Gab Yong Kim

Day 1 of the 2025 TWD 80,000 APT Zodiac Classic has wrapped up here at the brand-new Red Space venue in Taipei, Taiwan. The richest Zodiac Classic in APT history drew a total of 626 entries (including 457 unique players), generating a massive TWD 43,770,000 (~USD 1.37 million) prize pool—more than doubling the TWD 20 million guarantee.

After thirteen levels of intense poker action, just 192 players secured their seats for Day 2. They’ll all return with their sights set on the TWD 8,222,620 (~USD 253,785) top prize and one of the most prestigious titles on the APT calendar.

Ending the day well ahead of the pack was South Korea’s Gab Yong Kim, who bagged a commanding stack of 581,500—good for a lead of around 25 big blinds over his nearest rival. While Kim has yet to capture an APT title, he’s no stranger to deep runs, having recorded podium finishes in a number of events across Asia. A dedicated NLHE tournament player, Kim will be looking to convert this strong start into a breakthrough win on the APT stage.

Zodiac Classic Day 1 Top Ten Chip Counts

Hot on Kim’s heels is South Korea’s Chang Sungya, who closed the day with an impressive 533,200 chips—putting him well within striking distance of the top spot. Just behind him is Vietnam’s Ngoc Minh Le, who bagged 521,100 to round out the podium. Both players have set themselves up nicely heading into Day 2 and will be looking to build on their momentum in pursuit of the title.

Another notable player returning for Day 2 is Alexander Wice, who recently made headlines with a third-place finish in the prestigious TWD 800,000 Superstar Challenge just days ago, earning a hefty TWD 5,113,500 (~USD 120,000) for his efforts. While he sits around the middle of the chip counts heading into Day 2 of the Zodiac Classic, Wice has already shown he can thrive against elite competition, and will no doubt be looking to build momentum as play resumes tomorrow.

Alexander Wice

Some other notable names to navigate their way through the field today include South Korea’s Jaegeol Cho (502,400), Taiwan’s Chi Jen Chu (451,200), USA’s Hye Keun Park (371,300), Singapore’s Yunxiang Lee (361,900), APT legend Lester Edoc of the Philippines (308,000), Natural8 ambassador Kunal Patni (240,800), who has had numerous deep runs in major events, Taiwan’s Hsuan-Yu Lai (303,800), and APT regular Chi Ho King Lai (280,900).

The final day of the APT Zodiac Classic kicks off at 11:15 AM tomorrow, with 192 players out of 626 entries still in the hunt for the title. The players will be aiming to reach the last 87 to secure their spot in the money, with the min-cash being set at TWD 133,000 (~$4,105).

APT Zodiac Classic Final Table Payouts

*includes APTC Main Event seat valued at TWD 350,000

The action will intensify as players vie for the top spots, with blind levels escalating every 40 minutes starting from Level 14 where the blinds will be 1,500/3,000 with a big blind ante of 3,000. With the structure in place, the excitement is sure to build as the day unfolds.

A full Zodiac Classic survivor list can be found by clicking HERE

That concludes coverage of Day 1 of the Zodiac Classic, be sure to tune back in tomorrow as we bring you all the updates, chip counts and drama from the final day!

Day 1 of the Zodiac Classic wrapped up after thirteen action-packed levels featuring some of the most notable names in the Asian poker scene. A standout event in the series, it shattered its previous high of 386 entries set during APT Taipei 2023, drawing an impressive 626 total entries. As a result, the prize pool soared to USD 1,324,664 — nearly doubling the previous mark of USD 775,055.

A full recap of this thrilling day will follow shortly.

Tom Verbruggen, in middle position, opened to 5,000 and got raised to 17,500 by Ngoc Minh Le, in the small blind. With only a few hands left in the day, Verbruggen asked Le, "You want me to call?" then jammed 17,500 in for a call.

Both players, jocundly goaded each other on the flop of 8 7 8 with Le firing another 13,500 into the pot after Verbruggen checked. Once again, the player in middle position called.

Both players checked the K turn.

After the action was passed to him, Le continued the pressure with a 19,500 bet on the river J , sending Verbruggen into the tank. He eventually called to see Le holding K K .

With a turned set Le added more chips to his already enormous chip stack making him a contender for end of the day chip leader.

Neel Joshi

Yohwan Lim raised to 5,000 from middle position and picked up calls from Dicky Tsang on the button and Neel Joshi in the big blind.

All three players checked through the J T K flop and the 9 turn.

On the 8 river, Joshi led out for 18,500. Lim quickly folded, but Tsang made the call.

Joshi tabled Q T for a turned straight, which was enough to take down the pot.

The Floor has announced that there are seven hands remaining in Day 1. Players will now battle through the last few hands before bagging up for the night.

Ujjwal Narwal raised to 3,800 from middle position, only to be three-bet to 15,000 by Tsz Hin Lou in the hijack. After a long time in the tank, Narwal shoved his stack, around 97,000, which Lou called.

Ujjwal Narwal: A 4

Tsz Hin Lou: A Q

Lou was at risk but if Narwal lost the pot, he'd only be left with a few big blinds to try and make it towards the end of the day.

The board came out: 2 8 J A 9

Lou was visibly overjoyed as he turned top pair and out-kicked Narwal, who was left with around 6,000 left in his stack.

With the second to the last level coming to a close, a lot of players were trying to build up their stacks before the days end.

Such was the case when Wonho Lee was all-in and at risk against Alex Lindop on a completed board.

Wonho Lee: Q Q

Alex Lindop: T T

Board: 7 T 5 8 3

Lee lost the lead when one of the two tens dropped on the flop giving Lindop a set.

The situation didn't change on the turn or river. Instead of an expected double up, Lee found himself heading for the door.

Action was picked up on a completed board with Teng Hoo all-in and at risk in a heads-up showdown against Pitipong Posri, with all the chips already in the middle.

Teng Hoo: A 5

Pitipong Posri: 4 4

Board: T 3 Q 5 T

Posri was ahead preflop with pocket fours, but Hoo spiked a five on the turn to take the lead. The river didn’t change anything, locking up a much-needed double up for Hoo near the end of the day.

Lester Edoc

Lester Edoc opened to 4,000 in middle position and got a three-bet from Gab Kim on the button to 12,500. Edoc made the call to see a flop.

The flop came T A 4 . Edoc check-called Kim once again after the latter bet 12,500.

On the turn Q , Kim fired a hefty 22,500 after action was passed to him once again. This time, Edoc decided to fold.

Kim was gracious enough to show that he had T T for a set on the flop.

Seunghun Ko opened to 3,000 from under the gun, with Michael Allen defending his big blind.

Ko continued for 3,000 after the dealer revealed a flop of K 4 6 , which Allen called.

The 4 landed on the turn, prompting Allen to lead out for 6,000. That was enough to get Ko to fold, and Allen took down the pot uncontested.