR 32 crore) prize pool.
Hosted at the brand-new Red Space venue in Taipei in partnership with the Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Club (CTP), the event has now become the richest poker tournament ever held in Taiwan.
Tournament Format & Breakdown
With a TWD 55,000 buy-in (~USD 1,700 / ~INR 1.45 lakh), the Main Event was structured across four starting flights, plus OnLive entries and late Day 2 registrations:
- Flight A: 541 entries (203 survivors)
- Flight B: 506 entries (222 survivors)
- Flight C: 486 entries (231 survivors)
- Flight D: 344 entries (176 survivors)
- OnLive Natural8 Qualifiers: 530 players
- Day 2 Registrations: 140 players
This brought the total to a jaw-dropping 2,547 entries, beating all previous APT records.
Day 3 Chip Leader: Nicholas Go Dominates
Nicholas Go of Hong Kong bagged the chip lead heading into Day 3 with a towering 1,281,000 chips, thanks to a dramatic aces-versus-kings hand that eliminated previous champion Rene von Reden.
Go is followed closely by:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nicholas Go | Hong Kong | 1,281,000 |
| 2 | Wu Chun Yu | Taiwan | 932,000 |
| 3 | Juyub Lee | South Korea | 871,000 |
| 4 | Keng Yong Tan | Singapore | 824,000 |
| 5 | John Matsuda | Japan | 815,000 |
| 6 | Chi Ho King Lai | Hong Kong | 813,000 |
| 7 | Luke Dainton | United Kingdom | 799,000 |
| 8 | Hua-Wei Lin | Taiwan | 779,000 |
| 9 | Chen An Lin | Taiwan | 753,000 |
| 10 | Huang Mu Shiang | Taiwan | 716,000 |
Who’s Still in the Hunt?
The field includes several past champions and poker legends:
Dicky Tsang (Hong Kong) – 311,000
- Mikiya Kudo (Japan) – 168,000
- John Tech (Philippines) – 95,000
- Lester Edoc (Philippines) – 44,000
- Punnat Punsri (Thailand) – 114,000
- Quang Minh Nguyen (Vietnam) – 602,000
- Daniel Neilson (Australia) – 444,000
- Martin Sedlak (Czech Republic) – 349,000
- Jason Lau (Singapore) – 132,000
- Eric Tsai (Taiwan) – 386,000
Notables like Manig Loeser (Germany), Christian Harder (USA), Alex Lindop (UK), and David “Spade” Erquiaga (Philippines) also made it to Day 3.
Everyone in the Money: 375 Players Paid
When play paused after Level 17, just 375 players remained, each guaranteed TWD 85,000 (~USD 2,620 / ~INR 2.08 lakh). The eventual winner will take home a record-breaking TWD 19,009,440 (~USD 586,710 / ~INR 14.8 crore) along with a TWD 350,000 APT Championship Main Event seat (~USD 10,800 / ~INR 2.75 lakh) — the largest first-place prize ever awarded in Taiwan.
Final Thoughts
APT Taipei 2025 has proven to be more than just a tournament — it’s a declaration. With 2,547 entries, a TWD 121 million prize pool, and a truly global field, the event has redefined what’s possible in Asian poker.
As we head into the later stages of this record-setting event, one thing is clear: the APT New Era, which began in 2023, has now hit full throttle.
Further Read Defining Moments of Avadh Shah and Neel Joshi’s Stellar Runs at APT Taipei 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the buy-in for the APT Taipei Main Event?
The buy-in is TWD 55,000, which is approximately INR 1.45 lakh or USD 1,700.
What is the total prize pool?
The prize pool reached TWD 121,033,440, which is approximately USD 3.7 million or INR 32 crore.
How many players entered?
A total of 2,547 players registered for the Main Event, making it the largest tournament in APT history.
What is the first-place prize?
The winner will earn TWD 19,009,440 (~USD 586,710 / ~INR 4.85 crore) plus a TWD 350,000 seat (~INR 2.75 lakh) to the APT Championship Main Event.
Who are the notable Indian players?
Sumit Sapra, one of India’s most consistent international grinders, has made it into the money with 109,000 chips. Keep an eye on his deep run.
What is Red Space?
Red Space 多元商務空間 is a newly launched premium poker venue in Taipei, known for its cutting-edge facilities and large-scale tournament hosting capability.
How is this tournament different from past APT events?
This event broke all previous APT records:
- Highest entries (2,547)
- Largest prize pool (TWD 121 million)
- Highest first-place payout (TWD 19 million) It also featured OnLive qualifiers through Natural8, and four Day 1 flights, maximizing accessibility.
Source APT
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