The Asian Poker Tour (APT) has long been a beacon for poker enthusiasts across Asia, and its commitment to inclusivity has never been more evident than in the recent APT Manila Classic 2025. This year's series not only showcased top-tier poker talent but also marked a significant milestone in promoting women's participation in the game.

A Quantum Leap in Women's Events

In a groundbreaking move, the APT Manila Classic 2025 featured a women’s event every single day of the 10-day festival, a first in the tour's history. This initiative was headlined by the brand-new APT Women's Championship, underscoring the tour's dedication to fostering a welcoming environment for female players.

APT’s Matthew Ooi emphasized the growth of women’s poker in Asia in the recent **Poker Queens** feature, stating, "Make no mistake; the women’s game is growing in Asia. As the biggest poker tour in Asia, the APT is seeing more and more women taking to the felt at every tour stop."

The numbers back this up. In 2024, 560 female players competed in APT events, making up 8.6% of the total field, nearly double the industry average of around 4%. With daily women’s tournaments now a core part of the schedule, that number is expected to rise even further.

Women Making Waves in the Main Event

Women didn’t just shine in the exclusive ladies' events—they made deep runs in the APT Manila Classic 2025 Main Event as well. Several female players navigated through a massive field, proving their skills on poker’s biggest stage.

Hua-Wei Lin, a Natural8 Ambassador, led the charge for much of the tournament before ultimately finishing 84th, earning a well-deserved cash. Seina Asagiri (139th), Nattamon Kaweesorasak (146th), Cai Xin Wong (156th), and Wipawadee Kanaraksapong (165th) also put up strong performances but fell short of making it deeper into the event.

Hua-Wei (Wei-Wei) Lin

Now, only Ngoc Huyen Quach, better known as “Gemmy”, and Hayama Miei aka Miyoung Cho remain in the hunt, making them the last two women standing in the Main Event. APT had a chance to catch up with Gemmy after Day 3 ended, where she described her deep run as “magical,” as she had never come this far in a tournament before. Having played only her second-ever Main Event, she expressed her excitement about the challenge ahead.

“I never thought I could come this far,” she admitted, adding that she was thrilled to be competing at this level. “I come here, you know, I win the event [Beat The Pros], and I come to this event by the ticket,” she shared, highlighting her journey to the Main Event by winning the Beat The Pros tournament earlier in the series.

She also spoke about the importance of confidence for women entering poker, advising, “Just take a deep breath, observe your opponents, and don’t be intimidated by their past results. Everyone has a chance.” She emphasized staying focused and believing in oneself as key factors in deep tournament runs.

Quach’s deep run is even more impressive considering how she earned her spot in the Main Event—by taking down the Beat The Pros tournament earlier in the series – you can watch her in action via the Beat The Pros live stream on the official APT YouTube channel.

Her ability to navigate tough fields has already been proven, and with a $50,000 bonus prize awaiting her if she becomes the Main Event champion, she remains highly motivated to push forward and achieve the biggest milestone of her poker career.

“If I become the Main Event champion, I will get the bonus for $50,000 USD, and that can help pay for the trophy—it’s very heavy!” she joked.

Celebrating Success Stories

Beyond the Main Event, the rise of women in poker was evident throughout the entire series. Saori Tokunaga from Japan took down a Women’s Event at APT Manila 2024, claiming PHP 140,091 (~$2,473), while the Philippines' Ma Arlene Rivera won another Women’s Event, pocketing PHP 225,168 (~$3,974).

In another historic moment for the APT, the first-ever APT Women's Championship took place, showcasing the immense talent in the field. The event culminated in a thrilling comeback victory for Yotaka Phutiya, who staged an unbelievable recovery from less than one big blind to claim her first APT title.

Phutiya outlasted a 44-entry field (31 unique players), securing the largest cash of her career with PHP 387,480 (~USD 6,587). Her resilience was even more impressive considering she had less than one year of poker experience before entering the Women's Championship.

The Philippines’ Kristine Flores finished runner-up, earning PHP 268,000 (~USD 4,556), while Thailand’s Wisinee Tanpichai rounded out the podium with a third-place finish for PHP 171,000 (~USD 2,907).

Another notable performance came from Linda Nguyen, who had already won one of the Women’s Events earlier in the series and added another deep run to her resume by finishing fifth.

APT Women's Championship Final Table

Inaugural APT Women's Championship Final Table Results

Numbers Reflecting Growth

The growth of women’s participation in poker is evident in the numbers, with 94 female players competing in the APT Manila Classic 2025 so far, making up 8.4% of the total player pool. These women have accounted for 447 tournament entries, showing a strong presence across multiple events.

Comparatively, throughout all APT festivals in 2024, a total of 560 women took part, representing 8.6% of the overall field with 3,750 total tournament entries. While the percentage remains consistent, the increase in dedicated women’s events in 2025 suggests a growing engagement, and with more opportunities to play, participation is expected to rise even further in the future.

A Bright Future Ahead

The rise of women in poker is no longer just a trend—it’s a movement. With more tournaments, more opportunities, and more standout performances, the APT is setting the standard for inclusivity in the industry.

And as Gemmy and Miei fight on as the last two women standing in the Main Event, they carry the torch for all the women proving that they belong at the highest levels of the game. Whether they make a historic final table run or not, one thing is clear—women’s poker in Asia is stronger than ever, and it’s only getting bigger.