Red Dragon Championship (2,500,000 KRW)

Day 1B of the Red Dragon Championship, featuring a KRW 2,500,000 (~US$1,780) buy in and a record breaking KRW 1,650,000,000 (~US$1.18 million) guarantee, has officially concluded at Les A Casino (formerly Landing Casino) inside Jeju Shinhwa World.

Out of 265 total entries, only 70 players advanced to Day 2, which resumes on November 10 at 12 p.m. local time. Leading the survivors is Tao Li with 362,000 (91 BB). Several players finished closely behind, but Li emerged as the chip leader after eliminating WPT Prime Korea Main Event champion Zengxiang Chen, whose king nine couldn’t overcome Li’s pocket sevens.

Chasing Li are Xiao Zhang with 331,000 (83 BB) and Haisheng Qiu with 306,000 (77 BB). Earlier chip leader Dylan Wayne Foster dropped after losing a big pot to Zhan Li, finishing with 65,000 (17 BB), while Li bagged 284,000 (71 BB).

At the final break before registration closed, host Grant Gardner shared exciting news — the Red Dragon Poker Tour will launch an upgraded series, Red Dragon Plus, from April 10 to 21, 2026. The highlight will be the main event with a buy-in of KRW 4,000,000 (~US$2,700) , featuring deeper stacks, longer levels, and even more high roller action, marking a new era for the Red Dragon brand.

That wraps up Day 1B coverage of the Red Dragon Championship.

Somuchpoker is live here at the Jeju Poker Festival 2025, bringing all the latest updates and action straight from the floor.

Full chip counts will be posted when available.

Red Dragon Championship Day 1B has officially come to an end with 70 players surviving out of a strong 265 entry field. After a full day of action, Tao Li bagged the top stack of the night with 362,000 (91 BB), securing the pole position heading into Day 2.

After a recent double up, Zengxian Chen’s run comes to an end at the hands of Tao Li, who claims the chip lead in the process.

Action begins with Li opening to 6,500, and Chen responds by 3-bet shoving for around 80,000. Li makes the quick call.

Zengxian Chen: K♥ 9♥

Tao Li: 7♦ 7♠

It’s a flip, and Chen picks up a flush draw on the flop 6♥ 4♠ 3♥ to give himself hope. But the turn A♦ and river T♦ brick out, bringing no hearts or help. Li’s pocket sevens hold firm, eliminating Chen and propelling Li to the top of the leaderboard.

With just 12 minutes left in the level, the tournament director has stopped the clock and announced that players will play five more hands before bagging up for the night.

Zhan Li scores a massive double up against table chip leader Dylan Wayne Foster and now climbs to the top of the leaderboard. The crucial pot shifts the balance at the table, as Li’s stack surges while Foster, who had dominated for most of the level, takes a hit.

After spending much of the day near the top of the counts, Yita Choong finds his exit with only 20 minutes left in the final level.

Choong opens to 6,000, gets a call from the cutoff, and then faces a 3-bet to 23,000 from button Mengqin Wu. Choong responds with a 4-bet shove for 56,500. The cutoff folds, and Wu snap calls.

Yita Choong: A♥ K♣

Mengqin Wu: Q♠ Q♦

It’s another classic flip, but Choong’s big slick fails to connect as the board J♥ 4♦ 9♠ 5♣ 3♦ runs out clean for Wu. The former chip leader’s deep run comes to an end just before bagging time.

UTG+1 Zengxiang Chen opens to 6,000, and on the button, Qiangqiang Lyu 3-bets to 15,000. Chen wastes no time and 4-bet shoves for 67,000, with Lyu making the call to put him at risk.

Zengxiang Chen: J♠ J♣

Qiangqiang Lyu: A♠ K♥

It’s a classic coin flip, but the board 4♣ 2♣ 8♦ 4♦ T♦ runs clean for Chen as his pocket jacks hold strong. Chen secures a crucial double up to keep his tournament hopes alive.

Players are now entering the last level of play for Red Dragon Championship Day 1B. Once the level concludes, survivors will bag up their chips and return for Day 2 on November 10.

Action folds to the hijack where Campos Silva moves all in for 44,500. On his left, Jishui Hao makes the call to put him at risk.

Campos Silva: 5♥ 5♦

Jishui Hao: A♦ Q♣

It’s a flip for Silva’s tournament life, but the flop A♥ T♣ 9♣ brings bad news as Hao pairs his ace right away. The turn 2♥ and river 4♦ offer no help, sealing Silva’s fate as he exits the tournament while Hao adds more chips to his growing stack.

Fresh off his KPC Main Event victory last night, Yuhao Zhang is back in the mix at the Red Dragon Championship, sitting comfortably with an above-average stack and plenty of confidence.

From UTG, Zhang opens to 5,000 and gets a call from hijack Long Jin, followed by a defend from the big blind. The flop J♣ 8♦ 5♦ checks through to Jin, who fires 7,000, and only Zhang makes the call. Both players check the turn 3♥ to see the river 6♥ , where Jin bets again for 22,000. Zhang takes a moment, then folds, letting Jin scoop the pot.

Hijack Tingjia Cao opens to 4,000, and fresh off eliminating Ding Biao, Dylan Wayne Foster calls on the button to see the flop Q♦ 9♠ 4♣ .

Cao continues with a 3,000 c-bet, which Foster calls. The turn 6♣ brings more action as Cao fires a hefty 16,000, and Foster sticks around once again.

When the river 7♣ lands, Cao loads up and blasts over pot for 60,000. This time, Foster decides he’s seen enough and folds, giving Cao the sizable pot and a solid boost to his growing stack.

UTG Dylan Wayne Foster opens to 4,000, and on his left, Sishu Peng 3-bets to 12,000. Foster makes the call to see the flop T♥ 5♥ 3♣ . After Foster checks, Peng quickly announces all in for 39,000. The table chip leader doesn’t hesitate and calls.

Sishu Peng: A♦ Q♥

Dylan Wayne Foster: 6♣ 6♠

The board runs out in Foster’s favor as he improves to a set on the turn 6♦ , leaving Peng drawing dead. Though Peng pairs his ace on the river A♠ , it’s too late. Foster drags in another big pot and strengthens his grip at the top of list.

From the hijack, Cheng Huang opens to 4,000, and action folds around to big blind Peng Zhou, who defends.

On the flop J♦ 8♠ 5♣ , Zhou check-raises all in for 25,000 after Huang fires a 5,000 continuation bet. Huang snap calls to put him at risk.

Peng Zhou: J♥ 7♣

Cheng Huang: J♠ T♥

Both players connect with top pair, but Huang’s stronger kicker keeps him ahead. The turn 3♣ and river Q♥ bring no surprises, and Huang drags the pot while Zhou heads to the rail.

Registration is now officially closed for Red Dragon Championship Day 1B, drawing a strong 265 entries for the flight. Only 132 players remain in contention, set to battle through three more levels before bagging their chips for Day 2.

No one is in the money yet, as all survivors will return on November 10 to play in Day 2.

Players are now on their last scheduled 15-minute break of the day. Once play resumes, registration for Red Dragon Championship Day 1B will officially close.

Early position Nana Sanechika opens and calls after small blind Chengxu Hu shoves all in for 53,500.

Chengxu Hu: 9♦ 9♠

Nana Sanechika: A♣ Q♥

It’s a classic race, and the flop Q♠ 4♠ 2♦ falls perfectly for Sanechika as she pairs her queen to take control of the hand. The turn K♥ and river 2♥ bring no help for Hu, sending him to the rail. Sanechika flashes a bright smile as I take her photo, happy to add a healthy boost to her stack.

Action folds to the button where Tien Dung Pham opens to 3,000. The small blind makes the call, and from the big blind, Wenjie Sun moves all in for 34,500. Pham takes a moment to think before calling, while the small blind quickly folds.

Wenjie Sun: A♣ 9♦

Tien Dung Pham: A♠ 6♠

Sun has Pham dominated and keeps the lead as the board T♦ 3♥ 4♣ 8♦ 3♦ runs clean. No surprises from the dealer, and Sun secures a well-deserved double up to stay in the game.

After a rough start to the day, cutoff Mingchen Zhang opens to 3,000 and small blind Hsing Hsiung “David” Tai calls. From the big blind, Di Lu 3-bets to 11,000, and both Zhang and Tai come along to see the flop 8♥ 7♣ 5♦ . Tai checks, Lu fires a continuation bet of 8,500, and Zhang makes the call while Tai steps aside.

On the turn 3♥ , Lu keeps up the pressure with a 16,500 bet, and Zhang calls once more. The river K♦ goes check-check, and Lu tables her hand A♥ Q♣ . Her ace high is enough to take it down as Zhang mucks, unable to show anything better.

This is the last level to enter the Red Dragon Championship Day 1B, with registration officially closing at the end of this level.

But no worries for those who miss it — Day 1C has just started, offering another chance to join the action. It will also play through 12 levels today before survivors bag up for Day 2.

With around 12,000 already in the middle, the board Q♥ 6♥ 7♣ 9♠ 8♥ is spread and it’s heads up between big blind Xiaoyun Li and cutoff Eng Loong Choi. Li leads out for 5,000, but Choi quickly raises to 18,500.

Li tanks for a while before eventually making the call. Choi turns over his hand 9♥ 7♥ , revealing a rivered flush that takes down the pot. Li can only nod and muck his cards as Choi collects the chips.

Hijack Duy Thuc Nguyen opens to 2,000, and on the button, chip leader Yunchao Yu flat calls. From the big blind, Yamato Nakai decides to apply pressure with a raise to 7,500. Nguyen calls to keep the action going, but Yu suddenly shoves all in, a massive move that sends both opponents into the tank.

After some thought, Nakai and Nguyen both fold, respecting the clear strength in Yu’s range. What started as a simple call turns into a perfectly executed trap as Yu extends his chip lead without a showdown.

UTG+1 Fabian Rolli opens to 2,000, and action folds to the small blind where Junqiang Lyu 3-bets to 6,500. Rolli makes the call to see the flop A♠ 4♣ 2♥ . Lyu continues with another bet of 6,500, and Rolli calls again, staying steady in the hand. Both players check the turn 6♣ , bringing the action to the river 4♥ .

Lyu checks once more, but this time Rolli moves all in, putting maximum pressure on his opponent. After a brief pause, Lyu decides to fold, and Rolli quietly pulls in the pot with a well-timed shove.

Action folds to the small blind, where Chien Chih Weng raises to 2,000. On her left, Keer Lin defends from the big blind.

Lin takes the betting lead, firing 3,000 on the flop 9♠ 8♣ 7♥ and 11,000 on the turn 5♥ , both of which Weng check-calls. On the river 8♥ , Weng checks one last time and Lin checks back.

Chien Chih Weng: A♦ 9♣

Keer Lin: 6♣ 6♦

Weng pairs up twice but it’s not enough, as Lin’s pocket sixes connect perfectly for a straight, earning him the pot.

Exciting news for poker fans as the Red Dragon Poker Tour is leveling up with the launch of its brand new upgraded series Red Dragon Plus, taking place from April 10 to 21, 2026.

The highlight of the festival will be the Red Dragon Plus Main Event, featuring a KRW 4,000,000 (~US$2,700) buy in, offering players a deeper and more refined poker experience. Expect bigger stacks, longer levels, and even more high roller action than ever before, marking a new chapter in the Red Dragon legacy.

And there’s more. On November 10, during the first break of Red Dragon Championship Day 2 (around 2 p.m. local time), players can join a special lucky draw at the merchandise booth. The top prize is a seat to the Red Dragon Plus Main Event, giving one lucky winner the chance to be part of this elevated poker experience next year.

Players are now on their second scheduled 15-minute break. A chip race of the 100-denomination chips will be conducted during this break.

Cutoff Guofeng Zhao opens the action, and from the small blind, Iulian Blebea moves all in for 26,600. Zhao snap calls to put him at risk.

Iulian Blebea: 5♠ 5♦

Guofeng Zhao: A♠ K♥

The flop Q♥ 9♥ 2♥ keeps Blebea ahead, though Zhao picks up a flush draw and a handful of outs. Despite the sweat, the turn 2♣ and Q♦ river brick out, securing Blebea the double up and a much-needed boost to his stack.

I had a quick chat with London’s Florian Duta, who shared that this is his very first time playing in Asia. It took him a long 26-hour journey to get here, but he’s already loving every bit of it. “I love the place, the food is great, and also the culture,” he said with a smile. He added that friends had told him about how good poker is in Asia, so he just had to experience it himself. After this event, Duta plans to join another tournament before heading back home to make the long trip truly worth it.

With over $3.6 million in live earnings, Duta is no stranger to success. He recently added another trophy and $44,275 to his resume after taking down the KPC Single Day High Roller earlier in the series, and also cashed 93rd in the KPC Main Event.

Now seated in the Red Dragon Championship, Duta sits with around a starting stack, calm and focused, ready to make another deep run in his Asian debut.

The Red Dragon Championship Day 1B has drawn a packed crowd with 175 entries already on the board. The field is shining with familiar faces and heavy hitters eager to chase the iconic dragon trophy.

Defending champion Jianting Cai is back to protect his title, joined by two-time bracelet winner Xixiang Luo, Red Dragon Super High Roller champion Yita Choong, and Taiwan’s poker star Chen An Lin, among others.

With so much talent in the room, today’s flight promises fireworks from start to finish.

After facing an early position raise, button Binbin Wu 3-bets to 3,500. The small blind, Chen, makes the call while the initial raiser steps aside.

On the flop A♥ 4♦ T♦ , Wu continues his aggression with a 4,500 c-bet, but Chen isn’t backing down. He check-raises to 12,000, putting Wu to the test. After a brief pause, Wu decides to fold, conceding the pot as Chen confidently stacks his newly won chips.

UTG Fanhao Meng opens to 1,200, and action folds to button Haogen Huang, who 3-bets to 4,800. Meng responds with a 4-bet to 12,700, prompting Huang to shove for 31,600. After a long tank, Meng makes the call.

Haogen Huang: J♠ J♦

Fanhao Meng: A♣ 4♣

It’s a bold call from Meng, but fortune favors the brave. The flop 5♣ 3♦ 2♥ comes perfect for him, giving a straight right away. The turn K♥ bricks out, leaving Huang drawing dead, though the river J♣ teases him with a meaningless set of jacks. Huang can only shake his head in frustration as Meng rakes in the pot.

Early position Tien Dung Pham opens to 1,000, and from the cutoff, Han Xiao 3-bets to 4,000. Pham makes the quick call to see a flop.

On the flop J♣ 8♦ 5♥ , Xiao fires a continuation bet of 2,500, only to face a sharp check-raise from Pham to 9,000. Xiao calls, and they proceed to the turn 7♣ .

Pham wastes no time, shoving his remaining 27,300 into the middle. Xiao thinks it over, visibly frustrated, before deciding to fold and preserve his last 26,200. Pham quietly collects the pot, his aggressive line paying off perfectly.

The board J♦ 9♣ 5♥ 5♦ 6♥ is already out with about 14,000 in the middle when Arkadii Okulov fires a hefty 12,700 bet. Qian Wang goes deep into the tank before raising it up to 29,500. Okulov wastes no time and announces all in for 55,400.

Wang is visibly stunned, tanking for a long while and nearly folding before finally tossing in the call.

Arkadii Okulov: J♥ J♣

Qian Wang: 9♥ 9♦

Okulov confidently tables his jacks, and Wang shakes her head. Wang's full house of nines is second best against Okulov’s bigger boat. Wang is left with only 2,000 chips while Okulov soars to the top of the counts.

Players are now on their first scheduled 15-minute break.

When I walk up to Table 36, Dawei Huang is already standing, watching the cards unfold. His tournament life is on the line, all in for 20,900 against Denghao Chen, who makes the call.

Dawei Huang: A♣ Q♠

Denghao Chen: A♥ K♠

It’s a classic domination spot, and the flop K♣ 3♠ 2♦ seals Huang’s fate as Chen pairs his king, leaving his opponent drawing dead. The turn 8♣ and river T♥ bring no miracle, and Huang’s run ends early as Chen drags in the pot.

UTG Haisheng Qiu opens to 900 and finds a caller from UTG+1. On the button, Quan Zhou raises it up to 3,600. The big blind, Le Zhao, calls, and Qiu comes along as well, while the early caller folds.

All three check the flop J♦ T♣ 3♥ and the turn J♠ , keeping the pot small as tension builds. When the river T♠ lands, Zhao leads out for 5,000, Qiu makes the call, and Zhou steps aside.

Le Zhao: A♠ K♦

Haisheng Qiu: Q♦ T♦

Zhao confidently shows top two pair with an ace kicker, but it’s no good. Qiu reveals a full house, quietly raking in the pot.

Early position Mingchen Zhang opens to 800, and on his left, Fabian Rolli 3-bets to 3,000. From the small blind, Suwei Yang adds more heat with a 4-bet to 10,000. Action returns to Zhang, who wastes no time and 5-

bet jams for 19,200. Rolli folds, and Yang quickly calls.

Mingchen Zhang: J♣ J♥

Suwei Yang: A♥ Q♣

It’s a classic race, and the flop Q♠ 5♥ 3♦ favors Yang as he pairs his ace to take the lead. Zhang can only hope for one of his remaining jacks, but the turn 3♠ and river 2♣ brick out, sealing his elimination as Yang scoops the pot.

With around 6,000 already in the middle, the board T♣ K♠ 8♦ 2♠ Q♠ is out and small blind Slaven Popov leads for 4,400. Zhihua Yang, never shy to apply pressure, raises to 11,800 to keep the aggression rolling.

Popov goes deep into the tank, eyeing his opponent carefully, before sliding out an additional 25,000 for a total of 29,400. The move proves too strong as Yang quickly folds, giving Popov the pot and the momentum.

Barely settled in after buying in, Yansi Tan and Zhihua Yang waste no time getting involved in a big pot.

From the hijack, Tan opens to 600, and on his left, Yang fires back with a 3-bet to 1,900. Tan isn’t backing down as he puts out a 4-bet to 7,000, which Yang calls without hesitation.

The flop 9♠ 7♦ 6♦ hits and Tan continues with a 5,000 bet, but Yang responds instantly by shoving all in. Tan thinks briefly before deciding to fold, conceding the early skirmish to Yang.

Cutoff Mengqin Wu opens to 600, button Quan Zhou bumps it up to 1,800, and the small blind comes along. Wu makes the call and three players go to the flop.

On the flop A♦ 8♣ 2♠ , Wu wastes no time and leads out for 1,700. Zhou is the only caller. The turn 6♠ doesn’t slow Wu down as she fires again for 3,800, and Zhou sticks around once more.

The river 6♥ lands and Wu fires a third barrel for 7,100. This time, Zhou finally lets it go, and Wu drags the pot with pure aggression from start to finish.

Hui Liu is back in action here at Day 1B of the Red Dragon Championship, showing no signs of slowing down after an emotional finish last night at the KPC Main Event. Liu came agonizingly close to victory but suffered a brutal bad beat against eventual champion Yuhao Zhang.

In that pivotal hand, Liu held ace-king against Zhang’s ace-jack, only for a jack to appear on the board, giving Zhang the double up and crippling Liu’s stack. Despite the heartbreak, Liu still walked away with an impressive KRW 130,000,000 (~US$90,000) payday.

Now, just hours later, Liu is back in the hunt, looking to turn last night’s disappointment into redemption on the Red Dragon stage.

Only fifteen minutes into the day, fireworks erupt at the table.

Facing a limp, cutoff Zhaoyi Lin raises to 1,000, and big blind Qing Ye responds with a 3,500 3-bet. The initial limper folds, and Lin wastes no time putting in a 4-bet to 8,500. Ye doesn’t back down as he moves all in for 38,900, and Lin snap calls.

Qing Ye: 6♥ 6♦

Zhaoyi Lin: Q♥ Q♠

Lin is miles ahead, but poker can be cruel. The flop 9♥ 9♣ 4♥ and turn 4♠ bring no danger, yet the river 6♠ delivers heartbreak as Ye hits one of his two outs to make a set of sixes. Lin is left with just 1,100 in chips and soon finds himself eliminated.

The Red Dragon Championship Day 1B has officially kicked off with the first 13 players already seated and ready for action.

After a thrilling opening flight yesterday, the Red Dragon Championship resumes today at Les A Casino (formerly Landing Casino) inside the luxurious Jeju Shinhwa World. This marquee event features a KRW 2,500,000 (~US$1,780) buy-in and carries a record-breaking KRW 1,650,000,000 (~US$1.18 million) guarantee.

Following yesterday’s exciting kickoff, Day 1B begins today at 12:00 p.m. local time, with players starting deep with 40,000 in chips (200 BB) and 40-minute levels throughout the day. Competitors will enjoy a 15-minute break every two hours or every three levels, and play will run through 12 levels. Registration will close at the end of Level 9, around 6:45 p.m.

For those who prefer the evening grind, Day 1C offers another shot at advancing, starting at 6:00 p.m. local time. This turbo-style flight features 30-minute levels while maintaining the same deep starting stack and structure. Registration closes at the end of Level 9, and players will again battle through 12 levels before bagging up for Day 2.

Yesterday’s Day 1A drew a total of 225 entries, with only 57 players surviving the day. Jiabao Cai emerged as the chip leader, bagging 399,000 (100 BB) after holding the top spot from start to finish.

Somuchpoker is live at the Jeju Poker Festival bringing you all the action and updates from the tournament floor.