Players Series Debut in Taipei, Taiwan Just Around the Corner

With the holidays fast approaching, so is the launch of the anticipated Players Series this coming December 13-23 at none other than Asia’s largest poker room, Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association (CTP) Asia Poker Arena. A lineup of 38 trophy events is set to headline the series, bringing a combined NTD 29,000,000 (~USD 900,675) in guarantees. 

The new brand puts affordability and inclusivity first on the map, with its buy-ins ranging from NTD 4,000 (~USD 130) to NTD 66,000 (~USD 2,090). While a notch lower in terms of prices, the Players Series promises thrilling high quality competition, running in partnership with globally renowned GGPoker and Natural8. Only less than a week away before the madness kicks off, so don’t forget to save the dates!

Players Series Taipei 2024 – Schedule

Players Series Main Event

Definitely not to miss is the inaugural Players Series Main Event arriving in ten days, with its modest buy-in of NTD 16,500 (~USD 525) sure to bring a great mix of players both amateurs to pros alike. While its one re-entry per flight policy is set to encourage players to bring their A-game right off the bat, players joining the games will still have multiple chances to qualify with five starting heats available on schedule.

With already a modest price tag listed, those looking to further extend their bankrolls can do so by taking advantage of the exclusive Main Event satellites offered on Natural8. For as low as $1, tournament runners can secure entries for cheap through December 8th via the online pathway. Direct satellites post an entry fee of $70, keeping it light on the pocket for those who wish to grab their seats early!

Players Series Main Event

• Date/s: December 15, 19-23, 2024
• Buy-in: NTD 16,500 (~USD 525)
• Guarantee: NTD 15,000,000 (~USD 465,865)
• Flight A: Sunday, December 15
• Flight B: Thursday, December 19
• Flight C: Thursday, December 19
• Flight D: Friday, December 20
• Flight E: Friday, December 20
• Day 2: Saturday, December 21
• Day 3: Sunday, December 22
• Final Day: Monday, December 23

Players Series has also unveiled a new promotion just days ago where you can turn your creativity into a Main Event seat straight away. All you have to do to join the Players Series: Creator’s Challenge is to create engaging and exciting content showcasing the upcoming festival and share on social media. The top five winners will score tickets, second to fifth of which are satellite entries to the Main Event.

Key Events

Aside from the Main Event festivities, five guaranteed trophy events complement the 11-day schedule, starting from a NT$ 4,000,000 (~USD 124,230) guaranteed Warm Up Mystery Bounty right on opening day. High roller key events all feature a NT$ 3,000,000 (~USD 93,170) minimum prize pool, and run two days of play before a champion is crowned. Price points for these higher tier buy-ins are likewise set a notch lower than the norm, with its most expensive event listed on schedule, Superstar Challenge, charging a NT$ 66,000 (~USD 2,090) entry fee. 

Off-Felt Activities

Whether you’re looking to dive into the local cuisine or go sightseeing, the city of Taipei has a lot to offer, boasting a plethora of interesting stops for all kinds of travelers. Several night markets are scattered around the city that any food lover should definitely take a look at some point in their visit. Shilin Night Market, located in Shilin District, Taipei is often considered the to be the largest and most famous night market in the country with over 500 vendors setting up shop. From countless Michelin-rated food stalls, themed restaurants, endless shopping, and thrilling games, Shilin has everything you’d need wrapped up in one go.

Shilin Night Market
Address: No. 101, Jihe Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
Hours: 4pm – 12 am

Another Taiwanese favorite one should definitely give a try, is a classic bowl of beef noodle soup with its tender meat and flavorful broth, bringing warmth and comfort to the masses. A perfect place to get a taste would be at Yong Kang Beef Noodles, a short taxi ride away from APA. The establishment has been around for nearly sixty years, with its signature dish remaining to be its Braised Beef with Noodles in Spicy Broth, moderately priced at NTD 200 (~USD 6).

Yong Kang Beef Noodles 永康牛肉麺館
No. 17, Lane 31, Section 2, Jinshan South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106 (Near Dongmen MRT, Exit 4)
Tel: +886 2 2351 1051
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 3:30pm, 4:30pm – 9:00pm (Mon – Sun)

Players looking to step away from the city for a bit can go on a quick day trip to Yilan county and visit Zhang Mei Ama’s Farm. The destination is extremely popular with tourists looking for a unique experience such as getting up close with capybaras, kangaroos, and alpacas, making traditional Taiwanese foods, and harvesting local vegetables. The easiest way to get to the location is to book a day tour from Taipei via Klook/ KKday, or hire a private driver for the day from the city and visit several other spots nearby.

Zhang Mei Ama’s Farm
Address: 266, Taiwan, Yilan County, Sanxing Township, 行健溪一路二段161號
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm
Phone: +886 979 333 036

Venue

The Players Series’ debut is situated at Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association (CTP) Asia Poker Arena, Asia’s largest room to date, located in Zhongshan District, Central Taipei. The state-of-the-art 540 sqm. poker room can accommodate 65 tables at maximum capacity, equipped with automated registration and livestream facilities. APA is no stranger to hosting world-class events with several major tour stops, having called the venue its home over the past few years. International runners flying in likewise won’t have to fret with the location being a convenient 40-minute taxi ride from Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport.

Address: 10491, Taiwan, Taipei City, Zhongshan District, Section 1, Jianguo N Rd, 80號b1
Phone: +886 2 2577 0051

About Players Series

Players Series is a poker tournament organization dedicated to creating world-class poker events with a strong focus on affordability and accessibility, especially in Asia. The brand is committed to delivering high-quality tournaments that meet international standards while offering buy-ins tailored to the Asian market. At its core, Players Series is committed to integrity, fairness, and transparency in all aspects of its operations, aiming to elevate tournament poker as a respected sport.

Players Series is committed to revolutionizing the poker tournament landscape in Asia by fostering a more inclusive and accessible environment. By offering lower buy-ins and capping re-entries, we prioritize the quality of play over sheer volume. Inspired by the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and leading European tournaments, we adopt similar structures to prepare players for global competition. Our mission is to make top-tier poker experiences available to a broader audience while setting new standards of excellence in the region.