South Korea, LES A CasinoEVENT #53

2025.11.07 - 2025.11.12Add to Calendar

Jeju Poker Festival

Blind level

Level 12: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Entries

72/265

Total Chips

10,600,000

Average

147,222

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 12:19:04 PM

Tao Li Tops Red Dragon Championship Day 1B

Level 12: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Tao Li - Chip Leader Day 1B

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.

Top 10 Chip Count

Player	Chips
TL Tao LiChina	362,000(121 BB)
XZ Xiao Zhang (3)China	331,000(110 BB)
HQ Haisheng QiuChina	306,000(102 BB)
YS Yue SunChina	289,000(96 BB)
JL Jiaming LiChina	288,000(96 BB)
ZL Zhan LiChina	284,000(95 BB)
WC Wenwen ChenChina	275,000(92 BB)
YZ Yuhao ZhangChina	268,000(89 BB)
ZY Zhihua YangChina	259,000(86 BB)
LJ Long JinChina	244,000(81 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 12:03:05 PM

Day 1B Wraps Up With 70 Survivors

Level 12: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

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.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 11:53:51 AM

Li Takes the Lead

Level 12: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Tao Li

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
TL Tao LiChina	368,000(123 BB)	87,500
ZC Zengxiang ChenChina	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 11:45:42 AM

Final Five Hands of the Night

Level 12: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

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.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 11:42:58 AM

Zhan Li Doubles Through Foster

Level 12: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Zhan Li

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.

Player	Chips
ZL Zhan LiChina	316,000(105 BB)
DW Dylan Wayne FosterAustralia	101,000(34 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 11:37:03 AM

Early Chip Leader Choong Falls Late

Level 12: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Mengqin Wu

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
MW Mengqin WuChina	229,000(76 BB)	70,000
YC Yita ChoongAustralia	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 11:24:06 AM

Chen’s Hooks Hold

Level 12: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
ZC Zengxiang ChenChina	141,500(47 BB)	74,500
QL Qiangqiang LyuChina	111,000(37 BB)	-67,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 11:18:05 AM

Final Level Of The Day

Level 12: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

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.

Level 12: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 72/265

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 11:05:00 AM

Hao Sends Silva To The Rail

Level 11: 1,500 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Jishui Hao

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
JH Jishui HaoChina	203,000(81 BB)	51,000
CS Campos SilvaBrazil	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 10:47:23 AM

Zhang Back In Action

Level 11: 1,500 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Long Jin

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
YZ Yuhao ZhangChina	201,000(80 BB)	-12,000
LJ Long JinChina	161,000(64 BB)	21,000

Level 11: 1,500 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 101/265

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 10:32:44 AM

Cao Fires Three Barrels

Level 10: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Tingjia Cao

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
DW Dylan Wayne FosterAustralia	303,500(152 BB)	-23,000
TC Tingjia CaoChina	110,000(55 BB)	28,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 10:25:43 AM

Foster Hit The Set

Level 10: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Dylan Wayne Foster - Sishu Peng

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
DW Dylan Wayne FosterAustralia	296,000(148 BB)	56,000
SP Sishu PengChina	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 10:15:36 AM

Huang’s Kicker Holds Strong

Level 10: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Cheng Huang

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
CH Cheng HuangChina	194,000(97 BB)	32,000
PZ Peng ZhouChina	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 10:04:09 AM

Chip Leaders

Level 10: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Player	Chips
BW Binbin WuChina	236,000(118 BB)
MU Michael UguccioniItaly	234,000(117 BB)
AP Alexandru PapazianRomania	226,500(113 BB)
YN Yamato NakaiJapan	217,000(109 BB)
DW Dylan Wayne FosterAustralia	193,500(97 BB)
DL Di LuChina	187,000(94 BB)
ZY Zhihua YangChina	182,500(91 BB)
FH Fengxiang HuChina	180,000(90 BB)
DL Dawei LuChina	172,000(86 BB)
YS Yue SunChina	165,000(83 BB)
YG Yiming GuoChina	162,000(81 BB)
TM Takashi MoritaJapan	157,000(79 BB)
ZY Zhihui YinChina	146,000(73 BB)
WC Wu ChiayunTaiwan	145,000(73 BB)
ZL Zhan LiChina	135,500(68 BB)
PL Patrick LiangTaiwan	133,000(67 BB)
AO Arkadii OkulovRussia	119,500(60 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 9:56:42 AM

Registration Closes With 265 Entries

Level 10: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

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.

Level 10: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 132/265

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 9:41:36 AM

Break Break Break

Break

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.

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 127/253

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 9:38:27 AM

Sanechika Wins The Flip

Level 9: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Nana Sanechika

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
NS Nana SanechikaJapan	118,000(79 BB)	56,500
CH Chengxu HuChina	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 9:27:48 AM

Sun Holds For a Double Up

Level 9: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Wenjie Sun

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
WS Wenjie SunChina	76,500(51 BB)	40,500
TD Tien Dung PhamViet Nam	35,500(24 BB)	-34,500

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 9:18:06 AM

Ace High Holds For Lu

Level 9: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Di Lu

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
DL Di LuChina	168,000(112 BB)	47,000
HH Hsing Hsiung TaiTaiwan	97,000(65 BB)	-11,000
MZ Mingchen ZhangChina	61,000(41 BB)	-36,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 9:01:18 AM

Last Level To Enter

Level 9: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

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.

Level 9: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 139/244

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 8:58:45 AM

Choi Flushes Out Li

Level 8: 1,000 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Eng Loong Choi

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
EL Eng Loong ChoiMalaysia	83,000(83 BB)	25,500
XL Xiaoyun LiChina	18,000(18 BB)	-24,500

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 8:42:40 AM

Yu Springs The Trap

Level 8: 1,000 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Yunchao Yu

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
YY Yunchao YuChina	148,000(148 BB)	17,000
DT Duy Thuc NguyenViet Nam	44,000(44 BB)	-7,500
YN Yamato NakaiJapan	38,500(39 BB)	-7,500

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 8:31:38 AM

Rolli Turns The Tables

Level 8: 1,000 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Junqiang Lyu

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
FR Fabian RolliSwitzerland	97,000(97 BB)	15,000
JL Junqiang LyuChina	41,000(41 BB)	-13,000

Level 8: 1,000 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 148/226

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 8:15:01 AM

Lin’s Straight Cracks Weng’s Two Pair

Level 7: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Chien Chih Weng - Keer Lin

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.

Player	Chips	Progress
KL Keer LinChina	22,000(22 BB)	-16,000
CC Chien Chih WengTaiwan	77(0 BB)	16,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 8:02:54 AM

ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Level 7: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

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.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/8/2025, 7:42:35 AM