Korea National Cup (700,000 KRW)

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, before the final duel between Kevin Choi and Ka Chuen Yip where both players opted to test their luck and move all-in blind in back-to-back hands.

It was Choi who proved to be the most fortuitous of the two, coming from behind to win both flips and clinch his third career APT live title and the third largest score of his poker career.

Choi entered the final table as the chip leader but it was Yip who brought the chip lead into the heads-up match.

However, two coin flips put paid to that with Choi running out four to a flush in the first, and out flopping Yips ace-seven with king jack in the second to snag the KRW 78,084,378 (~$56,055) top prize and coveted silver lion silhouette trophy.

Yip earned KRW 47,710,000 (~USD 34,250) for his runner-up finish, claiming the largest score of his poker career in the process.

It was start-of-day chip leader Min Sung Lee of Austria rounding out the last of the podium places, the KRW 34,080,000 (~USD 24,465) on offer for third representing the second-best result on his poker resume.

The tournament drew a total of 707 entries, generating a hefty KRW 408,304,378 (~USD 293,112) prize pool, making it both the largest and richest Korean-based opening event in tour history, with the final table paying out as follows:

Day 2 started with 100 survivors who had bagged up a stack from Day 1 flights. All of whom had locked up a minimum cash of KRW 1,110,000 (~$ 800).

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 pocket fours.

However, the deck had other plans as his sailboats ran aground against Jie Zheng’s Bullets. When the board delivered another ace, Koji’s fate was sealed.

A 15-minute break ensued after Koji’s departure with the eliminations creating a tornado of cards and chips when the play resumed.

The first post-break casualty was China’s Junjie He, who committed all his chips with king-five only to be confronted by Yip’s king-queen. No help arrived, and He was sent to the rail in eighth place for KRW 7,780,000 (~USD 5,585).

In what felt like an elimination sequence synced with the remaining chip counts, Zheng was next to go, moving in with pocket nines but took a spot on the rail with Choi spiking trip aces on the runout. Zheng earned a payday of KRW 11,400,000 (~$8,185) for his seventh place finish.

Chang Liu was next out shoving with ace-queen but collided with Peerapon Iamjamrat's pocket fours. The Thai player held on a clean runout, sending Liu to the rail in sixth place for KRW 15,770,000 (~USD 11,320).

Level 31 had already claimed three victims, but the action was far from over. With King-Jack in hand, Japan’s Ryo Fujita launched a sizable raise, leaving just 200,000 behind.

However, Yip looked him up with pocket sixes, which held firm to extinguish Fujita’s title hopes and send him to the rail in fifth place for KRW 20,540,000 (~USD 14,745).

The tempo of eliminations slowed after the chaos of the last previous level, and it took several orbits on Level 32 before two more contenders saw their deep runs come to an end.

Thailand's Peerapon Iamjamrat had entered the day as one of the shortest stacks and laddered his way up the leaderboard but could go no further than fourth place when his Queen-Nine was outkicked by Yip’s ace nine, with the Hong Kong player hitting top pair to seal the deal, bringing the Thai player’s impressive National Cup journey to a close for a KRW 25,810,000 (~USD 18,530) pay day.

Overnight chip leader Min Sung Lee saw his 600,000 start-of-day stack get him within touching distance of the trophy but the Austrian-based player was unable to go the distance.

Holding Ace-Nine, Lee found himself up 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 fortune 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 left just one man standing with Kevin Choi capturing the title in the APT's richest Korean-based opening event for KRW 78,084,378 (~$56,055). Congratulations Kevin!

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.

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♣

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Players now are having another 15-minute break.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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).

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.

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.