Record-Breaking Poker Event in Thailand Attracts Nearly 2,000 Participants
World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime Makes a Splash in Taiwan
After a successful debut in Thailand, the World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime is set to make its next stop in Taiwan from August 6-19. The WPT Prime Taiwan series will feature a championship event with a TWD 35 million ($1.1 million) guarantee, promising an exciting competition for poker enthusiasts in the region.
Last year, the WPT Prime Thailand Championship made its historic debut at UOB LIVE in the EmSphere Mall, Bangkok. The event marked the first time the World Poker Tour officially brought a world-class poker festival to Thailand, a significant milestone as the country was on the verge of legalizing poker and gambling more broadly.
The tournament attracted a large field of over 2,300 entries, with China's Haoran Sun emerging victorious, taking home the title and a substantial prize pool approximating USD 2.3 million. Sun's aggressive style on the final table kept opponents under pressure and chip stacks short, ultimately securing his win.
The success of WPT Prime Thailand signals that Asia's live tournament scene is getting even stronger. The event gave Thai players exposure to a global poker platform and competition against international players, boosting the local skill level and interest in poker as a professional sport.
For Sun, the victory earned him a $10,400 seat to the 2025 WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Duhan Lee of South Korea finished in third place. A memorable moment came when Sun eliminated Allen Nielsen's suited queen-jack with pocket kings, solidifying his lead.
The impact of WPT Prime Thailand on Thailand’s poker scene was profound. The event coincided with legislative changes moving toward legal gambling, showcasing Thailand as a viable and attractive venue for international poker competitions, likely accelerating the acceptance and formalization of poker in the country.
Hosting at a modern entertainment complex in Bangkok linked poker to upscale, tourism-friendly environments, supporting the envisioned casino resorts to be opened by 2030. This positioning of poker as part of Thailand’s entertainment economy is expected to provide an economic and tourism boost.
As the WPT Prime heads to Taiwan, the poker world eagerly awaits another exciting event in the heart of Asia. With the buy-in for the WPT Prime Taiwan championship event set at TWD 35,000 ($1,171), players are gearing up for a thrilling competition. Stay tuned for updates on the WPT Prime Taiwan series!
Players can anticipate a thrilling poker event in Taiwan with the WPT Prime Taiwan series featuring casino games like poker, particularly the championship event. The success of previous WPT Prime events and the growing interest in poker as a professional sport in Asia make this competition an exciting opportunity for both regional and international players.
