The Asian Poker Tour (APT) has once again proven its dominance in the Asian poker scene — and this time, it wasted no time showing its global influence.
Making its second return to Taiwan this year, APT Taipei 2025 opened with a bang, completely filling the newly constructed Red Space venue.
This modern facility was purpose-built to accommodate the overwhelming number of enthusiastic players eager to take part in one of Asia’s most anticipated poker festivals.
Asian Poker Tour – APT Taipei 2025
APT National Cup Sets a New Record
APT Taipei 2025 officially kicked off on April 25, and its opening highlight event — the APT National Cup — wasted no time making history.
Featuring a guaranteed prize pool of TWD 10,000,000 (≈ USD 305,000) and a buy-in of TWD 12,000 (≈ USD 365), the event quickly surpassed all expectations.
As players poured into the new Red Space venue, the National Cup recorded a staggering 2,161 total entries, breaking the all-time APT opening event record!
Even more impressive — the field included 1,265 unique players, underscoring the incredible enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding APT’s return to Taiwan.
📋 Flight Recap
Flight A
Entries: 821
Survivors: 113
The atmosphere was electric, with over 500 players still battling deep into the night for a spot in Day 2.
Flight B
Entries: 844
Survivors: 119
The turnout exceeded expectations, with waiting lists forming as tables filled to capacity. Play concluded well past 1:00 a.m.
Flight C (Turbo Format)
Entries: 496
Survivors: 70
Many players who fell short in the earlier flights returned for one last shot at redemption.
📊 Final Numbers
Total Entries: 2,161
Unique Players: 1,265
Total Prize Pool: TWD 21,264,240 (≈ USD 656,304)
The APT National Cup now officially stands as the largest-opening event in APT history,
with the eventual champion set to take home TWD 3,454,240 (≈ USD 106,612).
🧠 Notable Players in the Field
Taiwanese players dominated the action, with 302 advancing to Day 2, the majority representing the host nation.
They were joined by a strong lineup of APT regulars from Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea, and beyond.
Notable names include:
Charlie Chiu (邱威翔)
Chi Jen Chen (陈致任)
Chia Hsiang Ko (柯嘉翔)
King Lun Lau (刘敬麟)
Kunal Patni
Peter Kiem
Yohwan Lim (林宥焕)
Joris Michl
David Erquiaga
Leading the pack after Day 1 was Jayson Lee Cooper (UK), who emerged as the overall chip leader.
Cooper, who made several cashes at APT Manila earlier this year, now eyes what could be a major career breakthrough in Taipei.
First Champions Crowned at APT Taipei 2025
The APT National Cup wasn’t the only event making headlines on opening day.
Running from April 25 to May 4, APT Taipei 2025 features a massive 126-event schedule, offering nonstop poker action for players of all levels.
On the very first day, 10 events were completed, with winners proudly lifting the iconic APT Lion Trophy, celebrating their hard-earned victories in style.
👑 Women’s Event – Japan’s Marina Ueda Takes the Title
To encourage greater participation from female players, APT Taipei has introduced a daily Women’s Event, one of the standout features of this year’s schedule.
The first Women’s Event was a huge success, drawing 135 entries and generating a total prize pool of TWD 378,043.
Only 20 players made it into the money, but it was Japan’s Marina Ueda who claimed victory, defeating Taiwan’s Caixin Wong heads-up to win her first-ever APT championship title.
For local favorite Caixin Wong, the runner-up finish was still impressive — she had just won the Ladies Event title at the ZSOP Series in Taiwan last month and nearly pulled off back-to-back victories.
🃏 PLO Hi-Lo 5 Champion – Sosuke Hatano (Japan)
Before arriving in Taiwan, Japanese amateur player Sosuke Hatano had already built an incredible live record this year —
six final-table finishes, including four titles and two runner-up finishes across Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.
Continuing his hot streak, Hatano triumphed in the PLO Hi-Lo 5 Card Event, outlasting 33 entries to take home the title and a career-best payout of TWD 150,886 (≈ USD 4,635).
💰 Single Day High Roller Champion – Alfie Poetra (USA/Indonesia)
The Single Day High Roller event drew a strong field of 33 entries, including several well-known pros such as Chih Wei Fan, Ryan Plant, and Meng Ling Lin,
who recently captured the Korea Poker Cup Super High Roller title.
Despite their experience, it was Alfie Poetra, representing the USA and Indonesia, who emerged victorious.
Poetra secured his first APT High Roller title, earning TWD 1,212,400 (≈ USD 37,245) from a TWD 4,406,400 (≈ USD 135,370) prize pool —
a milestone win that marks a new chapter in his poker journey.
🔥 Main Event Heating Up
The excitement continues as APT Taipei 2025 runs through May 4, with plenty more trophies and champions yet to be crowned.
The Main Event — boasting a massive TWD 70,000,000 (≈ USD 2.1 million) guarantee — is now underway,
and according to APT officials, over 700 players have already secured seats via online satellites hosted on Natural8,
setting the stage for one of the biggest poker events ever held in Taiwan.
Red Dragon Poker APP Officially Launched
The long-established tournament brand Red Dragon Cup has now released its own app — “Red Dragon Poker.”
The Red Dragon Cup is a well-known Asian poker brand with a strong reputation across the region. Originating in Macau, it quickly became one of the most influential poker events in Asia. Red Dragon Poker tournaments regularly attract players from all over the world, offering massive fields and impressive prize pools.
For those interested, we highly recommend downloading the “Red Dragon Poker” app to join more exciting tournaments.