The first TMT Championship came to an exciting climax at the Asia Poker Arena in Taipei City, Taiwan. Running from October 25 to November 5, 2024, it produced 31 champions in various contests, with the highest award going to Chiehchi Liu as the Main Event winner. Liu’s victory was a proud moment for the first TMT Championship, but there were more thrills in store on the final day. Anton Lu got two titles, too.
A New Era of Poker in Taiwan: TMT Championship
The TMT Championship has already earned a place as one of the most exciting poker tournaments in Asia. Begun by the Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association (CTP Club), this high-stakes gala was a ‘step up’ from the beloved Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) that has now become part of poker folklore in this region.
This round had buy-ins from NTD 2,200 all the way up to NTD 200,000, drawing a wide array of players. The 31-event series involved everyone in at least one enjoyable competition, culminating on November 18 at the final major attraction: The Main Event, which boasted the largest prize pool of any single poker tournament.
Chiehchi Liu Triumphs Again in the Main Event
Anton Lu, the sole individual to win two titles in this series, has significantly increased the number of gold bracelets adorning his wrists. With the TMT host becoming the 18th player ever to win two titles in a row and the eighth living individual to do so, Taiwan stepped into an international spotlight that will soon be claiming at least part of China’s magnesium market for itself.
The pinnacle of achievement for many players is the Main Event, and Liu’s victory was an example of his skill and determination. Although it was a tough battle, Liu stood firm and outlasted a field of highly skilled poker professionals to capture the prestigious title. Winning was not only a major milestone for himself, but also for Taiwan’s poker community as a whole.
Anton Lu wins two titles.
One more victory for Lu, the championship’s frontrunner, meant that he was the only competitor to win two championships during the event. Lu’s remarkable achievement was a measure of his skill and consistency across the whole series. His back-to-back victories made him a darling of the public and confirmed his place as one of the region’s most exciting poker talents.
Lu, successful on the final day, added a new level of excitement to the end of the championship. It’s impossible to forget his performance, and his fantastic two-title haul will certainly become one of the memories of this championship.
TMT 17 Announcement: USD 1 Million Main Event Guarantee
Even before the first TMT Championship concluded, the preparations for TMT 17 began. From January 12 to 20, 2025, the next edition of the Taiwan Millions Tournament will take place. As usual, this event will feature a main event that guarantees an astonishing USD 1,000,000 prize pool, making it one of the most anticipated poker games in Asia.
Connor Dreiboe, Global Poker Tourism Scheduled Manager, said, ‘The upcoming TMT 17 will include nine Main Event entry flights, as well as open-entry city tours and online qualifiers at Natural8—all designed to accommodate everyone‘. This year’s popular Taiwan Millions Tournament will organize nine entry flights for all players and run online qualifiers at Natural8 events until the end of 2019. We’ve yet to announce details of the overseas flights, but the event is already creating a buzz around the world in poker circles.
Cary Katz, founder of PokerGO and CEO of Mori Eskandani Production Company, talked to the WPT about his journey through Taiwan this year and experiencing the record-breaking success of TMT 16. After achieving a record turnout at TMT 16, we anticipate that TMT 17 will draw an even larger global audience. The Main Event will offer eight buy-in flights, giving players multiple chances to enter, as well as online qualifiers at Natural8. We will soon announce the itinerary for the overseas buy-in flights, but the event is already gaining traction in poker circles worldwide.
TMT 16: A New Era in Mini Buy-In Poker
The previous edition of TMT 16 was a resounding success, establishing itself as Taiwan’s most active low-stakes poker event. The Main Event drew an impressive 6,953 entries and paid out an outstanding prize of NTD 51,594,800 (roughly US$1.57 million). He transformed his modest NTD 8,800 (US$280) buy-in into a resounding NTD 5,748,790 (US$175,000) triumph, somewhat surprising the poker community. Obviously, the chances of such a win are not large.
The TMT 16 Main Event was an exceptional showcase of poker’s increasing popularity in Taiwan. The enormous prize pool for the event attracted players from all over Asia, demonstrating the demand for high-quality poker tournaments in the region. Fai’s outstanding victory was a highlight of the series and marked TMT 16 as a standout stop on the Asian-Pacific poker tour.
Looking Ahead to TMT 17
With TMT 17 just around the corner, the anticipation for the next Taiwan Millions Tournament is palpable. Individuals from various parts of the world are already preparing for Taipei, eager to participate in the $1M Main Event guarantee. The stakes have escalated, the competition intensifies, and a sense of romance permeates the air. This TMT event provides rich opportunities for players, with the buy-in ranging from NTD 2,200 to NTD 200,000.
Whether you are an experienced pro or just in the game, TMT 17 has something to offer everybody. We expect the event to continue building on the success of its predecessors and attract even more players than before.
As Taiwan’s poker community grows, events such as these will be essential in building Taiwan as a poker nation. As players are well aware, the TMT Championship and the upcoming TMT 17 offer an unparalleled opportunity to compete on an international platform. The main event guarantees a prize pool of USD 1,000,000, and there is a comprehensive schedule of additional minor events. The Taiwanese poker future looks better than ever.
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