GOP Taipei 2026 Main Event Starts Today: Everything You Need to Know

With four days of games now in the books, the Gods of Poker Taipei: The Titan Assembly opens Day 5 with the Main Event. Running from January 12 to 17 at the CTP Asia Poker Arena, the festival's premier event carries a  NT$ 21,000,000 (~US$ 670,000) guarantee and awards the eventual champion the magnificent Black-and-Gold Gauntlet. 

If you are just hearing of the festival, GOP is Asia’s newest poker brand, that has been stirring up the felt since its debut last month. Now in Taipei for the first time, the brand continues to separate itself from the pack, driven by bold innovations and a fearless approach to redefining tournament poker. With the Main Event about to kick off, there is no better time to step into battle and experience it firsthand. 

Main Event Cronus Structure

The GOP Main Event runs from January 12 to 15 featuring its signature Cronus Structure that closes registration at the end of two levels. While this may seem quick, it’s far from rushed. GOP offers five entry flights of varying speeds to give players the freedom to choose how they want to battle. Here is a breakdown of the flights and the registration period. 

• Flight A: Level 1 & 2 (120 minutes each), Level 3 onwards (40 minutes each until ITM is reached)
• Flight B: Level 1 & 2 (90 minutes each), Level 3 onwards (30 minutes each until ITM is reached)
• Flight C: Level 1 & 2 (60 minutes each), Level 3 onwards (20 minutes each until ITM is reached)
• Flight D: Level 1 & 2 (240 minutes each), Level 3 onwards (60 minutes each until ITM is reached) - plays out over two days
• Flight E: Level 1 & 2 (60 minutes each), Level 3 onwards (20 minutes each until ITM is reached)

Longest Registration Period: Day 1D offers the longest blinds with registration levels running 240-minutes each. That's four hour blinds! Once registration ends, the pace shifts to 60-minute blind levels until ITM is reached.

Fastest Registration Period: Day 1C and Day 1E offer 60-minute registration levels making it the fastest structure. Once it closes, the blinds accelerate every 20-minutes until ITM is reached.

Slow and Steady Registration Period: Players that want a balance of both can choose Day 1A with registration levels of 120-minute blinds each or Day 1B with registration levels of 90-minute blinds each.

For all of the Main Event info, click here.

To enter, buy-in is NT$ 45,000 (~US$ 1,400), which gives players a deep starting stack, equivalent to 120 big blinds at the opening level. Players that sign up at Level 2 start with 60 big blinds. For those that push it to the last second will begin Level 3 with a decent 30 big blinds. 

*ITM is 13.5% of the field. Players must advance to Day 2 to be eligible for ITM.

Schedule:

• Flight A: January 12 at 12:30 PM, registration closes at 5:00 PM
• Flight B: January 13 at 12:30 PM, registrations closes at 4:00 PM
• Flight C: January 13 at 6:00 PM, registrations closes at 8:15 PM
• Flight D: January 14 at 12:30 PM, registration closes at 12:30 PM on January 15
• Flight E: January 15 at 6:00 PM, registrations closes at 8:15 PM
• Day 2: January 16: 12:30 PM
• Final Day: January 17: 12:30PM

Cronus Golden Window: Double Bubble Protection

For the first time, GOP introduces the Cronus Golden Window. Under the watch of Cronus, timing is everything and is rewarded with DOUBLE Bubble Protection. For those that qualify, that means, if you stone cold bubble the Main Event, you will receive a consolation prize of two Main Event buy-ins back in the form of GOP tournament credits. 

So how does one become eligible for these incentives?

Players need only to sign up before the start of Level 1 to unlock this incentive. 

If you miss that Golden Window, all is not lost. Players that sign up at Level 1 will be eligible for Bubble Protection which awards a consolation prize of one Main Event buy-in back in the form of GOP tournament credits. 

*It is important to keep in mind that protection is only available for Flight A and Flight B. 

More Reasons To Start Early

In addition to the Bubble Protection, there are a couple of other reasons to get on the felt early. At GOP, the shot clock is in effect at the start of every event. Players are given ALL of their time-bank allotment in one go with no refills at any point. 

At the Main Event, players that sign up at Level 1 receive 20 time-bank chips worth 30 seconds each. Level 2 sign ups receive 17 time-bank chips. And for last second sign ups at the break before Level 3 begins, players receive 14 time-bank chips.

A new perk was just announced. Main Event Flight A players receive a FREE Gods of Poker card deck. Supplies are limited so sign up early to get yours. 

Two Dealers At The Final Table

One of the most celebrated introductions was the use of two dealers at the Main Event final table. Yes, two dealers. No waiting time once a hand ends. Just the cut and immediate deal. 

Similar to online poker, this allows players to see more hands, have increased opportunities to make strategic moves, and keep the pace of play consistently high. 

*Two dealers will be implemented at eight-handed play. 

Livestream at CTP Twitch

Players and fans alike can watch the live action of various key events via the livestream aired in the GOP Facebook Page and CTP Twitch. 

• January 16: Main Event Day 2
• January 17: Main Event Final Day

Skip The Line

Register in advance to skip the line and dive straight into the action.

Traveler Info

Before heading out, be sure to pack a warm jacket or layered clothing, as it is winter in Taipei. Temperatures typically range from 11°C to 20°C. Maybe some gloves too. 

For first timers, getting around Taipei is a breeze but before leaving the airport, it is best to buy a SIM card if you think you will need one as these are not easy to find in the city. 

The local currency is NTD. If you need some pocket money, you can exchange at the airport. To buy-in to events, you can change at the venue. CTP Asia Poker Arena accepts five different currencies: Taiwan Dollar, USD, Euro, Japanese Yen, and Korean Won.

Traveling from the Taoyuan International Airport to the city, players can take the express train, the commuter train, the bus, taxi, or Uber. The fastest to CTP APA is via Uber which usually takes around 45 minutes. 

If you are still in need of accommodations, there are numerous options near and around the venue with all varying price points. The closest affordable hotels are Green World Hotel Grand Nanjing, K Hotels, Hamp Court Palace, and Happiness Hotel which are just a five-minute walk. On the pricier side is Hotel Mvsa which is just a few minutes on foot.

GOP Taipei Links: 

Schedule
Photos: Event
Photos: Champions