Blind level
Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000
Entries
1/707
Total Chips
21,210,000
Average
21,210,000

LIVE UPDATES by APT

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 2:06:52 PM

Kevin Choi Wins Korea’s Richest-Ever Opening Event — National Cup Champion for KRW 78,084,378 (~$56,055)

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

The KRW 700,000 Korea National Cup has crowned its champion in whirlwind fashion at Paradise City Casino. The Final Day maintained a solid pace, even in the final duel of Kevin Choi and Ka Chuen Yip. Both players just go all-in blind on every hand and finished the heads-up in a brisky way.


Choi entered the final table as the chip leader and never relinquished control, maintaining steady momentum all the way to the finish line. It took just two hands for him to seal the win, a swift finish that proved Lady Luck was firmly at his side, bagging up the KRW 78,084,378 (~$56,055) top prize.


The tournament drew a total of 707 entries, generating a hefty KRW 408,304,378 (~USD 293,112) prize pool. The KRW 100 million (~USD 71,000) guarantee was already overshadowed in the very first starting flight, which alone attracted 260 entries.

Final Table Results

PlacePlayerPrize (USD)
1$56,115
2
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
$34,285
3
MS
$24,490
4$18,550
5
RF
$14,760
6
CL
$11,335
7
JZ
$8,195
8
JH
$5,590
9
MK
$4,435

Final Table Action


Japan’s Miwa Koji was the first to bow out at the final table. Entering with the shortest stack, Koji hoped to ignite an underdog sparkle and moved all in with Sailboats. However, the deck had other plans as his pocket fours ran into Zheng’s Bullets. When the board delivered another ace, Koji’s fate was sealed.


A 15-minute break ensued after Koji’s departure. But the elimination came like a tornado when the play resumed. The first casualty is China’s Junjie He, who committed all his chips with king-five only to be confronted by Yip’s winner king-queen. No help arrived, and He was sent to the rail in the blink of an eye.


In what felt like an elimination sequence synced with the chip counts, Jie Zheng was next to go following Junjie He. Zheng moved in with pocket nines but took a spot on the rail as the board favored Choi to trip aces, earning a payday of KRW 11,400,000 (~$8,185) for his effort today.

Chang Liu

Facing the same hand as Zheng just moments before, Chang Liu shoved with ace-queen but collided with Iamjamrat’s pocket fours. The Thai player’s Sailboats held strong on a clean runout, sending Liu to the rail and toward the cashout desk.


During Level 31, the storm of eliminations had already claimed three victims, yet it the blazing elimination fire was far from quenched. The last casualty to leave at this stage was Japan’s Ryo Fujita. With King-Jack in hand, Fujita launched a sizable raise with confidence, leaving just 200,000 behind. However, the deck had another plan as it came clean and Yip’s pocket sixes held firm, extinguishing Fujita’s hopes and sending him to the rail in fifth place.


The tempo of eliminations seemed to cool down after the chaos of the last Inferno Level, but just a few orbits into Level 32, two more contenders saw their deep runs reach the end of the road.


One of them, Peerapon Iamjamrat, had entered the day as one of the shortest stacks. Undeterredly and steadily clawing his way back, Iamjamrat rebuilt his stack till the final table with quite resilience. But even managing to survive the storm in the previous level, his Queen-Nine couldn’t overcome Yip’s flopped top pair, bringing the Thai player’s impressive National Cup journey to a close.

Min Sung Lee

The frontrunner, Min Sung Lee, who led the pack going into the Final Day with only over 600,000-chip mark, saw his run cut short just one spot shy of the final duel. Holding Ace-Nine, Lee found himself in a cooler against Yip’s Pocket Jacks and received no help from the board. His deep run ended in third place, good for KRW 34,080,000 (~US$24,465).


After a brief 10-minute break, the final duel was over in the blink of an eye. With both players shoving blind, the title came down to a pure roll of the dice — a test of who Fortuna chose to favor in that final moment. On just the second shove of the heads-up match, Choi paired a jack on the board to beat Ka Chuen Yip’s Ace-Seven, finishing the duel efficiently. Yip had to settle for the runner-up position together with the KRW 47,710,000 (~$34,250) payout.


That leaves just one man standing - Kevin Choi captures the champion in the richest-ever opening event — National Cup for KRW 78,084,378 (~$56,055). Congratulations!

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 11:14:37 AM

Kevin Choi Wins the Korea National Cup for KRW 78,084,378 (~$56,055)

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

Kevin Choi wins the Korea National Cup for KRW 78,084,378 (~$56,055).


A full recap of the day's action will follow shortly.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 11:07:52 AM

Ka Yip Has Been Eliminated in 2nd Place For KRW 62,897,189 (~$45,152)

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000
Ka Chuen Yip

With players shoving blind, the final hands came down to pure chance. After just two quick all-in confrontations, it was Yun Choi who emerged victorious, claiming the trophy.


First hand:


Yun Choi: 8 7


Ka Yip: J 3


Board: Q 7 2 A 4


Second hand:


Yun Choi: K J


Ka Yip: A 7


Board: J 4 2 T Q

PlayerChips
22,000,000(110 BB)
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 10:58:35 AM

A Deal Has Been Made

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

During the break, both players came together and agreed on an even chop. They will now move all-in every hand until a winner for the trophy has been found.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 10:56:28 AM

Heads Up

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

The heads-up stage is about to begin — here’s how the chips stack up.


Both players are now on a short 10-minute break before returning to battle.


Stay tuned to see who will capture the massive KRW 78,084,378 (~$56,055) payday and the coveted Korean National Cup title .

PlayerChips
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
12,300,000(62 BB)
9,650,000(48 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 10:54:09 AM

Min Sung Lee Has Been Eliminated in 3rd Place For KRW 34,080,000 (~US$ 24,465)

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000
Min Sung Lee

From the button, Min Sung Lee moved all-in for 1,800,000. Ka Yip made the call, and Yun Choi got out of the way.


Min Sung Lee: A 9


Ka Yip: J J


The board ran out Q 8 7 T T, busting Min Lee in an impressive 3rd place.

PlayerChips
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
12,300,000(62 BB)
MS
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 10:45:08 AM

Peerapon Iamjamrat Has Been Eliminated in 4th Place For KRW 25,810,000 (~$18,530)

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

It folded around to Peerapon Iamjamrat in the small-blind, who, as the shortest stack, desperately needed some chips. So he moved all-in for 1,525,000 chips. Big-stack Ka Yip quickly made the call.


Peerapon Iamjamrat: Q 9


Ka Yip: A 9


The board ran out A J 8 3 3, busting Iamjamrat in 4th place. Ka Yip is now in a commanding chip lead.

PlayerChips
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
6,800,000(34 BB)
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 10:33:45 AM

Ryo Fujita Has Been Eliminated in 5th Place for KRW 20,540,000 (~$14,745)

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

Ryo Fujita raised to 1,350,000 from the cutoff, leaving only 200,000 behind. Ka Chuen Yip called on the button.


Both players saw a flop of 7 Q 4, and Fujita shoved his remaining chips. Yip snap-called.


Ryo Fujita: K J


Ka Chuen Yip: 6 6


Fujita still had hopes to stay alive; however, the dealer quickly dealt a runout of 4 8, sealing Fujita's fate in fifth place.

PlayerChips
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
6,300,000(39 BB)
RF
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 10:25:15 AM

Chang Liu Has Been Eliminated in 6th Place for KRW 15,770,000 (~$11,320)

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

Peerapon Iamjamrat open-shoved from under the gun for 1,670,000 and Chang Liu called off his 1,635,000 in the cutoff, putting himself at risk.


Chang Liu: A Q


Peerapon Iamjamrat: 4 4


Iamjamrat's sailboats held the dominance on the J 5 J flop. The turn brought more hope for Liu to stay alive as it revealed a 9, giving him a flush draw.


However, the river bricked out a 2, ending Liu's run in sixth for a decent payout of KRW 15,770,000 (~$11,320).

PlayerChips
2,700,000(17 BB)
CL
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 10:03:05 AM

Jie Zheng Has Been Eliminated in 7th Place For KRW 11,400,000 (~$8,185)

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

The players are busting quickly at this final table. The next player to fall is Jie Zheng who put his tournament life at risk after calling the open jam from the small-blind Yun Choi. Zheng had around 2,400,000 chips with Choi having him covered.


Jie Zheng: 9 9


Yun Choi: A J


The flop came out great for Choi, who flopped trips on A A K.


Only a 9 could keep Zheng alive but no help arrived on the 5 turn and 7 river to eliminate him in 7th for KRW 11,400,000.

PlayerChips
5,300,000(33 BB)
JZ
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 9:49:02 AM

Junjie He Has Been Eliminated in 8th Place For KRW 7,780,000 (~$5,585)

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

It folded around to the button Ka Yip, who put full pressure on the blinds by moving all-in.


The small-blind folded, but Junjie He in the big-blind went into the tank. Eventually, he decided to put his remaining 800,000 chips at risk.


Junjie He: K 5


Ka Yip: K Q


He desperately needed a 5 to keep his dream of the trophy alive.


The A 8 7 J 9 board did not bring any support for him and He hit the rail in eighth for KRW 7,780,000.

PlayerChips
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
4,700,000(29 BB)
JH
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 9:38:14 AM

Break Time

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

The remaining 8 players are having another 15-minute break now.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 9:35:08 AM

Miwa Koji Has Been Eliminated in 9th Place For KRW 6,170,000 (~$4,430)

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

Short-stack Koji Miwa moved all-in his chip all-in from early-position. Ka Yip called the 430,000 in the middle-position. The action folded around to Jie Zheng on the button, who put in a three-bet to 1,000,000 chips. This was enough to make Yip fold and to give Miwa a potential triple up.


Koji Miwa: 4 4


Jie Zheng: A A


Unfortunately, for Miw the flop couldn't have been worse, as it came out A K 7.


The 5 and 8 completed the board, busting Miwa in a respectable 9th place.

PlayerChips
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
2,450,000(20 BB)
JZ
2,300,000(19 BB)
MK
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 9:19:46 AM

Final Table Chip Counts

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

With the final table just having started, here are a look at the chip counts.

PlayerChips
4,700,000(39 BB)
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
3,400,000(28 BB)
RF
3,100,000(26 BB)
MS
3,100,000(26 BB)
CL
2,450,000(20 BB)
1,980,000(17 BB)
JZ
1,680,000(14 BB)
JH
1,400,000(12 BB)
MK
450,000(4 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 9:15:51 AM

Yu Xin Liu Has Been Eliminated in 10th Place for KRW 5,020,000 (~$3,600)

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000
Yu Xin Liu

Yu Xin Liu open-shoved from under the gun for 400,000 and received a call from Ka Chuen Yi in the big blind.


Yu Xin Liu: K 3


Ka Chuen Yip: A 9


The board ran out T 8 J 7 K, giving no help to Liu while improving Yip to a straight.


Liu was eliminated in 10th place for KRW 5,020,000 (~$3,600), bringing the table down to the final nine.

PlayerChips
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
3,430,000(29 BB)
YX
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 9:08:33 AM

Yufeng Sun Has Been Eliminated in 11th Place for KRW 5,020,000 (~$3,600)

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

Yunfeng Sun shoved all in from under the gun for 325,000 and Min Sung Lee called in the small blind.


Min Sung Lee: A 5


Yunfeng Sun: A 6


Sun stayed ahead on a flop of 7 J K, but Lee picked up a flush draw.


The turn brought the 7, completing Lee’s flush and sealing Sun’s fate.


The river 8 changed nothing, officially ending Sun’s deep run.

PlayerChips
MS
3,100,000(26 BB)
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 9:02:17 AM

Chengxu Hu Has Been Eliminated in 12th Place for KRW 4,320,000 (~$3,100)

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

Chengxu Hu shoved all in from the small blind for 535,000 and Jie Zheng called in the big blind to put his opponent at risk.


Jie Zheng: J 6


Chengxu Hu: T T


Hu had the chance to managed a double-up but Zheng soon took over the lead on the flop of J Q 3, leaving Hu draeing thin.


A swiftu runout of 7 K sealed Hu's fate and sent him to the rail in twelfth for a payday of KRW 4,320,000 (~$3,100).

PlayerChips
JZ
1,650,000(14 BB)
CH
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 8:46:55 AM

Youji Lee Has Been Eliminated in 13th Place For KRW 3,910,000 (~$2,805)

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

It folded around to Min Lee in the small-blind, who put short-stack Youji Lee all-in. Lee decided to call with his 240,000 chips.


Youji Lee: Q 9


Min Lee: K 6


The flop came out bad for the player at risk, as the K and K appeared. The J gave some hope for a potential straight, but it ran out 3 on the turn, and 4 on the river, busting Lee in 13th place.

PlayerChips
MS
1,850,000(19 BB)
YL
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 8:39:56 AM

Xiaohui Wang Has Been Eliminated in 14th Place For KRW 3,910,000 (~$2,805)

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

It folded around to Yun Choi in the small-blind who completed the blind. Xiaohui Wang then put out 1,000,000 out of his 1,300,000 stack. Choi quickly moved all-in, covering his opponent. Wang made the call and his tournament life was on the line.


Xiahui Wang: K Q


Yun Choi: Q Q


Wang needed to hit a King to stay alive, but sadly for him, he could not do so on A 7 2 5 A.


Wang's two pair sealed Choi's fate.

PlayerChips
3,400,000(34 BB)
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 8:34:10 AM

Hao Chen Has Been Eliminated in 15th Place For KRW 3,910,000 (~$2,805)

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

Junjiee opened the action to 200,000 from early position. Action folded around to Hao Chen in late position, who moved all-in for 700,000.


Ka Yip, sitting in the big blind, responded by shoving over the top for approximately 1.6 million. Junjiee quickly got out of the way, leaving Chen at risk as the two remaining players went to showdown.


Hao Chen: A Q


Ka Yip: T T


The board ran out 7 5 2 J K, busting Chen in 15th place.

PlayerChips
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
2,600,000(26 BB)
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 8:20:03 AM

Wutikrai Phraikhieo Has Been Eliminated in 16th Place for KRW 3,500,000 (~$2,510)

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

Ryo Fujita raised to 200,000 from under the gun and Wutikrai Phraikhieo three-bet to 625,000, leaving only 550,000 behind. Youji Lee called on the button. After mulling it over for around 2 minutes, Fujita then shoved all in for1,640,000. The action went back to Phraikhieo, who called off his last chips. Lee stepped aside.


Wutikrai Phraikhieo: Q Q


Ryo Fujita: K K


Phraikhieo's Ladies was overshadowed by the pocket kings of Fujita, which even improved to a set on the J K 6 flop, leaving Phraikhieo drawing thin.


The runout didn't provide any help to Phraikhieo as it showed 5 6, showing Phraikhieo the way out.

PlayerChips
RF
2,850,000(29 BB)
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 7:55:53 AM

Zheng Leaves Lee a Short Stack

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

Youji Lee shoved all in for around 655,000 on the button and Jie Zheng called from the big blind to put his opponent at risk.


Jie Zheng: Q 9


Youji Lee: 6 6


The dealer swiftly dealt a runout of T 8 A 7 7, securing a double-up for Lee and leaving Zheng on the edge of elimination.

PlayerChips
YL
1,250,000(16 BB)
JZ
200,000(3 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 7:48:41 AM

Chiu Heads to the Door

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

A flop ran out J 3 6 with around 220,000 chips in the pot. Chi Hsiang Chiu bet 180,000 from the small blind and Peeranpon Iamjamrat stuck around in the big blind.


The K fell on the turn and Chiu bet 155,000. Iamjamrat called to see the A river, where Chiu shoved all in and received a snap-call from Iamjamrat.


Chiu revealed T 9 for a bluff while Iamjamrat tabled 6 4 for a rivered flush to send Chiu to the rail.


PlayerChips
2,000,000(25 BB)
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 7:25:06 AM

Chiu's Turn Fire Secures the Pot

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

The board ran out J 9 Q 8 with around 400,000 chips in the middle and Yu Xin Liu checked from the big blind. Chi Hsiang Chiu fired 310,000 on the button, sending Liu in the tank. After mulling it over, Liu eventaually mucked his hand.

PlayerChips
1,500,000(25 BB)
YX
1,000,000(17 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 7:23:26 AM

Shirasawa's Ace Holds

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

Kazuhiro Shirasawa shoved for 225,000 from the hijack and Jie Zheng stuck around from the smal blind.


Kazuhiro Shirasawa: A 4


Jie Zheng: Q 9


The board filled out 3 T 6 J 5, shipping a double-up to Shirasawa

PlayerChips
JZ
625,000(10 BB)
500,000(8 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 6:54:52 AM

Wang Makes the Right Call

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

Xiaohui Wang opened the hijack with a chunky raise to 430,000, leaving 35,000 behind. Wing Yi Wan then shoved all in from the button for 1,550,000 and Junjie He dropped in a call. After thinking for a while, Wang called of his remaining chips.


Xiaohui Wang: Q T


Wing Yi Wan: 8 8


Junjie He: 9 9


He held the lead on the flop of J A 5, giving Wang a gutshot.


The dealer soon delt a runout of J A, turning Wang's tournament life around and managed more than triple up and showing Wan the exit.

PlayerChips
JH
1,880,000(31 BB)
1,480,000(25 BB)
WY
Wing Yi WanHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 6:44:52 AM

Break Time

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Players now are having another 15-minute break.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 6:28:35 AM

Yip's Ace Holds

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Xiaohui Wang opened from under the gun to 100,000 and Ka Chuen Yip shoved all in for 360,000. Wang stuck around after thinking for a while.


Ka Chuen Yip: A K


Xiaohui Wang: 6 6


Wang's pocket sixes held the lead on the 4 4 5 flop, but Yip still got the chance to stay alive.


The board-pairing 5 hit on the turn, and Yip was looking for an ace or king. Fortunately for him, the river revealed an A, saving his tournament life.

PlayerChips
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
870,000(17 BB)
230,000(5 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 6:05:05 AM

He's Queen Takes It Down

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000
Yoshimura Tomohiro

Yoshimura Tomohiro limped in from under the gun and Junjie He put in a raise to 150,000 from the big blind. Tomohiro then shoved all in for 675,000 quickly. He thought for a while before making the call.


Yoshimura Tomohiro: A J


Junjie He: A Q


He's kicker queen earned him the lead and it held up through the board of 3 T 7 K K. Tomohiro took one seat on the rail.

PlayerChips
JH
1,800,000(45 BB)
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 5:58:12 AM

Liu Forces the Fold with Turn Pressure

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

The action was picked up on the turn with a runout showing 3 4 K K and around 300,000 chips in the middle.


Junjie He checked from the hijack to Chang Liu, who then sent a bet of 130,000 on the button, sending his opponent in the tank. After mulling it over, He finally returned his cards to the dealer and relinquished the pot.

PlayerChips
CL
1,370,000(34 BB)
JH
1,245,000(31 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 5:46:56 AM

Wan's Momentum Keeps Going

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

A few orbits after, Wing Yi Wan kept her momentum and chipped away through Hinako Tanaka.


With around 450,000 in the pot, the board showed K Q Q 2 and Tanaka bet 100,000 from the big blind. Wan then put in a raise to 450,000, sending her opponent into the tank. After a long time, Tanaka eventually laid it down.

PlayerChips
WY
Wing Yi WanHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
1,140,000(38 BB)
190,000(6 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 5:36:15 AM

Only Women Survive

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000
Wing Yi Wan

One three-way preflop pot just played out, ending with one double-up and one knockout.


Wing Yi Wan opened from under the gun to 60,000 only to be jammed by Naoto Udagawa for around 630,000 from in the hijack. Mizuki Akiyama then called off her 95,000, putting herself at risk. Wan stuck around.


Wing Yi Wan: A K


Mizuki Akiyama: A K


Naoto Udagawa: J J


Udagawa dominated with pocket jacks, but it didn’t last long as the runout quickly dealt 8 J T Q 4, giving both of his female opponents Broadway and sending him to the rail with a set.

PlayerChips
WY
Wing Yi WanHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
1,140,000(38 BB)
190,000(6 BB)
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 5:04:49 AM

Tan Turns Around with Seven-Six

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

With a board running out 5 9 6 7 and around 200,000 chips in the middle, Chuning Tan shoved all in for around 150,000 and Wutikai Phraikhieo made the call from the hijack.


Wutikrai Phraikhieo: A J


Chuning Tan: 7 6


Tan revealed his winner holding seven-six to best ace-high from Phraikhieo.


The meaningless T filled out the board and shipped the pot Tan’s way.

PlayerChips
820,000(33 BB)
380,000(15 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 4:53:11 AM

He Comes Back from the Break Strong

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000
Junjie He

One three-way all-in pot just happened and culminated in double knockouts.


Shobu Oda open-shoved for 375,000 from the hijack only to be jammed by the blinds: Junjie He for around 400,000 and Jieming Xu for around 200,000.


Jieming Xu: K Q


Junjie He: 8 8


Shobu Oda: T T


Oda held the lead with pocket tens; however, his dominance didn’t last long as a flop came K 8 2, improving Xu to top pair and He to a set.


“Ten, ten, ten…” Oda called, but the dealer dealt a runout of 4 J, sending the Japanese player and Xu to the rail.


He has built his stack to over a million in chips.

PlayerChips
JH
1,090,000(44 BB)
JX
busted
SO
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 4:28:04 AM

Break time

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

The remaining 42 players are having the first 15-minute break now.

Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 4:26:20 AM

Tang's Nine Working Well

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000
Yixi Tang

Pitt Karchai opened to 40,000 from under the gun and Yixi Tang called in the big blind.


The two saw a flop of 4 2 9, and Tang checked to Karchai, who then continued for 30,000. Tang stuck around.


It went check-check on the 7 turn and the river brought a 9, where Tang sent a bet of 110,000. Karchai called.


Tang revealed 9 3 for turned trip nines to collect the pot as Karchai folded.

PlayerChips
YT
885,000(44 BB)
PK
Pitt KarchaiThailand [THA]Thailand
175,000(9 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 4:19:16 AM

Tan's River Laydown

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

A board ran out 8 Q 3 7 with around 200,000 chips in the middle when Wutikrai Phraihieo checked from the big blind, as did Chuning Tan from the cutoff.


Both players saw a 6 hit on the river, where Phraihieo fired 52,000. It was good for the pot as Tan folded.

PlayerChips
645,000(32 BB)
450,000(23 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 3:55:57 AM

Tang Goes for the Flop

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Yixi Tang raised to 32,000 from early position and Tai Lu Kun defended in the big blind.


A flop came 3 5 2, and Kun checked to Tang, who then shoved all in swiftly for 555,000, leaving his opponenet a tough situation. After thinking for a long time, Kun eventually tossed his cards into the muck.

PlayerChips
YT
660,000(41 BB)
TL
65,000(4 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 3:49:33 AM

Zheng Forced to Fold

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000
Kyota Henzan

Kyota Henzan limped in from the small blind and Jie Zheng checked over from the big blind.


The two saw a flop come 2 J 8, and Henzan bet 16,000. Zheng made the call to see the Q turn, where it went check-check


A board-pairing Q dropped on the river, where Henzan fired out 52,000. Zheng quickly folded and pushed the pot to Henzan.

PlayerChips
750,000(47 BB)
JZ
400,000(25 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 3:43:56 AM

Lee's River Fires is Good

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Youji Lee raised to 32,000 from middle position and Jun Li defended his big blind.


On the flop of 2 K Q, Li checked to Lee, who made a continuation bet of 25,000. Le came along to see a 7 fall on the turn. It went check-check.


The 6 river filled out the board and Li checked over again. Lee fired out 115,000, which was good for the pot as his opponent folded.

PlayerChips
YL
510,000(32 BB)
JL
Jun LiUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
170,000(11 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 3:25:28 AM

Hinaka Doubles Through Xu

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Yusuke Hinaka was all in for 44,000 from middle position and Jieming Xu also shoved for around 370,000 in the hijack.


Jieming Xu: A J


Yusuke Hinaka: A K


Hinaka’s king held up on the board of 3 8 T 5 9, locking up a much-needed double-up.

PlayerChips
JX
350,000(29 BB)
100,000(8 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 3:11:39 AM

Tomohiro Collects One Elimination

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000
Yoshimura Tomohiro

The action was picked up on the turn with a board showing 6 Q 7 5 and around 150,000 chips in the pot when Yoshimura Tomohiro took a long time before shoving all in for 257,000 from the big blind, sending Zhen Xiang Wong into the tank in the cutoff. After around 2 minutes, Wong finally called.


Zheng Xiang Wong: J J


Yoshimura Tomohiro: K Q


Tomohiro picked up the lead with a flopped pair of queens against pocket jacks from Wong.


Soon, the dealer revealed a bricky 2 river to complete the board and sent Wong to the rail.

PlayerChips
525,000(44 BB)
busted
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 2:55:26 AM

Lamjamrat's Check-Raise Works

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Peeranpon Lamjamrat opened to 20,000 from under the gun and Kensuke Makino called in the cutoff, as did Tae Hoon Han from the big blind.


The trio saw the Q 4 T flop, and the action was checked to Makino, who led out for 20,000. Han called and Lamjamrat check-raised to 60,000, sending Makino into the tank. After long deliberation, Han eventually mucked. Han also snap-folded.

PlayerChips
TH
Tae Hoon HanNew Zealand [NZL]New Zealand
475,000(48 BB)
265,000(27 BB)
90,000(9 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 2:40:40 AM

Choi Sends Yu for An Early Shower

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000
Yun Lam Kevin Choi

Keviin Choi opened the cutoff to 20,000 and Yunchao Yu defended his big blind.


A flop came J J 7 and Yu checked it to Choi, who then continued for 15,000. Yu responded with a shove for 48,000 swiftly, and it took no time for Choi to drop in the call.


Yunchao Yu: K 3


Kevin Choi: J Q


Yu was on the edge of elimination with his king-high against flopped trip jacks from Choi.


The runout filled out 7 7, improving Choi to a full house. Yu walked out of the field.

PlayerChips
460,000(46 BB)
YY
79,000(8 BB)
Karlo De SottoKarlo De Sotto
8/2/2025, 1:52:57 AM

Cards Are in the Air

Shuffle up and deal has been announced and the cards are in the air for the Final Day of National Cup.

SMPSMP
8/2/2025, 1:51:16 AM

Austria’s Min Sung Lee Sets the Pace in Record-Breaking APT Incheon Opener

Min Sung Lee

The energy was palpable as players rolled up their sleeves, and a thrilling breeze finally swept through Paradise City Casino at APT Incheon. After three months of patience-testing wait, the APT gates reopened for the KRW 700,000 Korea National Cup, reigniting the competitive fire in the heart of every poker enthusiast.


All eyes are on the front and center of the stage today as 100 survivors will return for the Final Day of National Cup. Having navigated through a total minefield of 707 entrants (461 unique) across three grueling Day 1 flights, they’ve bagged their chips, locked up their seats for the Final Day, and kept their dreams much alive.


The tournament shattered the previous APT country record for the opening event, soaring past the iconic benchmark set in 2024 APT Jeju with ease, and setting fresh high as the largest APT opening event ever to run in Korea. Only a single day of action has whittled down the field to one-seventh of its original size — a mix of seasoned pros and APT regulars — each chasing a shot at glory and a place in the history books.


The KRW 100 million (~$71,000) guarantee was easily eclipsed by the massive turnout, which fueled a mammoth KRW408,304,378 (~$293,112) prize pool, headlined by a mouth-watering top prize of KRW 78,084,378 (~$ 56,055).

Top Ten Chip Counts

PlayerChips
MS
605,000
522,000
YL
515,000
511,000
510,000
GE
Gleb ErshovRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
484,000
466,000
TH
Tae Hoon HanNew Zealand [NZL]New Zealand
448,000
425,000
404,000

Leading the pack is Austria’s Min Sung Lee, who amassed a dominating stack of 605,000 after twenty 25-minute levels in Flight A. He’s the only survivor to surpass the 600,000-chip mark after Day 1. Hot on Lee’s heels is Kobayashi Shuhei from Japan, who bagged 522,000 in Flight B, and his compatriot Youji Lee rounded out the top three with 515,000.


The other two players to bag over the half-million chip mark are Kobayashi Shuhei (511,000) of Japan and one APT titlist Hao Chen (510,000) from China, who has exceeded the one-million mark in live earnings.


Other formidable names in the leaderboard include 2023 APT Micro Main Event champ Xiaohui Wang (425,000), decorated APT regular Chuning Tan (404,000), two-time APT title winner Kevin Choi (394,000), and 2024 APT Taipei Super Hyper Turbo champion Ka Chuen Yip (353,000). With chips stacked, this decorated lineup promises to charge into the Final Day with full vigor till the end.

Top Ten Payouts

PlacePayout (USD)
1$56,115
2$34,285
3$24,490
4$18,550
5$14,760
6$11,335
7$8,195
8$5,590
9$4,435
10$3,610

The mission for all contenders today is to outmaneuver the battlefield and rise as champion. All survivors are guaranteed a minimum payday of KRW 1,110,000 (~$ 800); however, that pales in comparison to the KRW 6,170,000 (~$4,430) payout guaranteed at the final table — let alone the coveted top prize that awaits the last one standing.


Final Day action kicks off at 11:15 a.m. local time at Level 21, with blinds resuming at 8,000/16,000 and a 16,000 big blind ante.

The remaining players will play through 25-minute levels until a winner is crowned. The first 15-minute break is scheduled after Level 22, with additional 15-minute breaks slotted every four levels thereafter.


Stay tuned here for chip counts, pivotal moments, and full coverage to see who captures the crown.

SMPSMP
8/1/2025, 6:58:30 PM

Korea National Cup Day 2

Chip Count

PlayerChips
750,000
MS
605,000
522,000
YL
515,000
511,000
510,000
GE
Gleb ErshovRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
484,000
466,000
TH
Tae Hoon HanNew Zealand [NZL]New Zealand
448,000
425,000
404,000
JH
402,000
399,000
394,000
361,000
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
353,000
342,000
JZ
339,000
336,000
336,000
JX
327,000
327,000
316,000
311,000
309,000
303,000
WY
Wing Yi WanHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
298,000
JH
292,000
288,000
RF
287,000
286,000
ZQ
286,000
285,000
280,000
CL
277,000
277,000
MK
259,000
256,000
253,000
YR
225,000
SO
224,000
CH
217,000
DP
David PandoMalaysia [MYS]Malaysia
217,000
204,000
195,000
187,000
HH
184,000
ZL
Ziwen LiuCanada [CAN]Canada
184,000
183,000
171,000
171,000
165,000
JW
164,000
CH
164,000
162,000
162,000
156,000
ZW
155,000
PK
Pitt KarchaiThailand [THA]Thailand
149,000
148,000
148,000
CP
Chak Pan HoHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
142,000
136,000
134,000
HY
Ho Yiu ChungUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
130,000
JL
Jun LiUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
128,000
128,000
JL
Jonathan LeeMalaysia [MYS]Malaysia
124,000
HY
Ho Yin WongHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
124,000
124,000
ND
123,000
114,000
CH
Chi Hung LamHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
108,000
106,000
106,000
CL
Cheng LiTaiwan [TWN]Taiwan
104,000
101,000
98,000
HC
95,000
LM
Leung Man HinHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
90,000
90,000
84,000
YX
79,000
YY
79,000
75,000
74,000
69,000
HM
Ho Ming LiuHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
65,000
YT
63,000
61,000
HZ
Hong ZhuCanada [CAN]Canada
59,000
56,000
56,000
55,000
TL
52,000
TL
Tsz Long LauHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
46,000
39,000
29,000
24,600
PH
Pin HeTaiwan [TWN]Taiwan
20,000
11,000

Seat Draw

PlayerChipsTableSeat
342,000511
394,000512
327,000513
YR
225,000514
YY
79,000515
128,000516
425,000517
ND
123,000518
171,000521
56,000522
171,000523
WY
Wing Yi WanHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
298,000524
75,000525
CP
Chak Pan HoHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
142,000526
114,000527
311,000528
HM
Ho Ming LiuHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
65,000531
124,000532
511,000533
522,000534
134,000535
101,000536
510,000537
CL
277,000538
YL
515,000541
280,000542
JW
164,000543
55,000544
106,000545
156,000546
285,000547
TH
Tae Hoon HanNew Zealand [NZL]New Zealand
448,000548
29,000551
JH
402,000552
CH
Chi Hung LamHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
108,000553
MK
259,000554
466,000555
309,000556
TL
52,000557
148,000558
RF
287,000561
361,000562
336,000563
336,000564
JZ
339,000565
98,000566
106,000567
HC
95,000568
84,000571
YX
79,000572
204,000573
ZL
Ziwen LiuCanada [CAN]Canada
184,000574
61,000575
DP
David PandoMalaysia [MYS]Malaysia
217,000576
ZW
155,000577
286,000578
CL
Cheng LiTaiwan [TWN]Taiwan
104,000581
56,000582
CH
217,000583
183,000584
JX
327,000585
HZ
Hong ZhuCanada [CAN]Canada
59,000586
256,000587
GE
Gleb ErshovRussian Federation [RUS]Russian Federation
484,000588
148,000591
11,000592
JL
Jun LiUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
128,000593
162,000594
316,000595
HY
Ho Yin WongHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
124,000596
253,000597
74,000598
PH
Pin HeTaiwan [TWN]Taiwan
20,000601
HH
184,000602
277,000603
JH
292,000605
69,000606
CH
164,000607
YT
63,000608
165,000612
404,000613
195,000614
288,000615
TL
Tsz Long LauHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
46,000616
KC
Ka Chuen YipHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
353,000617
162,000618
PK
Pitt KarchaiThailand [THA]Thailand
149,000621
399,000622
90,000623
303,000624
39,000626
136,000627
LM
Leung Man HinHong Kong [HKG]Hong Kong
90,000628
24,600632
ZQ
286,000633
HY
Ho Yiu ChungUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [GBR]United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
130,000634
SO
224,000635
MS
605,000636
JL
Jonathan LeeMalaysia [MYS]Malaysia
124,000637
187,000638