Taiwan, CTP Asia Poker ArenaEVENT

2024.12.22 - 2024.12.23Add to Calendar

Players Series

Blind level

Level 10: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Entries

27/51

Total Chips

12,750,000

Average

472,222

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 6:06:49 PM

Chen Yu Hung Sits at the Top of the Day 1 Leaderboard in the Superstar Challenge

Level 10: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Chen Yu Hung

Chen Yu Hung leads the pack of 27 survivors with a towering stack of 1,311,000 heading into tomorrow's Final Day. He maintained his momentum by eliminating Dave Erquiaga with A♣ A♥, despite Erquiaga’s A♠ 8♦ hitting a pair on the board of 8♠ 9♥ Q♥ J♠ K♠.

Jason Lau

Another stack surpassing the one-million milestone belongs to Belgium’s Kristof Segers, the decorated five-time CTP title owner. He capped off Day 1 with a chunky stack of 1,188,000 to begin Day 2. Hot on Kristof’s heels are Ori Kossonogi (998,000) and Ko Chia-Hsiang (930,000).

Other players advancing to Day 2 include Hsu Kai-Cheng (823,000), Ha Baron (740,000), Jason Lau (634,000), Martin Gonzales (536,000), and Adrien Favre (194,000).

Join us for highlighted coverage of the Final Day on Dec. 23rd, starting at 1:00 pm local time, to witness who will claim the championship title.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 5:44:34 PM

End of Day1 - 27 Survivors

Level 10: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Player	Chips
CY Chen Yu HungTaiwan	1,311,000(164 BB)
KS Kristof SegersBelgium	1,188,000(149 BB)
OK Ori KossonogiTaiwan	998,000(125 BB)
KC Ko Chia HsiangTaiwan	930,000(116 BB)
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	823,000(103 BB)
BH Baron HaCanada	740,000(93 BB)
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	640,000(80 BB)
JL Jason LauMalaysia	634,000(79 BB)
NK Nguyen Kinh HuyenViet Nam	615,000(77 BB)
BK Byunghak KoSouth Korea	506,000(63 BB)
HC Hsuan Cheng LaiTaiwan	505,000(63 BB)
LK Lee Kun HanTaiwan	502,000(63 BB)
HL Hoang Le Anh TuanViet Nam	375,000(47 BB)
PY Pu Yen FangTaiwan	347,000(43 BB)
HT Hidenari TomitaJapan	330,000(41 BB)
EK Eisuke KatsurenJapan	290,000(36 BB)
AV Armon Van WijkAustralia	284,000(36 BB)
MM Murly ManokharanMalaysia	265,000(33 BB)
CS Chih Sheng ChanTaiwan	244,000(31 BB)
TY Tse Yueh TsaiTaiwan	236,000(30 BB)
TL Tzu LinTaiwan	216,000(27 BB)
YT Yu Ting ChenTaiwan	216,000(27 BB)
AF Adrien FavreFrance	194,000(24 BB)
PK Park KibumSouth Korea	191,000(24 BB)
ST Suparerk TotsaponvisadThailand	142,000(18 BB)
KK Kao Kuo WeiTaiwan	135,000(17 BB)
CJ Chi Jen ChenTaiwan	80,000(10 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 3:39:08 PM

Day 1 of Superstar Challenge Has Completed

Level 10: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Day 1 of the Superstar challenge has come to an end. A full recap of the day's action and survivors' chip count will follow shortly.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 3:36:52 PM

Manokharan's Ace Works

Level 10: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Murly Manokharan

A flop came A♠ 9♣ T♣ with around 40,000 chips in the pot, Kristof Segers bet 18,000 from under the gun and Murly Manokharan dropped in a call from late position. The 3♥ showed on the turn, and Segers checked to Manokharan, who bet 24,000. Segers stuck around to see a 4♠ hit on the river. The action went check-check. After Segers tabled K♦ J♦ for a missed straight draw, Manokharan flipped over a flopped top pair of ace with A♦ 5♣.

Player	Chips
KS Kristof SegersBelgium	1,150,000(144 BB)
MM Murly Manokharan	850,000(106 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 3:21:09 PM

Board is Straight But Hsu Doesn't Want To Split

Level 10: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Kai Cheng Hsu

On a flop of 5♠ 6♦ 3♥, Eisuke Katsuren from the big blind, Kai Cheng Hsu from late position, and Hidenari Tomita from the hijack all checked . The 4♠ hit on the turn, and three players checked through again to see the 7♥ drop to the river, where Katsuren changed his strategy and led out for 20,000, which only Hsu called to take it to a showdown.

After Katsuren tabled J♥ 9♥ playing the board of straight but Hsu quickly flipped over A♣ 8♥ for a higher straight and collected the pot.

Player	Chips
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	742,000(93 BB)
HT Hidenari TomitaJapan	390,000(49 BB)
EK Eisuke KatsurenJapan	308,000(39 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 3:14:35 PM

Wijk Sends Chunky Bet on the River

Level 10: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Armon Van Wijk

The action was picked up on the turn with a board showing J♥ A♣ 3♥ 8♥ and around 100,000 chips in the pot when Hsuan Cheng Lai checked from late position to Armon Van Wijk, on the button, who fired out 60,000, sending Lai into the tank. After a long time, Lai dropped in a call. The T♦ revealed on the river, where Lai checked over and Wijk fired a barrel of 110,000, leaving only 10,000 behind. Lai finally threw his cards back to the dealer after long consideration.

Player	Chips
HC Hsuan Cheng LaiTaiwan	508,000(64 BB)
AV Armon Van WijkAustralia	365,000(46 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 3:07:59 PM

Kossonogi Breached The Million Mark

Level 10: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Ori Kossonogi

Tse Yueh Tsai opened to 16,000 on the button and received two callers from the blind – Murly Manokharan and Ori Kossonogi. A flop ran out K♠ A♦ T♠, And the blinds checked to Tsai, who continued with a bet of 17,000, which Manokharan got out of the way and Kossonogi called. The 2♥ hit on the turn, and the action went check-check. The T♣ dropped on the river, where Tsai check-folded after Kossonogi sent a bet of 20,000.

Player	Chips
OK Ori KossonogiTaiwan	1,028,000(129 BB)
MM Murly Manokharan	810,000(101 BB)
TY Tse Yueh TsaiTaiwan	325,000(41 BB)

Level 10 Blinds 4000/8000 ante 8000

30 / 49 Players Remaining

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 2:31:14 PM

Kossonogi Nearing The Million Mark

Level 9: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Ori Kossonogi

With a flop showing T♥ 8♦ 4♥ and 18,000 chips in the middle, Ori Kossonogi checked from the small blind, which Chi Jen Chen bet 10,000 from the big blind. Kossonogi dropped in a call. The 8♥ fell on the turn, and the action went check-check. The river brought an A♣, and Kossonogi fired out 47,000, sending Chen into the tank. After around 3 minutes, Chen eventually tossed his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips
OK Ori KossonogiTaiwan	930,000(155 BB)
CJ Chi Jen ChenTaiwan	90,000(15 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 2:28:04 PM

Favre Receives Pressure from Lau

Level 9: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Adrien Favre

Adrien Favre raised to 12,000 from under the gun and Jason Lau defended from the big blind. A flop ran out 6♣ A♦ 9♥, and both players checked through to see the Q♠ fall on the turn, where the action went check-check again. The river brought the 7♣, and Lau fired a barrel of 13,000, which was enough to make Favre muck the hand.

Player	Chips
JL Jason LauMalaysia	465,000(78 BB)
AF Adrien FavreFrance	300,000(50 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 2:24:37 PM

Lee Forced Chen To Fold On The River

Level 9: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Kun Han Lee

With a board running out 9♥ 3♠ 2♥ Q♠ Q♦ and around 146,000 chips in the middle, Yu Ting Chen checked over from the hijack after tanking over 2 minutes. Kun Han Lee then fired out 100,000 on the button, forcing Chen to muck the hand.

Player	Chips
YT Yu Ting ChenTaiwan	435,000(73 BB)
LK Lee Kun HanTaiwan	410,000(68 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 2:19:23 PM

Park Fires on the Turn

Level 9: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Kibum Park

Kibum Park opened from under the gun to 12,000 and received two callers – Hsuan Cheng Lai from the hijack and Ko Chia Hsiang from the big blind.

A flop ran out A♣ T♦ 6♥, and Hsiang checked to Park, who continued with a bet of 12,000. Only Hsiang dropped in a call to the K♥ turn, where Hsiang check-folded after Park sent a chunky bet of 42,000.

Player	Chips
HC Hsuan Cheng LaiTaiwan	642,000(107 BB)
PK Park KibumSouth Korea	306,000(51 BB)
KC Ko Chia HsiangTaiwan	295,000(49 BB)

Level 9 Blinds 3000/6000 ante 6000

32 / 48 Players Remaining

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 2:02:28 PM

Shung Er Sua's Cbet is Enough

Level 8: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Shung Er Sua

Baron Ha raised to 12,000 from under the gun and Shung Er Sua three-bet to 25,000 on the button. Ha stuck around to see a flop come 6♠ Q♦ 9♥, which Ha checked to Sua, who continued with a bet of 17,000, forcing his opponent to fold.

Player	Chips
BH Baron HaCanada	511,000(102 BB)
SE Shung Er SuaTaiwan	365,000(73 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 2:01:14 PM

Hsu Turns Trips of Aces

Level 8: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Kai Cheng Hsu

The action was picked up on the turn with a board showing 9♥ 5♦ A♥ A♦ and around 170,000 chips in the middle. Kai Cheng Hsu bet 55,000 from the small blind and Adrien Favre dropped in a call from late position. The J♣ fell on the river, where the action went check-check. After Hsu tabled A♠ Q♣ for trips of aces, leaving Favre no choice but to toss his cards in the muck.

Player	Chips
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	697,000(139 BB)
AF Adrien FavreFrance	413,000(83 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 1:48:20 PM

Erquiaga Heads To The Door

Level 8: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Dave Erquiaga

Dave Erquiaga opened to 11,000 on the button, and Chen Yu Hung three-bet to 33,000, which Erquiaga shoved all in. Hung snap-called to put his opponent at risk.

Player	Hand	Chips
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	A♠8♦	busted
CY Chen Yu HungTaiwan	A♥A♣	915,000(183 BB)

Board:8♠9♥Q♥J♠K♠

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 1:41:08 PM

Small Pot for Lau

Level 8: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Jason Lau

Adrien Favre limped in from early position and Jason Lau checked from the big blind. A flop came 9♦ J♣ 3♥, and Lau check-called after Favre led out for 8,000. The T♦ fell on the turn, where Lau fired 10,000, forcing Favre to muck the hand.

Player	Chips
AF Adrien FavreFrance	485,000(97 BB)
JL Jason LauMalaysia	300,000(60 BB)

Level 8 Blinds 2000/5000 ante 5000

31 / 44 Players Remaining

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 1:21:07 PM

Chip Counts at Break

Level 7: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Player	Chips
MM Murly Manokharan	935,000(234 BB)
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	640,000(160 BB)
BH Baron HaCanada	637,000(159 BB)
CY Chen Yu HungTaiwan	605,000(151 BB)
LK Lee Kun HanTaiwan	535,000(134 BB)
AF Adrien FavreFrance	502,000(126 BB)
PY Pu Yen FangTaiwan	478,000(120 BB)
PK Park KibumSouth Korea	422,000(106 BB)
EK Eisuke KatsurenJapan	380,000(95 BB)
OK Ori KossonogiTaiwan	310,000(78 BB)
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	310,000(78 BB)
TN Tang NgongHong Kong	303,000(76 BB)
AV Armon Van WijkAustralia	255,000(64 BB)
JH Jung Hyun KimSouth Korea	226,000(57 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 1:09:43 PM

Wijk's Ace High Holds

Level 7: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Armon Van Wijk

With a board showing 6♥ 2♠ 2♥ 6♣ and around 41,000 chips in the middle, Kibum Park checked over from the small blind. Armon Van Wijk also checked over from the cutoff. Both players saw the 9♠ fall on the river, and the action went check-check.

After Park showed K♥ Q♠ for king high, Wijk quickly tabled A♣ K♦ for ace high to collect the pot.

Player	Chips
PK Park KibumSouth Korea	305,000(76 BB)
AV Armon Van WijkAustralia	270,000(68 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 1:01:12 PM

Kossonogi Hands One Elimination

Level 7: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Ori Kossonogi

Ori Kossonogi raised to 8,000, and Hoang Le Anh Tuan shoved all in for 134,500, which Kossonogi dropped in a call.

Player	Hand	Chips
OK Ori KossonogiTaiwan	9♣9♥	335,000(84 BB)
HL Hoang Le Anh TuanViet Nam	A♦Q♥	busted

Board:K♦T♦6♦2♥K♣

Ori's pocket Nines held and sealed Hoang's elimination.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 12:54:23 PM

Chan's Tournament Life Ends

Level 7: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Chih Sheng Chan

One three-way all in hand just played out and resulted in on elimination at the end.

After a raise to 9,000 from under the gun, Kun Han Lee called from late position, which Chih Sheng Chan shoved all in for 56,500. Both David Erquiaga from the cutoff and Daniel Yang from the small blind also shoved all in to put Chan at risk. Lee got out of the way.

Player	Hand	Chips
CS Chih Sheng Chan	9♥9♠	busted
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	A♦T♦	453,000(113 BB)
DY Daniel YangTaiwan	A♠Q♦	55,000(14 BB)

Board:2♠8♥T♠6♣T♥

Erquiaga improved to trips of tens and sending Chan out of tournament.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 12:42:23 PM

Lau Applies Pressure on the River

Level 7: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Jason Lau

The action was picked up on the turn with a board showing A♠ Q♥ J♠ 2♠. Jason Lau from the big blind, Adrien Favre from under the gun, and Kai Cheng Hsu on the button all checked through to see the 3♣ fall on the river, where Lau fired 10,000, forcing the other two players to fold.

Player	Chips
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	620,000(155 BB)
AF Adrien FavreFrance	406,000(102 BB)
JL Jason LauMalaysia	300,000(75 BB)

Level 7 Blinds 2000/4000 ante 4000

31 / 37 Players Remaining

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 12:20:03 PM

Sanroma Chips away at Wijk

Level 6: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Pau Sanroma

A flop filled out 8♣ 8♥ Q♣, and both players checked through to see the 6♥ fall on the turn, where Armon Van Wijk bet 9,000 and Pau Sanroma called. The river brought a 2♣, which Wijk fired out 26,000. This didn’t deter Sanroma from dropping in a call. After Wijk tabled 7♠ 5♣, Sanroma showed 9♣ 9♦ and collected the pot.

Player	Chips
AV Armon Van WijkAustralia	226,000(75 BB)
PS Pau SanromaSpain	195,500(65 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 12:17:33 PM

Kim's Bluff Fails

Level 6: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

With a board showing 4♣ 2♠ 6♣ 9♦ J♥ and around 60,000 chips in the middle, Suparerk Totsaponvisad checked the action from the cutoff after around two minutes. Jung Hyun Kim then fired out 65,000 on the button, sending his opponent a tough situation. After tanking for a long time, Totsaponvisad eventually dropped in a call. Kim tabled Q♠ T♠ for a bluff while Totsaponvisad flipped over pocket 7♣ 7♠, securing him the sizable pot.

Player	Chips
ST Suparerk TotsaponvisadThailand	350,000(117 BB)
JH Jung Hyun KimSouth Korea	140,000(47 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 12:13:42 PM

Tomita Catches Favre's Bluff

Level 6: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Hidenari Tomita

Hidenari Tomita opened to 7,000 on the button and received two callers from the blinds – Adrien Favre and Eisuke Katsuren. The flop filled out T♦ 7♣ 8♦, and three players checked through to see the 9♥ fall on the turn, where was another check round. The river showed an A♠, and Favre bet 20,000, which only Tomita dropped in a call to take it to a showdown. After Favre flipped over K♠ 4♠ for a bluff, Tomita tabled A♣ 8♣ for two pair and collected the pot.

Player	Chips
HT Hidenari TomitaJapan	310,000(103 BB)
EK Eisuke KatsurenJapan	307,000(102 BB)
AF Adrien FavreFrance	218,000(73 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 12:08:25 PM

Gonzales Delivers Pressure to Hui

Level 6: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Martin Gonzales

The action was picked up on the river with a board spreading 9♥ 4♥ 2♥ A♦ 2♠ when Martin Gonzales fired 30,000 from under the gun, sending Po Yun Hui on the button into the tank. After a long time, Hui eventually tossed his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	700,000(233 BB)
PY Po Yung HuiBrunei Darussalam	201,000(67 BB)

Level 6 Blinds 1500/3000 ante 3000

26 / 31 Players Remaining

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 11:41:50 AM

Ha Chips Up Through Gonzalez

Level 5: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Baron Ha

Martin Rundulf Gonzales opened from the hijack to 6,000 and Baron Ha defended from the big blind.

Both saw a flop of Q♥ 2♥ 6♠ and checked through to the J♥ turn, where the action went check-check again. The river brought a board-pairing J♠, and Ha bet 5,000, forcing Gonzales to fold.

Player	Chips
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	605,000(242 BB)
BH Baron HaCanada	570,000(228 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 11:40:38 AM

Erquiaga Fires on the River

Level 5: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Dave Erquiaga

The action was picked up on the river with the board showing 9♣ T♦ A♣ 7♣ T♠ and around 65,000 chips in the middle. Kun Han Lee checked the action from late position to Dave Erquiaga, from the cutoff, who fired out 80,000, sending Lee into the tank. After over 1 minute, Lee finally returned his cards back to the dealer.

Player	Chips
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	350,000(140 BB)
LK Lee Kun HanTaiwan	280,000(112 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 11:33:15 AM

Totsaponvisad Receives Pressure from Favre

Level 5: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Suparerk Totsaponvisad

Adrien Favre opened to 5,000 from under the gun and received three callers – Murly Manokharan from the cutoff, Suparerk Totsaponvisad on the button, and Tzu Chun Lin from the big blind. A flop came K♠ J♦ 9♥, and Lin checked to Favre, who continued with a bet of 10,000. Only Totsaponvisad dropped in a call. The A♣ hit on the turn, and the action went check-check. The river showed 5♣, prompting a bet of 15,000 from Favre, which forced Totsaponvisad to fold.

Player	Chips
MM Murly Manokharan	400,000(160 BB)
AF Adrien FavreFrance	233,000(93 BB)
TL Tzu LinTaiwan	222,000(89 BB)
ST Suparerk TotsaponvisadThailand	180,000(72 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 11:27:18 AM

Manokharan Folds on the River

Level 5: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Murly Manokharan

Murly Manokharan opened to 5,000 on the button and Jung Hyun Kim defended from the big blind. A flop came J♥ 2♠ 3♣, and Kim checked to Manokharan, who continued with a bet of 7,500. Kim dropped in a call. The 6♦ hit on the turn, where the action went check-check. The river brought a 4♦, which Kim changed his strategy and fired out 20,000, forcing Manokharan to fold.

Player	Chips
MM Murly Manokharan	410,000(164 BB)
JH Jung Hyun KimSouth Korea	360,000(144 BB)

Level 5 Blinds 1000/2500 ante 2500

16 / 21 Players Remaining

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 11:09:25 AM

Chip Count at Break

Level 4: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Player	Chips
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	842,000(421 BB)
BH Baron HaCanada	610,000(305 BB)
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	586,000(293 BB)
MM Murly Manokharan	390,000(195 BB)
LK Lee Kun HanTaiwan	345,500(173 BB)
CS Chih Sheng Chan	340,000(170 BB)
JH Jung Hyun KimSouth Korea	335,500(168 BB)
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	322,000(161 BB)
AV Armon Van WijkAustralia	283,000(142 BB)
LS Lim Shyh ChynMalaysia	267,000(134 BB)
PY Po Yung HuiBrunei Darussalam	200,500(100 BB)
AF Adrien FavreFrance	165,000(83 BB)
PS Pau SanromaSpain	85,000(43 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 10:57:33 AM

Manokharan Rivers a Flush

Level 4: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Murly Manokharan

The action was picked up on the turn with a board spreading 6♠ J♠ 7♠ 8♥ when Murly Manokharan checked from the small blind to Yeongseon Son, from under the gun, who also checked. The river brought the 5♠, and the action went check-check. After Manokharan tabled 9♦ 8♠ for a rivered flush, Son threw his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips
MM Murly Manokharan	320,000(160 BB)
YS Yeongseon Son	260,000(130 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 10:46:12 AM

Son Applies Pressure to Gruendemann

Level 4: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Yeongseon Son

Mark Gruendemann raised to 4,000 from late position, and Yeongseon Son three-bet to 15,000 from the cutoff. Gruendemann dropped in a call.

The flop came 6♠ 5♠ 9♣, and Gruendemann checked to Son, who continued with another bet of 15,000, which Gruendemann called. The turn brought an 8♥, and Gruendemann checked over again. Son then fired a barrel of 40,000, forcing his opponent to fold.

Player	Chips
YS Yeongseon Son	275,000(138 BB)
MG Mark GruendemannIreland	150,000(75 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 10:42:16 AM

Ha's Pocket Six Stand

Level 4: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Baron Ha

Tang Chi Ngong opened to 4,000 from under the gun and received three callers – Pau Sanroma from late position, Baron Ha on the button, and Martin Rundulf Gonzales from the big blind. A flop came Q♠ 5♣ 8♣, bringing flush and straight draw possibilities, and all players checked through to see the 3♠ fall on the turn, where Ha fired out 10,000 after a string of checks from every player, which only Gonzales dropped in a call. The river brought a 4♣, and both players checked to a free showdown. After Gonzales tabled 5♥ 2♠ for a flopped pair of fives, Ha flipped over pocket Sixes, collecting the pot.

Player	Chips
BH Baron HaCanada	606,000(303 BB)
TN Tang NgongHong Kong	257,000(129 BB)
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	255,000(128 BB)
PS Pau SanromaSpain	100,000(50 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 10:30:51 AM

Manokharan Goes Aggressive

Level 4: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Murly Manokharan

Adrien Favre opened to 4,000 from the hijack and received two callers, Kai Cheng Hsu from the cutoff and Murly Manokharan on the button. A flop filled out 8♠ A♦ 6♦, which Favre and Hsu checked to Manokharan, who fired 8,000. Only Favre dropped in a call to see the 5♥ hit on the turn, where Favre check-called after Manokharan fired another barrel of 24,000. The river brought a J♥. Favre kept his strategy and checked to his opponent, and Manokharan sent another chunky bet of 25,000, sending Favre into the tank. Eventually, Favre threw his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	790,000(395 BB)
MM Murly Manokharan	252,000(126 BB)
AF Adrien FavreFrance	205,000(103 BB)

Level 4 Blinds 1000/2000 ante 2000

13 / 16 Players Remaining

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 10:06:41 AM

Hui Turns a Straight

Level 3: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Po Yun Hui

Po Yun Hui opened to 3,000 from the cutoff and received two callers from the blind – Adrien Favre and Kai Cheng Hui.

Three players saw the monotone flop show 3♥ 8♥ 6♥ and all checked through to the 4♦ turn, where Favre checked to Hsu, who then led out for 7,000. Only Hui dropped in a call. The river brought the 7♦, and Hsu fired 6,000, which Hui snap-called. Hsu swiftly tabled a flopped pair of treys with A♥ 3♣, which still couldn’t best a straight from Hui’s 7♣ 5♣.

Player	Chips
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	500,000(333 BB)
AF Adrien FavreFrance	297,500(198 BB)
PY Po Yung HuiBrunei Darussalam	257,500(172 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 9:59:44 AM

A Seven is Enough for Ha

Level 3: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Baron Ha

The action was picked up on the turn with a board showing 4♥ 5♣ 7♣ 9♥ and around 38,500 chips in the middle. Chih Sheng Chan checked from the big blind to Baron Ha from under the gun, who also checked. An 8♥ hit on the river, where the action went check-check again. Chan quickly showed 4♣ 3♣ for a flopped pair of fours, but it was not enough against a higher pair of sevens from Ha’s K♦ 7♦, securing him the pot.

Player	Chips
BH Baron HaCanada	321,000(214 BB)
CS Chih Sheng Chan	258,000(172 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 9:55:12 AM

Manokharan's King Works

Level 3: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Murly Manokharan

Baron Ha opened to 3,500 from the cutoff and Pan Sanroma made the call on the button. Murly Manokharan then three-bet to 12,000 from the small blind. Only Sanroma dropped in a call. Both players read a flop of J♣ 7♣ 4♠ and checked through to the 7♥ turn, where Manokharan fired out 10,000. Sanroma stuck around to see a K♦ fall on the river. Manokharan then bet 5,500 and Sanroma called. Manokharan quickly tabled A♠ K♥ for rivered two pair, leaving his opponent no choice but to muck the hand.

Player	Chips
BH Baron HaCanada	317,000(211 BB)
MM Murly Manokharan	233,000(155 BB)
PS Pau SanromaSpain	195,000(130 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 9:51:53 AM

Favre's Ladies Hold

Level 3: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Adrien Favre

Adrien Favre opened to 5,000 from the cutoff and Kai Cheng Hsu called from the button. Both players saw a flop of 5♦ 6♦ 3♥, bringing flush and straight draw possibilities, and the action went check-check. An 8♣ fell on the turn, where Favre bet 6,000. Hsu stuck around. The river brought a 2♦, and Favre fired a barrel of 11,000, which didn’t deter his opponent from making the call. After Favre showed Q♥ Q♠, Hsu quickly mucked his cards

Player	Chips
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	388,000(259 BB)
AF Adrien FavreFrance	270,000(180 BB)

Level 3 Blinds 500/1500 ante 1500

10 / 11 Players Remaining

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 9:28:00 AM

Pre-flop Pressure from Sanroma

Level 2: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Pau Sanroma

Kai Cheng Hsu opened to 3,000 from the cutoff and Pau Sanroma three-bet to 9,000, sending Hsu into the tank. Eventually, Hsu threw his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	395,000(395 BB)
PS Pau SanromaSpain	237,000(237 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 9:19:56 AM

Lee Receives Pressure from Manokharan

Level 2: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Murly Manokharan

Kun Han Lee opened to 3,000 from the cutoff and Murly Manokharan defended from the big blind. Both players saw a flop come 7♠ 9♦ 8♦ and the action went check-check. The 4♦ hit on the turn, where Manokharan changed his strategy and bet 5,000, forcing Lee to fold.

Player	Chips
LK Lee Kun HanTaiwan	243,000(243 BB)
MM Murly Manokharan	90,000(90 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 9:14:25 AM

Favre Chips Up

Level 2: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Adrien Favre

A monotone flop ran out K♥ J♥ 6♥ with around 5,000 chips in the middle, and Adrien Favre checked from the small blind to Kai Cheng Hsu from the big blind, who also checked the action. The board-pairing 6♠ came on the turn, and the action went check-check again. The river brought the 9♦, and both players checked to a free showdown. Favre quickly flipped A♣ 2♣ for one pair of sixes, which was enough to make Hsu muck the hand.

Player	Chips
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	415,000(415 BB)
AF Adrien FavreFrance	235,000(235 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 9:07:49 AM

Yun Out of the Field

Level 2: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

The action was picked up on the turn with a board showing 2♦ T♠ 7♦ J♠ and round 49,000 chips in the middle. Kai Cheng Hsu checked the action from under the gun, and Wu Chia Yun fried out 15,000 on the button, which Hsu put in a raise to 55,000. Yun stuck around. The 3♣ came on the river, where Hsu shoved all in after tanking for over 1 minute, and Yun called off his remaining chips to put himself at risk. After Hsu tabled T♦ T♥ for a flopped set, Yun tossed his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	422,000(422 BB)
WC Wu ChiayunTaiwan	busted

Level 2 Blinds 500/1000 ante 1000

7 / 7 Players Remaining

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 8:36:47 AM

Small Pot for Hsu

Level 1: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Kai Cheng Hsu

Po Yung Hui opened to 2,000 on the button and received two callers from the blinds – Murly Manokharan and Kai Cheng Hsu. The flop filled out J♠ 6♠ K♠, bringing flush and straight draw possibilities, and all three players checked through. The turn brought a 5♦, which Manokharan checked over, and Hsu led out for 3,500, and it was enough to make the other two players to fold.

Player	Chips
PY Po Yung HuiBrunei Darussalam	251,000(251 BB)
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	246,000(246 BB)
MM Murly Manokharan	126,000(126 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 8:34:08 AM

Hui Applies Pressure to Chan

Level 1: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Po Yung Hui

Chih Sheng Chan raised to 2,000 on the button and Po Yung Hui dropped in a call from the small blind. Both players read a flop of A♣ 7♠ 9♥, and Hui led out for 5,000. Chan stuck around to see a 6♠ hit on the turn, where Hui fired out 8,000, leaving Chan no choice but to muck the hand.

Player	Chips
PY Po Yung HuiBrunei Darussalam	268,000(268 BB)
CS Chih Sheng Chan	207,000(207 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 8:09:58 AM

Early Pot for Hsu

Level 1: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Kai Cheng Hsu

Chih Sheng Chan opened to 2,000 from under the gun and received two callers, Murly Manokharan from the small blind and Kai Cheng Hsu from the big blind.

The flop came Q♦ 8♥ J♥, and three players checked through to see the 4♥ fall on the turn, where Manokharan checked to Hsu, who then bet 4,000, forcing his two opponents to fold.

Player	Chips
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	275,000(275 BB)
CS Chih Sheng Chan	215,000(215 BB)
MM Murly Manokharan	200,000(200 BB)

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 8:03:37 AM

Cards Are in the Air

Level 1: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Play has begun, and cards are in the air for Day 1of the CTP PS Superstar Challenge. Players are now on their journey toward Day 2.

Level 1 Blinds 500/1000 ante 1000

3 / 3 Players Remaining

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto

12/22/2024, 3:21:44 AM

Superstar Challenge Day 1 Starts At 4pm

Good afternoon from a lovely day in Taipei.

Today promises more high-stakes action as Day 1 of the NTD 66,000 Superstar Challenge kicks off at 4:00 pm local time. as the series’ highest buy-in event, featuring a prize pool of NTD 3,000,000, poker elites are set to battle for both prestige and the substantial rewards on offer.

Challengers will start with a stack of 250,000 and compete through ten 40-minute levels. Blinds begin at 500/1,000 with a 1,000 big blind ante. Two 15-minute breaks are scheduled—after Level 4 and Level 7.

Registration remains open until the start of Level 13 in Day 2, around 2:35 pm on Monday, Dec 23rd. Shot clocks will be in use from the outset.

Stay tuned for the coverage of the thrilling event and find out who will step up to showcase their skills.