U Series Of Poker heads back to Taiwan to start the year
Following its crushingly successful inaugural festival in Taipei City last February, U Series of Poker is headed back to Taiwan for another series of events on the felt. The awaited USOP Taiwan schedule lands at Asia Poker Arena, Taipei from January 5-15, bringing in TWD 40,000,000 (~USD 1,275,390) in guaranteed prize pools to start the year. Continuing its partnership with Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association (CTP), this 2024 season is set to deliver a diverse lineup of 45 trophy events headlined by a richer TWD 15,000,000 (~USD 478,270) guaranteed Main Event.
“A heartfelt expression of gratitude is extended to the unwavering and passionate supporters of the USOP family, encompassing individuals from both our immediate local community and those joining us from far-flung corners of the world. Your unwavering dedication and enthusiastic backing have been the bedrock of our success, transforming USOP into a globally recognized and celebrated poker phenomenon.”, stated USOP Chief Operating Officer, Alex Wong.
USOP Taiwan Main Event
The crown jewel of the series lights up its first of four starting flights on schedule on Thursday, January 11th, followed by three more qualifiers through to Saturday, January 13th. For a buy-in of TWD 33,000 (~USD 1,050), players will each receive a starting stack of 40,000 and course through 40 minute blind levels (25 minutes for Turbo flight), drawing the field down to ITM at 12.5%. Tournament runners are welcome to enter multiple times throughout the week with the Best Stack Forward format remaining in play. Those who make it through to Day 2 are already guaranteed a return on their investment and will find more room for play across the longer 60 minute blind levels. Day 3, slated for Monday, January 15th, will see only the final nine return to battle through, with the eventual champion claiming the title, top prize, and the 18K gold and 925 silver plated USOP Main Event trophy.
Last season’s USOP Taiwan crowned Filipino pro Edwin Dela Cruz as its first USOP Poker2U live festival Main Event champion and awarded him TWD 3,060,000 (~$100,800) in winnings for an impressive run. Dela Cruz outlasted the record-breaking 1,043 entry field and defeated local runner Jia Song Liu in heads up play to clinch the win.
USOP Taiwan Highlights
Aside from the action-packed Main Event, players of varying bankrolls will find themselves busy throughout the 11 day schedule with several events running daily. Buy-ins for the tournaments go as low as TWD 5,000 (~USD 160) to its highest being the two-day TWD 3,000,000 (~USD 95,650) guaranteed SuperStar Challenge for TWD 50,000 (~USD 1,590). This season’s festivities showcases a High Roller series, listing six high tiered buy-in events including both the exclusive Superstar Challenge and Super High Roller. Players looking to jump in on more modest events can turn their attention onto three multi day tournmaents: Mystery Bounty, Mini Main Event, and Megastack, posting guarantees TWD 3,000,000 (~USD 95,650), TWD 2,000,000 (~USD 63,770), and TWD 1,500,000 (~USD 47,820) respectively.
High Roller Highlights
- Mini High Roller: Warm Up – Guarantee: TWD 1,000,000 (~USD 31,880); Entry: TWD 50,000 (~USD 1,600)
- Superstar Challenge – Guarantee: TWD 3,500,000 (~USD 111,590); Entry: TWD 160,000 (~USD 5,085)
- High Roller: Bounty Hunter – Guarantee: TWD 1,500,000 (~USD 47,820); Entry: TWD 66,000 (~USD 2,112)
- High Roller Megastack – Guarantee: TWD 2,500,000 (~USD 79,710); Entry: TWD 100,000 (~USD 3,200)
- Super High Roller – Guarantee: TWD 2,500,000 (~USD 79,710); Entry: TWD 120,000 (~USD 3,840)
- High Roller: The Finale – Guarantee: TWD 2,500,000 (~USD 79,710); Entry: TWD 90,000 (~USD 2,880)
Another thing to tick off the list is a chance to connect with USOP’s newest brand ambassador, Kyle Bao Diep. Bao Diep is a regular across the Vietnamese tournament circuit and has since become a renowned figure in the international stage. Within the last five years, Bao Diep has amassed close to USD 200,000 in total live earnings, ringing in titles from several other tours such as the Asian Poker Tour and Vietnam Series of Poker Championship. Apart from his success on the felt, Bao Diep is “celebrated for his integrity and respect both as a player and as an individual”, reflecting USOP’s “commitment to aligning with those who embody excellence and authenticity.”
USOP Taiwan Schedule of Events
USOP Taiwan Player Packages
Tournament runners looking to take advantage of the tour’s early bird promotions still have over two weeks to register for the following packages. Stays under the centrally located 4-star Illume Taipei Hotel can be packaged with entries covering either only with the Main Event (Basic) or with the Mystery Bounty and Mini Main Event (Premium) at a higher price point. Custom packages are also available for those interested in playing other events aside from the ones listed above. Some perks of signing up under the promotion apart from the discounted rates, are exclusive USOP merchandise, and Main Event “Bubble Protection”.
While those intending to take part of the season’s High Roller festivities can look into claiming as many as 10 complimentary hotel nights at the nearby Illume Taipei Hotel should they buy-in for all six highlighted events. Pre-registering for the high roller games run at a first come, first served basis with limited availability for its first 50 purchases only.
