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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 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Entries

24/143

Total Chips

4,290,000

Average

178,750

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 3:21:38 PM

Niko Schmitz Tops Flight A of APPT Korea Main Event

Niko Schmitz

The first opening flight of the APPT Korea Main Event has wrapped up at Paradise City Resort, with 143 entrants taking their seats by the time late registration closed. Following 15 levels of play, just 24 players managed to bag up for Day 2. Niko Schmitz finished the flight with the biggest stack at 382,000 chips, followed by Tomoharu Hikino with 353,000 and Jinghan Yu with 311,000.

Schmitz's late surge came unexpectedly toward the end of the day. Shortly after Andrew Choi's grew his stack to nearly half a million after flopping an ace-high flush to eliminate Chao Ting Cheng, Schmitz won two large pots from Choi in quick succession to sneak into the lead. Schmitz ultimately carried the lead through the end of the flight.

Flight A Top 10 Chip Counts

Player	Chips
NS Niko SchmitzGermany	382,000
TH Tomoharu HikinoJapan	353,000
JY Jinghan Yu 2China	311,000
CZ Chi Zhang 1China	294,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	284,000
AC Andrew ChoiUnited States of America	256,000
DH Daniel Hyongin LeeSouth Korea	228,000
SI Shota IguchiJapan	220,000
KC Kwee Chee ThongMalaysia	204,000
YK Yuki KawamotoJapan	197,000

Flight A Highlights

Gary Hyemyong Moon enjoyed a memorable early double when he found pocket queens against Rintaro Kagawa's Big Slick. Kagawa moved in on a low flop flop after four-betting preflop, but Moon quicky called and his queens held through the turn and river. Moon's reaction after the hand summed up the moment - "I thought I was dead for sure!"

Xueying Zhao also continued her strong run in Korea, picking up an elimination when she called Wai Tung Cheung's shove with pocket tens. Cheung held a suited ace, but the board came clean and kept Zhao's tens ahead for the knockout. Zhao, who placed runner-up in the APPT National, went on the end the day with a respectable 284,000 -good for the fifth spot overall.

Xueying Zhao

In what ended up being the pot of the day, Cheng, Moon, and Choi went three ways to a monotone king-high flop. Choi raised over a bet from Cheng, who had flopped top pair, and Cheng responded by shoving for over 30 big blinds. Moon got out of the way, but Choi snap-called, having flopped the nut flush, and Cheng was drawing dead by the turn.

Choi went on to lose nearly half his stack before play concluded, but still managed to bag up 256,000 for the sixth spot on the leaderboard.

Just as it was announced two more hands would be dealt before play wrapped, Chi Zhang found pocket aces against Ryo Kotake's kings for the ultimate Hold'em cooler. Unsurprisingly, Zhang got his chips in preflop against Kotake and held to score a late-night double up to end with 294,000.

Chi Zhang

The first flight is now complete, but there are still three more opportunities to join the 24 players who have already secured their place in Day 2. Flight B gets underway on September 11 at noon, followed by Flight C at noon on September 12 and the final turbo Flight D at 7:30 P.M. that evening.

With the KRW 1,000,000,000 guaranteed prize pool up for grabs and plenty of big names yet to enter the fray, stay tuned to Somuchpoker for continuing coverage as the APPT Korea Main Event field takes shape.

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 2:43:10 PM

End of Day Chip Counts

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Player	Chips	Progress
NS Niko SchmitzGermany	382,000(96 BB)	-18,000
TH Tomoharu HikinoJapan	353,000(88 BB)	38,000
JY Jinghan Yu 2China	311,000(78 BB)	281,000
CZ Chi Zhang 1China	294,000(74 BB)
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	284,000(71 BB)	59,000
AC Andrew ChoiUnited States of America	256,000(64 BB)	56,000
DH Daniel Hyongin LeeSouth Korea	228,000(57 BB)	217,000
SI Shota IguchiJapan	220,000(55 BB)	190,000
KC Kwee Chee ThongMalaysia	204,000(51 BB)	9,000
YK Yuki KawamotoJapan	197,000(49 BB)	134,000
HM Hirohito MarunakaJapan	182,000(46 BB)	-33,000
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	173,000(43 BB)
HS Hyung Soo LimNew Zealand	159,000(40 BB)	9,000
HY Hisashi YamanouchiJapan	129,000(32 BB)	99,000
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	127,000(32 BB)
YS Yukichika SasakiJapan	127,000(32 BB)	97,000
DY Dong YanCanada	105,000(26 BB)	-65,000
HO Hiroyuki OtakeJapan	100,000(25 BB)	2,000
XL Xiang Liu 2China	93,000(23 BB)	63,000
RK Ryo KotakeJapan	87,000(22 BB)
NA Naohiro AritaJapan	85,000(21 BB)	55,000
GH Gary Hyemyong MoonUnited States of America	80,000(20 BB)
FW Furui WangChina	58,000(15 BB)	28,000
HK Hiroki KaratsuJapan	50,000(13 BB)	20,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 2:37:05 PM

Play Concludes

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

The remaining 24 players are now bagging and tagging for the evening.

Stay tuned for a recap of Flight A.

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 2:30:14 PM

Zhang Doubles Through Kotake Just Before Play Suspends

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Chi Zhang

Chi Zhang and Ryo Kotake got into a preflop raising war that ended with Zhang all in for 147,000 from under the gun against Kotake, who had Zhang covered from the cutoff.

Chi Zhang: A♦ A♠

Ryo Kotake: K♣ K♥

Kotake was on the wrong end of the ultimate preflop cooler, and the 7♥ T♦ Q♣ J♣ J♦ runout kept Zhang's aces best for the double-up.

Player	Chips	Progress
CZ Chi Zhang 1China	294,000(74 BB)	201,000
RK Ryo KotakeJapan	87,000(22 BB)	57,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 2:18:57 PM

Choi's Woes Continue

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Hirohito Marunaka raised to 8,000 from the cutoff and was called by Andrew Choi in the small blind for a heads-up pot.

Choi check-called a 9,000 bet from Marunaka on the 4♣ 5♣ T♥ flop and action checked through on the 7♦ turn.

The J♣ completed the boardand Choi led out for 32,000, sending Marunaka deep into the tank.

Marunaka eventually slammed a pile of chips into the middle, seemingly wanting to call. However, the amount of the chips exceeded a legal raise, and it was declared that Marunaka had actually raised to 75,000.

Choi called and turned over A♠ J♥ for top pair, top kicker, but it was no good against Marunaka's Q♦ Q♠ for an overpair to claim the pot.

"You're good, no flush," Choi said as Marunaka collected the large pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
HM Hirohito MarunakaJapan	215,000(54 BB)	185,000
AC Andrew ChoiUnited States of America	200,000(50 BB)	-110,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 2:00:23 PM

Easy Come; Easy Go

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Niko Schmitz

Just several hands after Andrew Choi took the chip lead, Niko Schmitz explained that he won two large pots off of Choi -growing his own stack to about 400,000 and knocking Choi down to 310,000.

What a swing!

Player	Chips	Progress
NS Niko SchmitzGermany	400,000(100 BB)	375,000
AC Andrew ChoiUnited States of America	310,000(78 BB)	-190,000
HY Haibo YangChina	busted
KH Kevin HaslerSwitzerland	busted

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 30/143

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 1:51:33 PM

Choi Surges into the Lead

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Andrew Choi

Chao Ting Cheng raised to 6,000 first to act and was called by Andrew Choi on the button and Hyung Soo Lim in the big blind for a three-way pot.

Lim checked to Cheng, who continued for 5,500 on the K♠ 8♠ 7♠ flop. Choi raised to 32,000, which got a fold from Lim, but a shove from Cheng after a lengthy tank for just over 110,000. Choi snap-called and hands were tabled.

Chao Ting Cheng: K♦ Q♥

Andrew Choi: A♠ 2♠

Choi had flopped the nuts with an ace-high flush and Cheng found himself drawing to runner-runner with top pair.

The 9♦ turn left Cheng drawing dead and the J♦ river made him elimination official -sending the massive pot over to Choi, who now holds the chip lead with approximately 500,000.

Player	Chips	Progress
AC Andrew ChoiUnited States of America	500,000(167 BB)	240,000
HS Hyung Soo LimNew Zealand	150,000(50 BB)	-25,000
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	busted	-80,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 1:32:56 PM

Zhao Lightens the Field

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Xueying Zhao

Xueying Zhao opened to 6,000 from under the gun and Wai Tung Cheung shoved for his last 42,000 from the cutoff. Action folded back to Zhao, who stuck in a call to put Cheung at risk.

Wai Tung Cheung: A♦ 6♦

Xueying Zhao: T♥ T♠

Zhao had some anxiety about the runout, but the 9♥ 3♠ K♥ 5♦ J♦ board kept her tens best for the late-night elimination.

Player	Chips	Progress
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	225,000(75 BB)	60,000
WT Wai Tung CheungHong Kong	busted	-30,000
MH Masatsugu HoriuchiJapan	busted
KW Kwang Wook AhnCanada	busted

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 32/143

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 35/143

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 12:55:44 PM

Assorted Counts Heading into the Final Break

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Player	Chips	Progress
TH Tomoharu HikinoJapan	315,000(126 BB)	285,000
AC Andrew ChoiUnited States of America	260,000(104 BB)	195,000
KC Kwee Chee ThongMalaysia	195,000(78 BB)	89,000
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	190,000(76 BB)	90,000
HS Hyung Soo LimNew Zealand	175,000(70 BB)	80,000
DY Dong YanCanada	170,000(68 BB)	120,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	165,000(66 BB)	165,000
KH Kevin HaslerSwitzerland	130,000(52 BB)	100,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 12:42:16 PM

Ikeda Suffers the Swings of Poker

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Shortly after winning the last posted hand, Humitaka Ikeda lost a large pot and then moved all in for 21,000 from middle position. Chao Ting Cheng called on the button and a showdown was held.

Humitaka Ikeda: A♥ 2♥

Chao Ting Cheng: K♥ J♠

Ikeda was a slight favorite to double, but the 5♠ J♥ 6♦ flop immediatelhy paired Cheng's jack for a commanding lead.

The 7♥ turn gave Ikeda additional outs to a flush, but the 6♣ river bricked out and Ikeda was eliminated.

Player	Chips	Progress
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	80,000(32 BB)	14,000
HI Humitaka IkedaJapan	busted	-132,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 12:22:38 PM

Ikeda Bombs the River

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Humitaka Ikeda opened to 4,000 first to act and found callers in Hyung Soo Lim from directly behind and Haibo Yang in the big blind.

Yang checked to Ikeda, who continued for 4,000 on the K♠ 5♠ 8♠ flop. Lim called and Yang folded.

Both players checked on the 4♥ turn, but Ikeda bet a pot-sized 21,500 after the K♥ paired the board on the river.

Lim looked up Ikeda, who tabled K♦ Q♥ for trip kings. Lim flung his cards into the middle and Ikeda added to his stack.

Player	Chips	Progress
HI Humitaka IkedaJapan	132,000(53 BB)	102,000
HY Haibo YangChina	112,000(45 BB)	82,000
HS Hyung Soo LimNew Zealand	95,000(38 BB)	58,000
TK Tomoyuki KanoJapan	busted
JT Jiaqi TengChina	busted

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 44/143

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 12:08:25 PM

Magsakay is Pulling Away

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Vamerdino Magsakay

Yuan Wu raised to 4,000 from middle position and called a three-bet of 14,000 from Vamerdino Magsakay, who was in the small blind.

Magsakay check-called a 9,000 bet from Wu on the 8♠ 6♥ 5♦ flop before betting enough to put Wu all in for his last 30,000 on the Q♥ turn.

Wu re-checked his hole cards and then sent them into the muck, conceding the pot to Magsakay.

Player	Chips
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	100,000(50 BB)
YW Yuan Wu (4)China	30,000(15 BB)
TT Takuma TeradaJapan	busted

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 11:58:03 AM

Final Flight A Numbers

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

In total, Flight A of the APPT Korea Main event drew 143 entrants. Of those 47 players are currently remaining.

It has been decided that play will conclude for the day following the end of Level 15 (~11:30 P.M. local time).

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 11:57:00 AM

Teng Gets Value From Kano; Field Under 50

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Jiaqi Teng

Jiaqi Teng opened to 4,500 from the hijack and was called by Tomoyuki Kano in the small blind.

Kano check-called a 3,500 bet from Teng on the K♥ 3♦ 8♣ flop and then both players checked on the 7♥ turn.

Kano checked a final time on the 4♠ river and Teng put a bet of 8,500 into the middle. Kano stuck in a call and mucked after being shown K♣ T♥ for a pair of kings from Teng.

Several players have already been eliminated since returning from dinner, and the Flight A field is already down to just 49 players.

Player	Chips	Progress
JT Jiaqi TengChina	63,000(32 BB)	33,000
TK Tomoyuki KanoJapan	33,000(17 BB)	3,000
RM Riku MiedaJapan	busted
FK Fang Kai YangTaiwan	busted
AB Alen BakovicCanada	busted
DF Daijiro FukuokaJapan	busted
YO Yuto OkitaJapan	busted
DT Daisuke TaketomiJapan	busted
YO Yuto OkitaJapan	busted
TY Takashi YaguraJapan	busted
CC Chien Chih WengTaiwan	busted
BZ Bo ZhuChina	busted

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 49/143

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 11:28:18 AM

Recent Eliminations

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Player	Chips	Progress
GW Guoliang WeiChina	busted	-30,000
HT Hiroki TsukijiJapan	busted	-56,000
SS Seiji SasakiJapan	busted	-30,000
KN Konosuke NakajimaJapan	busted	-30,000
YM Yoshiki MachiyaJapan	busted	-95,000
TM Tasuku MaruoJapan	busted	-30,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	busted	-30,000
EA Ehsan AmiriAustralia	busted	-30,000
HM Hiroaki ManabeJapan	busted	-30,000
TK Taiki KuramotoJapan	busted	-30,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 11:17:51 AM

Gary is Over the Moon

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Gary Moon

Rintaro Kagawa raised from under the gun and was three-bet to 8,500 by Gary Moon in the hijack. Action folded back to Kagawa and he made it 18,500 to go. Moon called.

The flop came 8♦ 5♠ 2♥ and Kagawa quickly moved all in for a bit over 10,000. Moon called and hands were revealed.

Rintaro Kagawa: A♠ K♠

Gary Moon: Q♦ Q♥

Moon was ahead with his queens, and the 2♦ 3♠ runout kept him best to eliminate Kagawa.

"I thought I was dead for sure!" Moon commented as he collected the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
GH Gary Hyemyong MoonUnited States of America	128,000(85 BB)	98,000
RK Rintaro KagawaJapan	busted	-30,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 11:04:40 AM

Yamada Doubles Just After Returning From Break

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Kozo Yamada

Action folded around to the blinds, where Chienn Chih Weng shoved from the small blind. Kozo Yamada called all in for his last 16,500 from the big blind and a showdown was held.

Kozo Yamada: J♣ J♦

Chien Chih Weng: 9♦ 8♠

It was bad timing from Weng, who found her undercards crushed by Hishinuma's jacks.

The 2♥ 7♦ Q♣ A♣ 5♦ runout kept Yamada best and he was awarded the double-up to get back over a starting stack.

Player	Chips	Progress
KY Kozo YamadaJapan	35,000(23 BB)	5,000
CC Chien Chih WengTaiwan	11,000(7 BB)	-19,000

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 68/143

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

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

Dinner Break

Break

The remaining 52 players have been sent on a 40-minute dinner break.

Action will get back underway at approximately 7:55 P.M. local time.

Late registration will close at the end of the break.

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 9:58:44 AM

Horiuchi Continues to Climb

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Masatsugu Horiuchi

Masatsugu Horiuchi opened to 2,500 from middle position and Takuma Terada defended his big blind.

Both players checked on the 4♥ 5♣ Q♣ flop and then Terada check-called a 3,800 bet from Horiuchi on the 3♥ turn.

Terada checked a final time on the K♠ river and Horiuchi continued his aggression for a bet of 14,400. Terada quickly laid his hand down and Horiuchi added to his stack, which is now up to approximately 130,000.

Player	Chips	Progress
MH Masatsugu HoriuchiJapan	130,000(108 BB)	77,000
TT Takuma TeradaJapan	87,000(73 BB)	57,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 9:43:42 AM

Zhang Nears a Six Figure Stack

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Chi Zhang

Hiroki Tsukiji limped from the cutoff and Chi Zhang called in the small blind. Viacheslav Pak made it 4,000 to go from the big blind and both Tsukiji and Zhang called for an inflated three-way pot.

Action checked through on the 9♠ 3♠ 9♠ flop and then Zhang bet 3,500 on the 5♠ turn. Both Pak and Tsukiji called.

The 7♥ filled out the board and Zhang sized up for a bet of 12,500. This time, both Pak and Tsukiji folded and Zhang was sent a nice pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
CZ Chi Zhang 1China	93,000(78 BB)	63,000
HT Hiroki TsukijiJapan	56,000(47 BB)	5,000
VP Viacheslav PakRussia	49,000(41 BB)	19,000

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 60/120

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 9:23:39 AM

Sawai Gets a Ride Out on Otake's Cowboys

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Hiroyuki Otake

Hideo Sawai open-shoved for 24,000 from middle position and was called by Hiroyuki Otake in the cutoff with a covering stack. Everyone else got out of the way and hands were revealed.

Hideo Sawai: A♥ Q♠

Hiroyuki Otake: K♥ K♠

Sawai would need to improve, but nothing changed on the J♦ 4♥ 7♠ T♠ T♥ runout -eliminating Sawai late in the evening.

Player	Chips	Progress
HO Hiroyuki OtakeJapan	98,000(82 BB)	72,000
HS Hideo SawaiJapan	busted	-32,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 9:06:10 AM

Abdo Ousted in Three-Way Clash

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Loy Abdo shoved for his last 4,800 from middle position and was called by Hiroyuki Otake in the hiajck and Haruo Noda on the button. Yuki Kawamoto then shoved for approximately 26,000 from the big blind and Otake responded by moving all in for more. Noda got out of the way and a three-way showdown was held.

Loy Abdo: K♦ 8♦

Yuki Kawamoto: T♣ T♥

Hiroyuki Otake Q♦ Q♠

Otake was favored to score a double knockout with his ladies, but the 4♦ 8♠ 9♥ T♦ 5♣ runout improved Kawamoto to a set -awarding him more than a double-up and eliminating Abdo.

Player	Chips	Progress
YK Yuki KawamotoJapan	63,000(53 BB)	33,000
HO Hiroyuki OtakeJapan	37,000(31 BB)	-4,000
HN Haruo NodaJapan	22,000(18 BB)	-8,000
LA Loy AbdoAustralia	busted	-33,000

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 74/115

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 8:58:28 AM

Aces for Tsukiji

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Hiroki Tsukiji opened to 2,000 from early position and wsa called by Dong Yan in the hijack and Tong Mu in the big blind.

Everyone checked on the 3♦ A♠ T♦ flop and Mu checked again on the 4♣ turn. Tsukiji bet 4,500, which got a quick fold from Yan and a call from Mu.

Mu check-called a 5,000 bet from Tsukiji after the 2♣ completed the boardand Tsukiji showed A♣ A♦ for top set. Mu mucked his cards and Tsukiji dragged the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
HT Hiroki TsukijiJapan	51,000(51 BB)	17,000
DY Dong YanCanada	50,000(50 BB)	20,000
TM Tong MuUnited States of America	14,000(14 BB)	-16,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 8:38:20 AM

Niina Collects Miettinen's Crumbs

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Petteri Miettinen shoved for his last 3,900 from under the gun was called by Taisuke Niina in the hijack to be put at risk.

Petteri Miettinen: K♠ 5♠

Taisuke Niina: A♠ T♠

Miettinen's was looking to hit one of his two live cards, but the 8♦ 8♠ 6♣ 6♦ 7♥ runout ketp Niina best with his ace to score the knockout.

Flight A of the APPT Korea Main Event is now up to 115 entries about half way through. Of those, 74 remain in contention.

Player	Chips	Progress
TN Taisuke NiinaJapan	45,000(45 BB)	15,000
PM Petteri MiettinenFinland	busted	-30,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 8:28:22 AM

Magsakay Rivers the Goods

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Vamerdino Magsakay

Vamerdino Magsakay raised to 2,000 from early position and was called by Fang Kai Yang in the hijack.

Magsakay check-called a 2,000 bet from Yang on the 8♦ Q♣ 7♣ flop and then both players checked on the 9♥ turn.

The K♣ came on the river and Magsakay led out for 3,500. Yang quickly called and Magsakay tabled K♥ 8♥ for a rivered two pair.

Yang sent his cards into the muck and Magsakay added to his stack.

Player	Chips	Progress
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	100,000(100 BB)	15,000
FK Fang Kai YangTaiwan	18,000(18 BB)	-12,000

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 74/107

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 74/107

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 7:50:30 AM

Thong's Set Sends Mikheev Sailing

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Kwee Chee Thong

Heads-up on a flop of 9♣ 4♣ T♥, Kwee Chee Thong checked from the big blind and Evgenii Mikheev bet 2,500. Thong responded by shoving, which was enough to put Mikheev all in for a bit under 50,000 total.

Mikheev smiled in the face of the massive overbet, but eventually decided to commit his stack into the middle to put himself at risk.

Evgenii Mikheev: K♣ 5♣

Kwee Chee Thong: 9♦ 9♥

"Run it twice?" Thong joked upon seeing Mikheev's hand.

Mikheev would need to his his flush draw, but the Q♠ A♥ turn and river bricked out - eliminating him and sending the large pot over to Thong.

Player	Chips	Progress
KC Kwee Chee ThongMalaysia	106,000(133 BB)	106,000
EM Evgenii MikheevRussia	busted	-46,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 7:42:05 AM

Abdo Doubles After Bakovic Gets Counterfeited

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Loy Abdo

Alen Bakovic raised to 1,600 from the hijack and it was folded to Loy Abdo, who moved all in for 15,500 from the big blind. Bakovic quickly called and a showdown was held.

Loy Abdo: Q♦ T♠

Alen Bakovic: 8♥ 8♣

It was a race between a pair and two overcards, but the 5♣ K♠ J♥ K♣ J♠ runout counterfeited Bakovic's eights - leaving Abdo best with his queen to score the double-up.

Player	Chips	Progress
AB Alen BakovicCanada	67,000(84 BB)	-3,000
LA Loy AbdoAustralia	33,000(41 BB)	3,000

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 70/90

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 7:23:25 AM

Assorted Counts From the Field

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Bo Dou

Player	Chips	Progress
BD Bo DouChina	102,000(170 BB)	63,000
YM Yoshiki MachiyaJapan	95,000(158 BB)	64,000
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	85,000(142 BB)	55,000
NS Niko SchmitzGermany	75,000(125 BB)	45,000
AB Alen BakovicCanada	70,000(117 BB)	-10,000
KK Kento KinoshitaJapan	67,000(112 BB)	37,000
AC Andrew ChoiUnited States of America	65,000(108 BB)	65,000
PC Pete ChenTaiwan	31,000(52 BB)	1,000
NK Nayoung KimJapan	11,000(18 BB)	-24,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 7:06:02 AM

Yoshimura Coolers Fukatsu

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Konosuke Yoshimura opened to 1,500 from early position and it folded around to Hirotaka Fukatsu, who three-bet to 6,000 from the small blind.

Yoshimura paused and then announced he was all in for 33,600 total, which was met with a snap-call by Fukatsu to be put at risk.

Konosuke Yoshimura: A♥ A♠

Hirotaka Fukatsu: A♦ K♥

It was a dream spot for Yoshinumra, who had Fukatsu's Big Slick crushed with aces.

The 2♥ T♥ 3♠ 6♠ 8♥ runout provided Yoshimura with a sweat-free runout and he was awarded the double-up.

Fukatsu was left with just 700 following the hand and busted shortly afterwards - leaving him to reenter should he choose.

Player	Chips	Progress
KY Konosuke YoshimuraJapan	68,000(113 BB)	38,000
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	busted	-45,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 6:52:35 AM

Cheng Chips up

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Chao Ting Cheng

Hyung Soo Lim raised to 1,200 and was three-bet to 4,200 by Chao Ting Cheng. Action folded back around to Lim, who called.

Both players checked on the 5♥ A♣ J♣ flop and 5♦ turn, but Cheng fired a bet of 12,000 into the middle after being checked to a third time on the 3♣ river.

Lim wanted nothing to do with it and slid his cards into the muck, conceding the pot to Cheng.

Player	Chips	Progress
CT Chao Ting ChengTaiwan	66,000(110 BB)	36,000
HS Hyung Soo LimNew Zealand	37,000(62 BB)	5,000

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 67/79

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 6:36:14 AM

Bakovic up Big

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Alen Bakovic

Keisuke Tajiri raised to 1,100 first to act and was called by Alen Bakovic in the cutoff for a heads-up pot.

Tajiri then proceeded to check-call bets from Bakovic on every street. First for 1,300 on the 8♠ 7♣ T♥ flop, then for 3,500 on the 4♦ turn, and finally for a hefty 17,000 bet on the 2♣ river.

Bakovic tabled T♦ T♠ for top set and Tajiri nodded his head before sending his cards into the muck.

Bakovic has had a stellar day so far and currently sits with about 80,000.

Player	Chips
AB Alen BakovicCanada	80,000(160 BB)
KT Keisuke TajiriJapan	7,000(14 BB)

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 6:15:44 AM

Horiuchi Doubles Through Ariyama

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Masatsugu Horiuchi opened to 1,200 from the cutoff and Daisuke Ariyama defended his big blind.

Ariyama check-called a 2,500 bet from Horiuchi onthe 7♣ T♠ 5♦ flop before leading out for 4,000 on the 4♣ turn. Horiuchi called.

The 3♣ filled the river and Ariyama fired a bet of 10,600 into the middle. Horiuchi thought a bit and then moved all in for 18,700 total. Ariyama called and Horiuchi tabled J♣ 8♣ for a flush.

Ariyama showed he held 7♦ 7♥ for a flopped set and was knocked down to just 3,000 in chips as result of the hand.

Player	Chips	Progress
MH Masatsugu HoriuchiJapan	53,000(106 BB)	23,000
DA Daisuke AriyamaJapan	3,000(6 BB)	-27,000

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 55/61

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 55/59

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 5:42:05 AM

Fukatsu Makes the Right Call

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Hirotaka Fukatsu

Jinghan Yu opened to 800 from early position and was three-bet to 2,400 by Hirotaka Fukatsu in the hijack. Daijiro Fukuoka called cold in the big blind and Yu called as well.

Action checked to Fukatsu, who continued for 1,500 on the 5♥ 2♥ T♦ flop. Fukuoka called, but Yu let his hand go.

Both players checked on the 8♦ turn, but Fukuoka led out for 7,500 on the 7♠ river.

Fukatsu went deep into the tank, but eventually decided to look Fukuoka up after a couple of minutes.

Fukuoka could only show Q♣ J♦ for a stone bluff, and Fukatsu revealed A♥ K♦ for ace-high to claim the pot.

"Nice call," Fukuoka said.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	45,000(113 BB)	17,000
JY Jinghan Yu 2China	30,000(75 BB)
DF Daijiro FukuokaJapan	16,000(40 BB)	-14,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 5:26:03 AM

Squeeze, Bet, Win for Kim

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Nayoung Kim

Hiroki Tsukiji raised to 800 from middle position and was flatted by Daishi Ichimanda in the cutoff. Nayoung Kim then squeezed to 2,500 on the button and both Tsukiji and Ichimanda called.

The flop came 2♥ A♦ 3♠ and it was folded to Kim, who bet 2,100. Neither Tsukiji or Ichimanda wanted anything to do with it and let their hands go.

Kim, who placed 10th in the APPT National event yesterday, will be looking for another deep run and currently sits with about 35,000 in the early going of Flight A.

Player	Chips	Progress
NK Nayoung KimJapan	35,000(88 BB)	6,500
HT Hiroki TsukijiJapan	34,000(85 BB)	4,000
DI Daishi IchimandaJapan	28,000(70 BB)	4,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 5:15:37 AM

Sorokin's Kicker Plays

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Maxim Sorokin

Maxim Sorokin raised to 800 from middle position and found one caller in Yoshiki Machiya in the big blind.

Machiya check-called a 600 bet from Sorokin on the T♣ 5♥ K♥ flop and then both players checked on the 6♦ turn.

Machiya led out for 1,500 after the 9♣ filled out the board and Sorokin quickly tossed in a call.

Machiya revealed T♠ 4♥ for a pair of tens, but Sorokin tabled A♦ T♥ for the same pair with an ace-kicker to claim the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
YM Yoshiki MachiyaJapan	31,000(78 BB)	1,000
MS Maxim SorokinRussia	27,500(69 BB)	-2,500

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 47/50

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 5:03:16 AM

Two Barrels Take it for Zhu

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Bo Zhu

Bo Zhu raised to 600 from the hijack and was called by Bo Dou on the button, Danil Te in the small blind, and Alexandr Kan in the big blind for a four-way pot.

Action checked to Zhu on the 5♥ A♠ 3♦ flop and he continued for 1,100. Dou got out of the way, but both Te and Kan called.

The T♦ fell on the turn and it was again checked to Zhu, who annoucned a bet of 3,500. This time it was enough to shed both Te and Kan -awarding the pot to Zhu.

Player	Chips	Progress
BD Bo DouChina	39,000(130 BB)	9,000
BZ Bo ZhuChina	29,500(98 BB)	1,500
AK Alexandr KanKazakhstan	25,000(83 BB)	-5,000
DT Danil TeRussia	23,000(77 BB)	-7,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 4:54:29 AM

Sawai's Ace-High is Good

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Hideo Sawai

Hideo Sawai opened to 700 from middle position and was called by Daishi Ichimanda in the hijack and Daniel Hyongin Lee in the big blind for a three-way pot.

Lee checked to Sawai, who continued for 700 on the T♥ 3♣ 6♣ flop. Ichimanda folded and Lee called.

Both players then checked down on the 6♠ turn and K♥ river and Lee could only show 9x 7x for a busted gutshot draw. Sawai tabled A♥ 4♥ for an ace and was sent the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
HS Hideo SawaiJapan	32,000(107 BB)	2,000
DI Daishi IchimandaJapan	24,000(80 BB)	-7,000
DH Daniel Hyongin LeeSouth Korea	11,000(37 BB)	-2,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 4:42:00 AM

Bakovic Puts Lee to the Test

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Daniel Hyongin Lee opened to 600 on the button and called a three-bet to 2,500 from Alen Bakovic, who was in the small blind.

Lee called a 1,500 continuation bet from Bakovic on the 3♠ K♥ 5♦ flop and a 6,700 barrel from Bakovic on the J♠ turn.

The 5♣ completed the board Bakovic bet enough to put Lee all in for his last 13,000, sending Lee deep into the tank.

Lee eventually let his hand go and Bakovic collected the pot without showing.

Player	Chips	Progress
AB Alen BakovicCanada	47,000(157 BB)	13,000
DH Daniel Hyongin LeeSouth Korea	13,000(43 BB)

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 29/31

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 4:30:00 AM

Fukatsu Pays off Hayashi

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Soichiro Hayashi

Soichiro Hayashi raised to 800 from the small blind and Hirotaka Fukatsu called in the big blind.

Neither player put in a bet on the 6♦ 4♦ T♦ flop or 9♦ turn, but Hayashi put a pot-sized bet of 2,000 into the middle after the Q♦ brought a flush on board.

Fukatsu looked up Hayashi, who tabled A♥ J♦. Fukatsu couldn't beat Hayashi's jack of diamonds and sent his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips	Progress
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	28,000(140 BB)	-1,500
SH Soichiro HayashiJapan	17,000(85 BB)	-13,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 4:13:29 AM

More for Mikheev

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Evgenii Mikheev

Action folded around to the blinds, where Evegenii Mikheev made it 700 to go from the small blind. Bo Zhu defended in the big blind.

Zhu called a 500 bet from Mikheev on the 6♣ 7♥ 4♥ flop and then both players checked on the 9♠ turn.

Mikheev fired a bet of 2,400 into the middle after the 9♥ completed the board and Zhu let his hand go.

Meanwhile, Yunpeng Bai and Kwee Chee Thong were the first players eliminated at other tables.

Player	Chips	Progress
EM Evgenii MikheevRussia	46,000(230 BB)	13,000
BZ Bo ZhuChina	28,000(140 BB)	-2,000
KC Kwee Chee ThongMalaysia	busted	-30,000
YB Yunpeng BaiChina	busted	-24,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 4:01:53 AM

Easy Pickup for Mikheev

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Andrew Choi raised to 400 first to act and was three-bet to 1,200 by Evgenii Mikheev in middle position. Yunpeng Bai called cold from the hijack and it was folded back around to Choi, who called as well.

The flop came 8♣ K♥ J♥ and Choi checked to Mikheev, who continued for 1,300. Both Bai and Choi quickly folded -conceding the pot to Mikheev.

Flight A has been growing steadily since the start of play and is currently up to 28 entrants without an elimination so far.

Player	Chips	Progress
EM Evgenii MikheevRussia	33,000(165 BB)	3,000
AC Andrew ChoiUnited States of America	29,500(148 BB)	-500
YB Yunpeng BaiChina	24,000(120 BB)	-6,000

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 17/17

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 3:37:34 AM

Bakovic Wins Multiway Pot

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Alen Bakovic

Van Thiep Pham raised to 200 and was called by Hirotaka Fukatsu from directly behind, Daishi Ichimanda on the button, and Nayoung Kim in the small blind. Alen Bakovic had seen enough calling and decided to squeeze to 1,100 from the big blind, which got a call from Pham, folds from Fukatsu and Ichimanda, and a call from Kim for a bloated three-way pot.

Kim checked to Bakovic, who continued for 1,300 on the 8♣ 5♥ 9♣ flop. Pham called and Kim let her hand go.

Both players then checked down on the 3♣ turn and Q♦ river and Bakovic tabled T♦ 9♦ for a pair of nines. Pham mucked his cards and Bakovic dragged a nice pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
AB Alen BakovicCanada	34,000(340 BB)	4,000
DI Daishi IchimandaJapan	31,000(310 BB)	1,000
KW Kwang Wook AhnCanada	30,000(300 BB)
MD Meng Dian PengChina	30,000(300 BB)
DT Danil TeRussia	30,000(300 BB)
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	29,500(295 BB)	-500
NK Nayoung KimJapan	28,500(285 BB)	-500
VT Van Thiep PhamViet Nam	27,000(270 BB)	-2,500

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 3:24:29 AM

Lim Pads His Stack

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Hyung Soo Lim

Hyung Soo Lim opened to 300 from early position and was called by Van Thiep Pham on the button and Nayoung Kim in the big blind for a three-way pot.

Action checked through on the 2♦ T♣ 4♠ flop and then Kim led out for 600 on the K♦ turn. Lim called and Pham got out of the way.

The K♣ paired the board on the river and Kim checked. Lim took the initiative with a bet of 2,000, which got a prompt fold from Kim.

Player	Chips	Progress
HS Hyung Soo LimNew Zealand	32,000(320 BB)	2,000
YB Yunpeng BaiChina	30,000(300 BB)
HF Hirotaka FukatsuJapan	30,000(300 BB)
SI Shota IguchiJapan	30,000(300 BB)
YK Yohei KawanoJapan	30,000(300 BB)
AB Alen BakovicCanada	30,000(300 BB)
VT Van Thiep PhamViet Nam	29,500(295 BB)	-500
NK Nayoung KimJapan	29,000(290 BB)	-1,000

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 3:08:23 AM

Early Entrants

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Player	Chips
BD Bo DouChina	30,000(300 BB)
SH Soichiro HayashiJapan	30,000(300 BB)
DI Daishi IchimandaJapan	30,000(300 BB)
HS Hyung Soo LimNew Zealand	30,000(300 BB)
VT Van Thiep PhamViet Nam	30,000(300 BB)
DY Dong YanCanada	30,000(300 BB)
NK Nayoung KimJapan	30,000(300 BB)
EM Evgenii MikheevRussia	30,000(300 BB)
MS Maxim SorokinRussia	30,000(300 BB)

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 6/6

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 2:56:59 AM

Cards in the Air

With six players at the start, Flight A of the APPT Korea Main Event is now underway!

Dan O'HairDan O'Hair

9/10/2026, 1:52:47 AM

APPT Korea Main Event Set to Get Underway With ₩1 Billion Guaranteed Prize Pool

The time has finally arrived! After several days of action at APPT Korea, the festival’s marquee event is ready to take center stage as the ₩1 billion guaranteed APPT Main Event gets underway today. Flight A, the first of four starting flights, kicks off at 12:00 P.M.

In the last APPT Main Event in Manilla, Mike Takayama emerged victorious after besting a 1,413-entry field to claim the title, adding another major victory to his résumé for $255,533 and bringing his live tournament earnings to nearly $5 million.

The event fetures a ₩1,800,000 buy-in and will start players with 30,000 chips, with 40-minute levels throughout the flight. The action begins at 100/100 with a 100 big blind ante, and a 40-minute dinner break is scheduled after Level 10. Late registration will remain open until the start of Level 11 (approximately 7:50 p.m.)

Day 1 will play through Level 15, unless the field reaches approximately 15% remaining sooner, at which point play will suspend for the day with everyone securing a spot into Day 2. Players can enter multiple starting flights, with those who qualify more than once taking their largest stack through to Day 2.

With four starting flights on the schedule, the race for the APPT Korea Main Event title is only just beginning. Who will emerge from the field to become the next APPT Main Event champion? Stay tuned to Somuchpoker for live updates and continuing coverage throughout.

Event starts 12:00 local time..