South Korea, LES A CasinoEVENT #53

2025.11.07 - 2025.11.12Add to Calendar

Jeju Poker Festival

Blind level

Level 29: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Entries

9/1,108

Total Chips

44,320,000

Average

4,924,444

Callum JuryCallum Jury

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

Xiao Zhang Leads the Final Nine into Red Dragon Championship Finale

Level 29: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Xiao Zhang

Just nine players remain from a total entry field of 1,108 in the Red Dragon Championship, the marquee event of the Jeju Poker Festival 2025 at Les A Casino in Jeju, South Korea. Each finalist has navigated a gauntlet of five starting flights and two full days of play to earn their seat at tomorrow’s final table, where the champion will be decided.

Leading the charge is China’s Xiao Zhang, who will take a commanding 8,675,000-chip stack into the finale. Zhang, who narrowly missed out on the Day 1b chip lead (trailing by around 30,000 to 32nd-place casher Tao Li) started the day low in the counts with just 615,000.

Zhang’s comeback began early, securing a crucial double when his pocket nines held against Hung-Chen Chen’s ace-jack. From that point, he steadily built his stack, winning pot after pot, and earned one of his biggest boosts of the day when he eliminated Binbin Wu in 13th, who shoved pocket aces into Zhang’s turned straight. Zhang carried that momentum all the way through to bagging at the end of the day.

Tai Min Tan

Ranking second in the counts heading into tomorrow’s battle is another Chinese contender, Tai Min Tian, with 6,350,000 in chips. Tian, whose total live earnings currently sit at just over USD 17,000, has already guaranteed himself USD 20,875 for reaching the final nine, more than doubling his career total. With a strong stack and a healthy dose of confidence, he’ll be aiming to turn this deep run into a podium finish tomorrow.

Rounding out the top three and completing the Chinese trio is Yang Yang, the last female representative in the Red Dragon Championship. Yang began the day with the sixth-lowest chip stack, proving that all you need is a chip, a chair, and sharp instincts to thrive in tournament poker. Shortly after the dinner break, she scored a crucial elimination when she called off Zhaoxi Ma’s three-bet shove, dominating with ace-queen against ace-jack. Her hand held firm to send Ma out in 11th place, giving Yang a timely boost to her stack and keeping her hopes alive heading into the final day.

Yang Yang

Final Table Seating and Chip Counts

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	4,550,000(30 BB)	2	1
TT Taimin TianChina	6,350,000(42 BB)	2	2
JT Jinguo TaoChina	2,675,000(18 BB)	2	3
ZL Zehao LiChina	4,650,000(31 BB)	2	4
YY Yang Yang 2China	5,850,000(39 BB)	2	5
HC Hung Chen ChenTaiwan	2,050,000(14 BB)	2	6
IK Ivan KaratayeuBelarus	4,625,000(31 BB)	2	7
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	4,600,000(31 BB)	2	8
XZ Xiao ZhangChina	8,675,000(58 BB)	2	9

Just missing out on the final table spotlight was Chuer Ni, who spent much of the day personally thinning down the field. Starting with one of the larger stacks at 1,615,000, she scored an early knockout against Ngoc Huyen Quach when her ace-ten turned a straight to crack pocket tens. The hand also earned her a healthy side pot from Zehao Li, who folded after two streets of pressure.

Ni’s momentum continued as she eliminated Trung Hieu Nguyen, her pocket queens finding another lady on the flop to overcome Nguyen’s pocket kings. After taking a third player later in the day, her run finally came to an end when her pocket eights lost to Florian Duta’s queen-ten, as Duta paired his queen on the turn to send her out in tenth place, officially setting the stage for the final nine.

Chuer Ni

Remaining Payouts

Place	Payout (USD)
1	$259,980
2	$176,880
3	$124,440
4	$88,935
5	$64,440
6	$47,510
7	$35,505
8	$26,960
9	$20,875

All players have locked up at least USD 20,875 for their efforts, but every eye will be on the top prize of USD 259,980, along with the Red Dragon Championship Trophy and the bragging rights that comes with claiming one of Asia’s most iconic titles.

Play resumes at 12:00 p.m. local time, with the action livestreamed from the start. Live updates will continue throughout the day until a winner is crowned. Stay tuned to Somuchpoker to find out who will lift the trophy and become the next Red Dragon champion.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 11:32:07 AM

Day 3 Comes To An End

Level 29: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Day 3 of the Red Dragon Championship has officially wrapped up. The field has been narrowed down to the final table, and the remaining contenders are now one step away from glory.

Stay tuned for the full recap, hand highlights, and the official final table chip counts coming up next.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 11:16:53 AM

Chuer Ni Eliminated in 10th Place (KRW 23,930,000)

Level 29: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Chuer Ni

With ten players remaining and one elimination away from the final table, action folds to the button where Chuer Ni shoves for 905,000. In the big blind, Florian Duta makes the call to put her at risk.

Chuer Ni: 8♥ 8♠

Florian Duta: Q♥ T♥

Ni is ahead before the flop 5♦ 4♠ 2♠ and stays safe through the first three cards, but the turn Q♦ brings a top pair for Duta, flipping the script and leaving Ni with just two outs. The river J♦ bricks out, sending Ni to the rail in 10th place. Duta claims the pot and officially locks in the Red Dragon Championship Final Table lineup.

Player	Chips	Progress
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	4,600,000(31 BB)	980,000
CN Chuer NiChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
10	CN Chuer NiChina	$16,435

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 10:54:19 AM

Zhaoxi Ma Eliminated in 11th Place (KRW 23,930,000)

Level 29: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Zhaoxi Ma

Just moments after returning from the dinner break, action heats up fast. On only the second hand back, Yang Yang opens to 300,000, and from the big blind, Zhaoxi Ma moves all in for 2,300,000. Without hesitation, Yang snap calls to put Ma at risk.

Zhaoxi Ma: A♠ J♣

Yang Yang: A♦ Q♣

Ma is dominated from the start and needs a jack to survive. The board K♠ 8♣ 3♠ 9♦ 6♦ runs out clean for Yang, offering Ma no help at any street. In a quick and unfortunate turn of events, Ma is eliminated in 11th place, ending his deep run just two hands into the restart.

Player	Chips	Progress
YY Yang Yang 2China	7,800,000(52 BB)	2,600,000
ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
11	ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	$16,435

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 10:43:21 AM

Back From Dinner

Level 29: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

The remaining 11 players are now back from the dinner break and ready to resume the action. Play will continue tonight until the field is down to the final nine players.

Level 29: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 11/1108

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 9:45:37 AM

Break Break Break

Dinner Break

Players are now on their scheduled 60-min dinner break. Play will resume shortly.

Dinner Break

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 11/1108

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 9:03:09 AM

Binbin Wu Eliminated in 13th Place (KRW 19,150,000)

Level 28: 75,000 / 125,000 ante: 125,000

Binbin wu

On a board showing 5♣ J♣ 7♥ 6♦ and around 1,500,000 in the middle, big blind Xiao Zhang shoved after Binbin Wu raised him from 525,000 to 1,300,000. Wu made the call to put himself at risk:

Binbin Wu: A♦ A♥

Xiao Zhang: 9♦ 8♥

Disaster for Wu, as Zhang had turned a straight, and he was already gathering his belongings by the time the 4♦ hit the river.

Player	Chips
XZ Xiao ZhangChina	6,500,000(52 BB)
BW Binbin WuChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
13	BW Binbin WuChina	$13,155

Level 28: 75,000 / 125,000 ante: 125,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 13/1108

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 8:44:02 AM

Feng Xiao Eliminated in 14th Place (KRW 15,560,000)

Level 27: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Feng Xiao

UTG Zehao Li opens to 200,000, and from the hijack, Feng Xiao 3-bets to 700,000. Li wastes no time and announces a 4-bet shove. Xiao makes the call for his remaining 1,300,000, and the cards go on their backs.

Feng Xiao: K♥ Q♣

Zehao Li: Q♠ Q♥

Xiao is in trouble with only three outs to survive, but the board A♥ 2♠ 6♦ 9♣ T♥ runs clean for Li. No king appears, and Xiao’s deep run comes to an end in 14th place.

Player	Chips	Progress
ZL Zehao LiChina	4,800,000(48 BB)	1,500,000
FX Feng XiaoChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
14	FX Feng XiaoChina	$10,685

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 8:21:14 AM

Arkadii Okulov Eliminated in 15th Place (KRW 15,560,000)

Level 27: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Arkadii Okulov

Small blind Ivan Karatayeu and big blind Arkadii Okulov got all their chips in preflop, with Okulov at risk with only 475,000:

Arkadii Okulov: K♥ 6♣

Ivan Karatayeu: Q♠ 8♦

Disaster for Okulov as Karatayeu paired twice on the 8♠ 9♣ Q♣ flop. Okulov still had backdoor flush outs, but the 3♣ K♠ runout offered no help, sending him out in 15th place and giving Karatayeu a healthy boost to his stack.

Player	Chips
IK Ivan KaratayeuBelarus	5,200,000(52 BB)
AO Arkadii OkulovRussia	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
15	AO Arkadii OkulovRussia	$10,685

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

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

Huan Li Eliminated in 16th Place (KRW 15,560,000)

Level 27: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Huan Li

Facing an early position raise, Huan Li 3-bet shoves from the button for 1,450,000. In the big blind, Taimin Tian quickly announces all in for 2,225,000, forcing the initial raiser to fold and setting up a heads-up showdown.

Huan Li: 4♣ 4♠

Taimin Tian: 9♥ 9♦

Tian’s pocket nines dominate Li’s small pair, and the flop A♦ T♦ 9♣ seals it as Tian spikes a set, leaving Li almost drawing dead. With no miracle runner-runner, the turn 8♠ and river 3♦ change nothing, and Li exits the tournament in 16th place.

Player	Chips	Progress
TT Taimin TianChina	3,925,000(39 BB)	1,700,000
HL Huan LiChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
16	HL Huan LiChina	$10,685

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 7:49:20 AM

Bullets Double Tao Through Wu

Level 27: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Binbin Wu shoved from middle position, and hijack Jinguo Tao called to put himself at risk:

Jinguo Tao: A♦ A♥

Binbin Wu: A♣ K♠

Tao’s bullets held firm despite Wu pairing his king on the 5♠ 4♦ K♥ flop, with the 6♦ 5♣ runout securing Tao the double through Wu.

Player	Chips
JT Jinguo TaoChina	5,300,000(53 BB)
BW Binbin WuChina	1,300,000(13 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 7:41:35 AM

Final 16 Players

Level 27: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Player	Chips
IK Ivan KaratayeuBelarus	5,925,000(59 BB)
ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	4,325,000(43 BB)
XZ Xiao ZhangChina	4,025,000(40 BB)
BW Binbin WuChina	3,800,000(38 BB)
ZL Zehao LiChina	3,100,000(31 BB)
CL Chao LiChina	2,850,000(29 BB)
TT Taimin TianChina	2,775,000(28 BB)
JT Jinguo TaoChina	2,650,000(27 BB)
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	2,550,000(26 BB)
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	2,525,000(25 BB)
CN Chuer NiChina	2,475,000(25 BB)
FX Feng XiaoChina	1,700,000(17 BB)
YY Yang Yang 2China	1,675,000(17 BB)
HC Hung Chen ChenTaiwan	1,525,000(15 BB)
HL Huan LiChina	1,450,000(15 BB)
AO Arkadii OkulovRussia	1,025,000(10 BB)

Level 27: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 16/1108

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 7:28:55 AM

Break Break Break

Break

Players are now on their second scheduled 15-minute break. During this pause in the action, tournament staff will conduct a chip race to remove the 5,000-denomination chips from play.

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 16/1108

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 7:23:22 AM

Ma Turns It Around

Level 26: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

UTG Zhaoxi Ma opens to 160,000 and calls the 3-bet of Florian Duta from the small blind worth 560,000. Duta fires a 375,000 continuation bet on the flop 4♥ 3♥ 3♣ , which Ma calls.

On the turn 8♣ , Duta keeps the pressure on with a 750,000 bet, but Ma takes his time, using two time banks before moving all in for 1,765,000. With the clock ticking down, Duta eventually lays it down, conceding the pot to Ma, who scoops up a big one to climb back into contention.

Player	Chips	Progress
ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	4,145,000(52 BB)	1,845,000
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	2,545,000(32 BB)	-1,685,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 6:58:24 AM

Duta Fires Back

Level 26: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Action folds to the button where Zehao Li opens to 160,000. In the small blind, Florian Duta responds with a 3-bet to 560,000. Li isn’t backing down and comes back with a 4-bet to 1,200,000.

Duta takes a moment, then moves all in for 3,230,000. After a long tank, Li eventually lays it down, giving Duta the pot and a momentum boost.

Player	Chips	Progress
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	4,590,000(57 BB)	1,360,000
ZL Zehao LiChina	1,975,000(25 BB)	-1,200,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 6:52:57 AM

Table 2 Chip Counts

Level 26: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Player	Chips
CN Chuer NiChina	3,790,000(47 BB)
ZL Zehao LiChina	3,640,000(46 BB)
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	3,450,000(43 BB)
CL Chao LiChina	2,900,000(36 BB)
FX Feng XiaoChina	1,950,000(24 BB)
ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	1,560,000(20 BB)
YY Yang Yang 2China	1,310,000(16 BB)
HC Hung Chen ChenTaiwan	1,250,000(16 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 6:50:28 AM

Recent Elimination 17-27

Level 26: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
17	MW Mengqin WuChina	$10,685
18	DB Ding BiaoChina	$8,875
19	CC Chien Chih WengTaiwan	$8,875
20	YK Yamada KozoJapan	$8,875
21	CC Chen ChenChina	$8,875
22	HC Hon Cheong LeeHong Kong	$8,875
23	QG Qingbo GaoChina	$8,875
24	HY Haibin YanChina	$8,875
25	HX Han XiaoChina	$8,875
26	JS Jinlin ShiChina	$8,875
27	CT Chung Tang LinTaiwan	$7,395

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 6:45:34 AM

Duta Boats Wu Out

Level 26: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Mengqin Wu

Cutoff Florian Duta opens and calls the 3-bet shove of Mengqin Wu from the small blind for 590,000.

Mengqin Wu: A♠ T♠

Florian Duta: 8♥ 8♦

It’s a classic race for Wu’s tournament life. Wu pairs her ten on the flop T♦ 9♦ 8♣ , but Duta hits bottom set at the same time. Wu gains a brief glimmer of hope for a possible chop on the turn J♠ , yet the river 9♠ seals her fate as Duta improves to a full house. Wu’s deep run ends in 17th place.

Player	Chips	Progress
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	3,300,000(41 BB)	750,000
MW Mengqin WuChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 6:38:40 AM

Li Shakes Duta Off the Turn

Level 26: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Florian Duta

Small blind Zehao Li limped, and Florian Duta checked in the big blind.

On the A♦ K♠ J♦ flop, Li fired 80,000 into the middle, with Duta sticking around for the call.

The 8♥ landed on the turn, and Li raised to 200,000. Duta thought for a moment before flicking his cards back to the dealer.

Player	Chips
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	2,700,000(34 BB)
ZL Zehao LiChina	2,650,000(33 BB)

Level 26: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 17/1108

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 6:24:52 AM

Tao's Nines End Biao's Run

Level 25: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Ding Biao

Cutoff Ding Biao raised to 120,000 and was three-bet shoved by button and covering stack Jinguo Tao. It folded around to Biao who stuck in the call:

Ding Biao: A♦ Q♦

Jinguo Tao: 9♦ 9♥

Tao's nines were ahead as the king-studded K♦ K♣ K♠ flop fell, giving him a boat. No ace or queen came to save Biao on the 4♠ 5♦ runout, and he was eliminated in 18th place.

Player	Chips
JT Jinguo TaoChina	3,275,000(55 BB)
DB Ding BiaoChina	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 6:23:46 AM

Eights Stand Strong

Level 25: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Facing an early position raise, Feng Xiao 3-bet shoves for 870,000 from the cutoff. On his left, Hung Chen Chen moves all in over the top, forcing the initial raiser to fold.

Feng Xiao: 8♥ 8♣

Hung Chen Chen: A♠ Q♣

It’s a classic race, but Xiao’s pocket eights hold firm through the board J♣ 3♣ 9♠ 7♥ 8♠ and even improve to a set on the river, earning him a crucial double-up.

Player	Chips	Progress
FX Feng XiaoChina	2,105,000(35 BB)	1,235,000
HC Hung Chen ChenTaiwan	1,160,000(19 BB)	-870,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 6:15:55 AM

Ma Wins One, Loses One

Level 25: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Zhaoxi Ma

Zhehao Li raised to 120,000 and was called by Zhaoxi Ma a couple of seats over.

On the Q♦ 9♦ 8♥ flop, Ma check-folded when Li fired 80,000 into the middle.

In the next hand, button Florian Duta raised to 120,000 and called Ma's 360,000 three-bet.

The dealer laid out the A♦ 6♠ 8♠ flop, and Ma continued the aggression, firing 225,000 into the middle. Duta took a moment before sending his cards back to the dealer.

Player	Chips
ZL Zehao LiChina	2,725,000(45 BB)
ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	2,150,000(36 BB)
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	1,675,000(28 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 6:12:52 AM

Taiwanese Showdown

Level 25: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Chieh Chih Weng

The last two Taiwanese players clash, and only one survives.

From the button, Hung Chen Chen moves all in for 870,000, and in the big blind, Chieh Chih Weng calls for her remaining 600,000.

Chieh Chih Weng: A♥ 4♥

Hung Chen Chen: 8♠ 8♦

Weng pairs her four on the flop J♣ 9♥ 4♣ to spark some hope, but the turn 3♣ and river 5♣ offer no further help. Chen’s pocket eights hold firm, sending Weng to the rail and leaving Chen as the last Taiwanese standing.

Player	Chips	Progress
HC Hung Chen ChenTaiwan	1,560,000(26 BB)	690,000
CC Chien Chih WengTaiwan	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 6:00:43 AM

Full House Ends Kozo’s Run

Level 25: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Yamada Kozo

Hijack Zehao Li opens to 120,000, and on his left, Yamada Kozo makes the call to see the flop A♣ 6♠ 2♦ . Li fires an 80,000 continuation bet, then calls Kozo’s raise to 220,000.

Both players slow down on the turn J♣ and check to see the river J♥ . Li leads again for 350,000, only to snap-call when Kozo shoves for 810,000.

Yamada Kozo: K♥ J♦

Zehao Li: 6♥ 6♦

Kozo hits runner-runner trips but runs straight into Li’s full house, leaving him drawing dead on the turn. The Day 2 chip leader’s deep run comes to an end as Kozo bows out in 20th place.

Player	Chips	Progress
ZL Zehao LiChina	2,640,000(44 BB)	1,300,000
YK Yamada KozoJapan	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 5:57:59 AM

Nines Hold For Zhang

Level 25: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

UTG +1 Xiao Zhang opens to 500,000, leaving just 50,000 behind. On the button, Hung Chen Chen raises to 1,000,000, and Zhang makes the call to put himself all in.

Xiao Zhang: 9♠ 9♥

Hung Chen Chen: A♠ J♠

It’s a classic flip for Zhang’s tournament life, and his pocket nines hold strong through the board T♥ 5♥ 4♣ T♣ 7♥ , earning him a crucial double-up to stay in the game.

Player	Chips	Progress
HC Hung Chen ChenTaiwan	1,570,000(26 BB)	-550,000
XZ Xiao ZhangChina	1,250,000(21 BB)	700,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 5:42:36 AM

Li Wins One, Loses One

Level 25: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Chao Li

Small blind Chao Li limped in and Chien-Chih Weng checked from the big blind.

Li fired 60,000 on the T♣ 4♣ 5♣ flop and Weng folded instantly.

In the next hand, button Li raised to 120,000 and was called by big blind Jinguo Tao.

Tao check-raised when Li bet 110,000 up to 320,000 on the 2♠ 9♦ Q♠ flop. Li thought for a moment before folding, conceding the pot

Player	Chips
CL Chao LiChina	3,225,000(54 BB)
JT Jinguo TaoChina	2,250,000(38 BB)
CC Chien Chih WengTaiwan	950,000(16 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 5:34:29 AM

River Shock For Gao

Level 25: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

On the very first hand after the break, Qingbo Gao moves all in for around 800,000 and gets a call from Abhijith Cheruku on his right.

Qingbo Gao: J♦ J♥

Abhijith Cheruku: A♦ T♣

Gao smashes the flop Q♣ J♠ 6♣ with a set of jacks, but Cheruku picks up a gutshot draw. The turn 4♥ changes nothing, leaving Cheruku needing one of four outs. Then the river K♣ lands perfectly to complete Cheruku's straight, sending Gao to the rail as the table erupts in disbelief.

Player	Chips	Progress
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	5,700,000(95 BB)	860,000
QG Qingbo GaoChina	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 5:30:01 AM

23 Players Remain – Latest Chip Count Update

Level 25: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Player	Chips
IK Ivan KaratayeuBelarus	6,185,000(103 BB)
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	4,710,000(79 BB)
CN Chuer NiChina	4,455,000(74 BB)
CL Chao LiChina	3,350,000(56 BB)
DB Ding BiaoChina	2,735,000(46 BB)
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	2,540,000(42 BB)
AO Arkadii OkulovRussia	2,265,000(38 BB)
JT Jinguo TaoChina	2,165,000(36 BB)
HC Hung Chen ChenTaiwan	2,105,000(35 BB)
YY Yang Yang 2China	1,875,000(31 BB)
TT Taimin TianChina	1,490,000(25 BB)
ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	1,415,000(24 BB)
YK Yamada KozoJapan	1,300,000(22 BB)
HL Huan LiChina	1,070,000(18 BB)
CC Chien Chih WengTaiwan	1,025,000(17 BB)
BW Binbin WuChina	1,010,000(17 BB)
QG Qingbo GaoChina	935,000(16 BB)
ZL Zehao LiChina	780,000(13 BB)
MW Mengqin WuChina	760,000(13 BB)
HC Hon Cheong LeeHong Kong	680,000(11 BB)
FX Feng XiaoChina	660,000(11 BB)
XZ Xiao ZhangChina	550,000(9 BB)
CC Chen ChenChina	215,000(4 BB)

Level 25: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 23/1108

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 5:18:35 AM

Break Break Break

Break

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

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 23/1108

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 4:59:02 AM

Kozo Spikes a Five to Stay Alive

Level 24: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

After getting an earlier shove through, Yamada Kozo moved all in again from the hijack, and this time button Chen Chen called, unwilling to let him get away with it twice:

Yamada Kozo: 5♣ 5♠

Chen Chen: 8♥ 8♦

The K♥ A♦ Q♦ K♦ runout looked grim for Kozo, who was all but out the door, until the 5♥ landed on the river to give him a full house and leave Chen severely short-stacked.

Player	Chips
YK Yamada KozoJapan	1,950,000(39 BB)
CC Chen ChenChina	375,000(8 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 4:58:39 AM

Ni Strikes Again

Level 24: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Early position Haibin Yan, down to just 400,000, moves all in and almost gets away with stealing the blinds until Chuer Ni makes the call.

Haibin Yan: K♠ J♣

Chuer Ni: A♠ 5♦

Yan has two live cards but can’t find any help on the board 5♥ 2♠ 4♥ 7♠ A♥ . Ni’s ace high holds, sending yet another player to the rail as she continues her knockout streak.

Player	Chips	Progress
CN Chuer NiChina	3,950,000(79 BB)	425,000
HY Haibin YanChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 4:35:59 AM

Three Table Redraw

Level 24: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Following the elimination of Han Xiao at the feature table, just 24 players now remain. Below is the three table redraw:

Table 2

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
ZL Zehao LiChina	1,300,000(26 BB)	2	1
HY Haibin YanChina	1,005,000(20 BB)	2	2
YK Yamada KozoJapan	765,000(15 BB)	2	3
ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	810,000(16 BB)	2	4
CC Chen ChenChina	1,750,000(35 BB)	2	5
MW Mengqin WuChina	640,000(13 BB)	2	6
HC Hon Cheong LeeHong Kong	690,000(14 BB)	2	7
CN Chuer NiChina	4,420,000(88 BB)	2	8

Table 3

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
HL Huan LiChina	1,320,000(26 BB)	3	1
DB Ding BiaoChina	1,070,000(21 BB)	3	2
TT Taimin TianChina	2,230,000(45 BB)	3	3
IK Ivan KaratayeuBelarus	6,200,000(124 BB)	3	4
AO Arkadii OkulovRussia	1,685,000(34 BB)	3	5
BW Binbin WuChina	1,450,000(29 BB)	3	6
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	4,750,000(95 BB)	3	7
QG Qingbo GaoChina	195,000(4 BB)	3	8

Table 4

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
FX Feng XiaoChina	1,900,000(38 BB)	4	1
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	2,400,000(48 BB)	4	2
HC Hung Chen ChenTaiwan	1,700,000(34 BB)	4	3
CL Chao LiChina	2,250,000(45 BB)	4	4
CC Chien Chih WengTaiwan	1,220,000(24 BB)	4	5
YY Yang Yang 2China	530,000(11 BB)	4	6
JT Jinguo TaoChina	875,000(18 BB)	4	7
XZ Xiao ZhangChina	615,000(12 BB)	4	8

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 4:33:54 AM

No Miracle For Xiao

Level 24: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Abhijith Cheruku

All the chips go in preflop on the feature table as Han Xiao shoves for 1,600,000 and gets called by Abhijith Cheruku.

Han Xiao: A♦ Q♣

Abhijith Cheruku: A♥ K♥

Xiao is dominated before the flop K♠ Q♠ 3♥ but finds some hope when a queen lands on the board, only for Cheruku to hit a king at the same time. Down to just two outs, Xiao finds no miracle on the turn A♣ or river 3♦ and exits in 25th place. The field now redraws for the final three tables.

Player	Chips	Progress
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	4,750,000(95 BB)	1,700,000
HX Han XiaoChina	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 4:26:21 AM

Kings Keep The Crown

Level 24: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Jinlin Shi

Hijack Jinlin Shi opens to 100,000, and action folds to the small blind where Ivan Karatayeu fires back with a 3-bet to 365,000. Shi takes a moment, burns a time bank, then announces a 4-bet to 900,000. Karatayeu pauses, uses his own time bank, and then moves all in. Shi snap calls for his remaining 1,700,000 total, and the cards are revealed.

Jinlin Shi: A♣ K♠

Ivan Karatayeu: K♥ K♣

It’s a classic cooler as Big Slick runs into pocket kings. The board 2♣ 5♣ T♠ 6♠ 4♦ runs clean, keeping Karatayeu’s kings intact as he scoops another monster pot to extend his already massive chip lead.

Player	Chips	Progress
IK Ivan KaratayeuBelarus	6,200,000(124 BB)	1,700,000
JS Jinlin ShiChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 4:19:10 AM

Karatayeu and Chen Tangle Twice

Level 24: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Ivan Karatayeu

In the first hand, under the gun Hung-Chen Chen raised to 100,000 only to be three-bet by Ivan Karatayeu in the hijack. Chen thought on it for a moment before eventually sticking in the call.

The dealer fanned A♠ 7♦ Q♥ for the flop and Chen checked; Karatayeu slid out 125,000 to a swift fold from Chen.

In the second hand, Karatayeu raised to 100,000 from middle position and Chen made the call from the big blind.

4♠ 4♦ 3♣ landed on the flop and Chen carefully counted out 180,000 and placed it into the middle; Karatayeu used a timebank before ultimately deciding on a fold.

Player	Chips
IK Ivan KaratayeuBelarus	4,700,000(94 BB)
HC Hung Chen ChenTaiwan	1,700,000(34 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 4:13:59 AM

Lin's Snowmen Melt Straight Away

Level 24: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Cutoff Binbin Wu min-raised, then called when small blind Chung-Tang Lin three-bet shoved for around 400,000:

Chung-Tang Lin: 8♥ 8♠

Binbin Wu: A♥ T♠

Lin’s snowmen melted as the Q♣ J♠ 5♣ K♥ J♥ runout gave Wu a straight, sending Lin to the rail.

Player	Chips
BW Binbin WuChina	1,450,000(29 BB)
CT Chung Tang LinTaiwan	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 4:04:48 AM

Recent Elimination 28-36

Level 24: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Roman Hrabec

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
28	BF Ben FanChina	$7,395
29	JW Jin WangHong Kong	$7,395
30	RH Roman HrabecCzech Republic	$7,395
31	TH Trung Hieu NguyenViet Nam	$7,395
32	TL Tao LiChina	$7,395
33	NH Ngoc Huyen QuachViet Nam	$7,395
34	WL Wei LiuChina	$7,395
35	QL Qiangqiang LyuChina	$7,395
36	XY Xiangyu YuChina	$6,410

Level 24: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 27/1108

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 3:53:54 AM

Cruel Queens Crush Kings

Level 23: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Chuer Ni

After eliminating Vietnamese poker influencer Gemmy, the last remaining Vietnamese player in the field, Trung Hieu Nguyen, also meets his end at the hands of Chuer Ni in a brutal bad beat.

Action begins with Nguyen opening, then 4-bet shoving for 1,490,000 after Ni 3-bets to 250,000. Ni snap-calls, setting up a massive 3 million pot.

Trung Hieu Nguyen: K♥ K♠

Chuer Ni: Q♠ Q♥

Nguyen has Ni dominated, but fate takes a cruel turn as the flop Q♦ 9♦ 6♦ delivers one of Ni’s two outs, giving her top set. The table erupts in disbelief. The turn 2♠ and river T♦ bring no help for Nguyen, who can only smile and say, “Nice hand,” as Ni apologetically replies, “Sorry for the bad beat.”

Player	Chips	Progress
CN Chuer NiChina	4,420,000(111 BB)	1,590,000
TH Trung Hieu NguyenViet Nam	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 3:43:43 AM

Two Out During Table 6 Action

Level 23: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Ngoc Huyen Quach

Hand 1

Zehao Li raised to 80,000 from the button, then folded when big blind Roman Hrabec three-bet to 300,000.

Hand 2

Tao Li raised to 80,000 from under the gun, then called Jinguo Tao’s three-bet shove for 410,000:

Jinguo Tao: A♣ K♥

Tao Li: A♥ J♦

Tao’s Big Slick held on the 9♦ 2♦ 9♥ 4♠ 6♣ runout, giving him a double through Li.

Hand 3

Jinguo Tao raised to 80,000 from early position, and cutoff Abhijith Cheruku three-bet to 200,000. Big blind Wei Liu then four-bet, but there was some confusion over whether Cheruku had moved all in or simply raised. Liu moved all in regardless, and Cheruku made the call once Tao got out of the way:

Wei Liu: A♣ K♦

Abhijith Cheruku: J♣ J♥

Liu had less luck with Big Slick, as Cheruku’s jacks held on the T♣ 2♥ 2♠ T♦ 2♦ board, giving Cheruku the superior full house and sending Liu to the rail.

Hand 4

Zehao Li raised to 80,000 and took it down uncontested.

Hand 5

Zehao Li raised to 80,000 from under the gun, and Chuer Ni called from the button. Big blind Ngoc Huyen Quach then three-bet shoved, saying “It’s time to triple up!” Both Li and Ni called with covering stacks,

creating a side pot.

On the Q♥ 5♦ J♣ flop, Li check-called Ni’s 200,000 bet.

Action repeated on the K♥ turn, this time for 300,000.

The 8♦ completed the board and Li checked again. Ni shoved her remaining stack, and Li folded quickly.

The cards were revealed:

Ngoc Huyen Quach: T♣ T♦

Chuer Ni: A♣ T♠

Ni’s turned straight not only knocked out Quach but gave her a massive boost to her stack as she raked in the mountain of chips.

After Quach’s elimination with 32 players remaining, the table broke.

Abhijith Cheruku

Player	Chips
CN Chuer NiChina	4,100,000(103 BB)
RH Roman HrabecCzech Republic	1,600,000(40 BB)
ZL Zehao LiChina	1,300,000(33 BB)
TL Tao LiChina	1,070,000(27 BB)
JT Jinguo TaoChina	875,000(22 BB)
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	350,000(9 BB)
NH Ngoc Huyen QuachViet Nam	busted
WL Wei LiuChina	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 3:41:12 AM

Baby Dragon Takes Flight

Level 23: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Jinguo Tao

UTG +1 Jin Wang opens and the cutoff calls before button Jinguo Tao shoves for 480,000. Wang uses one time bank then pushes all in, forcing the cutoff out of the way to set up a heads-up showdown.

Jinguo Tao: A♦ Q♣

Jin Wang: K♦ Q♦

Tao has Wang dominated and strengthens his lead immediately by flopping A♣ 6♠ 6♣ top two pair. The turn 4♠ seals the deal, leaving Wang drawing dead as the river 3♥ falls harmlessly. The Baby Dragon Champion scores a much-needed double to stay in contention.

Player	Chips	Progress
JT Jinguo TaoChina	1,000,000(25 BB)	590,000
JW Jin WangHong Kong	375,000(9 BB)	-410,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 3:21:28 AM

Dominated And Done

Level 23: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Mengqin Wu

Action folds around to the small blind, where Mengqin Wu shoves all in. Big blind Qiangqiang Lyu makes the call for his remaining 210,000, and the cards go on their backs.

Qiangqiang Lyu: A♣ T♦

Mengqin Wu: A♦ K♠

Lyu finds himself dominated and in trouble. The board 7♥ 2♣ 2♥ 4♠ 8♣ runs out clean for Wu, sealing Lyu’s fate as one of the early casualties of Day 3.

Player	Chips	Progress
MW Mengqin WuChina	640,000(16 BB)	250,000
QL Qiangqiang LyuChina	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 3:17:22 AM

Early Bully On The Block

Level 23: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

UTG Chen Chen opens and picks up one caller before big blind Ivan Karatayeu comes along for the ride. The flop Q♠ 5♠ 3♦ goes three-way and checks through, keeping the pot modest.

When the turn 2♦ hits, Chen takes a stab for 105,000, but the massive chip leader Karatayeu springs into action with a sharp check-raise to 385,000. Chen quickly surrenders as Karatayeu flexes his stack early

Player	Chips	Progress
IK Ivan KaratayeuBelarus	4,700,000(118 BB)	285,000
CC Chen ChenChina	1,750,000(44 BB)	-185,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

11/11/2025, 3:06:18 AM

Shuffle Up And Deal!

Level 23: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

The cards are in the air and the hunt for the Red Dragon title is underway here at Les A Casino (formerly Landing Casino) inside Jeju Shinhwa World. Blinds open at Level 23 (20,000/40,000) with 60-minute levels, and players will battle through until the final table hit.

Level 23: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 36/1108

Callum JuryCallum Jury

11/11/2025, 2:37:03 AM

36 Play Down to 9 in Day 3 of Red Dragon Championship

RDPT

Day 3 of the Red Dragon Championship kicks off at 12:00 p.m. local time, with just 36 players remaining from the massive 1,108-entry field. Each player now has their eyes set on a seat at the final table and a shot at the title.

Leading the pack is Belarus’ Ivan Karatayeu, who ended Day 2 with an impressive 4,435,000 in chips. Starting the day with just 257,000, Karatayeu built his stack steadily before surging ahead in the final levels to bag the overnight lead.

Play resumes at Level 23 (20,000/40,000/40,000) with 60-minute levels, and the plan for the day is to play down to the final nine contenders who will return tomorrow to battle for the Red Dragon Championship trophy.

SMPSMP

11/10/2025, 6:22:43 PM

Day 3 Seat Draw and Payouts

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
QL Qiangqiang LyuChina	250,000	2	1
BF Ben FanChina	585,000	2	2
DB Ding BiaoChina	1,070,000	2	3
TT Taimin TianChina	2,230,000	2	4
ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	810,000	2	5
CL Chao LiChina	2,250,000	2	7
MW Mengqin WuChina	470,000	2	8
XY Xiangyu YuChina	620,000	3	1
HY Haibin YanChina	1,005,000	3	2
QG Qingbo GaoChina	195,000	3	4
HC Hon Cheong LeeHong Kong	690,000	3	5
YK Yamada KozoJapan	765,000	3	6
CC Chien Chih WengTaiwan	1,220,000	3	7
HX Han XiaoChina	750,000	3	8
TH Trung Hieu NguyenViet Nam	1,940,000	4	1
CT Chung Tang LinTaiwan	530,000	4	2
XZ Xiao ZhangChina	615,000	4	4
YY Yang Yang 2China	530,000	4	5
AO Arkadii OkulovRussia	1,685,000	4	6
BW Binbin WuChina	850,000	4	7
FX Feng XiaoChina	1,900,000	4	8
JS Jinlin ShiChina	1,715,000	5	1
JW Jin WangHong Kong	680,000	5	2
HC Hung Chen ChenTaiwan	625,000	5	3
FD Florian DutaUnited Kingdom	2,400,000	5	4
IK Ivan KaratayeuBelarus	4,435,000	5	5
CC Chen ChenChina	1,930,000	5	7
HL Huan LiChina	1,320,000	5	8
TL Tao LiChina	1,170,000	6	1
CN Chuer NiChina	1,615,000	6	2
JT Jinguo TaoChina	410,000	6	3
NH Ngoc Huyen QuachViet Nam	380,000	6	4
ZL Zehao LiChina	2,700,000	6	5
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	2,020,000	6	6
RH Roman HrabecCzech Republic	1,075,000	6	7
WL Wei LiuChina	845,000	6	8

Place	Payout (USD)
1	$259,980
2	$176,880
3	$124,440
4	$88,935
5	$64,440
6	$47,510
7	$35,505
8	$26,960
9	$20,875
10	$16,435
11	$16,435
12	$13,155
13	$13,155
14	$10,685
15	$10,685
16	$10,685
17	$10,685
18	$8,875
19	$8,875
20	$8,875
21	$8,875
22	$8,875
23	$8,875
24	$8,875
25	$8,875
26	$8,875
27	$7,395
28	$7,395
29	$7,395
30	$7,395
31	$7,395
32	$7,395
33	$7,395
34	$7,395
35	$7,395
36	$6,410