Poker tournaments and series across the globe are meant to bring players of all kinds together, put their skills to test and prove their strategic prowess. While professional and established players participate to show their expertise and polish their skills, the newcomers often participate to make it big in the scene. Several such tournaments and series have given the poker world some of the finest players.
One such rising star is Chiehchi Liu who made heads turn and screamed his presence by gloriously taking down the TMT Championship Main Event earlier this month. The rising star in the Asian poker scene has steadily gained recognition over the years for his skill, focus, and determination at the poker table. The Taiwanese poker player has managed to impress the poker community within his country as well as in the Asian circuit.
His recent performances in series, especially TMT have caught everyone’s attention for his strategic mindset that sets him apart among up-and-coming players in Asia.
TMT Championship Victory
The first-ever TMT Championship held earlier this year crowned its Main Event champion and it was Taiwan’s Chiehchi Liu who clinched the prestigious title. He dominated the final table from start to finish. He entered as chip leader and went on to knock out six players from the final table to march towards the top spot and take it down in just over three hours.
The coveted inaugural TMT Championship Main Event kicked off on November 1 and concluded on November 5 by crowning its champion. The event was held at the Asia Poker Arena in Taipei City, Taiwan. The TMT Championship is a high-stakes edition of the homegrown Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT), which features relatively low stakes. Interestingly, Chiehchi Liu already has an impressive record at the TMT including two titles and several cashes.
Following four entry flights, the event put up a total entry field of 936 players by the close of registration. The massive player field generated a noteworthy prize pool of NTD 27,237,600 (~US$ 850,000).
From 936, just 143 players managed to make it to Day 2. All of these survivors were guaranteed a minimum payout. Finally, the field condensed to just the last 9 players on the final table. Notably, six of these nine were knocked down by Chiehchi Liu. The Taiwanese champion bagged a massive paycheque of NTD 4,538,600 ($141,433) for his top-place finish.
After his historic victory, Chiehchi Liu said, “I am champion, of course I am very happy! I only started playing poker last year in September and then I finished in 3rd place in January at the TMT Main Event. Everyone calls me a fish and saying I am so lucky. So I wanted to prove that I can play poker. And I made it! I think I am really good at it.”
Chiehchi Liu stats
Prior to his massive TMT Championship Main Event win, he had a Total Live Earnings of $66,275 in his just one year long live poker career. He started playing live games in October 2023 and shipped the very first event he played, the NT$ 600 No Limit Hold’em – Daily Deepstack at the 2023 CTP Taoyuan Weekly Tournaments ( October ) in Taipei City. His first paycheque was a humble NT$ 6,900 ($ 215).
He followed that victory with four final table finishes in 2023 ahead and then carried the momentum into 2024, notching up several podium finishes in APT tournaments in Taipei, including a third-place finish for $ 56,730 in the TMT Main Event. His first live poker title of 2024 came in July when he shipped the Daily Deepstack at 2024 CTP Taoyuan Weekly Tournaments in Taipei. He followed that with a career-best victory in the TMT Championship in January 2024.
The TMT Championship win for NTD 4,538,600 ($141,433) marked his second title of 2024 and career best score surpassing his previous best of $56,730. His previous best score had come from his third place finish at the NT$ 6,800 + 1,200 No Limit Hold’em – Main Event (Event #36) at the 15th Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) in Taipei City held in January this year.
Chiehchi Liu’s noteworthy progress in just a year reflects his talent. Additionally, his rise also highlights the broader rise of Asian poker on the global stage, wherein players from Taiwan as well as other countries in the continent are making significant leaps in the competitive poker space.
By consistently displaying his talents, skill and resilience in her gameplay, Chiehchi Liu is rapidly becoming a name to watch out for in the coming months. His success also serves as an inspiration for a new wave of players in Taiwan, aiding in strengthening the country’s presence in the poker world.
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