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

76/287

Total Chips

11,480,000

Average

151,053

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 12:01:59 PM

Yamada Kozo Tops Red Dragon Championship Day 1D

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

Yamada Kozo - Chip Leader

Day 1D 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 287 total entries, only 76 players have advanced to Day 2, which resumes tomorrow at 12 p.m. local time, where all remaining contenders will return to continue the battle.

Leading the pack is Yamada Kozo with 519,000 (130 BB), who currently stands as the overall chip leader across all four flights, with Day 1E still ongoing. Kozo nearly exited the tournament after registration closed when his ace-queen ran into Van Hien Dang’s pocket queens, but he spiked an ace on the turn to double up and carried that momentum to the end. In the final level, Kozo sealed the lead after winning a huge pot against Xiaochun Shi, forcing a fold with an all-in shove on the turn.

Roman Hrabec

In second place is Triton Main Event Champion Roman Hrabec, who bagged 489,000 (123 BB) after a strong showing throughout the day. The Czech pro, already a well-established name on the international high-roller circuit, now positions himself as a serious threat heading into Day 2 of the Red Dragon Championship.

Right behind him is poker vlogger Chung Tang Lin, who ended the night with 416,000 (104 BB). Lin’s consistent play and well-timed bluffs allowed him to accumulate chips without risking too much in marginal spots. His growing stack and online fanbase make him one to watch as the event moves forward.

Ngoc Huyen “Gemmy” Quach

Several other notable names also secured their spots for Day 2. Renji Mao bagged 212,000 (53 BB) after rebounding from a tough start, while Hon Cheong Lee finished strong with 240,000 (60 BB). Vietnamese poker influencer Ngoc Huyen “Gemmy” Quach continued her impressive run with 214,000 (54 BB), proving that her deep finish in the Philippine Poker Millions was no fluke. Rounding out the list is poker legend John Juanda, who survived the day with 20,000 (5 BB).

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

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

Full chip counts will be posted when available.

Top 10 Chip Counts

Player	Chips
YK Yamada KozoJapan	519,000(173 BB)
RH Roman HrabecCzech Republic	489,000(163 BB)
CT Chung Tang LinTaiwan	416,000(139 BB)
TM Thi My Phuong NguyenViet Nam	365,000(122 BB)
BH Binxin HuChina	360,000(120 BB)
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	334,000(111 BB)
ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	326,000(109 BB)
LW Lei WenChina	290,000(97 BB)
JD Junxian DuChina	245,000(82 BB)
YZ Yixin ZhangChina	241,000(80 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 11:44:01 AM

Day 1D Wraps Up With 76 Survivors

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

That’s it for Day 1D of the Red Dragon Championship, which has come to a close. From a total of 287 entries, only 76 players have advanced to Day 2.

Stay tuned for the full recap and complete chip counts coming up shortly.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 11:31:00 AM

Last 4 Hands

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

With 15 minutes left on the clock, the tournament director has announced that the last four hands will be played tonight before players bag up their chips to end Day 1D of the Red Dragon Championship.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 11:27:09 AM

Kozo Climbs To The Top

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

Yamada Kozo

Folded to the cutoff, Xiaochun Shi opens to 7,000, and both blinds make the call. On the flop 9♠ 5♦ 4♥ , big blind Yamada Kozo leads out for 7,500, and Shi raises to 20,000. The small blind check-folds, while Kozo responds with a re-raise to 46,500. Shi tanks for a while before making the call.

On the turn K♥ , Kozo checks, then shoves all in after Shi fires a 25,000 bet. Shi goes deep into the tank but eventually lays it down, awarding the pot to Kozo, who now moves into the chip leader position.

Player	Chips	Progress
YK Yamada KozoJapan	499,000(166 BB)	85,500
XS Xiaochun ShiChina	141,000(47 BB)	-78,500

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 11:10:19 AM

Gemmy Rockets to Another Knockout

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

Ngoc Huyen "Gemmy" Quach

Facing a raise, Yang Song 3-bets to 17,000, and on his left, Ngoc Huyen "Gemmy" Quach 4-bets to 50,000. The initial raiser folds, and Song 5-bet jams for 59,000. Gemmy quickly calls.

Yang Song: Q♠ Q♣

Ngoc Huyen "Gemmy" Quach: A♠ A♦

Gemmy wakes up with rockets and stays ahead through the runout K♦ T♣ 6♦ 5♦ 9♦ , eliminating Song. After the hand, she smiled and said she thought she wouldn’t get aces today — but she did.

Player	Chips	Progress
NH Ngoc Huyen QuachViet Nam	198,000(66 BB)	66,500
YS Yang SongChina	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 11:05:55 AM

Final Level Of The Day

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

It’s the last level to play today. After this level, players will bag up their chips and advance to Day 2 of the Red Dragon Championship.

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 97/287

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 11:01:21 AM

Current Chip Leaders

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

Player	Chips
BH Binxin HuChina	356,000(142 BB)
YK Yamada KozoJapan	311,000(124 BB)
LW Lei WenChina	303,000(121 BB)
GT George TomescuRomania	259,000(104 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 10:50:45 AM

Zhang Flops a Straight

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

Chunhao Zhang

UTG Chunhao Zhang open shoves for 24,000, and in the big blind, Cheng Zhou, fresh from eliminating a player, sees one card, an ace, and makes the call.

Chunhao Zhang: J♣ T♦

Cheng Zhou: A♠ K♥

Zhou wakes up with a monster hand, but the flop 9♣ 8♦ 7♦ comes perfect for Zhang, giving him the nut straight and leaving Zhou drawing dead as Zhang scores a crucial double up.

Player	Chips	Progress
CZ Cheng ZhouChina	124,000(50 BB)	-26,500
CZ Chunhao ZhangChina	52,000(21 BB)	28,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 10:37:14 AM

Zhou Spikes a Set to Send Ho Packing

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

Cheng Zhou

After asking the tournament director about the payout structure, the floor confirmed that 15% of the field will make the money, with the bubble expected to burst on Day 2.

Moments later, Chung Yin Ho open-shoves for 28,500, and from the small blind, Cheng Zhou makes the call.

Chung Yin Ho: Q♥ Q♦

Cheng Zhou: 9♦ 9♣

Zhou, with only two outs, finds one right on the flop 9♥ 6♦ 5♦ , hitting a top set and leaving Ho with just two queens to survive. The turn K♠ and river 8♥ bring no help, and Ho is eliminated. However, he still has a shot at redemption with Day 1E currently underway.

Player	Chips	Progress
CZ Cheng ZhouChina	152,000(61 BB)	33,500
CY Chung Yin HoChina	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 121/287

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 10:22:45 AM

Li Wins The Flip To Double Up

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

Bing Li

Cutoff Bing Li opens to 4,000, and on his left is the chip leader Thi My Phuong Nguyen, who 3-bets to 13,000. Action goes back to Li, who answers with a 4-bet shove for 46,000. Nguyen, showing no fear, calls.

Bing Li: A♣ Q♣

Thi My Phuong Nguyen: 2♥ 2♦

It’s a classic flip, but Li hits a pair on the flop K♣ Q♥ 9♥ , leaving Nguyen with two outs. The turn 6♥ , however, gives Nguyen a flush draw. The river 4♦ produces no deuce or heart, giving Li a double up and a slight hit to the massive stack of Nguyen.

Player	Chips	Progress
TM Thi My Phuong NguyenViet Nam	274,000(137 BB)	-46,000
BL Bing LiChina	97,000(49 BB)	51,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 10:11:28 AM

Mao Fights Back After Super High Roller Exit

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

Another player who recently exited the Red Dragon Prestige Super High Roller, Renji Mao, has jumped straight into the Red Dragon Championship and is wasting no time building a stack.

With around 20,000 already in the middle J♠ 6♣ 4♦ 3♣ 7♠ , Junxi Guo bets 7,000 from under the gun, and a player on his left makes the call. From the button, Mao moves all in for 55,000. Guo goes deep into the tank, using a time bank before finally deciding to fold, awarding the pot to Mao without a showdown.

Player	Chips	Progress
JG Junxi GuoChina	105,000(53 BB)	-13,000
RM Renji MaoChina	89,000(45 BB)	28,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 10:02:07 AM

Kozo Spikes an Ace to Stay Alive

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

Yamada Kozo

Van Hien Dang opens to 4,000, and on his left, Hyung Tai Kim 3-bets to 11,000. From the small blind, Yamada Kozo 4-bet shoves for 74,500. Dang tanks briefly before announcing a 5-bet jam, and Kim quickly folds, leaving the two players all in preflop.

Yamada Kozo: A♥ Q♥

Van Hien Dang: Q♦ Q♠

Kozo, with only three outs, picks up a flush draw on the flop 8♦ 8♥ 3♥ . The turn A♣ brings a pair, giving Kozo top pair and leaving Dang with just one out, as Kozo holds a queen. The river 8♠ bricks, and Kozo secures a huge double up to stay in the hunt.

Player	Chips	Progress
YK Yamada KozoJapan	164,000(82 BB)	89,500
KH Kim Hyung TaiSouth Korea	56,000(28 BB)	-11,000
VH Van Hien DangViet Nam	22,000(11 BB)	-74,500

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 9:50:19 AM

Chip Leaders

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

Player	Chips
TM Thi My Phuong NguyenViet Nam	322,000(161 BB)
GT George TomescuRomania	259,000(130 BB)
KK Kun Kiet WongMalaysia	210,500(105 BB)
YS Yuechun ShiChina	196,500(98 BB)
BH Binxin HuChina	189,000(95 BB)
JX Jia XiaoChina	183,000(92 BB)
CN Cheng Nan TsaiTaiwan	182,500(91 BB)
ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	181,000(91 BB)
RH Roman HrabecCzech Republic	170,000(85 BB)
ZH Zhengshan HaoHong Kong	167,000(84 BB)
ZC Zong Chi HeTaiwan	161,500(81 BB)
HW Hui WangChina	158,500(79 BB)
PW Pingfeng WuChina	157,500(79 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 9:45:54 AM

Day 1D Comes to a Close

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

Day 1D of the Red Dragon Championship has officially come to a close. From a total of 287 entries, only 151 players remain in contention. They will continue for three more levels before bagging their chips for Day 2, which resumes tomorrow at 12 p.m. local time.

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 151/287

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 9:29:23 AM

Break Break Break

Break

Players are now on their last scheduled 15-minute break. Registration will close after this break.

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 144/279

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 9:25:11 AM

Hrabec Applies Maximum Pressure

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

Roman Hrabec

Triton Main Event Champion Roman Hrabec has landed and is already making his presence felt, adding more chips to his growing stack.

Hrabec opens to 3,000, and both blinds make the call to see the flop K♠ K♣ 3♦ . Hrabec continues for 2,000, with only Qingbo Gao in the small blind sticking around.

On the turn 5♠ , Hrabec fires again for 10,000, and Gao check-calls. The river J♦ brings another barrel from Hrabec for 25,000. Gao tanks for nearly two minutes before finally deciding to lay it down, as Hrabec rakes in another healthy pot without showdown.

Player	Chips	Progress
RH Roman HrabecCzech Republic	193,500(129 BB)	19,500
QG Qingbo GaoChina	94,000(63 BB)	-15,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 9:09:01 AM

Tsuji Doubles Through With a Full House

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

Yasuyuki Tsuji

UTG Tien Dung Pham opens to 3,500, button Yasuyuki Tsuji calls, and the big blind also defends. On the flop K♦ 8♣ 6♣ , Pham c-bets 6,500, and Tsuji raises to 22,000. The big blind gets out of the way, and after some thought, Pham makes the call.

On the turn 8♦ , Pham leads out with a bold shove, and Tsuji snap-calls all in for 48,500.

Yasuyuki Tsuji: 8♠ 6♠

Tien Dung Pham: A♦ K♥

Tsuji flops two pair and improves to a full house on the turn, leaving Pham drawing dead as the dealer reveals the river T♥ . Tsuji scores a big double up and cripples Pham.

Player	Chips	Progress
YT Yasuyuki TsujiJapan	154,000(103 BB)	80,000
TD Tien Dung PhamViet Nam	7,000(5 BB)	-74,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 8:49:26 AM

Last Chance To Enter Day 1D

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

It’s the final level of registration for Day 1D of the Red Dragon Championship. Entries will close after this level at approximately 6:45 p.m.

For those who miss this flight, there’s still one last chance to qualify for Day 2 in Day 1E, kicking off later at 6:00 p.m. with 30-minute levels.

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 156/261

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 8:39:16 AM

Chen Boats Up in a Three-Way All-In

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

From the hijack, Hui Chen opens to 2,000, and both Lei Wen on the cutoff and Juhyun Lee on the big blind makes the call.

On the flop 7♦ 3♦ 2♦ , Lee checks, and Chen fires a 5,000 continuation bet. Wen calls, and Lee raises to 14,000. Chen calls the raise, but Wen moves all in, covering both opponents. Lee calls for 46,000 total, and Chen puts in his 30,000, creating a massive three-way all-in pot.

Hui Chen: 2♣ 2♠

Juhyun Lee: K♦ T♦

Lei Wen: Q♦ J♦

All three players connect with the flop, but the turn 7♥ seals it for Chen, who improves to a full house, leaving both opponents drawing dead and cracking their flushes. Chen triples up, while Lee takes the side pot with a higher flush than Wen.

Player	Chips	Progress
HC Hui Chen (3)China	98,000(98 BB)	66,000
LW Lei WenChina	38,000(38 BB)	-48,000
JL Juhyun LeeSouth Korea	32,000(32 BB)	-17,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 8:25:42 AM

Chen Cracks Tens With a Turned Straight

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

Chuan Shu Chen - Han Xiao

Action folds to the small blind, where Chuan Shu Chen limps in. Big blind Han Xiao raises to 3,000, and Chen makes the call.

On the flop 7♦ 5♠ 4♠ , Chen check-raises to 12,000 after Xiao fires a 5,000 continuation bet. Xiao responds by announcing all in for 37,000, and Chen quickly calls.

Han Xiao: T♣ T♠

Chuan Shu Chen: 9♣ 6♠

Xiao holds an overpair, but the turn 3♦ brings in Chen’s open-ended straight, leaving Xiao drawing dead. The river T♦ improves Xiao to a set, but it’s not enough to beat Chen’s straight, as Chen drags a big pot and sends Xiao to the rail.

Player	Chips	Progress
CS Chuan Shu ChenChina	129,000(129 BB)	41,000
HX Han XiaoChina	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 8:08:44 AM

Lucky River For Zheng

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

Luo Zheng

A battle of the blinds unfolds with 7,000 already in the middle as the flop 8♠ 5♦ 3♦ and turn 4♠ hits the felt. Small blind Luo Zheng bets 3,000, and big blind Ryusuke Kasawaki raises to 13,500. Action returns to Zheng, who shoves all in, and Kasawaki snap-calls for his 22,000 stack.

Ryusuke Kasawaki: 5♥ 3♥

Luo Zheng: 8♦ 7♦

Kasawaki flops two pair, well ahead of Zheng’s top pair, but the river 7♥ brings a higher two pair for Zheng, delivering a lucky river and sending Kasawaki to the rail.

Player	Chips	Progress
LZ Luo ZhengChina	64,000(64 BB)	26,000
RK Ryusuke KasawakiJapan	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 8:02:28 AM

Poker Legend John Juanda Joins The Red Dragon Championship

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

John Juanda

Aside from Patrik Antonius, another poker legend has taken a seat in the Red Dragon Championship Day 1D. John Juanda, one of the most decorated players in the world, has joined the field after his exit from the Red Dragon Super High Roller.

With over $26 million in live earnings, Juanda currently sits atop the Indonesia All-Time Money List. The five-time WSOP bracelet winner has a résumé that spans decades of success, including his career-best score of US$2,870,092 for winning the Triton Main Event in Macau back in 2017.

Now, he sets his sights on adding another deep run to his storied career here at Les A Casino in Jeju Shinhwa World.

Player	Chips
JJ John JuandaIndonesia	40,000(40 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 7:48:44 AM

Yu Puts Jin To The Test

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

Cheng Lin Yu - Xu Dong Jin

With the flop 7♣ 6♠ 4♦ already out, a pot of around 26,500 has developed. Cheng Lin Yu leads small for 3,000, and Xu Dong Jin, seated to his left, raises to 8,000. Yu makes the call to see the turn.

When the turn 8♥ lands, Yu wastes no time and shoves all in, putting Jin deep in the tank as he contemplates whether to risk his last 15,000. After a long pause, Jin decides to fold, and Yu collects the pot without showdown.

Player	Chips	Progress
CL Cheng Lin YuTaiwan	118,000(118 BB)	26,500
XD Xu Dong JinChina	15,000(15 BB)	-16,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/9/2025, 7:36:32 AM