How Two Poker Rivals Became Friends and Main Event Champions

One prefers an early night and a disciplined routine, while the other would rather head out for drinks and keep the party going. Germany's René von Reden and Singapore's Abraham Ceesvin may have contrasting personalities, but the two APT Main Event champions have developed an unlikely friendship through their shared passion for poker.

Their story began with one of the most memorable heads-up battles in recent APT history, where von Reden denied Ceesvin his first APT Main Event title at the APT Taipei Poker Classic 2024. Rather than that defeat leading to animosity, the two have since become close friends, supporting each other through the highs and lows of tournament poker.

As the Asian Poker Tour (APT) celebrates its 20-Year Anniversary, their friendship is a reminder that the connections forged around the poker tables can prove just as meaningful as the trophies and prize money won on them.

From Heads-Up Rivals to Close Friends

René von Reden and Abraham Ceesvin heads-up for the APT Taipei Poker Classic 2024 Main Event title

For two players who have become such good friends, von Reden and Ceesvin could hardly be more different away from the tables.

The German is described as quiet, reserved and disciplined, preferring to maintain a healthy routine with morning exercise and a good night's sleep. Ceesvin, on the other hand, brings a considerably more outgoing personality to the friendship.

"Rene, ever since I met him, he's actually very soft-spoken and very laid back. I like to bring out the extrovert in him, you know," Ceesvin explained.

Their contrasting personalities make for an entertaining dynamic, but their connection was first forged through serious competition at the APT Taipei Poker Classic 2024, where the pair found themselves battling for one of the most prestigious titles on the tour.

The tournament attracted 1,991 entries, generating a TWD 86,011,200 (~USD 2.72 million) prize pool, with both players navigating their way through the enormous field to reach the final heads-up confrontation.

Ceesvin entered the duel holding the chip lead and looking to capture his maiden APT Main Event title. Standing in his way was von Reden, who had already defied expectations to reach the final two.

With a substantial difference in prize money between first and second place, the stakes were immense. Von Reden recalled the overwhelming experience of competing for such a significant sum, having attempted to negotiate a deal before the heads-up contest continued.

After approximately 90 minutes of back-and-forth action, the decisive moment arrived when von Reden made a flush holding nine-deuce of diamonds against Ceesvin's top pair.

The German ultimately emerged victorious, capturing the APT Main Event title and TWD 14,413,200 (~USD 454,000), while Ceesvin settled for the runner-up prize of TWD 7,930,000 (~USD 250,000).

For von Reden, the victory was nothing short of life-changing.

"I just 20x my bankroll at this point with this win, and so it was a really surreal feeling," he recalled.

Yet despite the disappointment of coming so close to his first Main Event title, Ceesvin would come away with something far more lasting than the result itself.

A Friendship That Came Full Circle

Ceesvin crowned an APT Main Event champion at Jeju last year

Almost a year after their dramatic encounter in Taipei, Ceesvin finally had his moment of glory. At APT Jeju 2025, the Singaporean conquered a formidable Main Event field to claim his long-awaited Gold Lion trophy and the KRW 649,835,200 (~USD 464,170) top prize, alongside an APT Championship Main Event seat.

It was a particularly meaningful victory for Ceesvin, who had come agonisingly close to winning the prestigious title on several previous occasions.

Having finished fifth at APT Incheon 2023 before his runner-up finish to von Reden in Taipei, the Singaporean's persistence was finally rewarded with the biggest achievement of his APT career. There was also a familiar face ready to celebrate alongside him.

Von Reden was among the first to congratulate Ceesvin following his triumph, having witnessed his friend's journey from the disappointment of their heads-up encounter to finally lifting the Gold Lion trophy himself.

For Ceesvin, the friendship they had developed over the preceding two years meant far more than the result of their earlier confrontation.

"I will always say this, if there's ever someone that I'm happy to lose to, it'll always be René von Reden," Ceesvin shared.

"I've gotten to know him over the past two years. He's become a good friend. It was nice last year when I won that he was there also."

Their respective Main Event victories had come at different times and under different circumstances, but the two friends had now shared in each other's greatest APT moments.

Having the Right People Around You

Cessvin and von Reden have a close relationship built on poker

While their friendship has provided plenty of memorable moments away from the tables, both players recognise the importance of having a strong support system when competing at the highest levels of tournament poker.

During deep tournament runs, even the smallest pieces of information can prove valuable, and having trusted friends watching the action can provide an additional perspective on opponents and their tendencies.

"He was really helpful. He was watching it all, updating me on hands and all," Ceesvin explained, reflecting on the assistance he received.

"These are the things that you need; you need friends to update you on certain hands so that you just try to remember a few hands that these guys are capable of doing or not capable of doing."

However, their appreciation for friendship extends well beyond exchanging information and discussing hands.

Poker can be an unforgiving game, with even the most experienced players facing difficult stretches where results do not reflect the effort they have invested. For Ceesvin, having people around who understand those challenges is essential.

"You cannot go and do it alone, even if you do your studying," he explained.

"I think you do need a circle of friends where if you run bad, you're on tilt, you can always talk to your friend. They can try to get you off tilt. So, I think support really helps. You won't see it immediately, but actually it really does help in the long run."

It is a perspective that reflects the relationship the two have built, where competition at the tables does not prevent them from offering encouragement, advice and support when it matters most.

Taking Your Shot at the APT Championship

Ceesvin playing in the APT Championship 2025 Main Event last year

Having experienced the pressure and excitement of competing for major APT titles themselves, both players understand the preparation required to succeed at a festival of the APT Championship's magnitude.

With 17 days of tournament action and some of the largest prize pools in the tour's history, the Championship presents opportunities for established professionals and aspiring players alike.

"It's a 17-day tournament series. You need to be mentally prepared, you need to be physically prepared," Ceesvin explained.

He also highlighted the significance of the USD 10,000 Championship Main Event, where the freezeout format means players have only one opportunity to make their tournament life count.

However, Ceesvin is keen to remind aspiring players that the festival offers much more than its headline tournament.

"Even if you cannot afford to play the Main Event, everybody has a path to take. There are much smaller events where you give yourself a chance and you can still win a decent bankroll."

For players hoping to follow in their footsteps, the message is simple: gaining experience, continuing to improve and taking opportunities when they arise can eventually lead to much bigger achievements.

"The current super pros, the current pros, they did the same thing 10 to 15 years ago," Ceesvin added.

His own journey serves as an example, having experienced several deep Main Event runs before eventually claiming the title that had eluded him for so long.

A Special Place in Taipei

For von Reden and Ceesvin, Taipei will always hold special memories.

It was where the pair contested their unforgettable Main Event heads-up battle in 2024, the encounter that would eventually develop into a close friendship, and a city that has since become synonymous with some of their most memorable experiences on the APT.

Beyond the poker tables, the city itself has made a lasting impression.

"I love Taipei. Maybe it's because I won, I'm a bit biased. I think it's a great city," von Reden shared, praising its affordability, food, accommodation and vibrant poker scene.

"If I had a choice, like maybe in a different life, I would actually just move to Taipei and just be there to play poker all the time."

As the APT Championship 2026 brings the poker community back to Taipei during the tour's 20-Year Anniversary celebrations, the two friends have plenty of reasons to look forward to another memorable festival.

From fierce opponents battling for a life-changing Main Event prize to close friends celebrating each other's achievements, von Reden and Ceesvin have experienced both sides of tournament poker together.

And while both have already etched their names into APT history as Main Event champions, perhaps the greatest prize they have taken away from their journeys is a friendship that began with a single heads-up battle.