Finished

Paradise City Incheon

South Korea, Incheon

APPT Korea 2026

2026.09.03 - 2026.09.14 Add to Calendar

Asia Pacific Poker Tour

Updates Chip Counts Info

Blind level

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Entries

1/782

Total Chips

23,460,000

Average

23,460,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 1:59:01 PM

Hirotaka Fukatsu Wins APPT Korea Main Event for KRW 218 Million ($161,000) – More Than Ten Times His Previous Best

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Hirotaka Fukatsu

Japan's Hirotaka Fukatsu has won the APPT Korea Main Event at Paradise City Incheon, defeating Xueying Zhao heads-up to claim the top prize of KRW 218,166,000 (~USD 160,788), the iconic APPT Shard trophy, and an APPT Manila Championship package.

Fukatsu outlasted a 782-entry field, climbing from near the bottom of the final day chip counts to become champion, winning more than ten times his previous best live cash in the process.

Zhao, who had already finished runner-up in the APPT National earlier in the series, came within touching distance of becoming only the second woman to win an APPT Main Event title. She secured KRW 136,460,000 (~USD 100,571) as runner-up.

Tong Mu of the United States, who had led the final day chip counts, exited in third for KRW 97,300,000 (~USD 71,710) after his pocket aces were cracked by Zhao's set of kings in a brutal cooler.

Final Table Results

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
1	HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	218,166,000	$160,788
2	XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	136,460,000	$100,571
3	TM Tong MuUnited States of America	97,300,000	$71,710
4	TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	75,190,000	$55,415
5	MS Maxim SorokinRussia	57,840,000	$42,628
6	CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	44,500,000	$32,796
7	DF Daijiro FukuokaJapan	34,230,000	$25,228
8	SH Soichiro HayashiJapan	26,330,000	$19,405
9	AT Andrew Tomoya MatahiraJapan	20,250,000	$14,924

Fukatsu: "It Still Feels Unbelievable"

Speaking through a translator after his victory, Fukatsu admitted the magnitude of the result had not yet sunk in.

"It feels unbelievable, so I think from here on out it'll gradually start to hit me that I actually won. But right now, it still feels unbelievable."

Fukatsu entered the final day 9th of 14 players with just 1,090,000 chips, not too far from the bottom of the counts. He described his approach as focused entirely on the hand in front of him rather than any broader strategy.

"Rather than focusing on winning or trying to get as much prize money as possible, I was just focused on facing and playing each hand right in front of me, one by one."

When asked whether there was a defining moment where he felt he could win, Fukatsu was characteristically measured.

"To be honest, there wasn't really a specific moment where I felt 'I might win this.' Chips going up and down before you even realize it is just a typical thing in poker. I just tried to apply what I've learned and studied one by one, faced the game seriously, and as a result, I ended up winning."

On the prize money, Fukatsu had yet to make any plans.

"I haven't thought about that at all yet. But I do plan to keep playing poker in the future, so while continuing to devote myself to poker, I want to keep working hard every day so I can win or place high in big events like this again."

Fukatsu and Head of Live Events for Asia, Lorie Ann Torre Lagrosas

Final Day Action

Fourteen players returned for the final day with Tong Mu leading the counts on 3,485,000, Zhao third on 2,550,000, and Fukatsu ninth with just 1,090,000. Jae Kyung Sim began on life support with 135,000.

The first eliminations came quickly. Sim was forced all in with five-three and ran into Yuki Kawamoto's king-queen, which made two pair on the runout. Kohei Ikeda followed when his ace-nine lost to Taisuke Niina's ace-six, Niina pairing his six on the flop.

Hiroki Taniguchi

Fukatsu then got the double he needed, three-bet shoving pocket queens into Yuma Tominaga's pocket tens and holding.

A three-way pot shortly after ended Tominaga's run in 12th, his tens beaten by Daijiro Fukuoka's ace-jack two pair, with Fukuoka tripling up and Tong Mu taking the side pot.

Yuki Kawamoto departed in 11th, his ace-five open-ender no match for Niina's pocket queens, and Hiroki Taniguchi fell on the final table bubble when his sixes were counterfeited on the river by Niina's king.

The Final Table

L-R: Tong Mu, Maxim Sorokin, Soichiro Hayasho, Taisuke Niina, Andrew Matahira, Hirotaka Fukatsu, Xueying Zhao, Chao Ting Cheng, Daijiro Fukuoka

Mu doubled through Sorokin with pocket jacks to open the final table before Andrew Matahira became the first final table casualty in ninth, ace-king beaten by Sorokin's sevens.

Fukatsu then took the chip lead when he turned two pair with king-queen against Soichiro Hayashi's pocket aces on a queen-high board, and Hayashi called off his stack on the turn and found no help on the river, exiting in eighth.

Daijiro Fukuoka

Daijiro Fukuoka then produced one of the day's most remarkable sequences. He lost a flip to Mu to fall to just 215,000 before posting his big blind and being left with 15,000 chips. He committed the last of it with eight-four, found an eight in the door, and doubled.

He doubled again the very next hand through Fukatsu with jack-ten against jack-four. Back from the dead twice consecutively, Fukuoka eventually ran his pocket tens into Fukatsu's turned straight to bust in seventh.

Chao Ting Cheng conjuring up quads

Chao Ting Cheng asked for three eights as the dealer ran out the board from his last 100,000, and received them, flopping trips and turning quads. The miracle only delayed the inevitable; Cheng busted in sixth when all three players got it in and Sorokin rivered a flush.

Sorokin himself fell in fifth shortly after, first doubling Niina when his flush draw missed, then losing his remaining chips to Mu's rivered flush. Niina's run ended in fourth when he jammed into Fukatsu's pocket jacks and received no help.

Three-Handed

Zhao doubled through Mu when her ace-jack made a river flush against his ace-ten, then came the hand that ended Mu's tournament.

He four-bet jammed his pocket aces into Zhao's three-bet with kings, but a king on the flop gave Zhao a set and left Mu drawing dead. Mu departed in third for KRW 97,300,000 (~USD 71,710).

Heads-Up

Heads-up began with Fukatsu holding just under a 2:1 chip lead. Zhao won a large pot by shoving the turn and forcing a fold, bringing the stacks close to even.

Fukatsu reasserted himself by check-calling three streets before Zhao turned over ten-nine for air against his paired ace, taking his biggest lead of the match.

Zhao came tantalisingly close to an APPT title for the second time this series.

Zhao twice doubled from near-zero, first with king-five finding a five on the flop, then with seven-five flopping two pair, but Fukatsu quickly clawed back both times.

The end came when Zhao moved all in with queen-six and Fukatsu called with king-ten. The turn gave Fukatsu trips and Zhao could not find the miracle she needed. Fukatsu was champion.

Fukatsu closes it out

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 1:05:01 PM

Hirotaka Fukatsu Wins APPT Korea Main Event for KRW 218,166,000 (~USD 160,788)

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

After taking the chip lead around halfway through the Final Table, Hirotaka Fukatsu has defeated Xueying Zhao heads-up to win the APPT Korea Main Event for a career-best KRW 218,166,000 (~USD 160,788)!

He also wins the iconic Shard trophy, plus an APPT Manila Championship package worth KRW 5,700,000.

Stay tuned for a recap of the day's action and some words from the winner.

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
1	HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	218,166,000	$160,788

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 1:04:16 PM

Xueying Zhao Eliminated in 2nd Place for KRW 136,460,000 (~USD 100,571)

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Xueying Zhao

After chipping back down to just under two million, Xueying Zhao moved all in on the button and Hirotaka Fukatsu called to put her at risk.

Xueying Zhao: Q♠ 6♣

Hirotaka Fukatsu: K♥ T♥

The Q♥ 5♥ T♠ flop improved both players, pulling Zhao ahead with a pair of queens but giving Zhao a pair of tens and a flush draw for a major sweat.

The T♣ turn vaulted Fukatsu into the lead with trip tens to leave Zhao drawing to two outs. However, no miracle came on the 8♦ river - eliminating Zhao in second place and putting an end to the Main Event.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	23,400,000(94 BB)	2,100,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
2	XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	136,460,000	$100,571

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 12:56:04 PM

Down and Up for Zhao

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Xueying Zhao

Xueying Zhao couldn't seem to catch a break for the last dozen hands or so.

In a short space of time, Zhao slipped from around 20 big blinds down to 2 - and then recovered back up to 10 with two crucial double ups.

There was no key moment where Zhao lost a lot - just a lot of pots where she lost a little. Opens that were three-bet and folds, check-raises on the flop, and simple open-jams by her opponent that she couldn't call.

On a couple of occasions Hirotaka Fukatsu showed her the premium's he'd been getting - from ace-queen to pocket kings.

"Why do you keep getting hands? she asked in frustration.

Her stack was eventually whittled down to around 500,000, when she got it in with king-five versus Fukatsu's queen-nine. A five on the flop kept her best, and she faded a flush draw and a series of outs to score the double back to around a million.

A second double occurred when she got it in with seven-five offsuit (possibly not GTO approved) and Fukatsu called with queen-six. Two pair on the flop for the Chinese player, and she faded a straight draw to score another double up to a slightly more manageable stack.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	21,300,000(85 BB)	3,200,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	2,100,000(8 BB)	-3,200,000

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

75 minutes

Remaining Players: 2/782

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 12:33:19 PM

Fukatsu Pulling Away After Calling Zhao's Bluff

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Hirotaka Fukatsu

Xueying Zhao raised to 400,000 on the button and Hirotaka Fukatsu defended his big blind.

Fukatsu proceeded to check-called bets from Zhao on every street. First for 400,000 on the K♦ 8♣ 5♣ flop, then for 800,000 on the A♥ turn, and finally for 1,500,000 after the 7 completed the board.

Zhao could only show T♠ 9♥ for a stone bluff and Fukatsu revealed A♠ 4♠ for a pair of aces to claim the pot and secure his biggest chip lead of the match so far.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	18,100,000(91 BB)	2,300,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	5,300,000(27 BB)	-2,300,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 12:25:14 PM

Fukatsu Back in Front

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Hirotaka Fukatsu

Despite Xueying Zhao clawing back some chips to start evening out the stacks, Hirotaka Fukatsu isn't relinquishing the lead that easily.

The first hand saw Zhao gain around 1,000,000 after a second barrel of 900,000 forced a fold from Fukatsu on the turn.

Button Zhao then raised to 600,000 before folding to Fukatsu's shove, after which he tabled pocket queens.

A couple of hands later Zhao raised to 500,000 and Fukatsu called. Both checked the Q♠ 7♠ 5♠ flop to the T♥ turn, where Fukatsu check-called Zhao's 400,000 bet.

The T♠ landed on the river and both checked, with Fukatsu tabling 8♣ 7♦ for a pair, which was good for the pot.

Fukatsu then limped and Zhao checked, with both players checking down the entire 3♦ T♣ Q♥ A♥ A♦ runout. Zhao showed J♠ 6♥ but was bested by Fukatsu's K♠ 8♠.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	15,800,000(79 BB)	2,400,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	7,600,000(38 BB)	-2,400,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 12:05:44 PM

Zhao Forces a Fold From Fukatsu

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Xueying Zhao

Xueying Zhao limped on the button and Hirotaka Fukatsu checked his option.

Fukatsu check-called a 300,000 bet from Zhao on the 9♣ 4♦ 7♠ flop and then check-raised to 1,800,000 after Zhao barreled for 700,000 on the T♦ turn.

Undeterred, Zhao announced she was all in, which was met with a snap-fold from Fukatsu.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	13,400,000(67 BB)	-1,600,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	10,000,000(50 BB)	1,625,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 11:13:01 AM

Heads Up!

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

The APPT Korea Main Event is now heads-up, with Xueying Zhao and Hirotaka Fukatsu the last two competitors standing after outlasting 782 entries.

Fukatsu has just under a 2:1 chip advantage, but it's still anyone's game as the players battle it out for the top prize of KRW 218,166,000, the iconic Shard Trophy and title, and the APPT Championship Package.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	15,000,000(75 BB)	1,500,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	8,375,000(42 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 11:08:00 AM

Tong Mu Eliminated in 3rd Place for KRW 97,300,000 (~USD 71,710)

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Tong Mu

In the first hand after the break, Tong Mu opened from the button before Xueying Zhao three-bet to 800,000 from the big blind. Mu then four-bet shoved and Zhao snapped it off:

Tong Mu: A♥ A♠

Xueying Zhao: K♠ K♣

Mu was in great shape to double, but a king on the K♥ 7♦ 9♦ flop was disastrous, giving Zhao a set and leaving Mu playing catch up.

No help came on the 6♦ 5♦ turn or river and Mu was eliminated in a sick cooler.

Player	Chips	Progress
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	8,375,000(42 BB)	2,675,000
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	busted	-2,000,000

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
3	TM Tong MuUnited States of America	97,300,000	$71,710

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

75 minutes

Remaining Players: 3/782

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 3/782

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 10:47:08 AM

Zhao Takes From Fukatsu

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

Hirotaka Fukatsu raised to 480,000 from the small blind and Xueying Zhao called in the big blind.

Fukatsu check-called a 320,000 bet from Zhao on the 4♥ 7♥ J♦ flop and then both players checked on the Q♣ turn and Q♠ river.

Fukatsu turned over A♥ 5♥ and Zhao revealed A♣ 7♣ for queens and sevens to claim the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	13,500,000(84 BB)
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	6,500,000(41 BB)	1,350,000
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	2,000,000(13 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 10:29:10 AM

Taisuke Niina Eliminated in 4th Place for KRW 75,190,000 (~USD 55,415)

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

Taisuke Niina

Small blind Taisuke Niina jammed his ~3,700,000-chip stack into table chip leader Hirotaka Fukatsu, who evidently woke up with a hand and snapped off the call:

Taisuke Niina: 3♥ 3♠

Hirotaka Fukatsu: J♦ J♠

Niina was in rough shape, needing to hit a three to stay alive.

The 7♦ 2♣ 9♠ flop was of little use, as was the 2♦ turn, leaving Niina still looking for a three.

The A♣ river sealed his elimination in fourth place and added yet more chips to Fukatsu's massive stack.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	13,000,000(81 BB)	2,900,000
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	busted	-3,300,000

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
4	TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	75,190,000	$55,415

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 10:23:38 AM

Zhao Doubles Through Mu

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

Xueying Zhao

Xueying Zhao moved all in for her last 2,325,000 from the small blind and Tong Mu took a peek at his hole cards before saying, "Book says it's a call." He then placed calling chips into the middle from the big blind to put Zhao at risk.

Xueying Zhao: A♥ J♠

Tong Mu: A♠ T♦

Zhao had Mu dominated, and the J♥ 9♥ 3♦ 2♥ 4♥ runout left Zhao best with a flush for the double-up.

Player	Chips	Progress
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	4,800,000(30 BB)	2,400,000
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	2,050,000(13 BB)	-1,400,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 10:18:05 AM

More for Fukatsu

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

Xueying Zhao

Hirotaka Fukatsu raised to 320,000 from the button and small blind Xueying Zhao made the sole call.

Zhao check-called Fukatsu's 240,000 continuation-bet following the K♠ Q♠ 7♣ flop.

Both checked the T♠ turn to the 2♠ river, where Zhao led for 350,000. Fukatsu put his big stack to work and raised to 1,600,000, and after Zhao had tanked for a short while, she mucked her cards.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	10,100,000(63 BB)	800,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	2,400,000(15 BB)	-750,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 10:09:46 AM

Maxim Sorokin Eliminated in 5th Place for KRW 57,840,000 (~USD 42,628)

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

Maxim Sorokin

Maxim Sorokin opened the button before calling small blind Taisuke Niina's three-bet shove for 2,805,000:

Taisuke Niina: A♣ Q♣

Maxim Sorokin: A♦ 8♥

Despite the Russian player picking up a flush draw on the 5♥ J♣ 4♥ T♥ flop and turn, the 9♦ river bricked and Niina's ace-queen was best, awarding a huge double through Sorokin.

Not too many hands later, Sorokin got his remaining 540,000 in and Tong Mu put in the call:

Maxim Sorokin: A♣ T♣

Tong Mu: 6♥ 5♥

Mu flopped a straight flush draw on the 4♥ 7♥ Q♣ flop, and whilst the straight didn't come in, the flush did, with the J♥ landing, leaving Sorokin drawing dead and ending his Main Event run in fifth place.

Player	Chips
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	3,300,000(21 BB)
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	3,200,000(20 BB)
MS Maxim SorokinRussia	busted

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
5	MS Maxim SorokinRussia	57,840,000	$42,628

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

75 minutes

Remaining Players: 5/782

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 9:52:49 AM

Updates Counts

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

The action has been a bit muted, as of late, with most pots being settled either preflop or to a single bet postflop.

Maxim Sorokin has bled some chips, while Xueying Zhao and Taisuke Niina have chipped up.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	9,300,000(78 BB)	-1,200,000
MS Maxim SorokinRussia	3,350,000(28 BB)	-2,650,000
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	3,300,000(28 BB)	1,000,000
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	3,200,000(27 BB)	550,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	3,150,000(26 BB)	1,050,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 9:28:15 AM

Fukatsu Extends His Lead

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

Taisuke Niina

Hirotaka Fukatsu raised to 240,000 from under the gun and big blind Taisuke Niina defended.

The dealer fanned the 6♦ Q♥ 8♣ flop and Niina check-called Fukatsu's 180,000 continuation-bet.

Both checked the 5♥ turn to the 3♠ river, where Niina led for a hefty 750,000.

Fukatsu didn't take too long to put in the call, with Niina turning over K♥ 4♣ for not much of anything, whilst the chip leader extended his lead with Q♦ T♣ for a pair of queens.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	10,100,000(84 BB)	1,300,000
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	2,300,000(19 BB)	-550,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 9:01:49 AM

Chao Ting Cheng Eliminated in 6th Place for KRW 44,500,000 (~USD 32,796)

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

Chao Ting Cheng

Chao Ting Cheng shoved for his last 400,000 from the hijack and was called by Tong Mu in the cutoff. Maxim Sorokin then shoved for 2,690,000 on the button and it was folded back to Mu, who verified the amount and then stuck in a call to put both players at risk.

Chao Ting Cheng: K♦ J♦

Maxim Sorokin: A♥ K♣

Tong Mu: A♣ K♥

Cheng began calling for a jack after seeing he was against a pair of Big Slicks, but the 6♥ 8♥ 7♥ flop made Sorokin a solid favorite with his ace-high flush draw.

The 7♣ turn changed nothing, but the T♥ river filled Sorokin's draw - awarding him the massive pot and eliminating Cheng in sixth place.

Player	Chips	Progress
MS Maxim SorokinRussia	6,000,000(50 BB)	3,800,000
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	2,650,000(22 BB)	-2,250,000
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	busted	-500,000

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
6	CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	44,500,000	$32,796

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

75 minutes

Remaining Players: 6/782

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 6/782

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 8:52:10 AM

Cheng Asks for Quads, Gets It

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Chao Ting Cheng

Reduced to his last 100,000, Chao Ting Cheng committed his last chips after Hirotaku Fukatsu shoved from early position:

Chao Ting Chen: K♦ 8♠

Hirotaku Fukatsu: K♣ Q♠

"Eight, eight, eight," Cheng said just before the dealer fanned the 8♣ A♦ 8♦ flop, granting him two of his three wishes.

"Eight," Cheng said again, just before the dealer peeled the 8♥ turn card, giving him quads, to the shock of the table.

Cheng secured a life-saving double after the inconsequential 4♦ hit the river, although probably wishing such luck had come at an earlier time.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	8,800,000(88 BB)	-200,000
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	500,000(5 BB)	400,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 8:46:35 AM

Mu Reduces Cheng to Crumbs

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Tong Mu

Tong Mu opened to 200,000 from under the gun and big blind Chao Ting Cheng defended.

Cheng fired 200,000 on the 2♥ 4♦ 7♠ flop and Mu stuck around.

On the 7♣ turn, Cheng fired again for 350,000 and received a call.

The Q♣ river completed the board and Cheng moved effectively all-in for 1,070,000, leaving behind 100,000. Mu thought for a couple of minutes before eventually tossing in the call.

Cheng tabled 9♦ 8♥ for a bluff, but it was Mu's A♠ 9♠ for ace-high, which was good for the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	4,900,000(49 BB)	1,500,000
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	100,000(1 BB)	-2,520,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 8:31:25 AM

Fukuatsu Continues to Climb

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Hirotaka Fukatsu

Hirotaka Fukatsu raised to 250,000 from the small blind and Xueying Zhao defended her big blind.

Both players checked on the J♥ 6♣ J♠ flop and then Fukatsu check-called a 350,000 bet from Zhao on the 5♥ turn.

The 6♦ double-paired the board on the river and action checked through.

Fukatsu tabled A♥ T♠ and Zhao sent her cards into the muck, extending Fukatsu's chip lead.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	9,000,000(90 BB)	300,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	2,100,000(21 BB)	-400,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 8:10:41 AM

Daijiro Fukuoka Eliminated in 7th Place for KRW 34,230,000 (~USD 25,228)

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Daijiro Fukuoka

Following a series of double-ups, Daijiro Fukuoka had built his stack from 225,000 up to 2,200,000.

Hirotaka Fukatsu raised to 200,000 before big blind Fukuoka three-bet to 455,000, and then called when Fukatsu jammed his covering stack.

Daijiro Fukuoka: T♣ T♥

Hirotaka Fukatsu: A♥ K♣

Fukuoka was leading the race when a ten appeared on the T♠ J♣ 2♥ flop, although the chip leader did have a gutshot straight draw, leaving him vulnerable to any queen.

The Q♠ hit the turn, completing Fukatsu's straight and leaving the short stack looking for a board pair or ten to stay alive.

The 8♣ river bricked and Fukuoka hit the rail in 7th after a very respectable run.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	8,700,000(87 BB)	1,500,000
DF Daijiro FukuokaJapan	busted	-2,200,000

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
7	DF Daijiro FukuokaJapan	34,230,000	$25,228

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 8:06:23 AM

Fukuoka Doubles Again!

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

After his string of double-ups, Daijiro Fukuoa shoved over an open from Xueying Zhao for 960,000 total and Zhao called with a covering stack.

Daijiro Fukuoka: A♠ Q♠

Xueying Zhao: K♠ Q♥

Fukuoka got his chips in with way the best of it, and the 9♥ 5♦ 7♣ 7♥ 3♦ runout kept him best with his ace for yet another double-up.

Player	Chips	Progress
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	2,500,000(25 BB)	-1,850,000
DF Daijiro FukuokaJapan	2,200,000(22 BB)	1,450,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 7:51:52 AM

Fukuoka Down to 0.25BB, Bounces Back Twice

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Daijiro Fukuoka

Daijiro Fukuoka opened to 200,000 from under the gun before calling next-to-act Tong Mu's shove, with both players holding similar stack sizes:

Tong Mu: A♠ Q♥

Daijiro Fukuoka: J♣ J♥

Mu found the card he needed on the A♣ 7♣ T♠ flop, pairing his ace and overtaking Fukuoka's pocket jacks.

The 3♣ did offer a flush draw for the Japanese player, but the 2♠ river bricked, and after a count was confirmed, Fukuoka was left with just 215,000 after the hand.

Hirotaka Fukatsu

The next hand, Fukuoka was the big blind, and was left with just 15,000 after posting the blind and ante.

He committed his final chips with 8♦ 4♦ against chip leader Hirotaka Fukatsu who held T♥ 5♥, and found an eight on the 3♦ A♣ 8♠ 2♠ 7♦ runout to score the double.

He doubled up for a second time, again through the chip leader, when his J♥ T♦ held against Fukatsu's dominated J♠ 4♥ on the T♣ K♥ 2♥ Q♥ K♠ runout.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	7,200,000(72 BB)	-300,000
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	3,400,000(34 BB)	1,800,000
DF Daijiro FukuokaJapan	750,000(8 BB)	-1,675,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 7:32:49 AM

Soichiro Hayashi Eliminated in 8th Place for KRW 26,330,000 (~USD 19,405)

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Soichiro Hayashi

Soichiro Hayashi opened to 200,000 from middle position and called a three-bet of 450,000 from Hirotaka Fukatsu, who was in the cutoff.

Both players checked on the 9♥ Q♥ 7♦ flop, but Hayashi led out for 600,000 after the K♣ fell on the turn. Fukatsu responded by moving all in and Hayashi re-checked his hole cards before calling all in for approximately 2,000,000 to put himself at risk.

Soichiro Hayashi: A♣ A♠

Hirotaka Fukatsu: K♥ Q♦

Hayashi's tournament life was in dire straits against Fukatsu's two pair, and the 5♣ river bricked out - eliminating Hayashi in eighth place and sending the massive pot to Fukatsu for the chip lead.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	7,500,000(75 BB)	3,570,000
SH Soichiro HayashiJapan	busted	-2,385,000

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
8	SH Soichiro HayashiJapan	26,330,000	$19,405

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

75 minutes

Remaining Players: 8/782

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 7:18:04 AM

Andrew Matahira Eliminated in 9th Place for KRW 20,250,000 (~USD 14,924)

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Andrew Matahira open-jammed his 700,000-chip stack from under the gun and Maxim Sorokin made the sole call from the button:

Andrew Matahira: A♠ K♦

Maxim Sorokin: 7♣ 7♦

The Japanese player was flipping for his tournament life, and no immediate help came on the 2♠ 5♦ 8♥ flop.

The T♦ hit the turn, with Matahira still needing to catch and ace or king to stay in the game.

The 6♥ river bricked, and Matahira hit the rail as the first final table elimination.

Player	Chips
MS Maxim SorokinRussia	2,200,000(28 BB)
AT Andrew Tomoya MatahiraJapan	885,000(11 BB)

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
9	AT Andrew Tomoya MatahiraJapan	20,250,000	$14,924

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 7:14:49 AM

Mu Doubles Through Sorokin

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Tong Mu

Tong Mu shoved for 700,000 on the button and was called by Maxim Sorokin in the small blind to be put at risk.

Tong Mu: J♣ J♥

Maxim Sorokin: A♥ 4♣

Mu held the lead and kept it on the 5♥ T♣ 8♠ J♠ 5♣ runout - awarding him the first double-up of the final table.

Player	Chips	Progress
MS Maxim SorokinRussia	2,200,000(28 BB)	-875,000
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	1,600,000(20 BB)	700,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 6:14:34 AM

Final Table Break

Break

L-R: Tong Mu, Maxim Sorokin, Soichiro Hayasho, Taisuke Niina, Andrew Matahira, Hirotaka Fukatsu, Xueying Zhao, Chao Ting Cheng, Daijiro Fukuoka

The remaining nine players have been sent on break while production sets up the final table.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	900,000	48	1
MS Maxim SorokinRussia	3,075,000	48	2
SH Soichiro HayashiJapan	2,385,000	48	3
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	2,850,000	48	4
AT Andrew Tomoya MatahiraJapan	885,000	48	5
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	3,930,000	48	6
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	4,350,000	48	7
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	2,620,000	48	8
DF Daijiro FukuokaJapan	2,425,000	48	9

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 6:07:07 AM

Hiroki Taniguchi Eliminated in 10th Place for KRW 16,280,000 (~USD 11,998)

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Hiroki Taniguchi

Taisuke Niina opened to 160,000 first to act and just behind him, Hiroki Taniguchi shoved for just over a mllion. Action folded back to Niina and he stuck in a call to put Taniguchi at risk.

Hiroki Taniguchi: 6♥ 6♠

Taisuke Niina: K♥ Q♥

It was a race, and Taniguchi found himself one card away from a double-up after the 8♥ A♠ 8♣ flop and 3♠ turn.

The A♥ appeared on the river, however, counterfeiting Taniguchi's pair and leaving Niina best with his king to eliminate Taniguchi one spot shy of the final table.

Player	Chips	Progress
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	2,850,000(36 BB)	400,000
HT Hiroki TaniguchiJapan	busted	-1,900,000

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
10	HT Hiroki TaniguchiJapan	16,280,000	$11,998

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 5:54:20 AM

Hayashi Gets Some Back

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Soichiro Hayashi

Xueying Zhao raised to 160,000 from the cutoff and was called by Soichiro Hayashi on the button for a heads-up pot.

Hayashi called a 140,000 bet from Zhao on the Q♦ 4♠ J♣ flop and a 250,000 barrel from Zhao on the 3♣ turn.

Both players checked on the 8♣ river and Zhao showed A♠ T♦. Hayashi revealed K♣ Q♥ for a pair of queens and was sent the pot.

"Thank you for not getting there with a king!" Hayashi said.

Player	Chips	Progress
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	4,000,000(50 BB)	-500,000
SH Soichiro HayashiJapan	2,650,000(33 BB)	750,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 5:47:06 AM

Fukatsu Spikes a Three

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Hirotaka Fukatsu

Chao Ting Chen raised to 160,000 from early position before essentially snap-calling Hirotaka Fukatsu's three-bet shove for 1,685,000.

Hirotaka Fukatsu: 3♥ 3♦

Chao Ting Cheng: A♠ K♥

An ace on the A♦ 7♥ 5♦ flop seemed like the Final Table bubble would finally burst, but a miraculous 3♠ landed on the turn, vaulting the short stack into the lead.

The 9♠ river bricked and Cheng lost a big chunk of chips to Fukatsu.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	3,500,000(44 BB)	1,325,000
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	2,400,000(30 BB)	-1,100,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 5:41:54 AM

Zhao in the Lead

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Xueying Zhao

Soichiro Hayashi raised to 160,000 from under the gun and Xueying Zhao defended her big blind.

Zhao checked on the 4♥ 9♣ 5♥ flop and Hayashi continued for 200,000. Zhao then check-raised to 500,000 and Hayashi let his hand go after a bit of thought.

Player	Chips	Progress
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	4,500,000(56 BB)	1,100,000
SH Soichiro HayashiJapan	1,900,000(24 BB)	-200,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 5:25:56 AM

Yuki Kawamoto Eliminated in 11th Place for KRW 16,280,000 (~USD 11,998)

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Yuki Kawamoto

Yuki Kawamoto raised to 215,000 from under the gun, leaving himself a single T-5,000 denomination chip behind, and was called by Taisuke Niina on the button.

Kawamoto checked on the 6♥ 3♣ 4♠ flop and called after Niina bet to put him all in.

Yuki Kawamoto: A♥ 5♥

Taisuke Niina: Q♣ Q♥

Kawamoto had a lot of outs with his open-ended straight draw and ace, but the 8♦ 8♥ runout kept Niina's ladies in front - eliminating Kawamaoto in 11th place.

Player	Chips	Progress
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	2,450,000(31 BB)	175,000
YK Yuki KawamotoJapan	busted	-350,000

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
11	YK Yuki KawamotoJapan	16,280,000	$11,998

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 5:24:59 AM

Yuma Tominaga Eliminated in 12th Place for KRW 13,570,000 (~USD 10,001)

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Yuma Tominaga

Hirotaka Fukatsu raised to 125,000 from under the gun before next-to-act Tong Mu three-bet to 410,000.

Small blind Yuma Tominaga then four-bet jammed his remaining 1,010,000, and big blind Daijiro Fukuoka called off his remaining 565,000.

Mu put in the call and a crowd gathered to see the three players show down.

Daijiro Fukuoka: A♦ J♣

Yuma Tominaga: T♣ T♠

Tong Mu: A♣ Q♦

A jack on the J♦ 8♥ 2♥ flop gave Fukuoka the best of it, with the A♥ turn giving him two pair but also improving Mu.

The 3♣ river left Tominaga worst, sending him to the rail in 12th place whilst awarding Fukuoka a triple-up, and Mu was given the side pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	2,200,000(28 BB)	580,000
DF Daijiro FukuokaJapan	2,100,000(26 BB)	1,480,000
YT Yuma TominagaJapan	busted	-1,690,000

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
12	YT Yuma TominagaJapan	13,570,000	$10,001

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

75 minutes

Remaining Players: 12/782

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 5:08:53 AM

Table 49 Counts

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Player	Chips	Progress
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	3,500,000(58 BB)	1,525,000
MS Maxim SorokinRussia	2,400,000(40 BB)	-30,000
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	2,175,000(36 BB)	-25,000
YT Yuma TominagaJapan	1,690,000(28 BB)	-110,000
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	1,620,000(27 BB)	-1,865,000
DF Daijiro FukuokaJapan	620,000(10 BB)	-430,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 5:04:20 AM

Zhao Leaves Kawamoto Short

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Xueying Zhao opened to 120,000 from under the gun and Yuki Kawamoto defended his big blind.

Kawamoto check-called a 125,000 bet from Zhao on the J♠ 9♥ 9♠ flop, but check-folded after Zhao shoved on the T♥ turn, leaving himself just 350,000 to work with.

Player	Chips	Progress
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	3,400,000(57 BB)	900,000
YK Yuki KawamotoJapan	350,000(6 BB)	-750,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 4:42:47 AM

Kohei Ikeda Eliminated in 13th Place for KRW 13,570,000 (~USD 10,001)

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Kohei Ikeda

Kohei Ikeda moved all in for his last 300,000 first to act and it was folded around to Taisuke Niina, who called in the big blind with a covering stack.

Kohei Ikeda: A♣ 9♣

Taisuke Niina: A♦ 6♦

Ikeda was favored with his nine-kicker, but the Q♦ 2♠ 6♠ flop immediately paired Niina's six to leave Ikeda drawing slim.

Neither the 4♥ turn nor J♥ river could bail Ikeda out and he was eliminated in 13th place.

Player	Chips	Progress
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	2,275,000(38 BB)	425,000
KI Kohei IkedaJapan	busted	-570,000

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
13	KI Kohei IkedaJapan	13,570,000	$10,001

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 4:28:17 AM

Zhao Folds to Niina's Pressure

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Taisuke Niina opened to 120,000 from the hijack and it was folded to Xueying Zhao, who three-bet to 300,000 from the big blind.

Niina used up a time bank and then announced he was all in for 1,550,000 total. Zhao asked for a count and thought a bit before folding - conceding the pot to Niina.

Player	Chips	Progress
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	2,500,000(42 BB)	-50,000
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	1,850,000(31 BB)	450,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

9/14/2026, 4:11:58 AM

Two Early Doubles

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Yuma Tominaga

Yuma Tominaga raised to 125,000 from under the gun before calling cutoff Hirotaku Fukatsu's three-bet shove for 1,050,000:

Hirotaku Fukatsu: Q♥ Q♦

Yuma Tominaga: T♥ T♦

Fukatsu's looked set for the double with his ladies, and he held on the 2♣ 8♦ 7♦ 4♣ 4♥ runout to add a huge boost to his stack.

Taisuke Niina

At the other table Taisuke Niina got his last 655,000 in from the cutoff and button Kohei Ikeda shoved behind:

Taisuke Niina: A♥ Q♣

Kohei Ikeda: T♦ T♠

An ace on the K♣ A♣ 6♣ flop all-but settled the matter, with Ikeda drawing to one ten in the deck. The 8♠ 8♦ runout was clean and he scored the double.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	2,200,000(37 BB)	1,110,000
YT Yuma TominagaJapan	1,800,000(30 BB)	-1,120,000
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	1,400,000(23 BB)	715,000
KI Kohei IkedaJapan	570,000(10 BB)	-775,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 4:02:54 AM

Jae Kyung Sim Eliminated in 14th Place for KRW 11,310,000 (~USD 8,335)

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Jae Kyung Sim

Jae Kyung Sim was forced all in from the big blind and Yuki Kawamoto raised from the hijack. Everyone else folded and a showdown was held.

Jae Kyung Sim: 5♥ 3♣

Yuki Kawamoto: K♥ Q♥

Sim's rags were live, but the Q♣ 6♥ T♣ 2♥ K♠ runout left Kawamoto best with two pair to send Sim out as the first casualty of Day 3.

Player	Chips	Progress
YK Yuki KawamotoJapan	1,100,000(18 BB)	150,000
JK Jae Kyung SimSouth Korea	busted	-135,000

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
14	JK Jae Kyung SimSouth Korea	11,310,000	$8,335

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

75 minutes

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 3:56:46 AM

Shuffle up and Deal

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

The final 14 players have taken their seats and action is underway!

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/14/2026, 2:48:14 AM

Final 14 Set for APPT Korea Main Event Showdown

Xueying Zhao

The marathon that is the APPT Korea Main Event is down to its final 14, with the finish line finally in sight. After days of competition that saw 782 hopefuls enter the fray, just one more day stands between the remaining contenders and the title, trophy and KRW 218,166,000 (~USD 160,688) top prize.

American Tong Mu currently leads with 3,485,000 in chips. Not far behind him is Japan's Yuma Tominaga with 2,920,000, while Xueying Zhao rounds out the top three with 2,550,000.

Mu will be looking to cap a breakout summer that included finishing sixth in the $1,100 Wynn Summer Classic at Wynn Las Vegas, earning $70,312 from a 1,910-entry field for his best score to date.

Zhao, meanwhile, has a chance to make her mark in APPT history. Should the Chinese player go on to win the Main Event, she would become just the second woman to claim an APPT Main Event title, following Korea's Young-shin Im, who became the tour's first female champion when she won the 2010 APPT Cebu Main Event. Zhao has already enjoyed a strong festival, finishing runner-up in the APPT National earlier in the series.

Final Day Chip Counts

Player	Chips
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	3,485,000
YT Yuma TominagaJapan	2,920,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	2,550,000
MS Maxim SorokinRussia	2,430,000
SH Soichiro HayashiJapan	2,100,000
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	1,975,000
HT Hiroki TaniguchiJapan	1,900,000
KI Kohei IkedaJapan	1,345,000
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	1,090,000
DF Daijiro FukuokaJapan	1,050,000
YK Yuki KawamotoJapan	950,000
AT Andrew Tomoya MatahiraJapan	830,000
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	685,000
JK Jae Kyung SimSouth Korea	135,000

Tong Mu

A minimum payday of KRW 11,310,000 (~USD 8,335) is guaranteed for all 14 players, but the real target is the KRW 218,166,000 (~USD 160,688) first prize that awaits the eventual champion. Additionally, the top three finishers will receive an APPT Manila Championship package valued at KRW 5,700,000 (~USD 4,250).

Remaining Payouts

Place	Payout (KRW)	Payout (USD)
1	218,166,000	$160,788
2	136,460,000	$100,571
3	97,300,000	$71,710
4	75,190,000	$55,415
5	57,840,000	$42,628
6	44,500,000	$32,796
7	34,230,000	$25,228
8	26,330,000	$19,405
9	20,250,000	$14,924
10	16,280,000	$11,998
11	16,280,000	$11,998
12	13,570,000	$10,001
13	13,570,000	$10,001
14	11,310,000	$8,335

The final 14 return at 1 P.M. local time to resume play at Level 27, with blinds of 30,000/60,000 and a 60,000 ante. Play will continue until a winner has been decided.

Who will emerge as the latest APPT Main Event champion? For all latest, check back with Somuchpoker for ongoing coverage as the finalists battle it out on the felt until just one player is left holding all the chips!

SMPSMP

9/13/2026, 8:23:03 PM

Final Day - 14 Players

Chip Counts

Player	Chips
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	3,485,000
YT Yuma TominagaJapan	2,920,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	2,550,000
MS Maxim SorokinRussia	2,430,000
SH Soichiro HayashiJapan	2,100,000
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	1,975,000
HT Hiroki TaniguchiJapan	1,900,000
KI Kohei IkedaJapan	1,345,000
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	1,090,000
DF Daijiro FukuokaJapan	1,050,000
YK Yuki KawamotoJapan	950,000
AT Andrew Tomoya MatahiraJapan	830,000
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	685,000
JK Jae Kyung SimSouth Korea	135,000

Remaining Payouts

Place	Payout (KRW)	Payout (USD)
1	218,166,000	$160,788
2	136,460,000	$100,571
3	97,300,000	$71,710
4	75,190,000	$55,415
5	57,840,000	$42,628
6	44,500,000	$32,796
7	34,230,000	$25,228
8	26,330,000	$19,405
9	20,250,000	$14,924
10	16,280,000	$11,998
11	16,280,000	$11,998
12	13,570,000	$10,001
13	13,570,000	$10,001
14	11,310,000	$8,335