WPT Prime Korea (1,500,000 KRW)

Day 1B of the WPT Prime Korea Main Event wrapped up with 280 entries, and only 35 players made it through after 13 hours of action. George Tomescu bagged the biggest stack of the day with 690,000 (86 BB), thanks to a huge hand where his flush on the river crushed Weiran Pu’s straight.

Not far behind, Thi My Phuong Nguyen continued her incredible heater, finishing with 643,000 (80 BB) after flopping a nut flush to bust Fen Mai and later cracking Evgenii Volkov’s pocket queens with trips on the turn.

Aussie pros Andrew Han, Dylan Wayne Foster, and Joshua Mccully also survived the day and will be back for Day 2, which kicks off tomorrow at 12 p.m. local time.

Chip counts will be posted when available.

The bubble has officially burst here at the WPT Prime Korea Main Event Day 1B!

During hand-for-hand play, two tables saw simultaneous all-ins.

Table #19:

Both Chiyuan You and Choi Eng Loong held ace-queen, resulting in a chop.

Table #16:

Action started when Zhang Xin open-shoved for 93,000 from the button and was called by big blind Duy Thuc Nguyen, who looked to burst the bubble.

Zhang Xin: 7♠ 7♦

Duy Thuc Nguyen: A♣ 9♥

It was a classic flip, but Nguyen spiked a nine on the flop 9♦ 6♣ Q♠ , leaving Xin with only two outs. The turn 3♠ and river 8♠ brought no help, sending Zhang Xin out as the Day 1B bubble.

Congratulations to all players who have made it into the money!

It’s bubble time, with just one more player needing to bust before everyone locks up a cash.

A huge pot unfolded that ended with Weiran Pu’s elimination after a brutal river clash - flush versus straight.

Action began when George Tomescu opened to 12,000 and called Pu’s 3-bet from the small blind. Pu fired 22,000 on the flop A♠ 8♠ 3♣ and 51,000 on the turn 5♦ , both called by Tomescu. On the river 7♠ , Pu used two time banks before shoving for 130,000, and Tomescu snap-called.

Weiran Pu: 9♥ 6♥

George Tomescu: T♠ 9♠

Pu hit a gutshot straight on the river, but it was disaster as Tomescu completed his flush. Both were drawing, but the runout crushed Pu’s hopes. Tomescu scooped the massive pot and moved into the chip lead.

Action folded to the small blind Yong Li, who shoved for 135,000, and big blind Haruo Amano made the call.

Yong Li: J♥ T♦

Haruo Amano: A♠ Q♠

Amano had Li dominated, but the flop T♥ 8♦ 5♣ brought help for Li’s live cards. With no ace or queen appearing on the turn 6♥ and river 6♦ , Li secured a much-needed double-up to stay in the game.

Players are now on what’s likely their last 15-minute break of the day, with only five eliminations left before bagging up. A chip race of the 500 denomination will take place during the break.

Just after I'm done writing the hand, Thi My Phuong Nguyen already soar to 581,000, one of the contenders for being the chip leader today. I came and she happily told me how she got her chips.

Nguyen said that Evgenii Volkov open then Nguyen shoved with Volkov answering with a snap call all in for around 220,000.

Thi My Phuong Nguyen: A♦ J♦

Evgenii Volkov: Q♣ Q♠

The flop J♣ 8♠ 7♦ gave Nguyen top pair but it was not enough to crack Volkov’s queens. The turn J♠ gave Nguyen trips and the river 4♣ missed for Volkov.

Vietnam’s Thi My Phuong Nguyen is making her presence felt early here at WPT Prime Korea Day 1B, already flashing the form that earned her recent big results. Fresh off her $94,430 victory at the Dragon Poker Super High Roller last September and a 3rd-place finish for $77,359 at GLPC Hanoi powered by USOP, Nguyen is running hot once more with a growing stack of 305,000.

The action saw Fen Mai open-shove for 39,500, and Nguyen made the call to put him at risk.

Fen Mai: J♥ J♦

Thi My Phuong Nguyen: A♦ 8♦

The flop T♦ 6♦ 3♦ brought fireworks, giving Nguyen the nut flush to seal the hand and send Mai to the rail. Nguyen continues her heater, adding another elimination to her run.

All in pre-flop between Caiming Pan and Jiang Pu, who was at risk for 67,000.

Caiming Pan: 9♠ 6♠

Jiang Pu: K♥ J♦

The table erupted as the flop 9♦ 6♦ 2♠ delivered top two pair for Pan, leaving Pu in trouble. The turn 2♣ and river 2♥ brought no help, sending Pu to the rail as Pan dragged the pot with a smile.

Table 17 got the top two chip leaders currently, turning it into the most watched and action-packed table as both players battle for dominance with massive stacks in front of them.

Cutoff Aindrey George Hawil opened to 8,000 and called a 3-bet from Yi Yipeng on the button. Yipeng continued with a 17,000 bet on the flop T♦ T♣ 7♦ , which Hawil check-called.

The real action came on the turn T♥ , after another check from Hawil, Yipeng fired 50,000. Hawil burned a time bank before shoving his remaining 103,000, and Yipeng snap-called.

Aindrey George Hawil: 9♠ 7♥

Yi Yipeng: J♠ J♦

Hawil made a one-card full house, but Yipeng’s better kicker sealed the deal. Drawing dead to the river A♠ , Hawil was eliminated as Yipeng climbed near the top of the chip counts.

UTG Zongmin Li open-shoved his remaining 44,000 and was called by hijack Yao Fang. On the cutoff, Evgenii Volkov moved all in for 105,500, putting both opponents at risk. Fang made the call, covering Li but slightly behind Volkov.

Zongmin Li: A♥ J♦

Yao Fang: T♣ T♥

Evgenii Volkov: Q♦ Q♠

The board K♦ 3♦ 6♠ 4♠ 8♦ ran clean for Volkov, securing him the pot and a double knockout in the process. Fang and Li were both eliminated, while Volkov soared to one of the top stacks in the room.

It was a battle between two Chinese players as Yong Li opened from the hijack and called a 3-bet to 18,000 from Caiming Pan.

On the flop 8♥ 5♥ 5♠ , Pan continued the aggression with a 15,000 c-bet, which Li called after a brief pause. Both players slowed down afterward, checking through the turn Q♦ and river 7♠ .

At showdown, Li revealed 3♣ 3♦ just a bottom pair, but it was good enough to take down the pot, leaving Pan quietly mucking his hand.

UTG Xin Zhang opened to 6,500, and action folded around to the cutoff Peng Tang, who shoved his remaining 55,500. Zhang went into the tank for about a minute before making the call.

Peng Tang: T♥ T♦

Xin Zhang: A♠ Q♣

The flop Q♦ 9♦ 5♦ brought Zhang top pair, while Tang found hope with a flush draw. The turn K♥ added even more outs with a gutshot, but the river A♥ missed out, sending Tang to the rail.

Zhang couldn’t contain his excitement, drumming the table and shouting “Yes!” as he dragged in the pot.

Players are now on their another 15-minute break.

Action began with Zhaoyi Lin opening to 5,500, the hijack made the call, and big blind Yilu Yuan fired back with a 3-bet to 24,500. Lin went into the tank before deciding to 4-bet to 45,000. The hijack got out of the way, but Yuan wasted no time shoving for 125,000, which Lin quickly called.

Yilu Yuan: A♣ K♥

Zhaoyi Lin: A♦ A♠

It was a cooler spot with both holding monsters, but the board 7♠ 6♥ 3♠ 4♥ Q♣ ran clean, securing a huge pot for Lin as her pocket aces held strong.

The board J♥ 8♦ 5♠ 7♣ Q♠ was already up with 56,500 in the middle when Vietnam’s Duy Thuc Nguyen fired 20,000 into the pot. Artem Utevskii responded with a raise to 50,000, putting Nguyen to the test. Nguyen didn’t back down, he quickly moved all in, applying maximum pressure.

Utevskii went deep into the tank for nearly three minutes before finally laying down his hand, conceding the pot to Nguyen without a showdown.

Facing an open raise, Ci Hong Ho in the small blind 3-bet shoved for 26,000, and Ryan Plant, seated to his left, made the call. The initial raiser folded, leaving the two players heads-up for the pot.

Ci Hong Ho: A♦ 4♦

Ryan Plant: A♣ T♠

Ho was dominated preflop, and the board T♥ 9♦ 8♥ K♣ 6♠ ran out clean in favor of Plant, eliminating Ho from the tournament.

From under the gun, Akihiro Yamada open-shoved for 24,000, and from the cutoff, George Tomescu made the call. In the big blind, Bing Li re-shoved for 18,000, putting three players all in before the flop.

Bing Li: A♥ J♠

Akihiro Yamada: K♥ 7♣

George Tomescu: A♠ 9♠

The flop 7♠ 4♠ 2♠ brought three spades, giving Tomescu the nut flush and leaving both opponents drawing nearly dead. The turn Q♠ locked up the hand for Tomescu, with the river 3♦ just a formality as he scored the double knockout.

From UTG+2, Haruo Amano opened to 3,000, and the small blind called before Huu Dung Nguyen in the big blind 3-bet to 17,000. Action returned to Amano, who 4-bet to 30,000, forcing the small blind to fold. Nguyen then shoved for 58,000 total, and Amano snap-called.

Huu Dung Nguyen: J♠ J♥

Haruo Amano: A♣ Q♣

It was a classic flip, but Amano found a queen on the flop Q♦ 7♦ 2♠ and held through the turn 5♥ and river 4♦ to score the knockout. Nguyen was eliminated from Day 1B, though Day 1C action continues at Level 5, giving him another shot to re-enter.

Day 1B of the WPT Prime Korea Main Event has officially closed with a total of 280 entries. Out of the field, only 35 players will make the money, and the remaining 139 players will continue to battle it out until the field is reduced to the top 30.

Those who survive will advance to Day 2, guaranteeing themselves a minimum cash and a shot at the title.

Players are now on their scheduled 40-minute dinner break. Once play resumes, registration for Day 1B of the WPT Prime Korea Main Event will officially close.

China’s Renji Mao has taken his seat here at the WPT Prime Korea Main Event Day 1B. Mao is one of the most accomplished players in the Asian poker circuit, boasting over $4 million in live tournament earnings.

He recently achieved his career-best score right here in Jeju, finishing 2nd in the Triton One $31,800 No Limit Hold’em – Triton 8-Handed event, where he earned an impressive $882,328. Now, Mao looks to continue his momentum and add another deep run to his growing list of achievements.

Action folded to the button, where Jiang Pu moved all in for 20,000. On his left, Eng Loong Choi made the call, putting Pu at risk.

Jiang Pu: A♥ K♥

Eng Loong Choi: 6♣ 6♦

Choi quickly took control of the hand after flopping a set of sixes, and the turn card sealed the deal, leaving the river as a mere formality. Jiang Pu was eliminated as Choi added another pot to his stack.

We’re now in the final level before registration closes here at the WPT Prime Korea Main Event Day 1B. Latecomers still have one last chance to take their seats and chase a spot in Day 2 before the doors officially close.

It was a three-way all-in preflop with Liangcai Chen moving in for 8,000, Van Lam Nguyen shoving for 23,000, and the small blind Jianbo Xiao making the call with the covering stack.

Liangcai Chen: Q♥ J♦

Van Lam Nguyen: 4♣ 4♦

Jianbo Xiao: 8♠ 8♣

Chen paired up on the flop J♥ 5♠ 3♠ to take the lead, but the turn K♠ brought extra tension as Xiao picked up a flush draw. The river Q♠ completed that draw, giving Xiao the flush and sending both opponents to the rail in one hand.

Three players went to the flop J♥ T♣ 7♣ and turn K♥ , building a pot of 41,500. After the small blind checked, the big blind Xiaqing Jin led out for 19,000. From under the gun, Jiahao Feng moved all in, forcing the small blind to fold. Jin made the call for his remaining 30,000 chips.

Xiaqing Jin: J♠ T♥

Jiahao Feng: 7♥ 7♠

Jin flopped top two pair, but Feng held the bottom set, leaving Jin with just four outs. The river 4♠ blanked, sealing Jin’s elimination as Feng scooped the massive pot.

From under the gun, Hanyu Shao open-shoved for 13,000, and was quickly called by Evgenii Volkov, seated directly to his left. Both players were all in before the flop.

Hanyu Shao: A♥ 6♥

Evgenii Volkov: A♣ T♦

Shao was dominated preflop, and the board A♦ 4♦ 3♣ 8♠ 5♣ offered no help. Volkov’s ace-ten held strong, sending Shao to the rail.

Players are now on their second 15-minute break of the day. During this break, a chip race of the 100-denomination chips will take place before the action resumes.

The lone Vietnamese representative in the Jeju Poker Festival 2025, Huu Dung Nguyen, is no stranger to success on Jeju soil. Nguyen made headlines during the Triton One Jeju series, where he earned his career-best score of $211,000 after finishing 5th in the $42,400 Triton Mystery Bounty 7-Handed event.

In this hand, Jiajin Hao opened to 2,000, and from his left, Nguyen raised to 6,000, which Hao called. On the flop Q♠ 9♣ 6♠ , Nguyen fired a 4,000 continuation bet, and Hao check-called.

Both players slowed down and checked the turn 5♣ and river T♥ .

Jiajin Hao: A♠ K♦

Huu Dung Nguyen: A♣ 5♦

Despite being dominated preflop, Nguyen paired his five on the turn to take down the pot.

After facing an early position raise, Jiabao Cai 3-bet to 4,000, prompting Cheng Rui Wong in the big blind to 4-bet to 13,600. The initial raiser folded, and Cai responded with a 5-bet shove for 31,400. Wong snap-called, and the cards were revealed.

Jiabao Cai: J♠ J♣

Cheng Rui Wong: A♠ A♦

Wong’s pocket aces held strong on a clean runout Q♥ T♥ T♠ 8♥ 7♠ , sending Cai to the rail and securing a healthy pot for Wong.

From UTG+1, Lei Li opened to 1,300, and Bin Li moved all in from the small blind for 14,300. Lei Li made the call, and the two players were all in before the flop.

Bin Li: T♣ T♠

Lei Li: A♥ K♦

It was a classic flip, but the board 8♥ 5♦ 7♠ 9♠ J♦ ran clean for Bin Li, securing him a double-up while leaving Lei Li short-stacked.

I stood by the table where WPT Global Ambassador Yen Han Chen, and the action at his table did not disappoint.

Hand #1:

Action folded to the button where Haozhao Wang opened to 1,600. From the small blind, Wenwen Chen 3-bet to 4,600, and Wang made the call. On the flop Q♥ 9♥ 7♥ , Wenwen checked, then quickly folded after Wang continued for 4,000 to take it down.

Hand #2:

In the very next hand, Wenwen Chen raised to 1,500 on the button and called after Yen Han Chen 3-bet to 4,000 from the small blind. After the flop 7♣ 6♠ 3♠ , Yen Han Chen fired a 3,000 continuation bet, forcing Wenwen to fold once again.

Hand #3:

For the third straight hand, action folded to the button where Yen Han Chen opened to 1,400. The small blind, Jianlun Hu, made the call before Yuhan Liu in the big blind 3-bet to 5,500, pushing both players out of the pot.

With each passing level, more players are taking their seats here at the WPT Prime Korea Main Event Day 1B. The field continues to grow steadily, with new arrivals filling up the tables and adding to the excitement inside the tournament room. Late registration remains open until the end of level 9.

The field just gained a major boost with the arrival of Yen Han "Pete" Chen at the WPT Prime Korea Main Event Day 1B. One of Taiwan’s most accomplished players, Chen is a WPT Global Ambassador, a WPT champion, and a two-time WSOP bracelet winner. With more than $5 million in live tournament earnings, Chen now sets his sights on adding another cash and trophy to his impressive poker career.

An all-in preflop clash erupted between Dylan Wayne Foster, who had the covering stack, and Wenjie Sun, who was at risk for 19,600.

Wenjie Sun: Q♦ Q♥

Dylan Wayne Foster: A♠ J♦

Sun was well ahead preflop and all but sealed the double-up after flopping Q♠ 5♣ 4♣ top set. The turn 7♥ offered no help to Foster, and after the river 6♣ was dealt, Sun secured a clean double to stay in contention.

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

With 29,000 already in the middle 9♣ 5♣ 3♠ , the dealer revealed the turn 4♥ card. Yao Fang checked, prompting Akihiro Yamada to shove for 25,400. After a long tank, and a player calling for the clock, Fang made the call with his remaining 23,200.

Yao Fang: T♣ T♠

Akihiro Yamada: 9♥ 9♠

Fang had Yamada dominated preflop, but Yamada spiked one of his two outs on the flop to take the lead. The river 8♣ brought no help for Fang, and he was sent to the rail.

Chinese players continue to dominate the field, making up more than 50% of the total entries in today’s flight. The event also features a strong mix of international talent, with players representing Australia, Denmark, Japan, and Russia among others, creating a truly global field at the WPT Prime Korea Main Event.

Dylan Wayne Foster limped from under the gun, with Wenjie Sun calling from his left. On the button, Patrick Liang raised to 2,000, and both players came along to see the flop.

The flop 9♥ 9♠ 3♣ was checked around, bringing all three players to the turn 3♥ . After checks from Wayne and Sun, Liang fired 2,000, prompting a fold from Wayne and a call from Sun.

The river 3♠ paired the board, making a full house on the table. Sun checked once again, but quickly folded when Liang moved all in, unable to pull the trigger against the pressure.

Kouichi Baba limped from under the gun, and Xueying Zhao raised to 1,000 from his left. Next to act, Hanyu Shao 4-bet to 3,000, and both Baba and Zhao called to see the flop. After the flop A♠ 6♣ 2♣ , Baba and Zhao check-called Shao’s 2,500 continuation bet.

On the turn Q♣ , Baba checked once more before Zhao led out for 6,000. Shao, known for his aggressive style, decided to fold, while Baba committed his last 3,000 chips to call.

Kouichi Baba: 9♣ 9♥

Xueying Zhao: A♦ T♣

Zhao’s top pair held as Baba failed to find one of his two outs on the river A♣ , ending his run in the tournament.

In a well-controlled pot, Dylan Wayne Foster opened preflop and called the 3-bet from Long Li in the small blind to 3,500. Both players checked the flop K♦ J♦ T♥ , and action continued to the turn 4♦ , where Li checked again. Foster fired 4,200, which Li calmly called.

On the river 9♥ , Li checked for a third time, and Foster bet 11,500. After a brief tank, Li made the call and tabled his hand K♣ K♥ to reveal a top set, while Foster showed A♠ 2♠ only ace high. Li’s careful play paid off as he extracted maximum value from his opponent.

The action picked up early as the board K♦ 3♣ 7♣ 7♦ 4♦ was already out with 16,400 in the middle and the dealer was counting down the chips of Xinyu Shen.

Xinyu Shen: 7♠ 6♠

Evgenii Volkov: A♣ A♦

Volkov’s pocket aces were cracked when Shen spiked trips on the turn. The big pot gave Shen an early double-up, while Volkov’s run came to a swift end, eliminated on the very next hand.

Many players are already taking their seats well before the clock starts, eager to build stacks early and make the most of every level. While the saying goes, “the early bird catches the prey,” and at WPT Prime Korea, those early entrants are hoping that strategy pays off with a deep run into Day 2.

The WPT Prime Korea Main Event Day 1B kicks off at Jeju Poker Festival 2025!

The excitement at WPT Prime Korea continues today with two more opening flights, Day 1B and Day 1C, giving players their final chances to secure a spot for Day 2.

Day 1B kicks off at 12:00 p.m. local time, featuring 40-minute levels and a 30,000-chip starting stack (150 BB). Registration remains open until the end of Level 9, approximately 6:45 p.m.

Yesterday’s Day 1A flight drew a total of 122 entries, with only 16 players surviving to reach the money. The night concluded dramatically as all three remaining tables went all-in simultaneously, resulting in two eliminations on the final hand. Zengxiang Chen emerged as the chip leader with an impressive 775,000 stack, positioning himself as the man to beat going into Day 2.

Play will continue today until the field once again reaches the money. The final flight, Day 1C, begins later this evening at 6:00 p.m. local time, featuring 20-minute blind levels and registration closing at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Click here to see the Day 1A chip counts

Event starts 12:00 local time..