South Korea, LES A CasinoEVENT #49

2025.11.06 - 2025.11.07Add to Calendar

Jeju Poker Festival

Blind level

Level 28: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Entries

1/149

Total Chips

29,800,000

Average

29,800,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 3:00:13 PM

"Tom" Tsz Kin Heung Tops 149-Entry Field to Win KPC High Roller

Level 28: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

KPC High Roller Winner "Tom" Tsz Kin Heung

After two days of intense action, Hong Kong’s Tsz Kin Heung emerged as the KPC High Roller champion, outlasting a field of 149 entrants (100 unique) to claim the KRW 260,680,000 (USD 182,565) top prize. The victory adds another strong result to Heung’s growing list of achievements, pushing his total live earnings past USD 1 million.

Ranked 29th on Hong Kong’s All-Time Money list, Heung is no stranger to high-stakes success. His win comes just months after finishing runner-up at the Triton One event here in Jeju. Abhijith Cheruku of India finished second for USD 119,055, marking his best live cash to date and taking his total live earnings beyond USD 300,000, while Quan Zhou, currently 4th on China’s All-Time Money list, claimed USD 78,435 for third place.

It was a measured and confident performance from Heung, who handled the final table with composure, surviving multiple all-in showdowns before sealing the win with pocket aces against Cheruku’s ace-eight.

Quan Zhou (3rd)

Final Table Result

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
1	TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	$182,565
2	AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	$119,055
3	QZ Quan ZhouChina	$78,435
4	PZ Peng ZhouChina	$53,925
5	GW Guoliang WeiChina	$42,020
6	CL Calvin LeeUnited States of America	$31,515
7	JJ Johnson JuandaUnited States of America	$23,110
8	BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	$18,210
9	JZ Jinjiang ZhangChina	$14,705

Yang Li Arrives Just In Time To Bubble

The first three levels of Day 2 saw the field shrink from 49 to just 26 players in rapid succession, with the bubble arriving by Level 17. Yang Li, who began the day with 525,000, was absent for the early stages, and his stack steadily dwindled to around 180,000.

Punnat Punsri moved all in on the bubble, uncertain whether Li’s unattended hand was still in play. Thankfully for him, his ace-king held against Heung’s ten-seven, keeping him safely in the game.

Shortly after, Li returned just in time to shove his final 50,000 from under the gun. Both Joshua McCully and William Jia called and checked through the board, where McCully’s nine-deuce made two pair to send Li out as the bubble boy.

Yang Li

From 23 players down to the final nine, the field thinned quickly over the span of just three levels, roughly two hours of play. Cheruku scored a key knockout during this stretch when his ace-four flopped the nut straight, eliminating Hon Cheong Lee and boosting his stack at a crucial stage. Heung also picked up momentum after dispatching Iulian Blebea, whose pocket tens couldn’t hold against Heung’s nine-eight of diamonds, which completed a flush.

The final table bubble burst with the elimination of Yude Ma in 10th place. Ma, who began Day 2 sixth in chips with 1,260,000, saw his run end when his five-six offsuit lost to an opponent’s ace-queen, which paired on the board to seal his fate and lock in the final nine.

Final Table

Quan Zhou entered the final table as the clear front-runner with 5,300,000. Indonesian veteran John Juanda found an early double through Heung when his pocket aces flopped a set. The first final table elimination came soon after, with Jinjiang Zhang’s ace-six unable to beat Peng Zhou’s ace-ten.

Benjamin Wu followed in eighth when his pocket tens fell to Guo Liang Wei’s queens. Juanda’s deep run ended in seventh as his queen-jack suited couldn’t find help against Wei’s ace-five, and Wei continued his strong form by knocking out Calvin Lee in sixth after flopping trip-tens, building his stack to a commanding 14,500,000.

John Juanda (7th)

Cheruku, who began the final table as the short stack with just 1,300,000, started his comeback with a double through Wei when his king-nine connected on the flop. A series of successful shoves helped him climb to around eight million. Momentum then shifted again as Wei, once in control, lost several key pots before bowing out in fifth when his ace-jack couldn’t top Heung’s pocket queens.

Guo Liang Wei (5th)

Four-handed play stretched across nearly three hours as the stacks evened out and players traded doubles. Eventually, short-stacked Peng Zhou moved all-in with king-four but couldn’t survive against Cheruku, who paired on the river to send him out in fourth. Moments later, Quan Zhou shoved and was called by Cheruku, who found another river pair, this time with a deuce, to eliminate Zhou in third and move into heads-up play with Heung.

The Final Two

Heads-up play began with both Heung and Cheruku remarkably even, each holding half the chips at 14,900,000. The battle was brief, lasting just a few hands. Heung edged ahead after taking down several small pots, then opened to 1,300,000 and quickly called when Cheruku moved all-in. Heung turned over pocket aces against Cheruku’s ace-eight, and the bullets held through the board to seal the victory and crown Heung as the KPC High Roller champion.

That concludes Somuchpoker's coverage of the KPC High Roller event. Come back tomorrow for more live coverage of the Jeju Poker Festival!

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 2:57:23 PM

Tsz Kin Heung Wins the KPC High Roller Event for USD 182,565

Level 28: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Tsz Kin Heung

Tsz Kin Heung has been crowned the champion of the KPC High Roller Event after his bullets held against Abhijith Cheruku’s ace-eight to seal the title. Stay tuned for the full event recap coming shortly!

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
1	TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	$182,565

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 2:49:19 PM

Abhijith Cheruku Eliminated in 2nd Place (USD 119,055)

Level 28: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Abhijith Cheruku

A few hands into heads-up play, Tsz Kin Heung edged ahead, taking a small chip lead.

After opening to 1,300,000, Heung quickly called when Abhijith Cheruku moved all in, and the crowd gathered to see if the High Roller would be decided right there.

Abhijith Cheruku: A♠ 8♦

Tsz Kin Heung: A♦ A♣

Cheruku faced a mountain to climb against Heung’s bullets and found no help on the K♥ J♥ 2♥ 3♠ Q♦ runout, bowing out in second place as Tsz Kin Heung was crowned the KPC High Roller champion.

Player	Chips
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	29,800,000(50 BB)
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
2	AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	$119,055

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 2:36:25 PM

Heads Up!

Level 28: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Following the elimination of Quan Zhou, Abhijith Cheruku and Tsz Kin Heung are now heads-up for the KPC High Roller title. Remarkably, both start the battle with identical chip stacks:

Player	Chips
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	14,900,000(25 BB)
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	14,900,000(25 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 2:28:14 PM

Quan Zhou Eliminated in 3rd Place (USD 78,435)

Level 28: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Quan Zhou

Abhijith Cheruku shoved from the small blind, and Quan Zhou called to put himself at risk:

Quan Zhou: K♣ 6♥

Abhijith Cheruku: 5♥ 2♥

Disaster struck for Zhou on the river as Cheruku paired his deuce on the Q♥ Q♦ A♠ T♥ 2♣ board, sending Zhou out in 3rd place.

Player	Chips
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	14,900,000(25 BB)
QZ Quan ZhouChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
3	QZ Quan ZhouChina	$78,435

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 2:23:17 PM

Peng Zhou Eliminated in 4th Place (USD 53,925)

Level 28: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Peng Zhou

Small blind Peng Zhou got his ~1,100,000-chip stack into the middle, with big blind Abhijth Cheruku making the call:

Peng Zhou: Q♠ 2♥

Abhijith Cheruku: K♣ 4♥

Cheruku's king-high stayed ahead on the 3♣ 8♥ 6♦ 7♥ flop and turn, and then paired his four on the 4♠ river, sealing Zhou's elimination in 4th place.

Player	Chips
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	15,450,000(26 BB)
PZ Peng ZhouChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
4	PZ Peng ZhouChina	$53,925

Level 28: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 4/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 2:17:15 PM

Back-to-Back Fours for Another Double

Level 27: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Following Abhijith Cheruku’s double with pocket fours, UTG Tsz Kin Heung moved all in and big blind Quan Zhou called with the covering stack:

Tsz Kin Heung: 4♠ 4♣

Quan Zhou: A♠ Q♦

The same hand that worked for Cheruku moments earlier now did the same for Heung, as he doubled up with an ace-high flush on the 2♠ 2♣ 8♣ T♣ A♣ board.

Player	Chips
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	8,400,000(17 BB)
QZ Quan ZhouChina	4,200,000(8 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 2:12:02 PM

Pocket Fours Double Cheruku, Takes the Chip Lead

Level 27: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Abhijith Cheruku

Small blind Peng Zhou moved all in, and big blind Abhijith Cheruku went deep into the tank, using several minutes’ worth of timebanks before eventually tossing in the call:

Abhijith Cheruku: 4♠ 4♣

Peng Zhou: K♠ 7♥

Cheruku’s pocket fours held on the A♥ 5♥ 8♣ 3♣ 2♦ runout, securing a double through Zhou and establishing him as the new chip leader.

Player	Chips
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	11,440,000(23 BB)
PZ Peng ZhouChina	4,950,000(10 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 1:55:23 PM

Stack Update

Level 27: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Player	Chips
PZ Peng ZhouChina	9,450,000(19 BB)
QZ Quan ZhouChina	8,400,000(17 BB)
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	6,250,000(13 BB)
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	5,700,000(11 BB)

Level 27: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 4/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 1:46:27 PM

Ace-High Good For Heung

Level 26: 200,000 / 400,000 ante: 400,000

Tsz Kin Heung

A short-stacked (~2,700,000) Tsz Kin Heung called small blind Quan Zhou’s shove, and they went to showdown:

Tsz Kin Heung: A♥ 3♣

Quan Zhou: J♥ 7♥

Heung stayed ahead with ace-high and a straight draw on the 5♣ 4♠ Q♣ flop, pairing his three on the river and securing a double through Zhou as the board ran out Q♠ 3♠.

Player	Chips
QZ Quan ZhouChina	7,000,000(18 BB)
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	5,400,000(14 BB)

Level 26: 200,000 / 400,000 ante: 400,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 4/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 1:25:36 PM

Zhou Doubles Through Heung

Level 25: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

UTG Quan Zhou moved all in for 4,900,000 and button Tsz Kin Heung called:

Quan Zhou: 5♣ 5♥

Tsz Kin Heung: A♥ Q♥

The 5♠ 2♦ 6♥ flop gave Zhou a comfortable lead, with the T♣ 9♦ runout securing him a full double through Heung.

Player	Chips
QZ Quan ZhouChina	9,800,000(33 BB)
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	2,700,000(9 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 1:11:17 PM

Zhou Pressures Heung on the River

Level 25: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Cutoff Peng Zhou raised to 600,000 and big blind Tsz Kin Heung made the call.

Heung check-called Zhou’s 450,000 bet on the T♥ T♣ 9♥ flop.

The same action followed on the 8♦ turn, this time for 800,000.

Heung checked a third time on the 5♠ river, and after using a timebank, Zhou fired 1,300,000 into the middle, prompting a quick fold from Heung.

Player	Chips
PZ Peng ZhouChina	9,550,000(32 BB)
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	8,250,000(28 BB)

Level 25: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 5/149

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 5/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 12:46:03 PM

Trip Fours Keep Zhou Alive

Level 24: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Quan Zhou

On a board showing Q♠ Q♣ 4♣, short stack Quan Zhou moved all in for his last 1,575,000, and after a brief pause, Tsz Kin Heung made the call.

Quan Zhou: 4♦ 2♦

Tsz Kin Heung: A♠ T♠

Zhou improved to trips on the 9♥ 4♥ runout, scoring a crucial double through Heung to stay alive.

Player	Chips
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	8,900,000(36 BB)
QZ Quan ZhouChina	4,500,000(18 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 12:35:19 PM

River Flush for Zhou

Level 24: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Peng Zhou

Abhijith Cheruku raised to 500,000 from the cutoff, and both blinds, Tsz Kin Heung and Peng Zhou, called.

Action checked through the J♣ Q♠ 6♣ Q♦ flop and turn.

On the K♣ river, Heung checked once more. Zhou fired 1,300,000, and only Cheruku called. Zhou tabled Q♣ 5♣ for a flush, and Cheruku’s cards hit the muck.

Player	Chips
PZ Peng ZhouChina	9,700,000(39 BB)
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	9,600,000(38 BB)
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	8,700,000(35 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 12:29:16 PM

Updated Chip Counts

Level 24: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Player	Chips
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	10,500,000(42 BB)
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	10,100,000(40 BB)
PZ Peng ZhouChina	7,100,000(28 BB)
QZ Quan ZhouChina	1,900,000(8 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 12:16:50 PM

Guliang Wei Eliminated in 5th Place (USD 42,020)

Level 24: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Guoliang Wei

Button Tsz Kin Heung moved all in, and small blind Guoliang Wei called with a 5,400,000 short stack:

Guoliang Wei: A♦ J♦

Tsz Kin Heung: Q♥ Q♣

Heung’s ladies were good to him on the 4♠ T♠ T♥ 4♦ 5♥ runout, ending Wei’s run in 5th place.

Player	Chips
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	12,900,000(52 BB)
GW Guoliang WeiChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
5	GW Guoliang WeiChina	$42,020

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 12:11:37 PM

Heung Doubles Through Zhou

Level 24: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Quan Zhou

Small blind Quan Zhou shoved with the covering stack of 6,800,000 and big blind Tsz Kin Heung called with 4,250,000:

Tsz Kin Heung: 8♥ 8♣

Quan Zhou: A♠ 8♦

Heung's snowmen didn't melt on the 3♣ Q♠ 7♦ K♣ T♠ runout, securing the full double through Zhou.

Player	Chips
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	8,500,000(34 BB)
QZ Quan ZhouChina	2,250,000(9 BB)

Level 24: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 5/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 12:07:08 PM

Cheruku Gaining Momentum

Level 24: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Over the last level, through a series of well-timed plays and well-judged shoves, Cheruku has built momentum and is now sitting behind a substantial stack.

Player	Chips
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	8,250,000(33 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 11:47:36 AM

Cheruku Doubles Through Wei

Level 23: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Abhijith Cheruku

Button Guoliang Wei raised to 450,000, and big blind Abhijith Cheruku called.

Cheruku check-shoved to 1,300,000 over Wei’s 300,000 bet on the K♦ Q♥ 8♦ flop. Wei called, and they went to showdown:

Abhijith Cheruku: K♦ 9♥

Guoliang Wei: Q♣ J♦

Cheruku was ahead with top pair and stayed there as the 5♥ T♠ completed the board, with Wei losing another chunk of chips and Cheruku securing the double.

Player	Chips
GW Guoliang WeiChina	8,700,000(44 BB)
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	2,600,000(13 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 11:40:59 AM

Final Five Chip Counts

Level 23: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Player	Chips
GW Guoliang WeiChina	9,300,000(47 BB)
PZ Peng ZhouChina	7,400,000(37 BB)
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	6,100,000(31 BB)
QZ Quan ZhouChina	5,100,000(26 BB)
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	1,950,000(10 BB)

Level 23: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 5/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 11:33:00 AM

Heung Doubles Through Wei

Level 22: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Tsz Kin Heung moved all in for his last ~2,450,000 chips, and Guoliang Wei called once more, chasing another elimination:

Tsz Kin Heung: K♥ T♥

Guoliang Wei: J♦ J♥

A strong flop came for Heung, showing A♥ 6♥ K♠. The K♦ turn improved him to trips, and the Q♥ river gave him a flush, securing a crucial double through Wei.

Player	Chips
GW Guoliang WeiChina	12,000,000(80 BB)
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	4,900,000(33 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 11:26:47 AM

Calvin Lee Eliminated in 6th Place (USD 31,515)

Level 22: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Calvin Lee

Button Calvin Lee got his ~2,300,000 stack in against Guoliang Wei in the big blind, marking Wei’s third all-in battle in quick succession:

Calvin Lee: A♦ 6♦

Guoliang Wei: A♥ T♣

Disaster for Lee, who was out of his seat as the T♠ T♦ 3♣ flop hit the felt. The 8♣ Q♦ runout changed nothing, and he was sent out in 6th place.

Player	Chips
GW Guoliang WeiChina	14,500,000(97 BB)
CL Calvin LeeUnited States of America	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
6	CL Calvin LeeUnited States of America	$31,515

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 11:17:07 AM

John Juanda Eliminated in 7th Place (USD 23,110)

Level 22: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

John Juanda

Small blind Guoliang Wei moved all in against John Juanda in the big blind, marking Wei’s second all-in showdown in back-to-back hands:

John Juanda: Q♥ J♥

Guoliang Wei: A♠ 5♦

The 4♦ 7♠ K♦ 4♥ K♠ runout kept Wei’s ace-high kicker ahead, sending Juanda to the rail in 7th place.

Player	Chips
GW Guoliang WeiChina	11,100,000(74 BB)
JJ Johnson JuandaUnited States of America	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
7	JJ Johnson JuandaUnited States of America	$23,110

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 11:11:23 AM

Benjamin Wu Eliminated in 8th Place (USD 18,210)

Level 22: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Benjamin Wu

UTG Benjamin Wu moved all in, and covering stack Guoliang Wei made the call:

Benjamin Wu: T♠ T♦

Guoliang Wei: Q♠ Q♥

Wu picked up a straight draw on the 7♣ 8♣ 9♥ flop but failed to complete it on the 4♥ 9♠ runout, sending him out in 8th place.

Player	Chips
GW Guoliang WeiChina	7,600,000(51 BB)
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
8	BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	$18,210

Level 22: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 8/149

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 8/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 10:28:32 AM

Zhou's Shove Gets Through

Level 21: 50,000 / 125,000 ante: 125,000

Button Benjamin Wu raised to 250,000 and was called by big blind Peng Zhou.

Zhou check-called Wu's 150,000 bet on the A♦ 7♣ 2♥ flop.

On the 9♣ turn, Zhou check-shoved when Wu bet 500,000, prompting a fold from Wu.

Player	Chips
PZ Peng ZhouChina	6,100,000(49 BB)
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	1,500,000(12 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 10:19:39 AM

Jinjiang Zhang Eliminated in 9th Place (USD 14,705)

Level 21: 50,000 / 125,000 ante: 125,000

Jinjiang Zhang

Jinjiang Zhang got his 815,000 short stack in against Peng Zhou, and they went to showdown:

Jinjiang Zhang: A♠ 6♠

Peng Zhou: A♥ T♣

Zhang failed to connect on the K♥ 2♠ 3♣ 9♠ 4♦ runout, sending him to the rail in 9th place.

Player	Chips
PZ Peng ZhouChina	4,300,000(34 BB)
JZ Jinjiang ZhangChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
9	JZ Jinjiang ZhangChina	$14,705

Level 21: 50,000 / 125,000 ante: 125,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 9/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 10:13:32 AM

Set over Set for Juanda

Level 20: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Tsz Kin Heung

John Juanda got his stack in against covering Tsz Kin Heung, and they went to showdown:

John Juanda: A♦ A♥

Tsz Kin Heung: 8♦ 8♥

Juanda couldn’t have asked for a better flop on the A♣ T♦ 6♣ board. To add insult to injury, Heung also made a set as the 2♠ 8♣ completed the board.

Player	Chips
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	3,300,000(33 BB)
JJ Johnson JuandaUnited States of America	3,250,000(33 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 10:03:47 AM

Peng Zhou Wins One, Loses One

Level 20: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

During the first few hands of the final table, Peng Zhou has been pretty active. In the first hand, he raised to 200,000 from middle position and received a call from big blind Tsz Kin Heung.

Heung check-called Zhou's 100,000 bet on the 9♥ J♠ K♣ flop.

On the J♣ turn, Heung led out for 225,000, prompting a fold from Zhou.

In the next hand, Zhou raised again to 200,000, finding a call from hijack Quan Zhou.

Peng check-called Quan's 280,000 bet on the 3♦ 4♣ 5♠ flop.

Both checked the T♥ turn and the 9♥ river, where Peng tabled 8♦ 8♣, good for the pot as Quan mucked.

Player	Chips
QZ Quan ZhouChina	5,400,000(54 BB)
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	4,600,000(46 BB)
PZ Peng ZhouChina	3,540,000(35 BB)

Level 20: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 9/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 9:54:24 AM

Final Table Seat Plan; Zhou Maintains the Chip Lead

Level 20: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Quan Zhou

Day 1 chip leader Quan Zhou has maintained his lead through Day 2 and into the final nine, holding a commanding stack of 5,300,000.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	3,900,000(39 BB)	41	1
JJ Johnson JuandaUnited States of America	1,750,000(18 BB)	41	2
PZ Peng ZhouChina	3,840,000(38 BB)	41	3
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	3,400,000(34 BB)	41	4
QZ Quan ZhouChina	5,300,000(53 BB)	41	5
JZ Jinjiang ZhangChina	850,000(9 BB)	41	6
CL Calvin LeeUnited States of America	2,000,000(20 BB)	41	7
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	4,620,000(46 BB)	41	8
GW Guoliang WeiChina	4,300,000(43 BB)	41	9

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 9:50:29 AM

Yude Ma Bubbles the Final Table

Level 20: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Yude Ma

Yude Ma’s 6♣ 5♥ failed to connect when his opponent’s A♦ Q♣ paired on the A♣ 7♦ 6♦ 4♠ 4♦ board, eliminating him in 10th place and officially taking play to the final nine.

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
10	YM Yude MaChina	$14,705

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 9:29:42 AM

Lee Knocks Out Jia in 12th; Blebea Out in 11th

Level 20: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Iulian Blebea

William Jia was all in against Calvin Lee:

William Jia: K♥ 8♥

Calvin Lee: A♥ 8♣

Lee's ace-high held on the 7♥ 3♥ J♠ 9♦ J♣ runout, ending Jia's run.

At the same table a few hands later, Iulian Blebea's pocket tens fell to Tsz Kin Keung's 9♦ 8♦ when the 7♦ 3♦ 5♣ 4♦ 7♠ runout gave him a flush.

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
11	IB Iulian BlebeaRomania	$13,655
12	WJ William JiaAustralia	$13,655

Level 20: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 13/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 8:48:31 AM

One Orbit at Table 45; Wei Doubles, Tan Out

Level 19: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Peng Zhou

Hand 1

Cutoff Quan Zhou raised to 175,000, then folded to button Peng Zhou’s 440,000 three-bet.

Hand 2

Hijack Chuning Tan raised to 260,000, then moved all in after Peng Zhou three-bet to 400,000. Zhou made the call:

Chuning Tan: Q♠ Q♣

Peng Zhou: A♣ 2♥

Tan’s queens were looking good for a double, but the A♠ 5♠ T♣ flop changed that quickly. He was out of his seat and eliminated in 13th place as the 7♥ T♠ completed the board.

Hand 3

UTG Guoliang Wei raised to 175,000, with folds around the table.

Hand 4

Hijack Peng Zhou raised to 160,000, with folds around the table.

Hand 5

Small blind Wei limped in, then folded when big blind Quan Zhou moved all in. Zhou showed A♦ 9♥ as he collected the pot.

Hand 6

Jinjiang Zhang limped from early position and called when button Wei shoved for around 800,000:

Guoliang Wei: A♥ 7♥

Jinjiang Zhang: K♥ K♦

Wei caught a strong start, pairing his ace on the A♣ 4♥ Q♥ flop and improving to a flush as the 9♦ T♥ completed the board, securing a double through Zhang.

Hand 7

UTG Yude Ma raised to 160,000, with folds around the table.

Player	Chips
QZ Quan ZhouChina	5,400,000(68 BB)
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	3,800,000(48 BB)
PZ Peng ZhouChina	3,600,000(45 BB)
JZ Jinjiang ZhangChina	2,850,000(36 BB)
YM Yude MaChina	2,350,000(29 BB)
GW Guoliang WeiChina	1,850,000(23 BB)
CT Chuning TanChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
13	CT Chuning TanChina	$12,605

Level 19: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 13/149

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 13/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 8:37:41 AM

Top Pair Holds for Cheruku

Level 18: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Abhijith Cheruku

Small blind Calvin Lee limped in, then called when big blind Abhijith Cheruku raised to 225,000.

Lee check-called Cheruku's 175,000 bet on the 5♠ J♠ A♥ flop.

Action repeated on the 2♦ turn, this time for 550,000.

Both checked the T♥ river, with Lee tabling Q♠ 7♠ for a missed flush draw, losing out to Cheruku’s top pair A♠ Q♦.

Player	Chips
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	3,450,000(58 BB)
CL Calvin LeeUnited States of America	2,050,000(34 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 8:13:57 AM

Payouts 14-18

Level 18: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
14	CM Chenxiang MiaoChina	$12,605
15	XS Xiaochun ShiChina	$12,255
16	WM Win Meng TanMalaysia	$12,255
17	HC Hon Cheong LeeHong Kong	$11,905
18	PP Punnat PunsriThailand	$11,905

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 8:09:44 AM

Lee's Ladies Hold

Level 18: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Cutoff Xiaochun Shi got his short stack in, and small blind Calvin Lee made the call:

Xiaochun Shi: J♣ 3♣

Calvin Lee: Q♣ Q♠

Despite finding a jack on the 6♣ 8♥ J♥ flop and picking up a backdoor flush draw, Lee’s queens held through the 2♠ 2♥ runout, eliminating Shi and adding a modest boost to Lee’s stack.

Player	Chips
CL Calvin LeeUnited States of America	2,200,000(37 BB)
XS Xiaochun ShiChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 7:58:05 AM

Two Table Redraw

Level 18: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
WM Win Meng TanMalaysia	1,600,000(27 BB)	41	1
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	1,850,000(31 BB)	41	2
JJ Johnson JuandaUnited States of America	1,900,000(32 BB)	41	3
WJ William JiaAustralia	1,750,000(29 BB)	41	4
XS Xiaochun ShiChina	155,000(3 BB)	41	5
IB Iulian BlebeaRomania	3,250,000(54 BB)	41	6
CL Calvin LeeUnited States of America	675,000(11 BB)	41	7
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	3,100,000(52 BB)	41	8

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
CM Chenxiang MiaoChina	1,300,000(22 BB)	45	1
YM Yude MaChina	1,850,000(31 BB)	45	2
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	2,100,000(35 BB)	45	3
GW Guoliang WeiChina	1,350,000(23 BB)	45	4
CT Chuning TanChina	700,000(12 BB)	45	5
QZ Quan ZhouChina	3,250,000(54 BB)	45	6
PZ Peng ZhouChina	3,000,000(50 BB)	45	7
JZ Jinjiang ZhangChina	2,200,000(37 BB)	45	8

Level 18: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 16/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 7:34:55 AM

Cheruku Flops the Nuts

Level 17: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Small blind Abhijith Cheruku moved all in, and Hon Cheong Lee called in the big blind, putting himself at risk:

Hon Cheong Lee: A♥ Q♣

Abhijith Cheruku: A♦ 4♥

Lee looked set for a double preflop, but when the dealer fanned 2♠ 3♠ 5♥, giving Cheruku the nut straight, he rose from his seat with a mix of shock and amusement at the table.

The 9♣ K♣ runout changed nothing, and he was eliminated.

Player	Chips
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	3,550,000(71 BB)
HC Hon Cheong LeeHong Kong	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 7:26:08 AM

Payouts 19-23

Level 17: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Joshua McCully

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
19	JM Joshua MccullyAustralia	$11,555
20	ZJ Zhi Jian Sean OoiMalaysia	$11,555
21	DB Ding BiaoChina	$11,555
22	YH Yuxi HuangChina	$11,555
23	YH Yaoyu HeChina	$11,555

Level 17: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 24/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 7:15:31 AM

Yang Li Arrives Late, then Bubbles the KPC High Roller

Level 16: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Yang Li

After being absent for the first three levels of play, Yang Li arrived on the bubble to find his stack reduced from 180,000 to 50,000. After folding hand after hand, the action got around to him and he shoved from under the gun. Small blind William Jia and Joshua McCully called, checking through the 5♥ 2♠ 9♦ 7♠ 6♠ runout.

"I have a good hand," McCully quipped.

The floor asked them to turn over their cards:

Yang Li: K♠ 2♥

William Jia: 9♠ 2♣

Joshua McCully: 9♠ 7♦

Both covering stacks made two pair, officially eliminating Li as the KPC High Roller bubble boy.

Player	Chips
JM Joshua MccullyAustralia	240,000(6 BB)
WJ William JiaAustralia	80,000(2 BB)
YL Yang LiChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 7:07:20 AM

Juanda's Ace is Better

Level 16: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

John Juanda

John Juanda shoved for around 275,000 and Abhijith Cheruku called. Before the floor came over, they were discussing their hands.

"You have this card?" Juanda asked, showing Cheruku an ace.

"Yes," Cheruku said.

"That's good for me. Good equity." The floor then came over and asked them to reveal their hands:

John Juanda: A♠ J♠

Abhijith Cheruku: A♣ 6♥

The board ran well for Juanda, coming 9♣ J♣ Q♦ J♦ 5♠, securing a full double.

Player	Chips
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	2,600,000(65 BB)
JJ Johnson JuandaUnited States of America	550,000(14 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 7:03:04 AM

Punsri Stays Alive

Level 16: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Punnat Punsri

Not realizing that short-stacked Yang Li hadn't turned up yet and would likely be blinded out as the bubble approached, Punnat Punsri got his stack in against Tsz Kin Heung, and they went to showdown.

"Oh, he's not here?! Fold!!" he joked, as they revealed their hands:

Punnat Punsri: A♣ K♦

Tsz Kin Heung: T♥ 7♥

Punsri's Big Slick kept him in the game, narrowly avoiding draws from Heung when the board ran out 5♣ 5♥ 6♥ 9♦ 4♠.

Player	Chips
PP Punnat PunsriThailand	1,450,000(36 BB)
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	570,000(14 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 7:02:41 AM

Hand-for-Hand Commences

Level 16: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

With 24 players remaining, hand-for-hand play has now started.

Level 17: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 24/149

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 25/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 6:02:30 AM

Yanghao Fu Soft Bubbles

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

On a board reading J♣ 2♣ J♠ 2♠, big blind Peng Zhou had check-raised button Yanghao Fu's 425,000 bet to put him all in. With 25 players still remaining on the soft bubble, he mulled over the decision for some time before eventually putting in the call:

Yanghao Fu: 9♦ 9♠

Peng Zhou: J♥ 7♥

The 2♦ completed the board, improving Zhou to a full house but sending Fu out in 25th place.

Player	Chips
PZ Peng ZhouChina	3,100,000(103 BB)
YF Yanghao FuChina	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 25/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 5:47:50 AM

Lin Busts as the Bubble Approaches

Level 14: 15,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Tony Ren Lin

With only 25 players left and 23 spots paying, these players narrowly missed out on a cash in the KPC High Roller Event.

Player	Chips
FR Fabian RolliSwitzerland	busted
PW Pingfeng WuChina	busted
AL Alp LinHong Kong	busted
TR Tony Ren LinChina	busted
MS Martin SedlakGermany	busted

Level 14: 15,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

40 minutes

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 5:45:22 AM

Early Casualties

Level 13: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Player	Chips
WP Weiran PuChina	busted
RP Ryan PlantUnited Kingdom	busted
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	busted
JC Jian CuiChina	busted
CL Chang LiuChina	busted

Level 13: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

40 minutes

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/7/2025, 4:00:45 AM

KPC High Roller Concludes Today

Level 13: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Day 2 of the KPC High Roller is set to get underway at 1 p.m. local time inside Les A Casino, where 41 players return to chase the title. With registration now closed, the prize pool has been confirmed at KRW 1,052,180,000 (~USD 726,800), and just 23 players will make the money.

Leading the way is China’s Quan Zhou, who bagged 2,090,000 after a composed and consistent showing on Day 1. The remaining field is packed with experience and proven talent, setting the stage for another competitive day of play.

Action resumes at Level 13 with blinds at 10,000/20,000/20,000 and 40-minute levels. Stay tuned right here at Somuchpoker as we play down to a champion in Jeju.

Seat Draw

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
WM Win Meng TanMalaysia	370,000	39	1
GW Guoliang WeiChina	450,000	39	2
YY Yunchao YuChina	100,000	39	3
HC Hon Cheong LeeHong Kong	615,000	39	6
PW Pingfeng WuChina	525,000	39	7
CT Chuning TanChina	625,000	39	8
CL Calvin LeeUnited States of America	200,000	40	1
YM Yude MaChina	1,260,000	40	2
CM Chenxiang MiaoChina	1,825,000	40	3
RP Ryan PlantUnited Kingdom	610,000	40	4
CL Chang LiuChina	335,000	40	5
TS Timur SattarovRussia	340,000	40	7
YH Yaoyu HeChina	125,000	40	8
JC Joseph CheongUnited States of America	225,000	41	1
PD Peng DengChina	1,610,000	41	2
YF Yanghao FuChina	640,000	41	3
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	225,000	41	4
ZJ Zhi Jian Sean OoiMalaysia	810,000	41	5
PZ Peng ZhouChina	1,005,000	41	6
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	1,265,000	41	7
JC Jian CuiChina	300,000	43	1
RH Roman HrabecCzech Republic	240,000	43	2
WJ William JiaAustralia	715,000	43	3
DB Ding BiaoChina	900,000	43	4
IB Iulian BlebeaRomania	460,000	43	6
DC Dong ChenChina	580,000	43	7
TR Tony Ren LinChina	1,180,000	43	8
PP Punnat PunsriThailand	1,185,000	44	1
JM Joshua MccullyAustralia	580,000	44	2
FR Fabian RolliSwitzerland	265,000	44	3
AL Alp LinHong Kong	795,000	44	4
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	690,000	44	5
JZ Jinjiang ZhangChina	1,195,000	44	7
JJ Johnson JuandaUnited States of America	1,395,000	44	8
YH Yuxi HuangChina	700,000	45	1
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	750,000	45	2
XS Xiaochun ShiChina	1,150,000	45	3
QZ Quan ZhouChina	2,090,000	45	4
WP Weiran PuChina	270,000	45	5
MS Martin SedlakGermany	675,000	45	7
YL Yang LiChina	525,000	45	8

Payouts

Place	Payout (USD)
1	$182,565
2	$119,055
3	$78,435
4	$53,925
5	$42,020
6	$31,515
7	$23,110
8	$18,210
9	$14,705
10	$14,705
11	$13,655
12	$13,655
13	$12,605
14	$12,605
15	$12,255
16	$12,255
17	$11,905
18	$11,905
19	$11,555
20	$11,555
21	$11,555
22	$11,555
23	$11,555