The WPF Asian Nations Cup 2025 concluded its inaugural edition after three days of structured competition at the Asia Poker Arena, from October 21 to 23, 2025. The event brought together national teams from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Korea, Thailand and Chinese Taipei, establishing the first fully realized continental team championship under the governance of the World Poker Federation.
The event was organized by the World Poker Federation (WPF) in collaboration with the Asian Poker Sports Association (APSA) and designed as a federation-led competition focused on national representation, competitive balance and long-term development. From its conception, the Asian Nations Cup was structured to reflect sporting principles such as standardized formats, cumulative scoring and team-based performance.
A Competition Built Around National Teams
Unlike traditional open tournaments, the WPF Asian Nations Cup placed national teams at the center of the competition. Each participating nation fielded a full squad of players, competing collectively across multiple formats. Points earned by individual players directly contributed to their national team’s overall standing, reinforcing the importance of coordination, preparation and depth.
This structure ensured that success was determined by consistency across the entire delegation, rather than isolated results. Throughout the event, the standings remained extremely close, reflecting both the level of play and the effectiveness of the team-based format.
Check the teams:
Competition Format and Structure
The championship unfolded over three competitive days, each designed to test different dimensions of performance.
Day 1 focused on heads-up team matches. Each national team nominated six players to compete across two rounds of heads-up play, with each victory contributing points toward the overall team total. This opening stage emphasized direct competition, decision-making under pressure and individual responsibility within a team context.
Day 2 transitioned into multi-table tournaments, beginning with a standard No-Limit Hold’em format and followed by a Head Hunter MTT, where additional points were awarded through eliminations. At the conclusion of Day 2, cumulative scores determined the top four teams, which advanced to the final stage of the competition.
Day 3, the Grand Finale, combined heads-up matches and single-table tournaments, once again requiring teams to deploy their players strategically across formats. Final rankings were decided by the total points accumulated throughout all stages, ensuring that the championship reflected sustained performance across the entire event.
Participating Nations
The first edition of the WPF Asian Nations Cup featured national teams representing:
- Japan
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Korea
- Thailand
- Chinese Taipei (host nation)
Each delegation competed under a unified framework, reinforcing the concept of national representation within an international federation environment.
Final Team Standings
After three days of competition, the final team standings were decided by minimal margins:
- 🥇 Philippines – 60 points
- 🥈 Korea – 59 points
- 🥉 Thailand – 58 points
The narrow gap between the top three teams highlighted the competitive balance of the field and the effectiveness of the cumulative scoring system. Team Philippines secured the title through consistent results across all stages, demonstrating depth and adaptability throughout the championship.
Individual Performance Recognition
In addition to team standings, the WPF Asian Nations Cup also recognized individual excellence, based on total points accumulated across all formats.
Top Male Individual Players
- 🥇 Jason Cheng (Chinese Taipei) – 51 points
- 🥈 Chane (Thailand) – 50 points
- 🥉 Tee Jia Sen (Malaysia) – 40 points
Top Female Individual Players
- 🥇 Mami Taira (Japan) – 40.5 points
- 🥈 Lancy Chan (Chinese Taipei) – 30.5 points
- 🥉 Jice Tan (Singapore) – 22 points
These results reinforced the core philosophy of the Nations Cup: individual performance gains greater relevance when evaluated within a structured, team-based competitive system.
A Model for Continental Development
The successful completion of the inaugural WPF Asian Nations Cup represents a significant step in the WPF’s broader strategy of building a unified international competitive structure for poker. By introducing a continental team championship governed by standardized rules and federation oversight, the WPF reinforces a long-term pathway for national associations and regional cooperation.
More than a single event, the Asian Nations Cup establishes a replicable model designed to strengthen continental competition, encourage federation alignment and support the sustainable development of poker within an international sporting framework.
As the first edition concludes, the WPF Asian Nations Cup stands as a concrete expression of how structured competition, national representation and international collaboration can shape the future of poker on a global scale.
