The 19th Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT 19) was held from January 22 to February 9, 2026, marking a brand-new milestone in the history of regional poker.
This year’s festival spanned two premier venues in Taipei — Asia Poker Arena and Red Space — and attracted an astonishing 30,788 total entries. Over 130 trophies were awarded throughout the series, while the total prize pool surpassed USD 5.7 million, showcasing the remarkable growth and competitive spirit of both the Taiwanese and international poker communities.
TMT 19 was more than just a major tournament series — it was a symbol of the maturity and internationalization of Taiwan’s poker stage, as well as a significant upgrade in the scale and professionalism of regional events.
Massive Turnout Smashes Guarantee as Local Star Wu Chien Yu Claims the Title
The Warm-Up GiantStack, which kicked off TMT 19, opened the series in spectacular fashion as participation far exceeded expectations. The original TWD 1,000,000 (~USD 31,600) guaranteed prize pool was completely crushed, with 964 entries pushing the final prize pool to TWD 2,753,200 (~USD 87,130) — nearly tripling the initial guarantee.
A total of 145 players made the money, setting an energetic and high-impact tone for the rest of the festival.
Rising above the field was Taiwan’s own Wu Chien Yu, who navigated the deep-stacked structure with composure and precision to capture the title and the TWD 461,200 (~USD 14,595) top prize. The victory crowned him as the first champion of TMT 19 and marked the largest single cash of his poker career to date.
Reflecting on his winning formula, Wu shared his aggressive philosophy:
“Once you enter a pot, you should play it aggressively and fight for it. I’ve always believed that only players who take the initiative have a chance to win. If you play too defensively, you make yourself very vulnerable.”
This electrifying opener not only shattered records but also set a powerful tone for what would become a historic edition of TMT.
Record-Breaking Kickoff Event as Local Star Yixuan Zhang Claims the Title
At TMT 19, the Kick-off event delivered the first major surge of the series, drawing an incredible 3,248 entries and smashing the original TWD 5,000,000 (~USD 158,000) guarantee.
With a buy-in of just TWD 4,000 (~USD 126), the prize pool more than doubled to reach TWD 10,532,510 (~USD 333,320). The explosive turnout set a high benchmark for the rest of the festival, with 325 players earning a share of the prize money.
Emerging victorious was Taiwan’s own Yixuan Zhang, who outlasted the massive field to capture the championship and a TWD 1,356,900 (~USD 42,940) top prize. For Zhang, the win marked both a career milestone and an unbelievable personal achievement.
“Honestly, this win feels unbelievable to me. I rarely play large tournament series — most of the time I play time-limited events. This was my first time joining something of this scale, and I won it with a single bullet. It’s still hard to believe, especially since I’ve never won a major tournament like this before.”
The Underdog’s Final Table Run
Yixuan Zhang’s road to the title was nothing short of a true underdog story. He narrowly survived the money bubble — a player at the neighboring table was eliminated just moments before him, allowing Zhang to sneak into the payouts. When he reached the final table, he did so as the shortest stack in the field.
After achieving his long-term goal of making a live-streamed final table, Zhang praised the professional structure of the event and the friendly atmosphere of the poker community. He hopes this championship will serve as a lasting reminder to always believe in himself through the inevitable ups and downs of the game.
With the first two marquee events of TMT 19 both shattering records, the festival has already written a bold new chapter in Taiwan’s poker history.
Taiwan’s Jia Lun Chen Realizes His Dream as Mini Main Breaks Records
At TMT 19, the Mini Main became one of the standout highlights of the series, drawing a massive 4,428 entries in a spectacular turnout. The original TWD 10,000,000 (~USD 316,000) guarantee was left far behind, as the final prize pool soared to TWD 21,245,603 (~USD 609,315).
The enormous field was reflected in the payout structure, with 435 players finishing in the money and walking away with a share of the prize pool.
Emerging as champion was Taiwan’s Jia Lun Chen, who captured the title and the TWD 2,292,000 (~USD 72,535) top prize — the most significant victory of his six-year poker career.
The Perfect Birthday Gift
The win carried even deeper meaning for Chen, as it came just one day after his birthday — the ultimate birthday present. He credited his success to key moments of good fortune and his composure during the live-streamed final table.
“Wow… it’s really hard for me to calm down right now. This is my first championship, and I think it’s going to greatly boost my poker career.”
“There were two hands that impressed me the most: one where my ace-king made a flush to crack pocket aces, and another on the live-streamed table where I made a very tough hero call with an ace to catch my opponent’s river all-in bluff. I’m especially grateful to my girlfriend, Ivy, who encouraged me to keep chasing my dreams when I was thinking about quitting.”
The scale of the Mini Main and Chen’s unforgettable triumph once again proved that TMT 19 was not only record-breaking, but also a stage where poker dreams truly come to life.
Taiwan’s Yiping Feng Crowns Herself “Poker Queen” with a Determined Comeback
The highly anticipated Poker Queen event at TMT 19 attracted 84 entries, highlighting the growing strength and competitiveness of the women’s poker community. The tournament generated a total prize pool of TWD 513,400 (~USD 16,245), with 13 players finishing in the money.
The event also served as an important stage for the “Poker Queen” ladies’ team, giving rising talents the opportunity to showcase their skills and courage in a high-pressure environment.
A Birthday Wish Fulfilled
Taiwan’s Yiping Feng, also known as Ping-Ping, ultimately claimed the title and the TWD 142,200 (~USD 4,500) top prize. For Feng, who has been playing poker for just over a year, the victory carried special meaning — she had set her sights on winning the championship as a birthday gift to herself.
During heads-up play, she faced adversity after her opponent turned a straight, leavingo leaving her with a short stack. Refusing to give in, Feng overcame the pressure and mounted an impressive comeback.
“I told myself I had to fight until the very last moment. When I first started playing, my style was unstable and people didn’t expect much from me. But with the help of my coach, I found my strength in an aggressive style that could exploit my opponents. At the final table, overcoming the fear of tough competitors is crucial — you just need to focus on making the right decisions.”
From Beginner to Champion
Feng credited her transformation to the dedicated training and support of her team. From an inconsistent beginner to a major series champion, she attributes her success to the hard work and encouragement behind the scenes.
Looking ahead, she plans to continue competing in larger tournaments, challenge top players, and further sharpen her skills.
TMT 19 not only shattered records but also showcased the growing confidence and presence of women in poker — and the Poker Queen event stood as a shining example of that progress.
From Dealer to Champion: Taiwan’s Yu Jie Ni Wins the TMT Master NLH
In the LPT-sponsored Master NLH event at the Taiwan Millions Tournament, Taiwan’s local professional Yu Jie Ni outlasted a massive 867-entry field to claim the title and etch his name into the tournament’s history.
Originally carrying a TWD 5,000,000 guarantee, the event more than doubled under strong participation, generating a total prize pool of TWD 11,092,400 (~USD 352,275). Ni captured the championship and the TWD 1,700,000 (~USD 53,800) top prize, marking the largest live tournament cash of his career.
From Behind the Table to Center Stage
With six years of experience as a poker dealer, Ni possesses a unique understanding of tournament structures. He credited his success to the event’s professional and well-designed format.
“The Master has the best structure among all two-day events. With a TWD 15,000 buy-in and 40-minute levels, it’s excellent — that’s exactly why I really wanted to join.”
From working behind the table as a dealer to standing center stage as a champion, Yu Jie Ni’s victory represents more than just a major payday — it symbolizes a personal transformation and once again proves that TMT 19 is a stage built for dreams and breakthrough moments.
Vietnam’s Ca Phe Makes History as TMT 19’s First International Champion
At the Taiwan Millions Tournament’s Sunday Challenge, the series once again shattered expectations. Held at Red Space in Taipei, the event attracted an impressive 1,024 entries, crushing the original TWD 2,000,000 (~USD 63,286) guarantee.
The final prize pool surged to TWD 6,649,700 (~USD 210,415), with 154 players finishing in the money. As the festival neared its conclusion, this high-energy side event injected even more excitement into the atmosphere.
The First International Champion
Vietnam’s Ca Phe made history by becoming the first international player of TMT 19 to capture a Trophy Plate. He claimed the championship along with the TWD 1,067,000 (~USD 33,762) top prize, marking a career-best result.
His victory carried a strong sense of redemption. After a difficult first ten days in Taiwan, Phe found his rhythm at the final table. In a pivotal hand, he held ♦KJ against an opponent’s AK and completed a dramatic rivered straight to secure a crucial turnaround, setting the stage for his championship run.
“The Poker Gods Were Finally on My Side”
After the win, Ca Phe could hardly contain his excitement:
“I’m really excited right now. I arrived in Taiwan ten days ago and lost quite a bit, so this is definitely my biggest win here. The trophy design is beautiful, and although today’s competition was very tough, I feel like the poker gods were finally on my side.”
He also spoke highly of his experience in Taiwan and at TMT:
“I love Taiwan so much. The people here are very friendly, the atmosphere at TMT is fantastic, and the food is incredible. I will definitely come back to chase more trophies in the future.”
This victory not only marks a highlight in Ca Phe’s career but also adds international prestige and historical significance to TMT 19.
South Korea’s Zee Hyo Jung Stages Epic Comeback to Win TMT 19 Main Event
The Taiwan Millions Tournament Main Event reached its thrilling climax at Red Space in Taipei, etching its name into the history books with an astonishing 8,066 entries. The massive turnout generated a total prize pool of TWD 59,236,800 (~USD 1,871,792), making it the defining showdown of the series.
Emerging victorious was South Korea’s Zee Hyo Jung, who claimed the championship title and the TWD 6,800,000 (~USD 215,200) top prize — the largest live cash of his career. In addition to the life-changing payout, all nine final table players secured coveted tickets to the 2026 TMTC, setting the stage for the next chapter of the tournament’s legacy.
From Chip Leader to Short Stack — and Back to Champion
Jung’s path to the title was nothing short of a dramatic comeback story. Although he began the final day as the chip leader, a mid-day downswing saw him slip down the counts, eventually entering the final table as the second-shortest stack.
At a crucial turning point, Jung completed a key double-up — hitting an open-ended straight draw to overcome Po Yu Chang’s two pair — regaining control of his momentum. The victory held even deeper meaning, as Jung had stepped away from the game for four years before making this powerful return, marking a personal redemption and career breakthrough.
Final Table Duel: The Rivalry with Pao Hsuan Hsu
The centerpiece of the final table was Jung’s intense battle with Taiwan’s Pao Hsuan Hsu. The two repeatedly traded the chip lead in dramatic confrontations.
In one pivotal hand, Jung rivered a full house with pocket tens to extract maximum value from Hsu’s pocket jacks. Although Hsu managed to reclaim the lead twice with flopped and rivered flushes, Jung ultimately stabilized his stack, eliminating Jin Yu Chen (9th) and Chun Lin Shih (3rd) to carry a commanding advantage into heads-up play.
Jinwoo Jung Claims Final Trophy Plate of TMT 19 as Super High Roller Concludes the Series
As the closing Trophy Plate event of the Taiwan Millions Tournament, the Super High Roller delivered a fitting high-stakes finale to the series. The event attracted 97 entries, each contributing a TWD 70,000 (~USD 2,210) buy-in to generate a total prize pool of TWD 5,959,700 (~USD 188,605).
After an intense battle at Red Space, South Korea’s Jinwoo Jung emerged victorious, capturing the championship and the TWD 1,727,400 (~USD 54,665) top prize, securing the final Trophy Plate of TMT 19.
International Final Table, All-Korean Heads-Up
The final table showcased a truly international lineup, culminating in an all-South Korean heads-up duel between Jinwoo Jung and Jaesung Park. In the final hand, Jung sealed the victory holding A-10, while Park earned TWD 1,072,200 (~USD 33,930) for his runner-up finish.
Taiwan’s Chen Yu Yeh secured third place for TWD 644,000 (~USD 20,380). Notable finalists also included Singapore’s Jereld Sam and Japan’s Shiina Okamoto, reflecting the diverse and competitive landscape of Asia’s high-stakes poker scene.
TMT 19: A New Benchmark for Asian Poker
With the final card dealt at Red Space, TMT 19 concluded not merely as a tournament series, but as a symbol of excellence in Asian poker.
From local hero Wu Chien Yu’s opening victory, to South Korea’s Zee Hyo Jung claiming the historic Main Event title, and finally Jinwoo Jung’s championship triumph in the Super High Roller, this edition was defined by underdog stories, aggressive tactical mastery, and record-breaking participation.
With 2026 TMTC tickets now in the hands of poker’s elite, this record-shattering edition of TMT has set the stage for even greater anticipation and ambition heading into the landmark 20th anniversary celebration.
Looking Ahead: TMT 20 Set to Make History
After shattering multiple records, the Taiwan Millions Tournament now turns its focus to the highly anticipated TMT 20, which is shaping up to become one of the most ambitious celebrations in Asian poker history.
📅 Dates: July 8 – August 3, 2026
📍 Location: Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association (CTP), Taipei
💰 Total Guaranteed Prize Pools: USD 3,000,000 — the largest guarantee in TMT history
This massive 27-day festival promises an unprecedented stage and an elevated level of competition.
🎯 Two Flagship Main Events
The milestone edition will be headlined by two premier events:
🏆 USD 2,000,000 GTD Main Event
Buy-in: USD 300
Designed for broad accessibility, creating a true open battlefield for players of all levels
👑 USD 1,000,000 GTD Crown Main Event
Deep-stack structure
Crafted for players seeking an intense, high-stakes finale
Whether you’re a local standout or an international contender, TMT 20 will serve as a global arena where poker elites collide. Massive prize pools, a historic stage, and moments of glory await the next player ready to write their name into history.
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.