APT Taipei 2023

Superstar Challenge

TECH JOHN

LEE HON CHEONG

HO BAO QIANG

SINCLAIR JACK DAVID

ZHANG CHANGJIE

![APTTaipei2023_Event18_SuperstarChallenge_119.jpg](https://apt-content.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/APT_Taipei2023_Event18_Superstar_Challenge_119_b76c79ce74.jpg)

The Philippines' **John "jojo" Tech** is our **APT Superstar Challenge** champion at the **CTP Poker Room** in **Taipei**. Tech bested an elite field of 26 unique players including bracelet winner **Jack Sinclair**, Thailand all time live earnings leader **Punnat Punsri**, Natural8 ambassador **Phachara Wongwichit**, local poker superstar **Ting Yi Tsai**, Australian poker pro **Sean Ragozzini,** and Austrian poker pro **Daniel Rezaei** just to name a few among the superstars that made an appearance in the star-studded field. 

"It feels very, very nice to win because it’s been a long time since I won a trophy – it's been like three years." said Tech in his post-match interview. 

"Basically because I stopped playing tournaments for a while and was focusing on my cash game," this being Tech's first ~USD $10,000 buy-in tournament in quite some time.

The Filipino came in late, taking his seat during level nine with friend **James Mendoza**, who also played, but busted before the final table.

The event attracted a total of 33 entries including re-buys, creating a **prizepool of TWD $9,282,900 (~$301,500)**, with Tech defeating APT high roller regular **Hon Cheong Lee** to claim the lion's share of the prize pool, and the brand new APT golden lion silhouette trophy. 


"I love the new look trophies, I heard they were 24k gold plated, which is… wow! Very good, this new APT is very good!" gushed an enthusiastic Tech after claiming his tenth APT title and the **TWD $3,434,700 (~$111,500) top prize**.

**_Superstar Challenge Results_**

|Place| Full Name | Country|Prize TWD (USD)|
|-----|-----------|-----------|------|
|1| John Tech| The Philippines| 3,434,700 (~$111,500)|
|2|Hon Cheong Lee| Hong Kong| 2,367,100 (~$76,850) |
|3|Bao Qiang Ho |Singapore|1,508,500 (~$50,000)|
|4| Jack Sinclair|United Kingdom|1,090,700 (~$35,400)|
|5|Changjie Zhang |Singapore|881,900 (~$28,650)|


![APTTaipei2023_Event18_SuperstarChallenge_108.jpg](https://apt-content.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/APT_Taipei2023_Event18_Superstar_Challenge_108_9b0544830c.jpg)


This might be one of the toughest final table we will see during the **Asian Poker Tour** here in **Taipei**, with the following line-up. 


|Seat|Name          |Country|
|----|--------------|-----------|
|1   |Bao Qiang Ho  |Singapore |
|2   |Hon Cheong Lee|Hong Kong  |
|3   |John Tech     |The Philippines  |
|4   |Punnat Punsri |Thailand  |
|5   |Changjie Zhang|Singapore   |
|6   |Sung Joo Hyun |Korea  |
|7   |Yita Choong   |Australia    |
|8   |Cheng-I Yeh   |  Taiwan|
|9   |Jack Sinclair |   United Kingdom    |

First player to fall was **Punnat Punsri** from Thailand, after losing a flip early on to Hon Cheong Lee, then running into pocket kings a few hands later, Punsri was left with a short stack and busted in the hands of **Bao Qiang Ho**.

![APTTaipei2023_Event18_SuperstarChallenge_030 (1).jpg](https://apt-content.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/APT_Taipei2023_Event18_Superstar_Challenge_030_1_7300997f84.jpg)

Next to fall was **Sung Joo Hyun** who has a carreer earnings of US $1,844,415. Hyun was simply card dead and couldn't find a double-up. Hyun got last of his chips in bad with :Jc: :Tc: and lost to :Kd: :Qc:.

Then we have the only local player **Cheng I Yeh**, who was one of the short stacks coming in to the final table. Just like Hyun, Yeh failed to get much going and soon found himself in a bad all in situation and lost to the eventual winner, John Tech.

**Yita Choong** from Australia was our bubble boy. Choong went all in with only a few blinds left, but ran into the pocket jacks of Bao Qiang Ho who flopped a set leaving the Aussie dead in the outback. 

![APTTaipei2023_Event18_SuperstarChallenge_114.jpg](https://apt-content.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/APT_Taipei2023_Event18_Superstar_Challenge_114_a6e144c76d.jpg)

After the bubble burst, Bao Qiang Ho went on a heater and won five hands in a row to take the chip lead. 

**Changjie Zhang** from Singapore busted in fifth place for **TWD $881,900 ($28,650)**. Just like Choong, the bubble boy, Zhang ran into pock jacks which also flopped a set. However, Zhang topped his best career winning which was the **APT High Rollers** here at **APT Taiwan** back in 2019 for **TWD $859,500 (~$27,905)**.

**Jack Sinclair**, a bracelet winner and easily the most decorated poker player in the field, came fourth for a prize of **TWD $1,090,700 ($35,400)**. Sinclair's advanced poker skills left a mark on everyone who played with him today, his final hand was started with a limp pre-flop by Hon Cheong Lee, a move only he has done before on this final table. And Lee used it against him.

![APTTaipei2023_Event18_SuperstarChallenge_106.jpg](https://apt-content.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/APT_Taipei2023_Event18_Superstar_Challenge_106_96f1785b9d.jpg)

After Sinclair's departure, Tech took a commanding chip lead after winning a crucial hand against Lee. With this momentum going, he was able to bring this match to heads-up after busting Bao Qiang Ho with pocket aces.

Bao Qiang Ho took home **TWD $1,508,500 ($50,000)** for his third place finish. Ho also topped his best career winning here today, so not a bad day for the Singaporean.

Heads-up between Hon Cheong Lee and John Tech only lasted eight hands, Lee lost to a nut straight of Tech in his final hand when his all in was snap-called by Tech. Lee, who is a high roller specialist, is taking home **TWD $2,367,100 ($76,850)** for his effort. 

The Main Event flight A was also wrapping up just around the same time John Tech lifted his trophy. A massive turn out of 437 entries for the Main Event, Flight B will be starting tomorrow at 12:00pm.

Congratulation to all the superstars who made the money and we will provide coverage for the main event tomorrow.

This live report is bought to you by [lifeofpoker.com](https://lifeofpoker.com/).






John Tech Wins the APT Superstar Challenge For TWD $3,434,700 (~USD $111,500)

#78 : Preflop it was Hon Cheong Lee that limped his small blind. John Tech checked his option.

The flop came :7h: :6d: :Js:, what made Lee min-bet. Tech bumped up the prize to 205,000 and Lee made the call. The :5d: turn delivered real fireworks as Lee checked to Tech who now betted out 300,000. Lee came over the top all-in and Tech snap-called.

Tech got out of his chair while he flipped open :8d: :9h: for the nuts. Lee showed :Kh: :6c: and he was drawing dead to Tech's hand. The :Ad: made no difference already and Tech loudly cheered. 

Hon Cheong Lee's amazing run ended in 2nd place winning **TWD $2,367,100 ($76,850)**.
![APTTaipei2023_Event18_SuperstarChallenge_039.jpg](https://apt-content.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/APT_Taipei2023_Event18_Superstar_Challenge_039_414dd590a5.jpg)

Hon Cheong Lee Finished in 2nd place ($76,850)

#70 First hand into the heads-up match and it's a friendly start, untill the flop at least. It came :Ks: :8c: :8s: and Tech took it down with a bet.

#71 Both players went to the flop again without a raise and saw a flop of :Ac: :3d: :5h:. Lee bet 80,000 in position and won the pot.

#72 Tech opened for the first time during this heads-up and won the pot.

#73 Lee has yet to opened and both players saw a flop of :Kh: :5h: :6d:. Both players went on to check the rest of the way with the :Ac: :Qd: completing the board. Tech won with :7s: :5c:.

#74 Tech limp and Lee won with an all in.

#75 Lee limped once again and Tech raised to 205,000, Lee called. Flop :4h: :Td: :9c:, Tech won with a single bet.

#76 Lee got a walk.

#77 Tech checked his option when Lee limped and on a flop of :Kd: :2d: :6s:, Lee took it down with a bet.


Heads Up!

#69 The action started with a limp from Hon Cheong Lee, John Tech from the small blind limped as well, but Bao Qiang Ho from the big blind spiced it up as he announced all-in. Lee quickly folded, but Tech called already with a little smile on his face.

Tech was holding :Ac: :Ad: for the bullets and saw he competed against Ho's :4h: :4c:.

The board ran out very clean for Tech :9s: :Qd: :Th: :9c: :Kc: ending the tournament life of Bao Qiang Ho. The great run from Ho ended in 3rd place cashing **TWD $1,508,500 ($50,000)**.

![APTTaipei2023_Event18_SuperstarChallenge_094.jpg](https://apt-content.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/APT_Taipei2023_Event18_Superstar_Challenge_094_e18fff267b.jpg)

Bao Qiang Ho Busted in 3rd ($50,000)

#63 Lee jammed and won the blinds.

#64 Lee got a walk.

#65 Lee won the blinds again by an all in. He has about 800,000 now.

#66 Lee went all in again and got action from Ho. Lee: :2s: :2c: Ho: :Ad: :5h:. Board came :Td: :8d: :4s: :4d: :Js:. Lee's pocket deuces held and is back in the game.

#67 Tech opened to 125,000 on the button and Lee made the call from the big blind. Flop :8c: :Qh: :5h:, Tech's c-bet of 60,000 got raised to 225,00 and he folded immediately.

#68 Lee completed the small blind and Tech checked his option. Flop :Qc: :5d: :8s:, Tech won the pot by betting 80,000.


Lee Surviving 

#62 Hon Cheong Lee raised to 210,000 from the small blind and John Tech made the call from the big blind.

The flop came :5d: :7d: :Ks:, Lee's c-bet of 200,000 got called.

Both players saw a :2s: on the turn. This was a sign for Lee to put out a big stack of chips worth 600,000. Tech was staring him down before making yet another call.

The :7h: on the river made Lee check. Tech took over the action betting 1,380,000. Lee threw in a single chip indicating a call and soon see the bad news of Tech's holding : As: :7c:.

John "Jojo" Tech now has 80% of the chips in play.

![APTTaipei2023_Event18_SuperstarChallenge_097.jpg](https://apt-content.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/APT_Taipei2023_Event18_Superstar_Challenge_097_4abab7ac9c.jpg)

Tech In a Commanding Lead

#60 Hon Cheong Lee limped from the button, a move only done by Sinclair on this final table so far. Tech went out of the way from the small blind, but the Brit jammed over the top all-in, Lee snap-called.

Sinclair showed :4s: :4c: while Lee had him crushed holding :Qh: :Qd:.

The :Qc: in the window let Sinclair say: "That does it". Other flop cards were the :Jc: :5h:, what meant no help for Sinclair. On the :Jd: it was all over for the British WSOPE Main Event bracelet winner.

The dealer counted out 1,330,00 and Lee had him covered.

Jack Sincair busted out in 4th place for **TWD $1,090,700	($35,400)**.

![APTTaipei2023_Event18_SuperstarChallenge_075.jpg](https://apt-content.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/APT_Taipei2023_Event18_Superstar_Challenge_075_8dc1e964e7.jpg)

Jack Sinclair Eliminated in 4th ($35,400)

#52 Jack Sinclair got a walk first hand after the break.

#53 Lee opened to 120,000 and Ho on the big blind called. The two players chopped on :Qs: :9h: :5s: :Th: :5c: after they checked all the way.  Ho: :Ac: :4d: Lee: :Ah: :4h:

#54 John Tech opened to 125,000 and won the blinds.

#55 John Tech got a walk.

#56 Lee opened to 120,000 on the button, Tech 3-bet from the small blind and took this one down.

#57 Sinclair and Ho from the blinds went to the flop of :Qh: :9h: :5s: without a raise, Sinclair then led for 60,000 and Ho called. Turn :7c:, both players checked. River :Ks: and Sinclair bet 80,000 got called, then showed :Ah: :9s: to win the pot.

#58 Tech opened and won the blinds.

#59 Ho opened to 120,000 on the button and Lee went all in from the small blind, everyone folded to him.

#60 Hon Cheong Lee busted, more details above.

#61 Ho completed the small blind and Lee checked his option. Flop :5c: :Tc: :Ts: and Ho won with a single bet.



Tech the Table Captain

| Name | Chip Count |
| ----------- | ----------- |
| Bao Qiang Ho|2,750,000   |    
| John Tech|2,250,000   |    
|Hon Cheong Lee | 1,300,000   |    
|Jack Sinclair |  1,125,000  |    


Last 4 Chip Counts

The players are on a 15-minute break.

This live reporting blog is brought to you by [lifeofpoker.com](https://lifeofpoker.com/).