On November 13, 2025, at Red Space 多元商務空間, the Asia Gaming Industry Championship Freezeout will kick off festivities in style, taking centre stage one day before the official start of the APT Championship.

This exclusive pre-festival showdown serves as a gathering point for the region’s most influential figures in gaming and poker — a true poker summit designed for community, recognition, and friendly rivalry among industry insiders.

Held under the umbrella of the prestigious APT Championship, this is no ordinary side event. A championship trophy awaits the player who outmanoeuvres a field comprising casino executives, live and online poker operators, tournament organisers, media personalities, casino floor staff, celebrity players, streamers, and influencers.

A Purpose-Driven Tournament

Amplifying the excitement is a meaningful charitable component led by key stakeholders in the Asian poker landscape. The owners of APT — Daren Yoon and Michael Soyza — alongside special advisor Victor Chong have pledged a minimum contribution of TWD 500,000 to charity., while David Tai (CEO) and Raymond Wong (Director of International Marketing) from Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Club (CTP) will be donating TWD 100,000.

Should any of them cash in the event, 100% of their winnings will be donated, on top of the committed amount.

Proceeds from this event will support the Eden Social Welfare Foundation (伊甸社會福利基金會), a respected organisation founded in 1982 to champion the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups. With over 120 service centres across Taiwan and programmes extending internationally, Eden provides vital services including rehabilitation, vocational training, long-term care, early intervention, and community support.

A Rare Gathering of Industry Leaders

Beyond the competition, this championship sits at the crossroads of networking, shared passion, and industry pride. The event is the perfect opportunity to connect with peers, build new collaborations, and perhaps just have a little bit of fun before the festival’s main schedule begins.

Expect a lively mix of friendly rivalry and professional respect, where memories are made, reputations are sharpened, and the Asia poker community comes together in true summit fashion.

For those eligible, participation could not be simpler. Just present your professional credentials on the day of the event and complete your buy-in at the venue. Spaces are limited, and this once-a-year highlight promises to be an unmissable moment in the APT Championship calendar.

Q&A Corner: A Conversation with the Founders

Q1. What inspired you to create an industry-exclusive championship event ahead of the festival?

Michael: This event is about bringing together the people who have helped shape and push poker forward across Asia. We’ve all worked incredibly hard to grow the game in our respective markets, and this is a chance to celebrate those achievements shoulder-to-shoulder. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to reconnect with industry friends and peers — some of whom I haven’t seen in quite a while — and share the table in the spirit of competition and community. I genuinely can’t wait to hit the felt together.

Daren: We wanted something fun and meaningful that sets the tone before the festival begins. Bringing everyone together in one room, away from day-to-day responsibilities, creates the perfect environment to connect, learn, and enjoy the game we all care so deeply about.

Q2. How do you hope this charity initiative will shape the poker community’s culture in Asia?

Victor: For us, it’s important to show that the poker community can create a positive impact wherever we go. Yes, competition is in our DNA — we thrive on it — but we also recognise that life itself can be even more competitive and challenging for many. People struggle, and not everyone has the same opportunities. As industry leaders, we must champion the idea that poker is not only about winning at the tables, but also about supporting one another and helping those who need it most.

Michael: APT has seen tremendous success, and we believe success should be shared. Just as our tournaments have the power to change the lives of players, we also have the ability to change the lives of people beyond the felt. The poker community has grown, evolved, and matured across Asia, and giving back is part of that evolution.

David: As Taiwan continues to play a more prominent role in Asia’s poker landscape — even leading the region's journey toward legalisation — this partnership with the APT to promote a charity initiative here carries tremendous significance. It demonstrates that poker is not just a competitive sport, but a force for good. This helps strengthen the public’s perception of poker as a mind sport in Taiwan and across Asia, and shows that our community is committed to contributing positively to society.

Raymond: Honestly, I think this charity initiative is a small but meaningful step toward changing how people see poker in Asia. It’s not just a game or a competition — it’s a community. When operators, organisers, and players come together to support a cause bigger than ourselves, it shows that poker carries real social value. I hope this sparks more unity, encourages collaboration, and reminds everyone that the poker community can make a positive and lasting impact beyond the felt.

Q3. This event brings together operators, organisers, media and influencers under one roof. What do you think makes this gathering so unique compared to other poker events?

Daren: An exclusive event like this has never really been done in a competitive sense. It’s rare to see the people who build, operate, and elevate poker across Asia actually sit down and battle one another on the felt. Usually, we’re behind the scenes ensuring players have the best possible experience — but this time, we get to be the players. Bringing operators, organisers, media, and influencers together in one room gives this event a distinctive energy and purpose you simply won’t find anywhere else.

Victor: APT has always pushed boundaries, and we see this event as an important step forward for the industry. We want to encourage meaningful interaction not just between us and the wider poker network, but also among industry peers themselves. When like-minded people connect, share ideas, and challenge each other, the entire poker ecosystem grows stronger. This event is designed to spark that spirit of innovation across the community.

David: This event marks an important milestone for poker in Asia — a true union of stakeholders across the industry in one room. It goes beyond competition by fostering cooperation, friendship, and shared responsibility in shaping the game’s future. By coming together in this way, we are promoting the healthy growth of poker across the region and showcasing it as a modern, strategic mind sport. It’s a meaningful step forward for the evolution of poker in Asia.

Raymond: What makes this event special is the spirit behind it. Normally, we meet at tournaments to compete, but this time, we’re here to contribute. Everyone is stepping away from their business roles and sitting down simply as peers and friends, united by a shared passion for poker and a shared purpose to give back. That kind of genuine collaboration across the industry is rare — and that’s what gives this event its strength and meaning.