Live

LES A Casino

South Korea, Jeju

2026 July K Poker Cup King Poker Cup Series

2026.07.25 - 2026.08.10 Add to Calendar

K Poker Cup

Updates Chip Counts Info

Blind level

Level 27: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Entries

1/146

Total Chips

36,500,000

Average

36,500,000

LIVESTREAM

FINAL TABLE

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 2:23:13 PM

Royal Ascent Champion Tien Loon Ling Secures A Ring, A Trophy and USD 273,380

Level 27: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Tien Loon Ling

The King Poker Cup series made poker history with another marquee event logged into the books. The Royal Ascent played out in the Les A Casino, Jeju, South Korea over the past three days.

Outlasting a total field of 146 entries and bringing home the top prize of USD 237,380 from the USD 1,088,980 total prize pool was Malaysia's Tien Loon Ling, who ultimately defeated Vietnam's Nang Quang Nguyen in a back-and-forth heads-up battle to emerge as the champion.

Ling also looted a prestigious trophy and a coveted ring as one of its main attraction prizes.

Punat Punsri

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL

Two Day 1 starting flights played on separate days, bringing in a total of 146 entries.

The Day 1A flight saw 75 entries take to the felt with only the top 12 survivors advancing to the Day 2 final. Thailand's Punnat Punsri, the 2025 GPI Player of the Year, led the Day 1 flight with a stack of 3,535,000 and also emerged as the overall chip leader entering Day 2. The other top two survivors of Day 1A were also the top 2 entering Day 2. China's Hongjun Zhao entered with 3,415,000 chips, while Japan's Ryuta Nakai brought a bag of 3,360,000.

Day 1B played the next day with 71 entries filling the tables. Only the top 11 survivors booked their seat to the Day 2 final with Malaysia's Chin Wei Lim leading the flight with 2,710,000. The Day 1B top three would form the fourth to sixth spots entering the Day 2 final with Samuel Mullur of Austria bagging 2,480,000 and Nang Quang Nguyen with 2,260,000.

Chin Wei Lim

THE DAY 2 FINAL

There were a total of 23 survivors who competed in the Day 2 final with each guaranteed a minimum payout of USD 17,600.

Eliminations were quick with Yifu He falling on the second hand of the day unable to convert his short stack of 30,000 with big slick.

Some notables, who bowed out early included Ryan Plant (17th), Samuel Mullur (16th) and Quan Qiu (14th).

Three Chinese women managed to enter the day 2 final. Chunnuan Xu exited early in 20th, Xueying Zhao in 15th and Jiani Yang was the last in 13th.

It took nearly 3 hours of play until a final table of 9 was formed. Tony Ren Lin of China was the unfortunate final table bubble boy, finishing in 10th place, when diamond ace-five was outdrawn by the hearted jack-nine of compatriot Quan Zhou, making a flush to send Lin out.

Tony Ren Lin

Royal Ascent Final Table

THE FINAL TABLE

Quan Zhou held the chip lead entering the final table with 9,950,000. He was followed by Punnat Punsri with 5,725,000 and Toby Joyce from Ireland with 4,750,000.

Despite having the second biggest stack, Punsri stumbled and eventually became the first casualty. Punsri pushed his last chips with pocket eights only to run into Zhou's pocket jacks, sending hi out in 9th place.

Next to fall was Chin Wei Lim, who pushed with clubbed ace-eight against chip leader Zhou, who didn't fear with king-ten off. Zhou would pair a ten on the turn and would end Lim's run.

Japan's Ryuta Nakai followed on the next level, pushing his king-queen into the pocket kings of Nang Quang Nguyen and failing to find any miracle.

Joyce came into the final table with the third largest stack, but fell down in 6th place. Joyce pushed with pocket deuces and banged its head into Zhou's pocket jacks.

Toby Joyce

Fifth place fell to China's Jian Zhu when his big slick couldn't win the flip against the pocket sevens of Nguyen.

Four-handed play was more intense and strategic, but eventually former chip leader Zhou got damaged and committed his shorter stack with pocket fours against Nguyen's pocket tens. Nguyen was the chip leader that time and stretched his lead even more entering three-handed play.

With a comfortable chip lead, Nguyen eventually pressured Hongjun Zhao of China to call his last chips with pocket deuces against Nguyen's pocket nines.

Tien Loon Ling vs Nang Quang Nguyen

HEADS UP BATTLE

Nang Quang Nguyen entered the final table with a 5-to-1 advantage against Tien Loon Ling. Nguyen came in with a 30,000,000 chip stack against the 6,000,000 of Ling.

However, the hands were action-packed and forced some crazy pots and reversals.

In the very first hand of heads-up, Nguyen pressured Ling with an all-in shove with king-three and Ling took the chance with nine-eight diamonds. Ling flopped trip nines and closed the gap to a two-to-one disadvantage.

A few hands after, Ling found a flush against Nguyen's two pair to take the two-to-one advantage over Nguyen. Nguyen dipped even further when Ling's straight got paid against Nguyen's two pair.

Eventually, Nguyen bounced back with a straight of his own besting Ling's two pair to retake the chip lead.

Right after, both players would commit their chips after a flop, where Ling flopped a straight against the top pair of Nguyen. Ling would retake the lead.

Ultimately, Nguyen would push again on a flop where he had top pair and Ling would risk it with a flush draw. Ling would complete the flush on the turn and emerge as the champion.

Nguyen earned a runner-up prize of USD 175,500 and boosted his total live earnings to over USD 2.5 million.

Ling's championship share of USD 273,380 rocketed his total live earnings to over USD 5.5 million.

Nang Quang Nguyen

COMPLETE RESULTS

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
1	TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	$273,380
2	NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	$175,500
3	HZ Hongjun ZhaoChina	$116,800
4	QZ Quan ZhouChina	$80,700
5	JZ Jian ZhuChina	$57,800
6	TJ Toby JoyceIreland	$43,100
7	RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	$33,400
8	CW Chin Wei LimMalaysia	$27,100
9	PP Punnat PunsriThailand	$23,000
10	TR Tony Ren LinChina	$20,400
11	BV Bruno VolkmannBrazil	$18,900
12	WS Wei SunChina	$18,900
13	JY Jiani YangChina	$18,500
14	QQ Quan QiuChina	$18,500
15	XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	$18,500
16	SM Samuel MullurAustria	$18,500
17	RP Ryan PlantUnited Kingdom	$18,500
18	ZW Zhuzhai WangChina	$17,600
19	KW Kaiwen WeiUnited States of America	$17,600
20	CX Chunnuan XuChina	$17,600
21	PC Peng ChenChina	$17,600
22	PC Peng Chen 2China	$17,600
23	YH Yifu HeUnited States of America	$17,600

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 1:55:57 PM

Tien Loon Ling Claims Royal Ascent Championship For USD 273,380

Level 27: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Tien Loon Ling

Malaysia's Tien Loon Ling raised the prestigious trophy of the Royal Ascent, also winning himself a beautiful ring and the lion's share of USD 273,380.

Ling had a back-and-forth battle with Vietnam's Nang Quang Nguyen until he ultimately closed it out when his flush draw was completed on the turn to overtake the flopped queen top pair of Nguyen.

Ling's victory boosted his total live earnings to over USD 5.5 million.

A full event recap will follow soon, so stay glued here.

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
1	TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	$273,380

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 1:52:07 PM

Nang Quang Nguyen Eliminated in 2nd Place for USD 175,500

Level 27: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Nang Quang Nguyen

This heads up battle had several swings of the pendulum, but unfortunately for Nang Quang Nguyen, it was now stuck pointing away from him.

With 7,100,000 and Q♠ 6♥ on the button, he went all in to be called by Tien Loon Ling with K♦ 7♦ and had Nguyen's stack covered four times over.

T♣ 4♦ Q♦ gave Nguyen a pair of ladies, but also gave Ling a flush draw. Ling didn't have to wait long as his draw was granted on the turn with a 5♦, and at this point Nguyen was drawing dead.

With this 2nd place exit, Nang Nguyen's total live earnings goes up to USD 2,541,956.

Player	Chips	Progress
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	36,000,000(60 BB)	11,000,000
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	busted	-12,000,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
2	NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	$175,500

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 1:41:29 PM

The Flop is All that Ling Needs

Level 27: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Ling's 8♠ 6♦ weren't much to work with, so on the button he just called. With Q♥ T♥ on the big blind, it was a surprise that Nguyen simply checked to see a flop.

And that's where it gets interesting.

The hands at the Royal Ascension have had a flair for the dramatic, and such was the case on this flop of 7♣ T♠ 9♣, which gave Nguyen top pair, but also gave Ling a straight straightaway.

Nguyen checked on his pair, and Ling bet 1,200,000 to grow the pot. Nguyen more than obliged when he went all in, getting caught by the trap he thought he was setting for Ling.

The table ran 2♥ J♣, doubling up Ling and swinging the pendulum his way.

Player	Chips	Progress
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	25,000,000(42 BB)	13,000,000
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	12,000,000(20 BB)	-12,000,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 1:37:00 PM

Nguyen's Turn To Straight Over Two Pair

Level 27: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

Nang Quang Nguyen

Nang Quang Nguyen matched the 600,000 blind holding J♦ 7♦ and Tien Loon Ling checked his Q♦ 8♥.

The flop arrived 8♠ 9♠ 9♦ and Ling check-raised the 600,000 bet of Nguyen to 4,000,000 having made two pair.

Nguyen called to open a T♦ on the turn, making a straight.

Ling continued for 2,000,000 and Nguyen spent a few time bank cards before making the call.

The river threw a 5♣ and Ling shoved all in for 19,000,000. Nguyen made the snap call. Ling saw the bad news and paid the chips that relinquished his chip lead.

Player	Chips	Progress
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	24,000,000(40 BB)	17,800,000
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	12,000,000(20 BB)	-18,000,000

Level 27: 300,000 / 600,000 ante: 600,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 2/146

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 1:23:40 PM

Another Two Pair Is Not Enough For Nguyen

Level 26: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Tien Loon Ling limped in from the button with 6♣ 5♠ and Nguyen checked his 5♦ 4♣ on the big blind.

The dealer fanned a flop of 8♠ A♣ 4♦

Nguyen check-called the 600,000 bet of Ling to see a 7♥ on the turn.

Nguyen check-called again for 1,000,000 with Ling betting on a turned straight.

The river gave a 5♣, giving Nguyen two pair, but was still behind the straight of Ling.

Nguyen checked, then called the 4,000,000 bet of Ling. Ling showed the straight, while Nguyen mucked and shipped the chips.

Player	Chips	Progress
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	30,000,000(60 BB)	6,000,000
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	6,200,000(12 BB)	-17,800,000

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 1:19:13 PM

Tien Loon Ling Doubles Up to Take the Chip Lead

Level 26: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Tien Loon Ling

There are no more small bets at this stage of the tournament, and that's how it started with Nang Quang Nguyen on the button, K♦ Q♦ in hand, and popping off a bet of 1,000,000. Ling Tien Loon liked the look of his 7♠ 8♠ so he made the call.

K♠ 9♣ 7♦ gave both players a pair and latched on to the hand. Ling with a pair -- albeit the lowest one -- checked, Nang bet 800,000, which Ling called.

The 2♠ on the turn kept Ling interested in a posible backdoor flush, but he checked hoping to get a cheap river. Nang was having none of that and bet 2,600,000 on the turn. Ling kept the faith, and called.

The river Q♠ is where it gets interesting. Ling got his flush, but still he checked. Nang now had 2-pair, and on the strength of that he blasted 5,200,000 as his bet. Ling had gotten his flush, so his move now was to go all in. Nang, with just 2,000,000 to call did just that.

And on this hand the tides had turned, Ling Tien with the 2:1 chip advantage over Nang Quang!

Player	Chips	Progress
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	24,000,000(48 BB)	12,000,000
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	12,000,000(24 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 1:16:57 PM

Ling Doubles Up On First Hand

Level 26: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

On the very first hands of heads-up duel, Nang Quang Nguyen was the first to act and immediately applied the pressure with an all-in shove for all of Tien Loon Ling's 6,400,000 chips.

Ling didn't back down and made the call.

Tien Loon Ling: 9♦ 8♦

Nang Quang Nguyen: K♣ 3♦

Nguyen was ahead pre-flop, but the flop landed 2♥ 9♣ 9♠ giving Ling trips with his rail cheering in full support. Even Nguyen gave a wow and a laugh and started counting off the chips even before the 7♥ turn and 6♣ river were dealt.

All of a sudden it was a 2-to-1 advantage.

Player	Chips	Progress
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	24,000,000(48 BB)	-6,000,000
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	12,000,000(24 BB)	5,600,000

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 1:10:50 PM

Nang Quan Nguyen v Tien Loon Ling Heads Up

Level 26: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Nang Quan Nguyen

Tien Loon Ling

It's Vietnam's Nang Quan Nguyen versus Tien Loon Ling of Malaysia going heads up on the Final Table of the King Poker Cup Series Royal Ascent. This battle of Southeast Asians has Nang Quan ahead almost 5:1 as their duel kicks off on level 26.

Player	Chips	Progress
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	30,000,000(60 BB)	11,000,000
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	6,400,000(13 BB)	1,000,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 1:04:18 PM

Hongjun Zhao Eliminated in 3rd Place for USD 116,800

Level 26: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Hongjun Zhao

Hongjun Zhao was on the button and raised it to 1,000,000. On the big blind, Nang Quang Nguyen three-bet jammed all in for 21 million, easily covering the remaining 7,700,000 remaining of Zhao.

Zhao went into the tank and threw in a few time bank tokens to consider his options. He wondered who the first brave person was that ever considered eating a lobster, then slammed a stack of chips on the table to call.

Hongjun Zhao: 2♠ 2♥

Nang Quang Nguyen: 9♠ 9♦

The flop arrived Q♣ 7♠ 6♥ not connecting Zhao and immediately reducing his hopes to two outs. The 8♣ on the turn did not change anything. The gap between the dealing of the final card was slow and painful, letting the dream of becoming a champion lose itself until the final river 7♣ landed to crush Zhao's dreams.

The worthy third place haul of Zhao boosted his total live earnings nearer to USD 1.2 million.

Player	Chips	Progress
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	30,000,000(60 BB)	11,000,000
HZ Hongjun ZhaoChina	busted	-8,900,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
3	HZ Hongjun ZhaoChina	$116,800

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 12:59:42 PM

Tien Loon Ling Doubled Up by Hongjun Zhao

Level 26: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Tien Loon Ling

Tien Loon Ling suddenly finds himself as the very short stack among the 3 on the Final Table with just 2,300,000. Though he may have been ecstatic to see A♠ K♥ on the button, his expression didn't show it as he pushed his chips all in. Hongjun Zhao with J♥ 5♦ on the big blind made the call.

The board of T♥ 6♦ T♦ 7♦ T♠ meant the best had was Tien Loon's three of a kind 7's with AK kicker.

Player	Chips	Progress
HZ Hongjun ZhaoChina	8,900,000(18 BB)	800,000
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	5,400,000(11 BB)	2,800,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 12:50:57 PM

Chop Chop

Level 26: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Hongjun Zhao opened to 1,000,000 on the button and Nang Quang Nguyen matched on the big blind.

The flop arrived 7♠ K♥ A♣

Nguyen check-called the bet of 700,000 to see a 2♥ turn.

Again, Nguyen checked, then called the 1,600,000 bet of Zhao.

The river landed a 7♦ and both players checked.

Nguyen peeled open A♥ 5♣ and Zhao turned over A♦ T♥. Both players mad two pair aces and sevens with a king kicker to split the antes and the blinds.

Zhao prodded Nguyen that he got lucky on the river.

Player	Chips	Progress
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	19,000,000(38 BB)	-1,000,000
HZ Hongjun ZhaoChina	8,100,000(16 BB)	400,000

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 12:50:00 PM

Hongjun Zhao Doubles Up,

Level 26: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Hongjun Zhao

Hongjun Zhao was the shortest stack among the 3 remaining on the Final Table, when he moved his 5,400,000 chips to the middle holding suited 8♦ 6♦. Tien Loon Ling had a strong A♣ T♦ at the big blind, so he made the call.

The flop of 5♦ 6♣ 3♣ put Hongjun ahead. The turn of 2♥ and river of 5♥ saw him double up.

Player	Chips	Progress
HZ Hongjun ZhaoChina	11,000,000(22 BB)	3,300,000
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	2,600,000(5 BB)	-6,200,000

Level 26: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 3/146

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 12:31:04 PM

Final Three Chip Stacks

Level 26: 250,000 / 500,000 ante: 500,000

Three players remain and this is how they stack.

Player	Chips	Progress
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	20,000,000(40 BB)
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	8,800,000(18 BB)
HZ Hongjun ZhaoChina	7,700,000(15 BB)	200,000

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 3/146

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 12:17:44 PM

Quan Zhou Eliminated in 4th Place for USD 80,700

Level 25: 200,000 / 400,000 ante: 400,000

Quan Zhou

Nang Quang Nguyen opened for 800,000 from under the gun. On the small blind, Quan Zhou shoved all his remaining 6,300,000 in the middle.

Nguyen made the snap call.

Quan Zhou: 4♦ 4♣

Nang Quang Nguyen: T♦ T♠

Zhou's sailboats couldn't find any help in the board of 8♥ 2♠ Q♥ A♦ J♠, sending him to the payout counter to collect his 4th place prize.

Zhou's cash in this event brings him closer to the USD 17.8 million mark in total live earnings.

Player	Chips	Progress
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	20,000,000(50 BB)	9,000,000
QZ Quan ZhouChina	busted	-8,800,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
4	QZ Quan ZhouChina	$80,700

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 12:15:20 PM

Final Four Chip Counts

Level 24: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Here are the updated chip counts:

Player	Chips	Progress
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	11,000,000(37 BB)	-3,000,000
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	8,800,000(29 BB)	900,000
QZ Quan ZhouChina	8,800,000(29 BB)
HZ Hongjun ZhaoChina	7,500,000(25 BB)	1,900,000

Level 25: 200,000 / 400,000 ante: 400,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 4/146

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 12:00:25 PM

Jian Zhu Eliminated in 5th Place for USD 57,800

Level 24: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Jian Zhu

Nang Quang Nguyen opened for 800,000 on the cutoff. On the button, Jian Zhu pushed his last 3,400,000 chips all in.

Nguyen matched the bet and the two went into a showdown with Zhu at risk.

Jian Zhu: A♥ K♠

Nang Quang Nguyen: 7♥ 7♣

The flop came 9♠ 7♦ A♦

Zhu had flopped top pair, but Nguyen made jackpot with a set of sevens.

Zhu was drawing dead on the 8♥ turn and was already up from his seat and taking fist bumps from the rest of the table. The 3♥ was a formality.

This cash marks Zhu's best career score.

Player	Chips	Progress
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	14,000,000(47 BB)	2,000,000
JZ Jian ZhuChina	busted	-6,500,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
5	JZ Jian ZhuChina	$57,800

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 11:52:20 AM

Nang Dents Ling

Level 24: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Nang Quang Nguyen

Tien Loon Ling opened for 600,000 on the button with Q♦ T♦. On the big blind, Nang Quang Nguyen called with A♦ T♥.

The flop came J♦ 7♥ 8♠

Nguyen tapped to Ling, who fired 450,000. Nguyen replied with a check-raise for 1,200,000. Ling counted the chips and called.

The turn showed a 2♠. Nguyen fired 1,700,000 and Ling could not continue.

Player	Chips	Progress
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	12,000,000(40 BB)	4,200,000
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	7,900,000(26 BB)	-1,800,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 11:43:21 AM

Ling's Cowboys Cripple Zhou

Level 23: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Action folded to Tien Loon Ling on the small blind, who raised for 750,000. On the big blind, Quan Zhou shoved all in for 13,000,000.

Ling made the instant call and risked his 4,700,000 stack.

Tien Loon Ling: K♦ K♠

Quan Zhou: A♠ Q♦

Ling was head and stayed ahead through the board of 3♦ 2♦ 6♣ 6♥ 8♦, gaining a monster double up, while doing severe damage to the stack of Zhou.

Player	Chips	Progress
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	9,700,000(39 BB)	5,200,000
QZ Quan ZhouChina	8,800,000(35 BB)	-4,200,000

Level 24: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 5/146

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 11:24:44 AM

Toby Joyce Eliminated in 6th Place for USD 43,100

Level 23: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Toby Joyce

Action fell to Toby Joyce on the cutoff, who shoved his remaining 2,000,000 chips all in.

Joyce was almost about to steal the blinds, but Quan Zhou decided to make the call.

When the cards turned over...

Toby Joyce: 2♠ 2♥

Quan Zhou: J♦ J♥

The Irish pro needed a miracle and some help from leprechauns, but they couldn't respond in time when the dealer dealt a board of Q♠ A♣ 3♦ 4♥ 9♦.

This was Joyce's 4th final table appearance in the KPC X King Poker Cup series and this win closely inches him towards the USD 3.8 million milestone in total live earnings.

Player	Chips	Progress
QZ Quan ZhouChina	13,000,000(52 BB)	3,100,000
TJ Toby JoyceIreland	busted	-2,000,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
6	TJ Toby JoyceIreland	$43,100

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 11:19:52 AM

Ling Finds A Double And Damages Joyce

Level 23: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Toby Joyce was first to act on the button and raised for 1,200,000 with A♥ 3♠

Tien Loon Ling went all in on the big blind for 2,100,000 million and Joyce added the change to call, albeit half-heartedly.

Tien Loon Ling: 6♠ 6♥

Toby Joyce: A♥ 3♠

Board ran 8♥ 9♣ 4♥ 7♠ 6♦

Joyce didn't find the ace he needed, but instead Ling improved his hand to a set of sixes for a very important double up.

Player	Chips	Progress
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	4,500,000(18 BB)	2,200,000
TJ Toby JoyceIreland	2,000,000(8 BB)	-3,200,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 11:05:46 AM

Ryuta Nakai Eliminated in 7th Place for USD 33,400

Level 23: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Ryuta Nakai

Ryuta Nakai was on the hijack, liked his K♣ Q♠ and raised to a staggering 1,800,000, leaving around 800,000 left in his stack.

Nang Quang Nguyen was on the button and shoved his 4,600,000 all in when he woke up with K♠ K♥.

Toby Joyce was on the big blind, looked up at an interesting T♦ T♥, but decided to step out of the way.

Nakai then called the rest of his 800,000 for a showdown for his tournament life.

The board ran J♥ 6♥ J♠ 9♣ Q♥

Nakai may have spiked his queen on the river, but it wasn't enough to overtake the kings of Nguyen, ending his journey in 7th place.

Player	Chips	Progress
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	7,800,000(31 BB)	4,100,000
RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	busted	-3,300,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
7	RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	$33,400

Level 23: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 7/146

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 7/146

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 10:28:00 AM

Chin Wei Lim Eliminated in 8th Place for USD 27,100

Level 22: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Chin Wei Lim

There were no callers in the hand until the action got to Chin Wei Lim at the small blind. Holding A♣ 8♣, he pushed his 1,800,000 into the pot. Chip leader Quan Zhou in the big blind with K♦ T♣ called.

The flop of 6♦ 7♦ J♣ kept Chin Wei ahead, but the T♦ on the turn soured that story by giving Quan a pair. Chin Wei still had outs if his ace were paired or any, 9 that's not a diamond to give him a straight, but a 6♥ on the river couldn't resurrect him from the felt.

Player	Chips	Progress
QZ Quan ZhouChina	9,900,000(50 BB)	1,800,000
CW Chin Wei LimMalaysia	busted	-1,800,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
8	CW Chin Wei LimMalaysia	$27,100

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 10:26:48 AM

Updated Chip Counts on Level 22

Level 22: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Quan Zhou currently holds the most chips with 8,100,000 and sitting on the low stack is Chin Wei Lim with 1,800,000. The chip counts of the remaining 8 on the Final Table of the Royal Ascent:

Player	Chips	Progress
QZ Quan ZhouChina	8,100,000(41 BB)	-1,000,000
JZ Jian ZhuChina	6,500,000(33 BB)	-700,000
HZ Hongjun ZhaoChina	5,600,000(28 BB)	2,875,000
TJ Toby JoyceIreland	5,200,000(26 BB)	-700,000
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	3,700,000(19 BB)	1,600,000
RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	3,300,000(17 BB)	-2,000,000
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	2,300,000(12 BB)	-100,000
CW Chin Wei LimMalaysia	1,800,000(9 BB)	-500,000

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 10:13:00 AM

Chin Wei Lim Doubles Up; Avoids A Universe of Outs

Level 22: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Chin Wei Lim

Zhou Quan wanted to see what his suited connector 7♠ 8♠ could do when he called from under the gun. Chin Wei Lim had A♠ T♥ on the big blind, and thought those cards and his dwindling stack which was down to 600,000 meant this was the time for him to go all in. Quan Zhou added another 400,000 to make the call.

Chin Wei was ahead on the flop with a pair of tens thanks to a T♠ 8♦ 5♠ flop, but Quan had a pair and a flush draw on those cards.

The 9♦ on the turn gave Quan even more outs, now adding an open-ended straight draw to his exit routes.

A 5♥ on the river was one of the few cards that wasn't an out for Quan, and Chin Wei lives to fight another hand!

Player	Chips	Progress
QZ Quan ZhouChina	9,100,000(46 BB)	-1,900,000
CW Chin Wei LimMalaysia	2,300,000(12 BB)	-200,000

Level 22: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 8/146

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 9:50:00 AM

Ryuta Nakai Doubles Up From Quan Zhou's Stack

Level 21: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Ryuta Nakai

Ryuta Nakai had raised to 300,000 from the button in possession of A♥ 8♠. Quan Zhou -- current; the chip leader -- calls all in from the big blind with the royal couple K♦ Q♥. Ryuta-san decided to place his tournament life on his Dead Man's Hand, and called.

The flop was A♦ 6♦ 5♠, pairing Ryuta's ace in hand, and his win of the pot was reinforced with the runner-runner straight that he got when the board played out with 7♥ 9♦.

Player	Chips	Progress
QZ Quan ZhouChina	11,000,000(73 BB)	-3,000,000
RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	5,300,000(35 BB)	3,350,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 9:42:28 AM

Punnat Punsri Eliminated in 9th Place For USD 23,000

Level 21: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Punnat Punsri

Punnat Punrsri was on the hijack and opened for 350,000 on the hjack. Action fell to Quan Zhou on the big blind who three-bet raised to 825,000.

Punsri tanked, then made a four-bet jam and Zhou called for a showdown.

Punnat Punsri: 8♥ 8♣

Quan Zhou: J♣ J♥

THe 9♠ 2♣ 2♦ came on the flop to keep Zhou ahead. The turn gave a J♠. And just like that - Punnat Punsri was drawing dead and became the first victim on the final table.

The 7♣ river was a formality.

Player	Chips	Progress
QZ Quan ZhouChina	14,000,000(93 BB)	4,100,000
PP Punnat PunsriThailand	busted	-3,500,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
9	PP Punnat PunsriThailand	$23,000

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 9:38:35 AM

Toby Joyce Weakens Punnat Punsri's Stack

Level 21: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Punnat Punsri opened the action on this hand with a bet to 325,000 holding J♠ 9♠ on the hijack. The table folds to Toby Joyce on the big blind with A♠ J♥, who calls.

They have their Jacks paired by the Q♥ 6♥ J♦ board, which Toby checks, and Punnat jabs 225,000 into the pot, which Toby calls.

A 7♥ came on the turn which both checked. The river was a 2♥ which gave Toby the flush, yet he checked and Punnat checked behind him.

Punnat Punsri's stack has taken several significant hits after he entered the final day as the chip leader, even up to starting the Final Table having the 2nd highest chip count.

Player	Chips	Progress
TJ Toby JoyceIreland	5,900,000(39 BB)	1,150,000
PP Punnat PunsriThailand	3,500,000(23 BB)	-300,000

Level 21: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 9/146

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 9:18:39 AM

Punsri Takes A Tumble

Level 20: 50,000 / 125,000 ante: 125,000

Punnat Punsri open-raised to 250,000 from the cutoff and Jian Zhu matched on his big blind.

The flop arrived 3♣ A♠ 4♥ with Zhu pairing his ace.

Zhu check-called the 150,000 bet of Punsri to see a 7♥ on the turn. Zhu checked his two pair and Punrsi fired a bet of 675,000.

Instead of calling like he did previously, Zhu raised it to 1,500,000. Punsri tanked then counted the chips to call. The river fell 3♦ and this time Zhu led for a bet of 2,300,000 all in.

Punsri studied the board, but found no escape, folding and leaving himself with not enough.

Player	Chips	Progress
QQ Quan QiuChina	6,300,000(50 BB)	6,300,000
PP Punnat PunsriThailand	3,800,000(30 BB)	-1,925,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 9:07:14 AM

Final Table Is Under Way

Level 20: 50,000 / 125,000 ante: 125,000

The final nine players continue their quest to the championship title of the Royal Ascent. Cards are in the air with action resuming at Level 20: 50,000/125,000 with 125,000 big blind ante.

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 9:06:06 AM

Zhou Quan's Disciplined Fold Saves Him

Level 21: 75,000 / 150,000 ante: 150,000

Quan Zhou had raised to 325,000 from under the gun holding A♠ Q♣. Jian Zhu to his immediate left 3-bet to 850,000 on the strength of the A♦ K♠ he had in hand. After some reflection, Zhou Quan makes the uncannily disciplined decision to fold, and saved himself from a spot of trouble.

Player	Chips	Progress
QZ Quan ZhouChina	9,900,000(66 BB)	-50,000
JZ Jian ZhuChina	7,200,000(48 BB)	2,900,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 8:13:23 AM

FInal Table Is Set

Level 20: 50,000 / 125,000 ante: 125,000

THE FINAL TABLE

Standing (L to R): Tien Loon Ling Toby Joyce, Hongjun Zhao, Nang Quang Nguyen, Jihan Zhu. Seated (L to R): Ryuta Nakai, Chin Wei Lim, Punnat Punsri, Quan Zhou

Following the elimination of Tony Ren Lin as the final table bubble boy, the final table of 9 is set. There will be a hour break so that the livestream production crew can prepare all the fanfare, while allowing the players to take a break, so there will be continuous play until a champion is crowned.

Player	Chips	Progress
QZ Quan ZhouChina	9,950,000(80 BB)
PP Punnat PunsriThailand	5,725,000(46 BB)	-1,275,000
TJ Toby JoyceIreland	4,750,000(38 BB)	-580,000
JZ Jian ZhuChina	4,300,000(34 BB)	2,105,000
HZ Hongjun ZhaoChina	2,725,000(22 BB)	-930,000
CW Chin Wei LimMalaysia	2,500,000(20 BB)	250,000
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	2,400,000(19 BB)	-1,320,000
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	2,100,000(17 BB)	-160,000
RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	1,950,000(16 BB)	-350,000

REMAINING PAYOUTS

Place	Payout (USD)
1	$273,380
2	$175,500
3	$116,800
4	$80,700
5	$57,800
6	$43,100
7	$33,400
8	$27,100
9	$23,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 7:57:58 AM

Tony Ren Lin Eliminated in 10th Place for USD 20,400

Level 20: 50,000 / 125,000 ante: 125,000

Tony Ren Lin

Action folded to Quan Zhou on the small blind who jammed his monster stack all in to intimidate the very short-stacked Tony Ren Lin on the big blind.

Lin made the call, risking his last 950,000 and his tournament life.

Quan Zhou: J♥ 9♥

Tony Ren Lin: A♦ 5♦

Lin was ahead and looked good for a double-up before the flop landed Q♥ 7♣ 3♥ to give Zhou some outs with a flush draw.

Lin kept praying to the poker gods, but a 9♠ landed on the turn to give Zhou the lead with a pair of nines. Lin mustered all his energy to conjure up an ace on the river, but the poker gods instead threw in a 4♥ to improve Zhou to a flush and put an exclamation to the exit of Tony Ren Lin as the final table bubble boy.

Player	Chips	Progress
QZ Quan ZhouChina	9,950,000(80 BB)	3,550,000
TR Tony Ren LinChina	busted	-1,900,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
10	TR Tony Ren LinChina	$20,400

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 7:40:08 AM

Lim Doubles From Joyce

Level 20: 50,000 / 125,000 ante: 125,000

Chin Wei Lim had his last 1,000,000 at risk against Toby Joyce on the final table bubble.

Chin Wei Lim: A♥ J♥

Toby Joyce: A♦ 4♦

Board ran 7♥ 2♦ 9♥ T♠ 5♦

Neither player hit but the ace-jack high for Lim was enough to secure a much-needed double up.

Player	Chips	Progress
TJ Toby JoyceIreland	5,330,000(43 BB)	1,900,000
CW Chin Wei LimMalaysia	2,250,000(18 BB)	-460,000

Level 20: 50,000 / 125,000 ante: 125,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 10/146

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 7:14:32 AM

Quan Zhou Catches Tony Lin's Bluff

Level 19: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Quan Zhou

Quan Zhou raised to 250,000 with 7♠ 7♦ on the button, which Tony Ren Lin called with K♠ J♦ on the small blind.

The flop of 6♥ 2♥ Q♠ had the duellists checking cautiously. The turn of 4♠ saw Tony firing a first shot of 500,000 which Zhou called.

The river though was a 7♥ which gave Zhou the set. Tony was first to act, and that act was to the tune of a bet of 1,500,000. Zhou called to take the pot of 4,700,000.

Player	Chips	Progress
QZ Quan ZhouChina	6,400,000(64 BB)	2,400,000
TR Tony Ren LinChina	1,900,000(19 BB)	-1,880,000

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 7:08:32 AM

We Go Hand-for-Hand

Level 19: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

With the elimination of Bruno Volkmann at 11th, the Floor Director has called for hand-for-hand play across the two tables, until the next player is eliminated and we break to form the Final Table.

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 7:01:37 AM

Bruno Volkmann Eliminated in 11th Place for USD 20,400

Level 19: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Bruno Volkmann

Bruno was sitting happily on the button with a cozy T♦ T♥ in hand and raised to a signalling 215,000. Quan Zhou didn't like the signal, so he went all in 2,100,00 on the big blind with K♥ 8♥. Bruno made a confident call for the rest of his stack.

The board was 2♥ 4♥ 8♠, giving Quan a pair and a world of outs, which he got with the 9♥ on the turn to give him an unassailable flush. The board ends with a 6♦, and so does Bruno's run in this tournament.

Player	Chips	Progress
QZ Quan ZhouChina	4,000,000(40 BB)	2,225,000
BV Bruno VolkmannBrazil	busted	-2,100,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
11	BV Bruno VolkmannBrazil	$18,900

Level 19: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 11/146

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 6:47:54 AM

Wei Sun Eliminated in 12th Place for USD 18,900

Level 18: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Wei Sun

Punnat Punsri made a psychic raise from the small blind to 240,000 holding 9♥ 3♣. Wei Sun called with his Q♦ escorted by a J♣.

Punnat's pre-flop bet presaged a board that was 4♦ 9♠ 3♦ to give him two pair, which he honored with a bet of 280,000. Wei Sun called, hoping for a better turn.

The trap was complete with the Q♠ on the turn, which Punnat bet 800,000 on, and getting his desired card, Wei Sun went all in, which Punnat called. The river was 7♣.

Player	Chips	Progress
PP Punnat PunsriThailand	7,000,000(88 BB)	2,700,000
WS Wei SunChina	busted	-2,700,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
12	WS Wei SunChina	$18,900

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 6:42:00 AM

Jiani Yang Eliminated in 13th Place for USD 18,500

Break

Jiani Yang

Jiani Yang committed her last 1,200,000 on the button and was matched by Toby Joyce on the small blind.

Jiani Yang: Q♥ J♣

Toby Joyce: A♠ T♣

The board ran K♣ 6♥ 9♣ 4♣ 8♦

Yang had a straight draw on the flop and an added flush draw on the turn. But the river bricked for her, sending her to the exit as the last woman standing.

Player	Chips	Progress
TJ Toby JoyceIreland	3,430,000	570,000
JY Jiani YangChina	busted	-1,650,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
13	JY Jiani YangChina	$18,500

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 6:41:20 AM

The Queens Have Been Tripping on the Final Day

Level 18: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Bruno Volkmann was all in from the small blind for 955,000 on Q♥ Q♦ after Nakai Ryuta had raised to 175,000. Nakai called and showed A♥ 6♦.

A flop of A♥ 7♣ Q♠ gave Nakai his Ace pair, but also gave Bruno the set. A 6♠ on the turn gave Nakai a 2-pair tht didn't matter, because the river was a K♣ which meant Bruos trips held.

Player	Chips	Progress
RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	2,300,000(29 BB)	-1,000,000
BV Bruno VolkmannBrazil	2,100,000(26 BB)	1,400,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 6:32:00 AM

Quan Qiu Eliminated In 14th Place for USD 18,500

Level 18: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Quan QIu

Action folded to Quan Qiu on the button, who jammed his remaining 670,000 all in.

Tien Loon Ling raised to 1,400,000 on the small blind to isolate against the big blind and the big blind did stay away.

Quan Qiu: A♦ 3♠

Tien Loon Ling: A♣ K♦

Ling dominated Qiu.

It all ended for Qiu on a board of 6♣ A♠ A♥ 9♥ T♠

Player	Chips	Progress
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	3,720,000(47 BB)	1,070,000
QQ Quan QiuChina	busted	-1,325,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
14	QQ Quan QiuChina	$18,500

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 6:29:10 AM

Xueying Zhao Eliminated in 15th Place for USD 18,500

Level 18: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Xueying Zhao

190,000 in chips isn't much to go with in Level 18, so with A♠ 7♦, Xueying Zhao had the one move, which was to throw it all into the mix. She was called Sun Wei at the big blind, who just needed to add 110,000 for the call, which he did holding 10s 2♣.

5♠ 3♥ T♥ on the flop gave Sun a pair, and 5♣ J♦ to the river meant the tournament was showing the last lady out with a parting gift of USD 18,500.

Player	Chips
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
15	XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	$18,500

Level 18: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 15/146

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 15/146

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 6:08:37 AM

Samuel Mullur Eliminated in 16th Place for USD 18,500

Level 17: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Samuel Mullur

Samuel Mullur has his last 1,600,000 chips at riskon the button against Tony Ren Lin on the small blind, who made the call.

Samuel Mullur: A♣ J♠

Tony Ren Lin: A♠ Q♠

Board ran 6♥ A♥ 7♦ Q♦ A♦

Mullur hit top pair on the flop but needed a jack to win it. The queen on the turn had Mullur drawing dead.

Player	Chips	Progress
TR Tony Ren LinChina	3,780,000(63 BB)	1,875,000
SM Samuel MullurAustria	busted	-1,570,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
16	SM Samuel MullurAustria	$18,500

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 5:49:37 AM

Plant Withers To Ling

Level 17: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Ryan Plant

Quan Zhou opened for 155,000 from under the gun. On the hijack, Ryan Plant pushed all in for 780,000 Tien Loon Ling also jammed all in on the big blind. Zhou stayed away.

Ryan Plant: A♣ 8♣

Tien Loon Ling: Q♥ Q♣

Board ran 7♥ 5♣ J♠ 3♥ T♥

Plant couldn't improve and headed to the payout counter co collect his 17th place finish

Player	Chips	Progress
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	2,650,000(44 BB)	900,000
RP Ryan PlantUnited Kingdom	busted	-925,000

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 5:48:00 AM

Zhuzhai Wang to the Felt

Level 17: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Zhuzhai Wang calls it a day

Shortstacked Zhuzhai Wang was short on options when he pushed the remaining 550,000 of his stack behind his K♠ 8♥ from the cutoff. Nakai Ryuta pushed in his more substantial 3,400,000 with a better K♣ J♣ to freeze out Bruno Volkmann on the big blind.

The board ran through A♦ A♥ 2♦ J♥ 6♠ to give Nakai-san the 2-pair Aces and Jacks, and Zhuzhai a pass to the showers taking with him USD 17,600.

Player	Chips	Progress
RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	3,300,000(55 BB)	-60,000
ZW Zhuzhai WangChina	busted	-700,000

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 5:41:21 AM

Bruno Volkmann's Great Escape

Level 17: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

From under the gun and with J♣ 9♣, Bruno Volkmann shoved his short stack of 290,000 into the middle, only to be met by what at the moment was a superior K♠ J♠ of Punnat Punsri at the hijack.

Bruno lucked the straight on the flop when it came 8♥ Q♥ T♠. Punnat still had hope for a better straight, but the Q♦ on the turn didn't help with that, and neither did the 7♦ on the river.

Player	Chips	Progress
PP Punnat PunsriThailand	4,300,000(72 BB)	-900,000
BV Bruno VolkmannBrazil	700,000(12 BB)	530,000

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 5:40:00 AM

Wei v Wei shows Kaiwen the Way Out

Level 17: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Kaiwen Wei out in 19th Place

Sun Wei had a perfect A♦ A♣ on the button and raised to a modest 125,000. Kaiwen Wei on the big blind with 7♣ 8♣ probably thought it was a position raise from Sun when he pushed all in for 1,100,000 with 7♣ 8♣.

The board that ran K♣ Q♠ 5♦ 8♠ 6♦ may have given him the pair, but he;s still out the door in 19th place for USD 17,600.

Player	Chips
WS Wei SunChina	2,700,000(45 BB)
KW Kaiwen WeiUnited States of America	busted

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 5:34:38 AM

Yang Doubles From Ling

Level 17: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Jiani Yang pushed all in on the button for 755,000 and was met by Tien Loon Ling on the small blind.

Jiani Yang: A♠ T♠

Tien Loo Ling: K♦ J♦

Board ran A♦ 2♠ 4♥ 2♣ Q♦ for a huge double for Yang.

Player	Chips	Progress
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	1,750,000(29 BB)	-170,000
JY Jiani YangChina	1,650,000(28 BB)	705,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 5:26:30 AM

Xu Is The First Woman Eliminated

Level 17: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Chunnuan Xu

Action folded around to Chunnuan Xu on the small blind when she pushed her last 330,000 all in. Toby Joyce was on the big blind and snap called.

Chunnuan Xu: Q♠ 9♠

Toby Joyce: T♥ T♣

The board ran 5♥ 7♦ 3♦ K♠ A♣

Xu missed out and headed to the payout counter.

Player	Chips	Progress
TJ Toby JoyceIreland	2,860,000(48 BB)	340,000
CX Chunnuan XuChina	busted	-510,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 5:16:00 AM

The Other Peng Chen Also Falls To Ladies

Level 17: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Peng Chen

Yes, there were two players with the same name on the final day, and they both fell one after the other.

Punnat Punsri opened for 120,000 with Q♦ Q♥ from the hijack..

Wei Sun three-bet to 325,000 from the cutoff with A♦ 6♦. Peng Chen was on the button and four-bet to 600,000 with A♣ K♦.

Punsri, the chip leader, then five-bet jammed for 3,600,000 - covering the stacks of both Sun and Chen.

Sun got out of the way, but Chen committed his last 590,000 all in.

The board favored Punsri, showing 5♥ 3♥ 5♠ T♦ 8♣, eliminating Chen in 21st spot.

Player	Chips	Progress
PP Punnat PunsriThailand	5,250,000(88 BB)	1,725,000
WS Wei SunChina	1,700,000(28 BB)	-480,000
PC Peng ChenChina	busted	-1,320,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 4:11:00 AM

Joyce Takes A Chunk From Mullur

Level 17: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Toby Joyce was on the lowjack and opened for 120,000. Samuel Mullur matched on the cutoff.

Both players were shown a flop of K♦ 7♠ 9♥

Joyce fired a bet of 185,000 and Mullur stayed on to se a 5♥ on the turn.

Joyce barreled another 385,000, but Mullur didn't go anywhere.

After the 8♣ on the river dropped, Joyce shoved all in for 815,000.

Mullur tanked and couldn't make the call.

Player	Chips	Progress
TJ Toby JoyceIreland	2,520,000(42 BB)	900,000
SM Samuel MullurAustria	1,570,000(26 BB)	-910,000

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 4:10:00 AM

Peng Chen's Big Slick No Match For The Ladies

Level 17: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Peng Chen

Tien Loon Ting had raised to 125,000 from the cutoff, which Peng Chen was quick to 3-bet to 300,000 from the button. Tien Loon was similarly quick to push all in, and Peng reciprocated with a quick call.

Tien Loon: Q♥ Q♣

Peng: A♦ K♣

The flop was quickly dealt out as A♣ Q♠ J♥ giving Tien Loon triplet Queens, and whatever hope for a straight was quickly dashed when the quads played with the Q♦ on the turn then the river 9♠.

Player	Chips
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	1,920,000(32 BB)
PC Peng Chen 2China	busted

Level 17: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 22/146

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 4:08:15 AM

Yifu He Is The First To Fall

Level 16: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Yifu He

Yifu He entered Day 2 with a short stack of 30,000. On the second hand of the day, He shoved all in from early position and was matched by Hongjun Zhao on the small blind and Samuel Mullur on the big bling.

The flop came Q♥ 4♥ 6♣

Zhao led for 50,000 and Mullur called.

The turn showed a 9♦. Zhao fired another 100,000 and this time Mullur folded. Zhao scooped the side pot and went to showdown with He for the main pot.

Yifu He: A♥ K♥

Hongjun Zhao: Q♦ 8♥

Zhao paired the queen ad He had a nut flush draw. However the Q♣ on the river improved Zhao to trips to eliminate He.

Player	Chips	Progress
HZ Hongjun ZhaoChina	3,655,000(73 BB)	240,000
YH Yifu HeUnited States of America	busted	-30,000

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 4:08:00 AM

Xueying Zhao Doubles On First Hand

Level 16: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Action folded to Ryan Plant on the small blind, who shoved all in to pressure the very short-stacked Xueying Zhao.

Zhao liked her cards and risked her last 225,000.

Xueying Zhao: A♣ J♥

Ryan Plant: 4♥ 3♥

Board ran: J♣ 8♥ 3♠ 9♦ Q♣

Both players paired the flop, but Zhao had the better pair that went on to win the pot for a crucial double up.

Player	Chips	Progress
RP Ryan PlantUnited Kingdom	925,000(19 BB)	-175,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	505,000(10 BB)	280,000

Denis LucindoDenis Lucindo

8/5/2026, 4:07:00 AM

Cards are in the Air for the Final Day of the Royal Ascent

Level 16: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

First cards are being dealt for the final day of the Royal Ascent. There's a cunning cast of cardsharks contending for the championship of this King Poker Cup Series event, including Thailand's Punnat Punsri who has the chip lead going into this final day.

The reporting will be delayed to match the delayed livestream and to avoid any spoilers.

Level 16: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 23/146

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

8/5/2026, 1:51:05 AM

Royal Ascent Day 2 Final To Crown A Champion

The King Poker Cup series is about to make poker history again in the Les A Casino at Jeju Shinhwa World Resort, Jeju, South Korea, with the culmination of the Royal Ascent today and a champion to be crowned.

There were two Day 1 starting flights that played out over the past two days. Day 1A attracted 75 entries with Day 1B adding another 71 to the felt. The 146 total entries built a lucrative total prize pool worth USD 1,088,980.

Today in the Day 2 final, the remaining 23 survivors of both Day 1 flights (12 from Day 1A and 11 from Day 1B) return to compete for the championship. Each player is already guaranteed a minimum payout of USD 16,000 with a whopping USD 270,000 going to the last player with all the chips in his stack.

Punnat Punsri

Entering the Day 2 final as the chip leader is Thailand's Punnat Punsri, who is also the 2025 GPI Player of the Year. Punsri collected a massive 3,525,000 chips from the Day 1A flight. Joining Punsri in the top three are fellow Day 1A combatants Hongjun Zhao of China and Ryuta Nakai from Japan. Zhao brings in 3,415,000 chips, while Nakai starts Day 2 with 3,360,000.

Chin Wei Lim

Fourth in the chip leader board is Malaysia's Chin Wei Lim, who topped the Day 1B flight with a stack of 2,710,000. The next two spots following Lim are from other top Day 1B survivors with Austria's Samuel Mullur in 5th with 2,480,000 and Vietnam's Nang Quang Nguyen with 2,260,000.

Tony Ren Lin

Some other notable players joining today's Day 2 final include China's Tony Ren Lin (1,905,000), Ireland's Toby Joyce (1,620,000) and the UK's Ryan Plant (1,100,000).

There are also three Chinese women who have a shot at the championship in today's Day 2 final - Jiani Yang (945,000), Chunnuan Xu (510,000) and Xueying Zhao (225,000). With their stacks falling below the average, they will have to find a way to get out of the danger zone.

Jiani Yang

The Day 2 final will have cards in the air at 13:00 local time. Play will begin at Level 16 with blinds at 25,000/50,000 and 50,000 big blind ante.

There will also be a livestream available from featured table to final table on the King Poker Cup Official YouTube Channel.

For other high rollers looking for King Poker Cup action, please take note of the changes in the revised and updated schedule for today.

SMPSMP

8/4/2026, 7:46:08 PM

Final Day

Chip Counts

Player	Chips
PP Punnat PunsriThailand	3,525,000
HZ Hongjun ZhaoChina	3,415,000
RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	3,360,000
CW Chin Wei LimMalaysia	2,710,000
SM Samuel MullurAustria	2,480,000
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	2,260,000
JZ Jian ZhuChina	2,195,000
WS Wei SunChina	2,180,000
TR Tony Ren LinChina	1,905,000
QZ Quan ZhouChina	1,775,000
TJ Toby JoyceIreland	1,620,000
TL Tien Loon LingMalaysia	1,430,000
QQ Quan QiuChina	1,325,000
PC Peng ChenChina	1,320,000
PC Peng Chen 2China	1,260,000
RP Ryan PlantUnited Kingdom	1,100,000
JY Jiani YangChina	945,000
ZW Zhuzhai WangChina	700,000
KW Kaiwen WeiUnited States of America	555,000
CX Chunnuan XuChina	510,000
XZ Xueying ZhaoChina	225,000
BV Bruno VolkmannBrazil	170,000
YH Yifu HeUnited States of America	30,000

Place	Payout (USD)
1	$273,380
2	$175,500
3	$116,800
4	$80,700
5	$57,800
6	$43,100
7	$33,400
8	$27,100
9	$23,000
10	$20,400
11	$18,900
12	$18,900
13	$18,500
14	$18,500
15	$18,500
16	$18,500
17	$18,500
18	$17,600
19	$17,600
20	$17,600
21	$17,600
22	$17,600
23	$17,600