South Korea, LES A CasinoEVENT #18

2026.02.01 - 2026.02.07Add to Calendar

Asian Poker Tour

Blind level

Level 37: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Entries

1/1,718

Total Chips

68,720,000

Average

68,720,000

LIVE UPDATES BY APT

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 10:26:01 AM

William Li Stands Tallest at the End of a Record-Breaking APT Jeju Classic Main Event

Level 37: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

William Li

When the final card was dealt at the largest poker tournament ever held in South Korea, it was Canada's William Li who remained, having outlasted everything the APT Jeju Classic Main Event could throw at him.

Across a final table defined by pressure, momentum swings, and little margin for error, Li stayed composed through the biggest moments, eventually turning back the fearless challenge of Japan's Shintaro Sato in heads-up play to secure the KRW 579,649,600 (~USD 402,535) top prize and the APT Gold Lion trophy.

The win came at the end of a Main Event that steadily built toward history. A total of 1,718 entries took their shot at the KRW 2,300,000 (~USD 1,600) buy-in, pushing past the previous Korean attendance record of 1,693 set during the Asian Poker Tour’s last visit to Jeju just four months earlier. Once again, APT returned to the island and managed to surpass its own benchmark.

It was the latest in a growing list of records set by the tour, and further evidence that Jeju has become one of APT’s most dependable destinations. From field sizes to prize pools, the numbers continue to climb each time the tour returns, reinforcing Jeju’s place as a stop where expectations are not just met, but routinely exceeded.

By the time the dust settled, the record turnout had created a KRW 3,414,009,600 (~USD 2,370,840) prize pool, with added significance for those who reached the podium. Alongside their payouts, Li, Sato, and Romania's Christian Tabac each locked up a seat to the APT Championship Main Event in November (valued at ~USD 10,000), closing a Main Event that delivered both historic numbers and a fittingly hard-fought finish.

Place	Player	Prize (KRW)	Prize (USD)
1	WL William LiCanada	579,649,600	$402,535
2	SS Shintaro SatoJapan	323,930,000	$224,950
3	CT Christian TabacRomania	226,520,000	$157,305
4	LZ Lei Zhang 2China	164,160,000	$114,000
5	ZY Zu You WangChina	130,790,000	$90,825
6	QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	104,060,000	$72,265
7	AN Arita NaohiroJapan	79,520,000	$55,220
8	HM Haohui MaChina	56,120,000	$38,970
9	YP Yuefeng PanChina	42,910,000	$29,800

Li's Reflects on Victory

For Li, the APT Jeju Classic Main Event victory felt less like a sudden breakthrough and more like the closing of a long chapter.

“I think this trophy represents a lot to me,” Li said. “Over the past two years, I’ve played many tournaments. There were happy moments and frustrating ones, ups and downs along the way.” In the end, he described the win as “a milestone — something worth commemorating,” adding that for one of his hobbies, it finally felt like it had “given something back.”

Even as the tournament reached its climax, Li never allowed himself to feel comfortable. “I’m actually a relatively pessimistic person, so I don’t really let myself feel happy too early,” he explained. The only moment he truly felt confident came late in heads-up play. “If there was a moment when I felt the most confident, it was after I won the second-to-last pot. The chip gap became huge, and at that point I felt the title was basically mine.” Until then, caution ruled. “Everyone knows how poker is — anything can happen. Nothing is ever certain.”

Reflecting on the final table, Li pointed to the very first hand of heads-up play as a major turning point. “In the first hand of heads-up, I made a standard limp with 9-4, I hit two pair,” he said. After playing against his opponent for two days, Li felt he had reliable reads. “He tends to make a lot of unpredictable all-ins,” Li noted, and when the shove came, “I didn’t think I was behind many hands, so it felt like an easy call.” Winning that pot, he said, brought the stacks almost level.

William Li

Not every key decision felt as clear. “The second hand was actually pretty uncomfortable,” Li admitted. Holding a straight draw, he knew the risks. “I was behind a lot of his calling range,” and if the hand played out aggressively, “I would lose to higher straights and all the full houses.” Still, the nature of heads-up poker left little room to retreat. “With the combo I had, I didn’t feel like I could fold much. Even though he covered me, I had to go with my hand.”

Beyond the cards, Li highlighted the physical demands of the deep run. “Honestly, one of the biggest difficulties in the main event was that there was no dinner break on Days 2 and 3,” he said, admitting he was “really hungry,” and even felt “a bit dizzy” by Day 4. Still, he viewed it as part of the challenge. “Poker is a competitive sport — it’s not supposed to be easy,” he said. “Being hungry and having irregular meals is simply part of what players have to deal with and overcome.”

Li was full of praise for the tour itself. “Overall, I think the experience was very good,” he said, pointing to professionally trained dealers, solid equipment, and a highly capable floor and referee team. “In my opinion, within Asia, APT is probably one of the best-run series.”

as for the prize money, Li was clear that the win would not change his life in dramatic fashion. “Poker isn’t my profession. I’m not a professional player,” he said. Instead, he sees the payout as motivation. “To me, it’s more like a reward or feedback for the effort I’ve put into this hobby. It encourages me to keep going.” After years of playing and losing, he said the victory finally felt like “a return on that passion.”

Li closed with a simple note of gratitude. “Finally, I want to thank my family for supporting this hobby of mine.”

Final Table Action

In a finale that had fireworks from the get-go, Yuefeng Pan unsurprisingly found himself all in for his last chip on the very first hand of play after calling all-in versus an open from Sato. Pan's cards were live, but Sato spiked a pair on the flop and Pan was unable to catch up to to bow out in ninth place.

Yuefeng Pan

Following an orbit of hands that saw Tabac take over the chip lead, Haohui Ma made a move with his short stack holding an ace, but found himself dominated against Quang Minh Nguyen and failed to improve to exit in eighth.

With hardly a lull in the action, Nguyen found himself in a perfect spot to double up after picking up pocket aces against Zu You Wang's pocket queens. Nguyen slowplayed his hand and found a low runout against Wang, who put Nguyen all-in on the turn. Nguyen called and showed him the bad news, scoring an early double-up after the river bricked out.

Zu You Wang

Wang's woes continued after doubling up a short-stacked Arita Naohiro, who ended up exiting shortly thereafter in seventh despite the double-up by running ace-jack into Lei Zhang's ace-king.

Sato's relentless aggression finally backfired after Nguyen showed a willingness to call the Japanese player down lightly and before long, Nguyen took over the chip lead after a series of hands went his way.

Nguyen's good fortune didn't last long, however, as he found himself on the wrong end of a cooler with trip aces against Tabac's full house to lose the chip lead. Just a few hands later, Sato won a huge flip against Nguyen to retake the chip lead and leave Nguyen on the short stack. It only got worse for Nguyen after getting his money in good against Sato, only for Sato to hit a runner-runner straight to eliminate Nguyen in sixth place.

Quang Minh Nguyen

From there, Sato continued to dominate the final table, building his stack to nearly half of the chips in play with five players remaining. Wang was unable to regain traction and made a stand with ace-four, only to run into Li’s pocket eights. Failing to improve, Wang was eliminated in fifth place while Li, who had remained a relatively quiet presence at the table until that point, gained a nice boost to his stack.

A pivotal hand for Li occurred after getting all in preflop with ace-eight against Tabac's ace-nine. Li found himself one card from elimination, but drilled a nine on the river to double through Tabac and claim the second spot on the leaderboard.

Christian Tabac

With more ammunition to work with, Li pulled off a big bluff against Tabac after three-bet shoving with air on the flop and getting Tabac to fold a pair. Despite falling to the shortest stack, Tabac would not be the next to go after Zhang picked up pocket tens and four-bet jammed them into Sato's pocket jacks. Interestingly, Li held pocket queens in the hand, but ended up letting them go in the face of so much action. Zhang was unable to improve and departed in fourth place.

Tabac still had some fight left in him and managed to double-up a couple of times, but ultimately fell to Sato after calling a massive preflop shove with ace-king against Sato's queen-three. Sato flopped a queen and Tabac was unable to catch up, ending his impressive run in third place on a bad beat.

Shintaro Sato

Sato was poised to make quick work of Li in their heads-up battle, with Sato enjoying a more than three-to-one chip lead at the start. However, Li scored a double-up after flopping two pair against Sato's top pair on the very first hand.

Li further closed the gap in a series of small pots before catching Sato in a massive bluff gone wrong. In the hand, Sato check-called two bets from Li, who had turned a straight, and then led out for a shove after the river paired the board. The bold move made Li tank for a while, but he eventually called correctly, which left Sato with just over a single big blind.

William Li and Shintaro Sato

On the very next hand, it was all over. Sato moved in with king-six and was called by Li, who held ace-deuce. The runout improved neither player, leaving Li best with his ace to put an end to the tournament and claim the APT Jeju Classic Main Event title.

That brings an end to the APT Main Event coverage from Jeju, but be sure to check the APT Blog for updates from the APT High Roller as the festival draws to a close.

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 8:16:46 AM

William Li Wins Korea's Largest-Ever Poker Tournament for KRW 579,649,600 (~$402,535)

Level 38: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Gold Lion Main Event Trophy

William Li is the champion.

Li laddered his way up the payouts on the final table and then switched gears to claim the KRW 579,649,600 (~$402,535) top prize, along with the Gold Lion Trophy and an APT Championship Main Event seat.

Stay tuned for a recap of the day's action to see just how he did it.

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 8:14:25 AM

Shintaro Sato Eliminated in 2nd Place for KRW 323,930,000 (~$224,950)

Level 38: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Shintaro Sato

Hand #92: Shintaro Sato shoved 700,000 from the button and William Li called in the big blind.

Shintaro Sato: K♦ 6♠

William Li: A♠ 2♦

Could Li clinch the title at the first time of asking? The 9♣ 8♠ J♥ flop made it more likely as Li's ace-high was still in the lead.

Sato picked up a few more outs on the 7♦ turn as he added a straight draw, meaning he needed a ten to chop, or a king, six, or five to double up.

However, the Q♦ river was a brick, meaning Sato had to settle for second and Li was the Main Event champion.

Player	Chips
WL William LiCanada	68,720,000(115 BB)
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	busted

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 8:12:19 AM

Sato Left With Crumbs After Massive Bluff Gone Wrong

Level 38: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

William Li

Hand #91: William Li limped on the button and Shintaro Sato checked his option in the big blind.

Sato check-called an 800,000 bet from Li on the 8♣ 7♦ 2♣ flop and a 2,500,000 bet from Li on the 6♥ turn.

The 2♠ paired the board on the river and Shintaro took over the initative by moving all in for approximately 30,000,000.

Faced with the massive shove, Li tanked a bit before calling all in and Sato showed K♦ T♥ for a a complete bluff.

Li revealed 5♦ 4♥ for a turned straight and was awarded the gargantuan double up, leaving Sato with just 700,000.

Player	Chips
WL William LiCanada	68,000,000(113 BB)
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	700,000(1 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 8:09:36 AM

Li Closes the Gap on Sato

Level 38: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

William Li

Hand #87: William Li limped 9♣ 2♥ on the button and Shintaro Sato shoved 6♣ 5♣ for 36,000,000. Li folded.

Hand #88: Sato raised to 1,200,000 with Q♦ 7♠ and Li called holding J♣ 7♣

On the 7♥ 9♣ T♠ flop, both checked to the A♥ turn, where again both players checked. When the 3♦ hit on the river, both tapped the table once more and Sato's queen-kicker played with his pair of sevens.

Hand #89: Li picked up J♣ 7♠ on the button and made it 1,200,000 to go. Sato called with T♠ 4♦

The flop came 6♣ K♣ 4♣ and Sato checked, Li bet 1,200,000, and Sato called to the 9♣ turn. Both checked to the K♥ river, where both checked again, meaning Li took it down with a flush.

Hand #90: Sato limped in with A♦ 2♠ and Li checked Q♥ 4♣

On the Q♦ 9♣ 6♠ flop, both checked to the T♠ turn, where Li bet 700,000. Sato folded.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	35,000,000(58 BB)
WL William LiCanada	34,000,000(57 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 7:48:47 AM

Li Doubles Through Sato on the First Hand of Heads up

Level 37: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

William Li

Hand #85: William Li limped on the button and Shintaro Sato checked his option.

The flop came 4♥ 6♥ 9♥ and Sato checked to Li, who bet 800,000. Sato responded with a shove and Li quickly called to put himself at risk for 15,000,000.

William Li: 9♦ 4♣

Shintaro Sato: T♠ 9♣

It was a bit of a cooler of Sato, who had flopped top pair against Li's two pair.

The 3♦ 3♣ runout kept Li ahead and he was awarded a double up on the first hand of their duel to pull to nearly even.

Hand #86: Sato limped in with J♣ 8♦ on the button and Li shoved K♥ Q♣ for 32,000,000. Sato folded.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	37,000,000(74 BB)
WL William LiCanada	32,000,000(64 BB)

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	37,000,000(74 BB)
WL William LiCanada	32,000,000(64 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 7:08:24 AM

Short Break

Level 37: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Shintaro Sato and William Li

Shintaro Sato and William Li are taking a brief break before beginning their heads-up battle for the title, trophy, and KRW 579,649,600 (~$402,535) first-place prize.

Li will have his work cut out for him, as he will enter their heads-up battle with about a 3:1 chip deficit against Sato.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	53,000,000(106 BB)
WL William LiCanada	16,000,000(32 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 7:06:54 AM

Christian Tabac Eliminated in 3rd Place For KRW 226,520,000 (~$157,305)

Level 37: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Christian Tabac

Shintaro Sato shoved on the button and was snap-called all in by Christian Tabac in the small blind for 16,000,000.

Christian Tabac: A♥ K♦

Shintaro Sato: Q♠ 3♣

Tabac was poised to score a massive double up with his Big Slick, but his dreams of a Main Event title were quickly diminished after the Q♥ 5♠ 6♣ flop vaulted Sato into the lead with a pair of queens.

Tabac was looking for an overcard, but none came on the 4♦ turn or J♥ river, eliminating Tabac in third place in disappointing fashion and giving Sato an enormous chip lead.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	53,000,000(106 BB)
WL William LiCanada	16,000,000(32 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	busted

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 7:03:26 AM

Tabac Doubles; Sato Keeps the Pressure On

Level 37: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Shintaro Sato

Hand #79: Christian Tabac opened to 1,000,000 from under the gun and Shintaro Sato shoved the big blind. Tabac snap-called for his stack of 6,700,000.

Christian Tabac: A♠ A♦

Shintaro Sato: Q♣ 2♣

Tabac was in the perfect spot to double up with his aces, but the 6♥ Q♦ 2♦ flop made him sweat as Sato paired his queen.

A T♥ on the turn was clean for Tabac, as was the 5♦ river, keeping him alive.

Hand #80: Sato looked down at 9♠ 8♥ in the small blind and shoved, earning him the pot.

Hand #81: Sato shoved 8♠ 8♥ from the button and took it down.

Hand #82: Tabac raised to 1,000,000 from the button with K♠ Q♠ and Sato called from the big blind holding 8♠ 6♠

It checked to the river on the 3♥ K♥ 5♥ 5♠ T♠ board, where Sato check-folded the river after Tabac bet 2,000,000.

Hand #83: William Li opened the button with K♣ 9♥ and Tabac defended Q♦ 7♣ in the big blind.

It checked to showdown on the 6♦ 3♠ 8♥ 2♥ Q♠ board, where Tabac took it down with a rivered pair of queens.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	36,000,000(72 BB)
WL William LiCanada	17,000,000(34 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	16,000,000(32 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 6:59:20 AM

Lei Zhang Eliminated in 4th Place for KRW 164,160,000 (~$114,000)

Level 37: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Lei Zhang

Hand #78: Shintaro Sato raised to 1,000,000 from under the gun and was three-bet to 3,500,000 by William Li in the small blind. Lei Zhang then four-bet shoved for his last 8,700,000 in the big blind and Sato also shoved for 30,000,000.

Li, who had 19,000,000 behind, tanked and then folded Q♠ Q♣ to set up a showdown betweeen Zhang and Sato.

Lei Zhang: T♦ T♣

Shintaro Sato: J♠ J♥

What would have been a clash between three premium hands ended with the best hand hitting the muck and Zhang facing elimination against Sato's jacks.

The board ran out 3♠ 2♣ 6♣ K♠ 3♥ — leaving Sato best and eliminating Zhang in fourth place.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	43,000,000(86 BB)
WL William LiCanada	19,000,000(38 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	6,700,000(13 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	busted

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 6:53:14 AM

Tabac Back to the Short Stack

Level 37: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Christian Tabac

Hand #74: Christian Tabac raised to 1,000,000 on the button with K♦ 2♦ and Lei Zhang shoved the big blind with 5♠ 5♦ for 7,700,000. Tabac folded.

Hand #75: William Li raised the button to 1,000,000 with T♦ 5♣ and won the pot.

Hand #76: Li looked down at 5♥ 5♣ under the gun and made it 1,000,000, and Tabac defended the big blind with K♥ 3♥

On the 3♠ 6♥ Q♣ flop, Tabac check-called a bet of 800,000 from Li to the A♠ turn, where both checked.

An A♦ hit the river and both checked again, with Li taking it down with his pair of fives.

Hand #77: Tabac shoved 7♥ 6♥ from the small blind for 5,700,000 and won the pot.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	30,000,000(60 BB)
WL William LiCanada	23,000,000(46 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	9,200,000(18 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	6,700,000(13 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 6:45:03 AM

Tabac Doubles as Li Climbs the Leaderboard

Level 37: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

William Li

Hand #68: Shintaro Sato called from the small blind and called after Christian Tabac shoved for 3,600,000 in the big blind to put him at risk.

Christian Tabac: A♠ T♦

Shintaro Sato: T♥ 6♥

Sato was fishing for a knockout, but found himself dominated against Tabac.

The K♥ K♦ 8♠ flop looked safe for Tabac, but the A♥ turn gave him a sweat despite pairing his ace as it gave Sato a flush draw.

The 4♠ river bricked out, however, and Tabac doubled his short stack.

Hand #69: Willaim Li received a walk in the big blind.

Hand #70: Sato raised to 1,500,000 first to act with 7♥ 5♦ and took down the blinds.

Hand #71: William Li raised to 1,000,000 on the button holding 5♥ 4♣ and Sato defended his big blind with Q♣ 6♥

Both players checked on the 2♦ 6♠ 2♠ flop and then Sato led out for 1,000,000 on the 3♠ Li just called with his straight.

The A♦ completed the board and Sato slowed down with a check. Li fired 2,000,000 into the middle and Sato was shown the bad news after looking him up to send a nice pot Li's direction.

Hand #72: Li raised to 1,000,000 with Q♥ 4♣ first to act and folded after Lei Zhang shoved for 6,000,000 on the button with A♣ 5♥

Hand #73: Tabac called from the small blind with Q♦ 2♦ and Li checked his option in the big blind with 9♦ 4♥

The A♦ J♦ 8♦ flop gave Tabac and flush and he bet 500,000. Li called.

Tabac continued for 1,000,000 on the Q♠ turn and Li again called.

The 9♥ came on the river and Tabc shoved for his last 4,500,000. This time Li laid his hand down and Tabac was sent the pot.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	31,000,000(62 BB)
WL William LiCanada	20,000,000(40 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	9,000,000(18 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	8,200,000(16 BB)

Level 37: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 4/1718

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 6:28:34 AM

Li Makes a Big Bluff Against Tabac

Level 36: 200,000 / 400,000 ante: 400,000

William Li

Hand #62: William Li raised to 1,300,000 in the small blind with 9♠ 4♠ and won the pot.

Hand #63: Li raised the button to 1,000,000 with 6♣ 5♦ and took it down.

Hand #64: Li opened under the gun to 1,000,000 with Q♥ 4♣ and Christian Tabac called with A♠ 3♠ in the big blind.

The flop came 3♦ 8♣ 8♠ and after Tabac checked, Li bet 800,000. Tabac raised to 2,500,000 with his pair of threes, and Li shoved. Tabac had 4,400,000 behind, and after some time mulling it over, he eventually laid it down.

Hand #65: Shintaro Sato raised to 1,000,000 with A♥ Q♣ on the button and Li called with J♠ 2♥ in the big blind.

The flop came 5♥ K♠ 6♥ and after Li checked, Sato bet 1,500,000. Li quickly folded.

Hand #66: Li made it 1,300,000 from the small blind with 4♣ 3♥ and Lei Zhang looked down at T♣ 7♣ in the big blind and folded.

Hand #67: Li raised the button to 1,000,000 with K♣ 8♣ and Sato shoved the big blind with T♦ 8♠ Li snap-folded.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	39,000,000(98 BB)
WL William LiCanada	19,000,000(48 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	7,200,000(18 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	4,100,000(10 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 6:13:36 AM

Tabac Falls to the Short Stack as Sato Continues to Shine

Level 36: 200,000 / 400,000 ante: 400,000

Shintaro Sato

Hand 54: Shintaro Sato raised to 1,000,000 with A♦ 6♣ and took down the blinds.

Hand #55: Christian Tabac opened to 800,000 with A♣ 7♣ from under the gun and it was folded to Sato, who shoved with 4♣ 3♦ in the big blind to put Tabac all in. Tabac laid his hand down and Sato once again showed the bluff.

Hand #56: Sato called from the small blind with 9♣ 5♠ and Tabac checked his option in the big blind holding A♣ T♣

Both players checked down on the Q♥ 3♦ 4♦ 3♣ K♠ runout and Tabac was awarded the pot with his ace.

Hand #57: Lei Zhang shoved for 7,600,000 first to act and took down the blinds.

Hand #58: Tabac opened to 800,000 with K♥ 8♥ on the button and Zhang called from the big blind holding T♠ 9♠

Zhang check-called a 450,000 bet from Tabac on the A♣ 9♣ 8♣ flop and then both players checked on the A♠ turn.

The 9♦ upgraded Zhang to a full house and he led out for 700,000. Tabac decided to look Zhang up and he showed his hand to claim the pot and knock Tabac down to the short stack.

Hand #59: Sato received a walk.

Hand #60: Zhang raised to 800,000 on the button with A♠ 4♥ and Tabac called in the big blind with 8♥ 6♥

Both players checked on the 4♠ 7♠ T♠ flop and K♥ turn, but Tabac led out for 2,200,000 after hitting a straight on the 9♣ river. Zhang folded and Tabac picked up the pot to get back over 20 big blinds.

Hand #61: Shintaro Sato raised the button with 9♥ 5♠ to 1,000,000 and William Li defended 5♣ 4♥ from the big blind.

On the T♦ 6♥ 6♠ flop, both checked to the Q♠ turn, where Li led for 1,000,000. Sato folded.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	38,000,000(95 BB)
WL William LiCanada	13,000,000(33 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	9,700,000(24 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	8,500,000(21 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 5:52:50 AM

Li Drills the River to Double Through Tabac

Level 36: 200,000 / 400,000 ante: 400,000

William Li

Hand #49: Shintaro Sato raised the button to 1,000,000 with J♥ 9♦ and won the pot.

Hand #50: Christian Tabac raised J♠ 9♣ on the button to 900,000 and William Li shoved Q♦ T♥ from the small blind for 5,400,000. Tabac folded.

Hand #51: Sato got a walk.

Hand #52: Sato raised to 2,000,00 from the small blind with A♦ 4♠ and Tabac called with A♥ 9♣ in the big blind.

The flop came K♣ K♦ 7♠ and Sato continued for 1,500,000, which Tabac called to the 6♣ turn. Sato, not one to slow down, fired 6,000,000. Tabac folded.

Hand #53: Tabac raised to 1,000,000 from the small blind and William Li shoved the big blind for 6,700,000. Tabac called.

William Li: A♣ 9♠

Christian Tabac: A♠ 8♠

Li was ahead, but not for long as the 4♥ Q♦ 8♦ flop gave Tabac a pair of eights. A 2♠ left Li one card away from the rail, but fortunately for him, the 9♥ slammed down on the river, keeping him alive.

Player	Chips
WL William LiCanada	14,000,000(35 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	10,000,000(25 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 5:46:27 AM

Tabac Gains Some Ground

Level 36: 200,000 / 400,000 ante: 400,000

Christian Tabac

Hand #44: William Li raised to 800,000 from under the gun with A♠ 7♠ and Christian Tabac defended his big blind with Q♣ 6♣

Both players checked on the 9♣ 2♠ 3♣ flop. Tabac then led out for 1,800,000 with his flush draw after the 8♦ fell on the turn. Li let his hand go and Tabac was sent the pot.

Hand #45: Lei Zhang raised to 800,000 first to act with A♦ K♠ and was called by Tabac in the small blind holding 8♥ 6♥

Action checked through on the 5♣ Q♥ 2♠ flop, Q♦ turn, and 9♥ river and Zhang was awarded the pot with his Big Slick.

Hand #46: Tabac opened to 1,100,000 on the button with A♣ 9♥ and took down the blinds.

Hand #47: Li shoved on the button with A♣ K♠ and everyone folded.

Hand #48: Shintaro Sato called from the small blind holding A♦ Q♥ and Tabac checked his option in the big blind with A♠ 3♦

Sato check-called a 600,000 bet from Tabac on the 6♦ T♠ 3♣ flop and then both players checked down on the 6♠ turn and 7♣ river. Tabac revealed his hand and shipped the pot with his three.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	31,000,000(78 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	22,000,000(55 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	9,600,000(24 BB)
WL William LiCanada	6,200,000(16 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 5:29:43 AM

Zu You Wang Eliminated in 5th Place for KRW 130,790,000 (~$90,825)

Level 36: 200,000 / 400,000 ante: 400,000

Zu You Wang & William Li

Hand #43: Zu You Wang made it 2,700,000 from the cutoff, leaving around 200,000 behind. William Li was on the button and used up a time bank before he shoved 3,200,000. When it got back to Wang, he called.

Zu You Wang: A♣ 4♥

William Li: 8♠ 8♥

Wang and his rail were screaming for an ace, but there were none in sight on the 7♥ 9♣ Q♣ 7♦ 6♦ board, which meant he was out in fifth.

Player	Chips
WL William LiCanada	7,000,000(18 BB)
ZY Zu You WangChina	busted

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 5:27:05 AM

Sato Continues to Dominate

Level 36: 200,000 / 400,000 ante: 400,000

Shintaro Sato

Hand #38: Zu You Wang made it 800,000 to go with K♠ T♠ from the cutoff and Shintaro Sato shoved from the big blind holding A♣ 3♣ Wang slid his hand into the muck and Sato picked up the pot.

Hand #39: Christian Tabac received a walk.

Hand #40: Sato looked down at Q♣ 8♣ and bumped it up to 800,000, which got a call from Wang in the big blind holding J♦ T♥

Both players checked on the 3♠ 6♥ 2♣ flop and 8♦ turn, but Sato bet 2,000,000 after being checked to a final time on the K♣ river. Wang let his hand go and Sato was awarded the pot.

Hand #41: Sato raised to 1,000,000 from the cutoff with A♦ 9♦ and picked up the blinds.

Hand #42: Sato raised to 1,000,000 first to act with 6♠ 6♦ and won the pot preflop.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	34,000,000(85 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	20,000,000(50 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	9,200,000(23 BB)
WL William LiCanada	3,200,000(8 BB)
ZY Zu You WangChina	2,900,000(7 BB)

Level 36: 200,000 / 400,000 ante: 400,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 5/1718

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 5:00:24 AM

Break Time

Level 35: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

The final five players have been sent on 15-minute break.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	30,000,000(100 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	20,000,000(67 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	10,000,000(33 BB)
ZY Zu You WangChina	5,100,000(17 BB)
WL William LiCanada	4,200,000(14 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 4:57:27 AM

Li Finds a Double-Up

Level 35: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

William Li

Hand #35: Lei Zhang raised the cutoff with 6♦ 6♣ to 600,000 and Christian Tabac three-bet to 2,000,000 with A♠ 6♠ from the small blind. Zhang let it go.

Hand #36: Shintaro Sato raised to 2,000,000 from the cutoff with Q♦ 5♠ and took it down.

Hand #37: Tabac raised the cutoff to 900,000 and William Li shoved 1,800,000 from the small blind. Tabac called.

William Li: A♦ 3♦

Christian Tabac: Q♣ J♥

Li was ahead with his ace-high, and the board of 6♠ K♦ 2♣ 5♥ T♥ kept him ahead, earning him a much-needed double-up.

Player	Chips
CT Christian TabacRomania	20,000,000(67 BB)
WL William LiCanada	4,200,000(14 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 4:50:59 AM

Quang Minh Nguyen Eliminated in 6th Place For KRW 104,060,000 (~$72,265)

Level 35: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Quang Minh Nguyen

Hand #34: Quang Minh Nguyen shoved for his last 2,500,000 from the cutoff and Shintaro Sato shoved for more from the small blind to put Nguyen at risk.

Quang Minh Nguyen: A♠ 6♣

Shintaro Sato: J♦ T♣

Nguyen held the lead with his ace and the 9♠ 6♠ A♥ flop all but assured he would double up.

The hand wasn't over, however, and the Q♦ turn improved Sato to a gutshot straight draw.

In a cruel twist of fate for Nguyen, the K♣ appeared on the river — completing Sato's unlikely runner-runner for a straight to eliminate Nguyen in sixth place.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	29,000,000(97 BB)
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	busted

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 4:49:03 AM

Wang Doesn't Want to Tangle With Sato

Level 35: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Zu You Wang

Hand #31: Lei Zhang raised A♦ 9♦ from under the gun to 600,000 and Shintaro Sato shoved 24,000,000 from the hijack with 8♠ 8♥ Zhang folded.

Hand #32: Christian Tabac raised A♣ T♠ from the hijack to 700,000 and won the pot.

Hand #33 Zu You Wang picked up K♥ Q♥ and made it 600,000 in the hijack. Sato defended A♠ 4♥ in the big blind.

On the T♠ T♥ 3♣ flop, Sato checked it over and Wang knuckled back to see the 7♣ hit the turn. Both checked again to the 7♦ river, and again it checked through, allowing Sato to win the pot with ace-high.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	26,000,000(87 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	21,000,000(70 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	11,000,000(37 BB)
ZY Zu You WangChina	5,800,000(19 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 4:41:28 AM

Sato Scores Massive Double Through Nguyen

Level 35: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Shintao Sato

Hand 30: Quang Minh Nguyen opened to 600,000 first to act and was three-bet to 2,000,000 by Shintaro Sato in the cutoff. Action folded back to Nguyen, who called.

The flop came 6♦ 4♣ 6♣ and Nguyen checked to Sato, who overbet shoved for 9,500,000 total. Nguyen tanked, but eventually made the call to put Sato at risk.

Shintaro Sato: A♣ Q♣

Quang Minh Nguyen: T♦ T♠

It was a virtual coinflip for the biggest pot of the tournament thus far, and the 5♣ turn immediately upgraded Sato to a flush to leave Nguyen drawing to two outs.

The 9♦ river bricked out, however, and Sato was awarded the massive double up to leave Nguyen short.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	24,000,000(80 BB)
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	3,300,000(11 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 4:37:24 AM

Nguyen Makes a Huge Fold as Tabac Extends Chip Lead

Level 35: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Christian Tabac

Hand #28: Zu You Wang looked down at K♦ Q♦ from under the gun and made it 600,000, and Christian Tabac defended 8♦ 2♦ in the big blind.

The flop came 7♦ T♥ 6♠ and after Tabac checked, Wang bet 1,000,000. Tabac then counted out raising chips and made it 3,500,000, which got Wang to fold.

Hand #29: Quang Minh Nguyen raised to 600,000 in the hijack with A♥ 7♣ and Tabac called in the small blind holding 6♠ 6♣ Wang also called from the big blind with J♠ 7♠

On the K♣ 4♠ 6♥ flop, it checked to Nguyen, who bet 500,000. Tabac called and Wang folded. An A♣ on the turn paired Nguyen and when it checked to him, he knuckled back.

An A♦ on the river improved Nguyen to trips, and again when it checked to him, he bet 2,500,000. Tabac, with his full house, announced a raise to 8,000,000.

Nguyen had around 15,000,000 remaining in his stack and used some extra time before he eventually found the right fold.

Player	Chips
CT Christian TabacRomania	20,000,000(67 BB)
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	15,000,000(50 BB)
ZY Zu You WangChina	6,600,000(22 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 4:31:52 AM

Nguyen Takes the Lead

Level 35: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Quang Minh Nguyen

Hand #22: Quang Minh Nguyen raised to 600,000 from the cutoff holding K♣ 8♣ and Christian Tabac defended his big blind with T♦ 8♦

Tabac check-called a 500,000 bet from Nguyen on the 6♦ 6♠ 3♦ flop and then led out for 875,000 after the 4♣ fell on the turn. Nguyen called.

The 9♣ filled the river and Tabac sized up for a bet of 900,000, which was met with a raise to 3,200,000 from Nguyen. Tabac let his hand go and Nguyen tabled his hand before collecting the pot.

Hand #23: William Li shoved for 3,100,000 from under the gun with A♠ K and took down the blinds.

Hand #24: Nguyen raised to 600,000 from under the gun with K♠ Q♣ and everyone folded.

Hand #25: Lei Zhang opened to 600,000 first to act and picked up the pot preflop.

Hand #26: Shintaro Sato opened to 600,000 from under the gun with K♥ 4♥ and was awarded the blinds.

Hand #27: Nguyen made it 600,000 to go on the button with J♦ 6♦ and Sato defended his big blind holding 4♦ 2♦

Both players picked up a flush draw on the K♥ 3♦ K♦ flop and Sato check-raised a 600,000 bet from Nguyen to 2,000,000. Nguyen called.

Sato then check-called a 600,000 bet from Nguyen on the 3♣ turn before both players checked down on the 2♠ river.

Sato revealed his hand and Nguyen was awarded the sizable pot with just a jack.

Player	Chips
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	18,000,000(60 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	14,000,000(47 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	13,000,000(43 BB)
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	12,000,000(40 BB)
WL William LiCanada	3,100,000(10 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 4:10:55 AM

Nguyen Doesn't Back Down to Sato's Aggression

Level 35: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Quang Ming Nguyen

Hand #21: Quang Ming Nguyen looked down at A♣ Q♣ on the button and made it 600,000. Shintaro Sato defended his big blind holding 9♥ 8♦

They went to a flop of K♥ K♠ 8♠ where Sato led out for 500,000 with his eight. Nguyen called and then made a pair on the Q♦ turn, which both players checked.

A 9♣ on the river saw Sato check and Nguyen bet 1,100,000. Sato grabbed a stack of 500,000-chip plaques and instantly slid them into the pot, putting Nguyen all in.

Nguyen didn't need to think for too long before he called for his last 3,100,000 to double up to around 11,000,000.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	15,000,000(50 BB)
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	11,000,000(37 BB)

Level 35: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 6/1718

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 4:06:58 AM

Tabac and Sato Flop Big

Level 34: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Christian Tabac

Hand #19: Christian Tabac opened to 600,000 from the cutoff with A♣ Q♣ and Quang Minh Nguyen defended his big blind holding 6♠ 5♣

The flop came T♣ A♦ K♣ and Nguyen checked to Tabac, who continued for 300,000. Nguyen responded with a check-raise to 950,000 with his airball and Tabac re-raised to 2,000,000, which got a quick fold from Nguyen.

Hand #20: Shintaro Sato raised to 500,000 from under the gun with 5♦ 2♦ and was called by Nguyen in the small blind with K♥ Q♠ and Lei Zhang in the big blind holding K♠ Q♦

The dealer brought a flop of 9♦ 5♣ A♦ and it was checked to Sato, who continued for 2,000,000 with his pair and flush draw. Both Nguyen and Zhang folded to extend Sato's chip lead.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	20,000,000(80 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	17,000,000(68 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	13,000,000(52 BB)
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	5,300,000(21 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 4:02:56 AM

Arita Naohiro Eliminated in 7th Place for KRW 79,520,000 (~$55,220)

Level 34: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Arita Naohiro

Hand #18: Lei Zhang opened to 500,000 from early position and Arita Naohiro burned through some of his time banks before he three-bet to 1,300,000. When it got back to Zhang, he shoved, and Naohiro called off his last 850,000.

Arita Naohiro: A♣ J♥

Lei Zhang: A♥ K♠

Naohiro had made two pay jumps, but a third was looking unlikely as he was dominated by Zhang.

A flop of 2♦ 8♥ 7♣ was clean for Zhang, and the A♠ turn left Naohiro with just one shot at three outs. It didn't come on the river as the 9♥ filled out the board, ending Naohiro's run in seventh.

Arita Naohiro & Christian Tabac

Player	Chips
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	14,000,000(56 BB)
AN Arita NaohiroJapan	busted

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 3:54:24 AM

Tabac Gains More Ground; Sato Gets Frisky

Level 34: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Shintaro Sato

Hand #13: Lei Zhang received a walk.

Hand #14: Quang Minh Nguyen opened to 500,000 on the button with K♦ 9♣ and folded after Shintaro Sato shoved from the big blind with T♠ 4♣

Hand #15: Christian Tabac raised to 525,000 first to act with J♥ 8♥ and took down the blinds.

Hand #16: Zhang raised to 500,000 from the cutoff with K♠ J♠ and everyone folded.

Hand #17: Tabac raised to 875,000 from the small blind with K♣ J♠ and Zu You Wang defended his big blind holding A♥ 8♥

Both players checked on the 7♦ K♠ A♠ flop and then Wang called a 400,00 bet from Tabac on the 5♣ turn.

The 8♣ completed the board and Tabac sized down for a bet of 300,000 with his pair of kings. Wang responded with a raise to 2,000,000 and Tabac let his hand go after a bit of thought.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	19,000,000(76 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	15,000,000(60 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	11,000,000(44 BB)
ZY Zu You WangChina	9,900,000(40 BB)
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	7,600,000(30 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 3:33:33 AM

Naohiro's Turn to Double Through Wang

Level 34: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Zu You Wang

Hand #12: Arito Naohiro, in the hijack, moved 1,000,000 into the middle, leaving 25,000 behind. Zu You Wang called from the button.

On the 6♥ A♣ J♥ flop, Naohiro got his last 25,000 in the middle.

Arita Naohiro: A♠ J♦

Zu You Wang: A♥ 8♠

Naohiro had the best of it with top two pair, and was hoping to hold on for the double-up. The 2♠ turn did lock it up, with a 7♦ on the river confirming the pot for Naohiro.

For the second time in as many hands, Wang doubles up an opponent!

Player	Chips
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	10,000,000(40 BB)
ZY Zu You WangChina	8,400,000(34 BB)
AN Arita NaohiroJapan	2,700,000(11 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 3:32:02 AM

Two Premiums Collide as Nguyen Doubles Through Wang

Level 34: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Quang Minh Nguyen

Hand #11: Quang Minh Nguyen raised to 500,000 from under the gun and was three-bet to 1,600,000 by Zu You Wang in the small blind. It was folded back to Nguyen, who called.

Wang continued for 600,000 on the 4♠ 3♣ 4♥ flop and Quang called.

The 3♦ fell on the turn and Wang bet enough to put Nguyen all in for his last 1,900,000. Nguyen snap-called and hands were revealed.

Quang Minh Nguyen: A♥ A♦

Zu You Wang: Q♠ Q♦

Nguyen had been slowplaying aces and found himself in commanding shape against Wang's queens.

The 6♦ bricked out on the river and Quang was awarded the double up.

Player	Chips
ZY Zu You WangChina	9,400,000(38 BB)
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	8,800,000(35 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 3:30:26 AM

Haohui Ma Eliminated in 8th Place for KRW 56,120,000 (~$38,970)

Level 34: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Haohui Ma

Hand #10: Haohui Ma shoved 1,400,000 from early position and Quang Minh Nguyen shoved from the next seat for 2,100,000.

Haohui Ma: A♠ 3♥

Quang Minh Nguyen: A♣ 7♥

Ma was in trouble, but a chop was also on the cards. However, the 2♥ J♦ 7♦ flop all but sealed Ma's fate as Nguyen paired his seven. No miracle runout came to Ma's rescue as the T♣ Q♦ turn and river left him out in eighth.

Player	Chips
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	4,100,000(16 BB)
HM Haohui MaChina	busted

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 3:27:43 AM

Tabac Chips up

Level 34: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Christian Tabac

Hand #6: Christian Tabac opened to 500,000 holding 9♦ 6♦ and was called by Lei Zhang in the big blind with 5♠ 3♠

The flop came J♥ T♦ A♦ and Zhang check-folded facing a 1,000,000 bet from Tabac.

Hand #7: Christian Tabac bumped it up to 500,000 with A♣ T♠ and took down the blinds.

Hand #8: Shintaro Sato shoved from the small blind with K♣ 2♥ and Arita Naohiro folded in the big blind.

Hand #9: Christian Tabac received a walk in the big blind.

Player	Chips
CT Christian TabacRomania	17,000,000(68 BB)
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	10,000,000(40 BB)
AN Arita NaohiroJapan	1,100,000(4 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 3:24:59 AM

Naohiro Gets a Shove Through

Level 34: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Arita Naohiro

Hand #2: Shintaro Sato opened K♣ Q♦ from the cutoff to 500,000 and Christian Tabac three-bet A♣ K♠ to 2,225,000 from the small blind. When it got back to Sato, he let it go.

Hand #3: Haohui Ma picked up A♥ 7♥ from under the gun and made it 500,000 to go. Sato then looked down at A♦ K♥ in the hijack and bumped it up to 1,500,000. When it got back to Ma, he folded.

Hand #4: Arita Naohiro raised to 925,000 from the hijack with Q♥ T♥ leaving one chip behind, and took it down.

Hand #5: Tabac raised the hijack with J♦ 8♠ to 625,000 and Zu You Wang three-bet A♥ Q♣ in the cutoff to 1,650,000. When it got back to Tabac, he folded.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	18,000,000(72 BB)
CT Christian TabacRomania	15,000,000(60 BB)
ZY Zu You WangChina	14,000,000(56 BB)
AN Arita NaohiroJapan	1,700,000(7 BB)

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 3:08:27 AM

Yuefeng Pan Eliminated in 9th Place For KRW 42,910,000 (~$29,800)

Level 34: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Yuefeng Pan

Hand #1: Shintaro Sato raised to 500,000 from the cutoff and Yuefeng Pan called all in for his last 25,000 on the button. Everyone else got out of the way and Pan found his tournament life on the line on the first hand of play.

Yuefeng Pan: 6♣ 4♠

Shintaro Sato: Q♦ 9♠

Pan's cards were live, but the A♣ Q♥ 8♠ flop gave Sato a pair of queens and left Pan drawing to runner-runner.

It wasn't meant to be, as the 9♣ turn left him drawing dead and the 7♣ made his elimination in ninth place official.

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	18,000,000(72 BB)
YP Yuefeng PanChina	busted

Level 34: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 9/1718

SMPSMP

2/7/2026, 2:33:09 AM

Final Table Introductions

The final nine are being introduced to the final table.

Action will get underway shortly, and live updates will be synchronized to the live stream.

SMPSMP

2/6/2026, 8:32:06 PM

Nine Remain as Record-Breaking APT Jeju Classic Main Event Reaches Final Day

Front Row (L-R) Zu You Wang, Shintaro Sato, Lei Zhang, Haohui Ma Back Row (L-R) Yuefeng Pan, William Li, Quang Minh Nguyen, Arita Naohiro, Mihai Christian Tabac

The stage is set inside LES A Casino as the 2026 APT Jeju Classic Main Event has reached its decisive final day. From a record-breaking field of 1,718 entries—the largest ever for a poker tournament in South Korea—just nine players remain, each battling for the Gold APT Main Event Lion Trophy and the KRW 579,649,600 (~USD 402,535) top prize from a massive KRW 3,414,009,600 (~USD 2,370,840) prize pool.

Japan’s Shintaro Sato is the man to beat after a large pot on the final hand of Day 4 saw him vault into the lead and knock Yuefeng Peng down to a single chip. However, while Sato sits in prime position, the final table is anything but settled. Christian Tabac, Zu You Wang, and Lei Zhang all hold eight-figure stacks, giving them plenty of ammunition to wage war at what promises to be a highly competitive final table.

Final Table Chip Counts

Player	Chips
SS Shintaro SatoJapan	17,175,000
CT Christian TabacRomania	15,475,000
ZY Zu You WangChina	13,400,000
LZ Lei Zhang 2China	11,150,000
WL William LiCanada	5,000,000
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	2,700,000
HM Haohui MaChina	2,550,000
AN Arita NaohiroJapan	1,175,000
YP Yuefeng PanChina	25,000

While the other players have significantly shorter stacks to work with, a comeback is certainly within the realm of possibility. Quang Minh Nguyen knows that better than most, having rallied from just six big blinds to claim victory in the Super Higher in APT Taipei last year.

Regardless of where they finish, each of the finalists has already secured a payout of at least KRW 42,910,000 (~$29,800) and can look forward to signifcant pay jumps with each and every elimination. Additionally, the top three finishers will be awarded seats into the APT Championship (APTC) Main Event in Taipei this November.

Final Table Payouts

Place	Payout (KRW)	Payout (USD)
1	579,649,600	$402,535
2	323,930,000	$224,950
3	226,520,000	$157,305
4	164,160,000	$114,000
5	130,790,000	$90,825
6	104,060,000	$72,265
7	79,520,000	$55,220
8	56,120,000	$38,970
9	42,910,000	$29,800

APT Main Event Trophy

The finale is set to get underway at 11:15 AM with the tournament clock rolled back to Level 34 (125,000/250,000) to ensure the average stack is at least 30 big blinds to begin the final table. Levels will remain 60 minutes each, with play continuing until a winner has been decided.

Nine remain, the stakes are clear, and history is waiting. By the end of the day, the 2026 APT Jeju Classic will have its Main Event champion.

Live stream coverage of the final table can be found on the APT YouTube Channel on a 30-minute delay. The APT Blog will follow the stream schedule to avoid any spoilers.