South Korea, LES A CasinoEVENT #1

2026.01.03 - 2026.01.04Add to Calendar

K Poker Cup

Blind level

Level 17: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Entries

19/149

Total Chips

3,725,000

Average

196,053

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 12:42:42 PM

Yixian Chen Leads Day 1A at Jeju Opening

Level 17: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Yixian Chen

The very first event at the KPC x LPT Series 2026 to ignite the atmosphere inside the glorious LES A Casino, the KRW 900,000 Jeju Opening Day 1A, exploded into action and concluded in sensational fashion after poker enthusiasts battled through eight intense 30-minute levels, with just 19 survivors left standing and bagging chips for Day 2.

Outdistancing the rest as the chip is China's Yixian Chen after navigating a competitive 149-entry field to bag up 670,000 chips sitting firmly atop of the leaderboard.

Throughout the flight, Chen showed a mix of patience and aggression, taking advantage of key spots to accumulate chips and turning the script in his favor from an early low position back into the game as the tournament steered through the bubble and into late-stage play.

Chen found himself on the brink of elimination after his flopped pair of sevens was cracked by Ka Lok Lam’s two pair. However, he steadily chipped up until his opportunity came again against Lam at Level 5, when Chen shoved with king-jack suited, turning a flush to overcome Lam’s king-high and fulfilling his revenge.

Day 1A Chip Count

Player	Chips
YC Yixian ChenChina	670,000(67 BB)
YH Yaoyu HeChina	476,000(48 BB)
LJ Long JinChina	341,000(34 BB)
YC Yaochen CaiChina	335,000(34 BB)
QY Qingshan YaoChina	250,000(25 BB)
CL Cheng Li 2China	239,000(24 BB)
KW Kuo Wei KaoTaiwan	204,000(20 BB)
MW Mengqin WuChina	182,000(18 BB)
YC Yingjie ChenChina	141,000(14 BB)
HQ Haisheng QiuChina	127,000(13 BB)

Chen stayed vigilant throughout the rest of the flight, refusing to let his guard down. During bubble time, Chen scooped a massive pot against Haisheng Qiu and Chien Yu Lin with a rivered full house, sending Lin to the rail and solidifying his position with the dominant stack. His consistency through the middle levels ensured he stayed at the top of the leaderboard and capped off his night as the runaway chip leader.

Behind Chen is his countryman Yaoyu He with a healthy stack of 476,000, while rounding out the top three is Long Jin, also from China, with 341,000 chips.

Chien Yu Lin

The player who left the field with the most regret was Hong Kong’s Hon Lung Ip. During direct bubble time, Ip four-bet shoved with pocket jacks, only to run straight into Yaoyu He’s pocket aces. With no help from the board, Ip was eliminated and claimed the unenviable title of the day: Bubble Boy.

Hon Lung Ip

With Ip’s elimination, the drama of the bubble came to a close, and Day 1A wrapped up in Jeju with 19 contenders moving forward. Players secured a share of the prize pool and a spot in Day 2, where current chip leader Chen and the rest of the top contenders will battle for glory in the KPC x LPT Jeju Opening.

With Flights B and C still underway at the moment, those hungry for redemption after early exits are expected to return to the venue, and turnout is poised for yet another massive surge.

Stay tuned to SomuchPoker as we bring you all the action from the remainder of the 2026 Jeju Opening.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 12:40:11 PM

Day 1A Wraps Up

Level 17: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

After Hon Lung Ip’s exit, the field has been whittled down to 19 survivors, and players are now bagging up their chips for Day 2.

Level 17: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 21/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 12:22:55 PM

Hon Lung Ip Bubbles Flight A

Level 17: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Hon Leung Ip

Hon Leung Ip raised to 20,000 from the hijack, before cutoff Yaoyu He three-bet to 55,000. Ip then four-bet shoved for around 170,000, prompting a very swift call from He.

Hon Leung Ip: J♣ J♠

Yaoyu He: A♦ A♥

Ip was in serious trouble and found no help on the 6♦ 5♠ 3♦ 8♣ 3♥ runout, sending him to the rail and guaranteeing the remaining 19 players a cash and a seat in the final day tomorrow.

Player	Chips
YH Yaoyu HeChina	270,000(27 BB)
HL Hon Leung IpHong Kong	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 12:03:16 PM

Lin’s Exit Brings the Field into Stone Bubble

Level 17: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Chien Yu Lin

Chen Yu Lin open-shoved for 47,000 from middle position and received calls from the blinds: Haisheng Qiu and Yixian Chen.

Both players tapped the table on the 3♠ 4♣ 8♦ flop to the 6♦ turn, where Qiu bet 70,000 and Chen stuck around.

When a board-pairing 4♣ came on the river, Qiu checked and Chen fired out 130,000. Qiu called to take it to a showdown.

Lin tabled Q♥ T♣ for queen-high, and Qiu revealed his pocket jacks with J♥ J♦. However, neither Lin nor Qiu could overcome Chen’s rivered full house, allowing Chen to take down the massive pot.

Player	Chips
YC Yixian ChenChina	670,000(67 BB)
HQ Haisheng QiuChina	147,000(15 BB)
CY Chien Yu LinTaiwan	busted

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 21/149

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 11:57:24 AM

Chen Survives Kuo’s Big Slick

Level 16: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Kuo Wei Kuo raised the button to 16,000 and Yingjie Chen defended his big blind.

Chen checked over the 2♣ 5♠ J♣ flop, and Kuo continued with a 9,000 bet. Chen then jammed for 51,000, which didn't deter Kuo from making the call.

Kuo Wei Kuo: A♠ K♠

Yingjie Chen: J♠ 7♠

Kuo's big slick trailed behind Chen's flopped pair of jacks. The dealer then delivered a 4♣ on the turn, leaving Kuo still needing an ace or king to send Chen out.

Fortunately for Chen, the river showed a 5♥, shipping him a tournament-prolonging double-up.

Player	Chips
KW Kuo Wei KaoTaiwan	224,000(28 BB)
YC Yingjie ChenChina	151,000(19 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 11:56:42 AM

Kang Doubles Wang on the Soft Bubble

Level 16: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Tangling again, Daming Kang raised to 16,000 from the cutoff and button Haozhao Wang three-bet shoved for 46,000. He received a prompt call from Kang.

Haozhao Wang: K♦ Q♣

Daming Kang: A♣ 6♥

Wang looked a strong favourite to double on the T♠ 7♠ Q♠ flop, improving to two pair on the K♥ turn. Kang was drawing dead by the time the 5♣ completed the board, leaving the field still on the soft bubble.

Player	Chips
HW Haozhao WangChina	105,000(13 BB)
DK Daming KangChina	70,000(9 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 11:48:40 AM

Hand-for-Hand Begins

Level 16: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

With 21 players remaining in the field, the floor announced that the tournament would move to hand-for-hand play. Players are now in bubble time.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 11:39:54 AM

Wu Turns a Boat, Stays Afloat

Level 16: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Mengqin Wu

Yaochen Cai made it 16,000 to go from the hijack, only to be jammed by Patrick Liang for 233,000 in the cutoff. Mengqin Wu then re-shoved from the big blind for around 90,000. Cai stepped aside, leaving Wu at risk against Liang.

Patrick Liang: K♦ Q♦

Mengqin Wu: T♥ T♠

Wu was ahead with her pocket tens against Liang's king-high and extended her dominance on the 7♠ 8♠ T♣ flop, giving her a set. The dealer then revealed a board-pairing 8♦ on the turn, improving Wu to a full house and leaving Liang drawing dead already.

The A♥ river came merely as a formality, shipping a much-needed double-up to Wu.

Player	Chips
YC Yaochen CaiChina	227,000(28 BB)
MW Mengqin WuChina	183,000(23 BB)
PL Patrick LiangTaiwan	140,000(18 BB)

Level 16: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 23/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 11:23:54 AM

Dai on Fumes

Level 15: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Zhan Xi Guo moved all in from under the gun for 42,000, which led to folds around to Lu Dai on the button. After getting a count and confirming he had Guo covered by just 3,000, Dai eventually stuck in the call.

Zhan Xi Guo: A♥ 8♠

Lu Dai: A♣ 7♣

Dai looked understandably frustrated to see Guo's higher kicker. However, by the time the T♥ 6♥ J♣ 4♣ flop and turn had hit the felt, Dai had picked up significant equity with a flush draw. The fifth club never arrived; instead, a board-pairing T♦ landed on the river, keeping Guo ahead and absolutely crippling Dai's stack.

A few hands later, Dai had managed to work his way back up from 3,000 to 15,000.

Player	Chips
ZX Zhan Xi GuoTaiwan	85,000(14 BB)
LD Lu DaiChina	15,000(3 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 11:15:47 AM

Chen's Turn Barrel Ends It; No Answer to Zhang's River Shove

Level 15: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Yixian Chen made it 14,000 to go from early position and Changliang Sun called from the cutoff.

Chen continued with a 15,000 bet on the A♠ 3♠ T♦ flop, and Sun stuck around

A 9♠ hit on the turn, where Chen fired 22,000, prompting a snap-fold from Sun.

In a hand at another table, there were around 55,000 chips in the pot with a board showing J♥ 5♥ 2♥ 7♦. Yankai Zhang fired 16,000 in the hijack and Zhan Xi Guo made the call from the cutoff.

When an 8♠ landed on the river, Zhang shoved all in for 75,000, sending Guo into the tank. After burning two time bank cards, Guo eventually opted to fold.

Player	Chips
YC Yixian ChenChina	405,000(68 BB)
YZ Yankai ZhangChina	166,000(28 BB)
CS Changliang SunChina	160,000(27 BB)
ZX Zhan Xi GuoTaiwan	42,000(7 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 10:55:15 AM

Wang and Kang Collide as the Bubble Looms

Level 15: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Wei Huang raised from late position before calling button Yaochen Cai's three-bet to 26,000.

Huang checked the 7♥ J♦ 5♦ flop and Cai continued for 12,000. After some deliberation, Huang tapped the table and released his cards to the dealer.

In one of the next hands, button Daming Kang shoved with his covering stack and Haozhao Wang called to put himself at risk:

Haozhao Wang: A♥ Q♠

Daming Kang: K♥ J♠

While the suits matched, Wang had the edge heading into the showdown. However, the T♠ J♣ 2♣ flop gave

Kang top pair and put Wang's tournament life in jeopardy.

The 5♠ bricked the turn, but a miracle K♣ landed on the river, completing Wang's straight and earning him a crucial double as the bubble becomes more imminent.

Player	Chips
YC Yaochen CaiChina	245,000(41 BB)
DK Daming KangChina	160,000(27 BB)
WH Wei Huang 3China	120,000(20 BB)
HW Haozhao WangChina	90,000(15 BB)

Level 15: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 23/149

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 10:44:44 AM

King on the Flop Saves Liang

Level 14: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Patrick Liang

Yaochen Cai opened to 10,000 from under the gun, only to face a shove for 82,000 from Patrick Liang, sitting in early position. Yu Shang took no time to re-shove in the big blind for around 100,000. Cai instantly stepped aside, leaving Liang at risk against Shang.

Patrick Liang: K♣ Q♦

Yu Shang: Q♠ Q♣

Shang started strong with pocket queens against Liang's king-high; however, the dealer sent bad news to him with the 9♥ 8♣ K♦ flop, which connected to Liang's king.

A 9♠ landed on the turn, leaving Shang still needing a queen to stake Liang.

Fortunately for Liang, the river revealed a 5♠, shipping him the pot and keeping his tournament hopes alive.

Player	Chips
YC Yaochen CaiChina	266,000(53 BB)
PL Patrick LiangTaiwan	176,000(35 BB)
YS Yu ShangChina	18,000(4 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 10:33:06 AM

Cheeky Check-Raise from Kao

Level 14: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Button Bien Mai raised and big blind Kuo Wei Kao defended.

The dealer fanned the 5♠ T♠ 8♠ flop and Kao checked. Mai bet 5,000, but Kao took a moment before check-raising to 15,000. Mai didn't take long before sliding his cards back to the dealer, giving Kao the pot.

Player	Chips
KW Kuo Wei KaoTaiwan	83,000(17 BB)
BM Bien MaiViet Nam	79,000(16 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 10:28:15 AM

Leading Stacks

Level 14: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Yaochen Cai

The top three chip counts as the bubble approaches.

Player	Chips
YC Yixian ChenChina	405,000(81 BB)
HQ Haisheng QiuChina	360,000(72 BB)
YC Yaochen CaiChina	310,000(62 BB)

Level 14: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 26/149

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 10:25:04 AM

Double Bluff Madness: Chen Scoops Them All

Level 13: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Yingjie Chen

Jinguo Tao raised to 8,000 from under the gun and Yaoyu He called on the button. Yingjie Chen then three-bet shoved for 33,000 from the small blind, which both Tao and He came along.

On the 7♥ 8♠ 2♣ flop, Tao led out for 24,000 and He made the call to see a 6♠ on the turn, where it went check-check.

When the 5♣ landed on the river, Tao jammed for 86,000, sending He to a tough situation. After burning two time bank cards, He eventually laid it down.

Tao tabled A♥ T♥ for a bluff, while Chen also revealed a bluff with A♠ Q♦ and took down the pot.

Jinguo Tao

Player	Chips
YH Yaoyu HeChina	138,000(35 BB)
JT Jinguo TaoChina	135,000(34 BB)
YC Yingjie ChenChina	98,000(25 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 10:01:27 AM

Xin Among the Latest Casualties

Level 13: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Small blind Yankai Zhang moved all in, with Ning Xin calling off his 43,000-chip short stack from the big.

Ning Xin: K♦ T♥

Yankai Zhang: A♠ 8♣

Xin couldn't connect with the 9♠ 5♥ 3♦ 5♣ 5♠ board, sending him out of the tournament around 10 places from the money.

Player	Chips
YZ Yankai ZhangChina	155,000(39 BB)
NX Ning XinChina	busted
JX Jia XiaoChina	busted
WL Wenchao LiuChina	busted
JK Jeong KooSouth Korea	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 9:45:45 AM

A Brutal River for Cai

Level 13: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Wei Huang

Yaochen Cai opened the hijack to 8,000 and Wei Huang defended his big blind.

Huang check-called an 8,000 continuation-bet from Cai on the Q♥ 4♦ 2♣ flop to see the 3♦ turn, where both players tapped the table.

The river brought a board-pairing 4♣, and Huang fired out 11,000. Cai responded with a call.

Huang then tabled a full house with 3♥ 3♣, and Cai relinquished the pot, returning his cards to the dealer without showing.

Player	Chips
YC Yaochen CaiChina	285,000(71 BB)
WH Wei Huang 3China	155,000(39 BB)

Level 13: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 33/149

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 33/149

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 9:39:39 AM

Triple Barrel Forces the Fold

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

Jaemoon Seok

Jaemoon Seok opened to 6,000 from under the gun and Ka Lok Lam defended his big blind.

On the monochrome 7♥ 3♥ 4♥ flop, Lam led out for 4,000 and Seok stuck around.

Lam then sent another bet of 12,000 on the J♦ turn, to which Seock responded with a call.

When a board-pairing 7♠ came on the river, Lam fried out his third barrel, prompting a snap-fold from Seok.

Player	Chips
KL Ka Lok LamHong Kong	112,500(38 BB)
JS Jaemoon SeokSouth Korea	49,000(16 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 9:27:40 AM

Silent River for He's Kings

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

Yaoyu He

Hon Leung Ip made it 6,000 to go from early position and Yaoyu He defended his big blind.

He then check-called an 8,000 bet from Ip on the 9♦ T♣ K♣ flop. Action went check-check on the 4♣ turn.

When the river brought a 3♦, the two tapped the table again and took it to a free showdown.

He quickly revealed K♥ Q♣ for a flopped pair of kings, which was good for the pot as Ip returned his cards to the dealer without showing.

Player	Chips
YH Yaoyu HeChina	139,000(46 BB)
HL Hon Leung IpHong Kong	110,000(37 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 9:16:52 AM

Table 23 Action

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

Daming Kang

Hand 1

Cutoff Mengqin Wu raised to 6,000 and was joined by big blind Shang Yu.

Both players checked the 3♣ 3♥ 2♦ flop, before Wu folded to Yu's 8,000 bet on the 4♥ turn.

Hand 2

Yaochen Cai received a walk.

Hand 3

Daming Kang raised to 6,000 from under the gun and received two calls from blinds Yaochen Cai and Xiangyang Li.

Both blinds check-called Kang's 6,000 continuation-bet on the A♣ 7♦ 3♥ flop.

The 4♣ landed on the turn and both blinds checked again. Kang fired 15,000, which Cai called, before Li moved all in for around 45,000. Kang tanked before making the only call, seeing the bad news as Li had flopped two pair with A♠ 7♥, besting Kang's A♦ J♥.

Kang needed to find a jack on the river, and did exactly that; the dealer flipped over the J♠, leading to Kang cathartically banging the table in celebration as Li hit the rail.

Player	Chips
DK Daming KangChina	205,000(68 BB)
YC Yaochen CaiChina	185,000(62 BB)
MW Mengqin WuChina	53,000(18 BB)
XL Xiangyang LiChina	busted

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 42/149

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 9:10:35 AM

River Straight Sends Lam to the Muck

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

(L-R): Ka Lok Lam & Jaemoon Seok

Ka Lok Lam limped in from the small blind and Jaemoon Seok checked in the big blind.

Both payers tapped the table on the 7♣ A♦ 2♠ flop to see the 5♣ fall on the turn, where Lam bet 2,500. Seok then cranked it up to 9,000. Lam dropped in the call.

When a 4♦ completed the board, Lam checked to Seok, who sent another barrel of 11,000. Lam called.

Seok quickly revealed his rivered straight with 8♣ 6♥ and dragged in the pot as Lam tossed his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips
KL Ka Lok LamHong Kong	90,500(36 BB)
JS Jaemoon SeokSouth Korea	86,500(35 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 9:02:16 AM

Zhou's Sailboats Sink

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

Bien Mai

Ledong Zhou limped in from the small blind, and Bien Mai raised to 6,500 in the big blind, only to face a shove for 37,500 from Zhou. Mai snap-called to put his opponent at risk.

Bien Mai: A♥ J♥

Ledong Zhou: 4♠ 4♣

Zhou started well with pocket fours and held control on the 9♦ Q♣ 3♦ flop. The dealer turned the tide for Mai with an A♠, improving him to top pair of aces and leaving Zhou drawing nearly dead.

The 2♣ river came to end Zhou's tournament run, shipping the pot Mai's way, along with one name on his growing victim list.

Player	Chips
BM Bien MaiViet Nam	120,000(48 BB)
LZ Ledong ZhouChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 8:58:00 AM

Won't Be Cashing in Flight A

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

A small selection of players not making it through Flight A, including previous chip leader Yunpeng Bai. While they won't be bagging this flight, they still have the opportunity to get back involved.

Player	Chips
XY Xiaolu YangChina	busted
YY Yang YipengChina	busted
SW Shengyong WangChina	busted
YB Yunpeng BaiChina	busted
QP Quoc Phu NgoViet Nam	busted
HS Haoran SunChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 8:50:36 AM

Shang's Deuces Hold

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

Small blind Xialin Li moved all in for his last 30,100, and after confirming the count, big blind Yu Shang stuck in the call.

Xialin Li: T♥ 8♥

Yu Shang: 2♥ 2♣

Li completely missed on the 4♣ J♠ 6♣ flop, and Shang's deuces improved to a set on the 2♠ turn and 3♠ river, sending Li to the rail.

Player	Chips
YS Yu ShangChina	130,000(52 BB)
XL Xialin LiChina	busted

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 53/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 8:19:28 AM

Double for Dai

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

Button Jaemoon Seok raised to 4,000 before small blind Chien Yu Lin three-bet shoved for around 53,000. Big blind Lu Dai called to put himself at risk, whilst Seok got out of the way.

Lu Dai: J♠ J♦

Chien Yu Lin: 5♣ 5♦

Dai was in good shape to secure the double through Lin, and the relatively dry 2♣ 9♦ 3♠ 8♥ 4♥ runout secured the pot.

In one of the next hands, button Dai raised to 6,500 and big blind Daming Kang defended.

Kang checked the 4♠ K♥ 6♥ flop with Dai checking behind.

The K♦ paired the board on the turn, and Dai called Kang's 3,000 bet.

Kang upped it to 6,000 on the A♣ river, and after some consideration, Dai stuck in the call. Kang flicked over J♦ T♣ for air, and Dai took down another pot with A♠ 8♦.

Player	Chips
DK Daming KangChina	100,000(50 BB)
LD Lu DaiChina	60,000(30 BB)
CY Chien Yu LinTaiwan	34,000(17 BB)
JS Jaemoon SeokSouth Korea	25,000(13 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 8:18:51 AM

ITM Confirmed

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

The floor has announced that 19 players will bag up for tomorrow's Day 2, representing an ITM field of 12.75%. With 62 players still in contention, the pace of play is expected to slow as the pressure of the looming bubble begins to weigh on the shorter stacks.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 8:17:57 AM

Back from the Brink: Peng’s Double-Up Redemption

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

Ning Xin

Meng Dian Peng open-shoved on the button for 34,000 and Ning Xin called for his 19,000 from the small blind, putting his tournament life on the line.

Meng Dian Peng: A♣ J♦

Ning Xin: A♦ K♣

Xin started well with his stronger king kicker and maintained his dominance on the 3♠ 4♣ Q♥ flop. The dealer then delivered a board-pairing 4♦ on the turn, leaving Pneg still needing a jack to eliminate Xin.

The 7♠ river came to secure a much-needed double-up for Xin.

In the very next hand, Peng open-shoved for 14,000 in the cutoff and Chien Yu Lin dropped in the call to put her tablemate at risk.

Meng Dian Peng: A♦ 8♦

Chien Yu Lin: Q♣ Q♠

Peng trailed behind with ace-high against Lins's pocket queens, but he took over the lead soon after the dealer spread the 4♦ A♠ A♣ flop, improving him to trip aces. The 6♠ came on the turn, leaving Lin drawing very thin.

Fortunately for Peng, the river brought a dry 2♣, securing him a tournament-prolonging double-up.

Meng Dian Peng

Player	Chips
NX Ning XinChina	34,000(17 BB)
MD Meng Dian PengChina	30,000(15 BB)
CY Chien Yu LinTaiwan	28,000(14 BB)

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 79/149

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 7:51:11 AM

Shang Flushes Xu Out

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

Yu Shang

Jiancheng Xu opened to 3,000 from under the gun, and Yu Shang three-bet to 9,000 from middle position. Xu then four-bet shoved for 26,500. Shang called, putting his tablemate at risk.

Jiancheng Xu: A♣ Q♣

Yu Shang: A♠ K♥

Shang started strong with his superior king kicker and picked up a flush draw on the 5♥ A♥ 7♥ flop, while Xu was still hoping to hit a queen for survival.

Unfortunately for Xu, the dealer revealed another heart on the turn, the 4♥, dashing his tournament hopes.

The river brought the K♦, ending Xu’s run immediately after registration closed.

Player	Chips
YS Yu ShangChina	74,000(49 BB)
JX Jiancheng XuChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 7:46:30 AM

Li Leads on the River

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

Xiangyang Li

Jinguo Tao raised to 3,000 from the hijack and only big blind Xiangyang Li made the call.

Li check-called Tao's 2,500 continuation-bet on the A♣ 7♠ 8♠ flop.

The action repeated on the T♦ turn, this time to the tune of 8,500.

The 6♠ completed the board and Li led, moving all in with his covering stack. Tao looked sick, using one timebank before eventually letting the hand go.

Player	Chips
XL Xiangyang LiChina	60,000(40 BB)
JT Jinguo TaoChina	20,000(13 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 7:44:18 AM

Kang's River Bet Takes It Down

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

Daming Kang

With around 7,500 chips in the middle, the dealer spread the 5♦ 9♠ T♠ flop, where Jaemoon Seok checked from the big blind. Daming Kang then led out for 3,000 in the cutoff. Seok stuck around.

The two tapped the table on the A♠ turn to the 8♠ river, and Seok checked. Kang then sent a 6,000 bet, which was good for the pot as Seok mucked.

Player	Chips
DK Daming KangChina	96,000(64 BB)
JS Jaemoon SeokSouth Korea	18,000(12 BB)

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 79/149

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 79/149

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 7:24:56 AM

No Excitement at Table #20

Level 8: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Haoran Sun raised to 2,500 from middle position and Long Jin called from the small blind.

Both players saw the 5♣ 3♠ Q♠ flop, where Jin fired 3,000 and Sun snap-folded.

In the following hand, Mo Xu limped in from middle position and Haisheng Qiu called in the hijack, as did Yilong Wang in the big blind.

On the K♣ 8♣ 2♣ flop, Wang checked to Xu, who led out for 2,000, which was good for the pot as his two opponents laid it down.

Player	Chips
LJ Long JinChina	136,000(113 BB)
MX Mo XuChina	75,000(63 BB)
HS Haoran SunChina	60,500(50 BB)
HQ Haisheng QiuChina	43,000(36 BB)
YW Yilong WangChina	21,500(18 BB)
SE Shen EnzhiChina	20,000(17 BB)
JL Jason LiCanada	18,500(15 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 7:21:13 AM

Registration Closed!

Level 8: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Late registration has officially closed. The field is now set, and the focus shifts to the business end of the opening flight: playing down to the money. Between 12.5% and 15% will secure their spot for Day 2 and a piece of the KRW 180 Million guaranteed prize pool.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 7:12:38 AM

Xiao Wins One, Loses One

Level 8: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Jia Xiao limped in from the small blind before calling Hsuan Cheng Lai's raise to 6,500 from the big blind.

Xiao check-called Lai's 2,600 continuation-bet on the Q♣ K♥ 3♥ flop.

Action went check-check on the 9♣ turn, taking them to the K♠ river, where Xiao led for 5,600. Lai couldn't find the call and sent the pot Xiao's way.

A couple of hands later, Xiao raised to 2,400 from under the gun, then called Quoc Phu Ngo's three-bet shove for 12,200 from the big blind:

Quoc Phu Ngo: A♣ T♥

Jia Xiao: Q♦ J♦

Ace-high had no real sweat on the 6♥ K♠ 5♣ 7♠ 3♦ runout, securing the double for Ngo through Xiao.

Player	Chips
JX Jia XiaoChina	53,000(44 BB)
QP Quoc Phu NgoViet Nam	25,000(21 BB)
HC Hsuan Cheng LaiTaiwan	17,000(14 BB)

Level 8: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 77/135

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 6:52:40 AM

Chen Doubles Through Lam

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

Yixian Chen

The action was picked up when Yixian Chen was all in for around 31,000 on the button against Ka Lok Lam from the small blind.

Yixian Chen: K♠ J♠

Ka Lok Lam: K♣ Q♦

Chen trailed behind Lam's stronger queen kicker, but he picked up a flush draw on the 2♣ 4♠ 5♠ flop, giving Lam a sweat.

The dealer then delivered another spade on the turn with a 2♠, completing Chen's flush and leaving Lam drawing dead already.

The J♦ river came merely as a formality, locking up a double-up for Chen.

Player	Chips
YC Yixian ChenChina	74,000(74 BB)
KL Ka Lok LamHong Kong	45,000(45 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 6:43:41 AM

Easy Pot for Kang's Sixes; Hsu's River Shove Takes It Down

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

Daming Kang

Daming Kang made it 2,000 to go from the cutoff and Jaemoon Seok defended his big blind.

Both players checked through the runout of 8♣ A♥ Q♠ 3♦ 2♦ and took it to a free showdown.

Seok tabled 9♣ 5♣ for nine-high, and it was overtaken by Kang's pair of sixes with 6♥ 6♣.

In the following hand, Shengyong Wang opened to 2,300 from middle position and Kai Cheng Hsu called in the cutoff.

Wang continued with a 2,000 bet on the monochrome 5♦ K♦ J♦ flop and Hsu stuck around.

The dealer revealed another diamond 4♦ on the turn, and Wang sent another barrel of 5,500. This didn't deter Hsu from making the call.

The K♥ river saw Wang check to Hsu, who then shoved for 15,200, which was good for the pot as Wang laid it down.

Kai Cheng Hsu

Player	Chips
DK Daming KangChina	86,000(86 BB)
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	40,000(40 BB)
SW Shengyong WangChina	37,500(38 BB)
JS Jaemoon SeokSouth Korea	27,500(28 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 6:43:35 AM

Bai's Boat Improves to Quads, Scores Double Knockout

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

Yunpeng Bai

Table 16 saw a massive three-way confrontation between Hui Liu, Yunpeng Bai, and Qingshan Yao, with all three players already all in as the action was picked up. Liu was the shortest of the three with only a few thousand remaining, while Bai and Yao both had significant stacks of around 70,000 each at risk.

Hui Liu: Q♥ Q♠

Qingshan Yao: A♠ J♥

Yunpeng Bai: K♥ K♣

Bai shook his fist in celebration as a dream flop arrived: K♠ 5♣ 5♦. His full house remarkably improved to quads as the 8♣ turn and K♦ river completed the board.

After the dealer organised the stacks, it was determined that Bai’s 73,000 stack covered Yao, who had been an early chip leader, scoring the double knockout. The hand catapults Bai to the front of the pack, now sitting on approximately 160,000.

Player	Chips
YB Yunpeng BaiChina	160,000(160 BB)
QY Qingshan YaoChina	busted
HL Hui LiuChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 6:24:30 AM

Recent Departures

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

A brief look at some of the players recently eliminated from the tournament; however, with late registration still open, there is still plenty of time for them to jump back into the action.

Player	Chips
WW Weinan WangChina	busted
LD Luke DaintonUnited Kingdom	busted
YW Yuhan WangChina	busted
XZ Xiang ZhangChina	busted
ZS Zhongyan SuiChina	busted
JZ Jian ZhuChina	busted

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 79/124

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 6:24:02 AM

Liu Rivers Trips

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Hui Liu

Yunpeng Bai raised to 800 from middle position, and Anh Quang Phan three-bet to 1,600 on the button. Hui Liu called from the big blind, as did Bai.

On the K♦ A♥ 7♣ flop, Liu checked, and Bai continued for 2,600, to which only Liu came along.

Liu check-called a 5,600 bet from Bai on the 9♦ turn to see an A♦ river, where it went check-check.

Liu quickly flipped over A♣ 6♣ for rivered trip sixes, leaving Bai no choice but to muck.

Player	Chips
HL Hui LiuChina	40,500(51 BB)
YB Yunpeng BaiChina	25,500(32 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 6:24:00 AM

No River Shown

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Kai Cheng Hsu made ti 1,800 to go from the cutoff and Mo Xu defended his big blind.

On the A♥ K♠ 7♣ flop, both players tapped the table to the Q♦ turn, where Xu checked to Hsu, who fired 3,200 and took down the pot as Xu laid it down.

In the next hand, Patrick Liang raised to 2,000 from middle position and Chun Kuen Ma defended his big blind.

Ma check-called a 1,500 continuation-bet from Liang on the T♥ 9♥ 4♣ flop. The dealer revealed a Q♣ on the turn, and Ma checked over. Liang sent another bet of 6,200 and it was good for the pot as Ma folded.

Player	Chips
PL Patrick LiangTaiwan	40,000(50 BB)
KC Kai Cheng HsuTaiwan	24,500(31 BB)
CK Chun Kuen Ma Hong Kong	22,500(28 BB)
MX Mo XuChina	22,000(28 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 6:18:09 AM

Chan Sees Through Wang

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Cutoff Weinan Wang raised to 2,000 and big blind Chung Heng Chan defended.

The dealer spread the 3♣ 2♦ A♦ flop and Chan check-called Wang's 1,500 continuation-bet.

Action went check-check on the K♠ turn, taking them to the 4♥ river, where Chan checked. Wang stuck in 4,500, and after a moment mulling it over, Chan eventually made the call, prompting Wang to muck his hand in an acknowledgment of his bluff not getting through. Chan also opted not to show while he dragged in the pot.

Player	Chips
CH Chung Heng ChanHong Kong	69,000(86 BB)
WW Weinan WangChina	4,000(5 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 6:10:58 AM

Li Eliminates Liu

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Youkan Li

Youkan Li raised to 1,600 from early position and only Wenchao Liu called from the small blind.

Liu immediately shoved his remaining ~8,000 following the 7♣ T♣ K♦ flop, which Li promptly called.

Wenchao Liu: J♥ 9♣

Youkan Li: K♠ J♣

Liu was looking an eight or queen for his inside straight draw, but when the 4♠ hit the turn, he moved his remaining stack into the middle. No help arrived on the 7♦ river, sending him to the rail as Li added yet more chips to his commanding stack.

Player	Chips
YL Youkan LiChina	71,000(89 BB)
WL Wenchao LiuChina	busted

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 79/103

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 5:51:32 AM

Lam Wins with Two Pair

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Ka Lok Lam

Yixian Chen opened the button to 1,300, and Ka Lok Lam three-bet to 4,200 from the small blind. Chen called.

Lam continued with a 3,200 bet on the 8♦ 6♠ 7♠ flop and Chen stuck around to see the 4♦ fall on the turn, where Lam fired again, this time for 8,000. Chen tagged along.

When the river brought a 3♠, Lam shoved for 17,200. Chen went deep in the tank before responding with a call.

Lam tabled 8♣ 4♠ for two pair, which held up against Chen’s flopped pair of sevens with A♦ 7♦.

Player	Chips
KL Ka Lok LamHong Kong	70,500(118 BB)
YC Yixian ChenChina	6,000(10 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 5:45:28 AM

Yang's Flopped Full House Crushes Kings and Trips

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Yipeng Yang

Jeong Koo made it 1,500 to go from under the gun and Sen Yu called in the hijack, as did Yipeng Yang from the big blind.

Action checked to Yu, who led out for 1,500 on the 9♣ 2♦ 9♦ flop. Yang and Koo tagged along

On the K♣ turn, Yang and Koo checked again to Yu, who shoved for 5,200. Yang called, only to face a re-shove from Koo for roughly 87,000. Yang snap-called off his 30,500.

Sen Yu: 9♥ 8♥

Jeong Koo: A♥ K♥

Yipeng Yang: 2♥ 2♠

Yang dominated the hand with a flopped full house, beating Yu's trip nines and Koo's turned pair of kings. The dealer then delivered a Q♠ on the river, sending Yu to the rail and shipping the massive pot to Yang.

Player	Chips
YY Yang YipengChina	57,000(95 BB)
JK Jeong KooSouth Korea	56,500(94 BB)
SY Sen YuChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 5:40:18 AM

Straight Flush for Guo

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Zhan Xi Guo

Jintao Liao raised to 1,200 from the hijack and received three calls: cutoff Zhan Xi Guo, button Jian Zheng, and big blind Zongjin Sui.

J♥ T♥ 4♦ hit the felt, and both Sui and Liao checked. Guo bet out 3,600, before Zheng raised to 9,500. Guo responded with a shove for his last 12,000, and Zheng eventually stuck in the call.

Zheng turned over A♠ J♠ for top pair with top kicker, but looked worried as Guo was drawing to a straight flush with his Q♥ 9♥. Zheng's fears materialised on the 8♥ turn as Guo completed his straight flush, leaving Zheng's hand dead as the 9♠ completed the board. The massive hand leaves Zheng with just 5,000 left.

Player	Chips
JL Jintao LiaoChina	38,000(63 BB)
ZX Zhan Xi GuoTaiwan	32,000(53 BB)
ZS Zongjin SuiChina	19,000(32 BB)
JZ Jian ZhengChina	5,000(8 BB)

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 56/66

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 56/66

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 5:04:56 AM

Shang Sends Ma Out

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Yu Shang

After losing a chunk of his stack to Wu in the previous hand, Zhaoxi Ma was forced all in from the big blind. Yu Shang raised to 1,500 from the hijack and went heads-up against Ma after a string of folds around the table.

Zhaoxi Ma: 9♦ 4♠

Yu Shang: A♦ K♠

Ma was in bad shape against Shang's big slick and received little help from the dealer on the Q♦ K♠ J♥ flop, which connected with Shang’s king while Ma picked up only a gutshot.

The 4♥ landed on the turn, giving Ma a pair of fours, but it wasn't enough for his survival. Unfortunately, the river offered no rescue either, bringing a 6♦ and sending the pot Shang’s way. Ma walked out of the tournament.

Player	Chips
YS Yu ShangChina	4,000(8 BB)
ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 5:04:36 AM

Zhang's Two Pair Takes It

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Yuhan Wang raised to 1,100 from the hijack and received calls from cutoff Xiang Zhang and big blind Sin Lan Chen.

Chen check-folded on the 4♠ 6♠ A♣ flop after Zhang fired a bet of 1,500, while Wang check-called.

The Q♥ landed on the turn and Wang checked once more, before calling Zhang's second barrel of 3,500.

The 9♣ completed the board and Wang checked for a third time. Zhang promptly moved all in for his last 11,000, sending Wang into the tank. He eventually found the call and turned over A♦ 3♦, but it was no good against Zhang's flopped two pair with 6♥ 4♥. The showdown drew some laughs from the table, though Wang remained straight-faced following the hit to his stack.

Player	Chips
XZ Xiang ZhangChina	34,000(68 BB)
YW Yuhan WangChina	14,000(28 BB)
SL Sin Lan ChenTaiwan	12,000(24 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 5:04:13 AM

Flush vs Flush: Wu Wins the Cooler

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Mengqin Wu

Zhaoxi Ma raised to 500 from under the gun and got himself three callers: Mengqin Wu from middle position, Wenchao Liu in the small blind, and Luke Dainton from the big blind.

The blinds checked over the J♥ A♣ 6♣ flop to Ma, who continued for 800, which Wu and Liu called. Dainton stepped aside.

An 8♥ landed on the turn, and Liu checked. Ma sent another barrel of 800. This time, only Wu came along to see the 2♣ river, where Ma fired his third barrel of 8,000, leaving only 100 behind. Wu instantly announced the call.

Ma tabled 7♣ 5♣ for a flush, while Wu also revealed a flush with K♣ 9♣ and took down the pot.

Player	Chips
MW Mengqin WuChina	59,000(118 BB)
LD Luke DaintonUnited Kingdom	54,000(108 BB)
WL Wenchao LiuChina	40,000(80 BB)
ZM Zhaoxi MaChina	100(0 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 4:57:46 AM

Yao Muscles Out Xu

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Hongbo Pan raised to 1,100 from early position and received calls from hijack Mo Xu and cutoff Xiaolu Yang. Button Qingshan Yao then three-bet to 6,000, and only Xu stuck around to see a flop.

Both players checked through when the dealer spread the 3♥ 2♥ 3♠ flop.

The dealer then flicked over the 2♠ turn card, and Xu led out for 6,000. Yao tossed in a timebank before moving all in for around 45,000, prompting a relatively swift fold from Xu.

Player	Chips
QY Qingshan YaoChina	58,000(116 BB)
HP Hongbo PanChina	22,000(44 BB)
XY Xiaolu YangChina	21,000(42 BB)
MX Mo XuChina	10,000(20 BB)

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 56/66

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 4:43:22 AM

Dai Sees Xie Out

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Lu Dai

Yubin Xie raised from early position and Lu Dai defended his big blind.

The duet checked through the 2♥ Q♣ 6♥ flop to see the 4♠ turn, where Dai check-called a 2,400 bet from Xie.

When a 3♠ filled out the board, Dai checked, only to face a shove for 5,000 from Xie. After thinking for a while, Dai dropped in the call.

Xie tabled K♥ 4♥ for a turned pair of fours, but it was overtaken by Dai's flopped pair of sixes with K♠ 6♠, sending Xie out of the field.

Player	Chips
LD Lu DaiChina	35,500(89 BB)
YX Yubin XieChina	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 4:28:50 AM

Ace-King All-In Results in Split Pot

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Hao Che Cheng

Hao Che Cheng raised the cutoff to 2,200 and Zhongyan Sui called on the button, only to face a three-bet of 7,000 from Meng Dian Peng from the small blind. Chen then shoved all in for around 55,000. Sui went deep in the tank before he folded. Peng then dropped in the call.

Hao Che Cheng: A♠ K♠

Meng Dian Peng: A♣ K♦

Both players revealed ace-king, setting up a likely chop. The dealer then spread an unsensational runout of 2♣ 6♥ 4♣ T♠ 2♥, and the pot was split.

Player	Chips
HC Hao Che ChengTaiwan	56,500(141 BB)
MD Meng Dian PengChina	33,500(84 BB)
ZS Zhongyan SuiChina	30,000(75 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 4:21:13 AM

Cheng Shoves Xie Off a Big One

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Yubin Xie raised to 800 from the hijack before calling Hao Che Cheng's 2,600 three-bet from the button.

The dealer fanned the 8♥ A♠ T♥ flop and Xie checked. Cheng fired a continuation-bet for 1,500, and Xie stuck around with a call.

Xie led out on the T♣ turn for 4,500, and after a moment of consideration, Cheng flicked in the call.

The 2♠ completed the board and Xie fired a just under pot-sized bet of 12,000. Cheng took some more time before moving all in for his remaining 15,000. Xie swiftly sent his cards into the muck, having taken serious damage to his stack.

Player	Chips
HC Hao Che ChengTaiwan	55,000(138 BB)
YX Yubin XieChina	9,000(23 BB)

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 31/32

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 4:12:35 AM

Chunky River Bet Gets It Done for Wong

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Rogerio Wong

Dingxin Zhou made it 700 to go from the hijack and Rogerio Wong called in the cutoff, as did Liangjian Cheng from the big blind.

It checked to Zhou, who continued for 1,000 on the T♣ 4♦ 9♣ flop, which only Wong stuck around.

The 5♦ turn saw Zhou check-call a 2,200 bet from Wong before a J♥ fell on the river, where Zhou checked. Wong sent a chunky bet of 7,300, and it was good for the pot.

Player	Chips
RW Rogerio WongMacao	31,500(105 BB)
DZ Dingxin ZhouChina	26,500(88 BB)
LC Liangjian ChengChina	20,000(67 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 3:59:38 AM

Deuces Collide: Lam’s Ace Kicker Wins the Duel

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

The action was picked up on the turn with a board reading 7♠ 4♦ 2♦ 3♦ and around 3,500 chips in the middle. Yixian Chen led out for 600 from the small blind and Ka Lok Lam called in the big blind.

Action went check-check on the 4♣ river. Chen tabled a flopped pair of deuces with J♣ 2♣, but it wasn’t enough against Lam's pair with A♥ 2♠.

Player	Chips
KL Ka Lok LamHong Kong	32,500(108 BB)
YC Yixian ChenChina	24,000(80 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 3:44:33 AM

Liu Takes Control

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Luke Dainton raised to 700 from the cutoff and received a call from button Qingshan Yao and small blind Haoran Sun.

The dealer fanned the J♣ K♦ 2♠ flop and both Dainton and Sun check-folded when Yao fired 700.

In the next hand, Hui Liu raised to 700 from late position and then called when small blind Zhiyuan Meng three-bet to 2,300.

Meng check-called on the 5♦ 9♣ 8♠ flop when Liu fired 2,500.

The dealer peeled off the 6♦ turn card and Meng checked once again, before folding when Liu upped the bet to 7,000.

Player	Chips
LD Luke DaintonUnited Kingdom	48,000(160 BB)
QY Qingshan YaoChina	31,000(103 BB)
HL Hui LiuChina	27,000(90 BB)
HS Haoran SunChina	22,000(73 BB)
ZM Zhiyuan MengChina	20,000(67 BB)

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 16/16

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 3:36:03 AM

Dainton’s Jack Backing His Aces

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Luke Dainton

Yubin Xie opened it to 400 from under the gun and Shao Shuai Li called in the hijack. Luke Dainton three-bet the button to 2,000, which Xie and Li came along for the ride.

On the T♦ 4♠ A♣ flop, it checked to Dainton, who continued with a 2,500 bet. Only Li stuck around this time.

An 8♠ hit on the turn, and Li checked. Dainton then sent another barrel of 5,600. Li made the call

The 6♥ landed on the river, where Li checked again. Dainton thought for a while before he shoved for 14,000, sending Li into the tank. After a long consideration, Li eventually responded with a call.

Dainton tabled A♦ J♦ for a flopped pair of aces. Li then pushed out his stack for the dealer to count after seeing his tablemate's cards and revealed his pair with A♠ 2♠.

Player	Chips
LD Luke DaintonUnited Kingdom	51,500(258 BB)
YX Yubin XieChina	13,500(68 BB)
SS Shao Shuai LiChina	4,500(23 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 3:25:05 AM

Three Jacks for Li

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

From the Hijack, Yang Yipeng opened for 500 and found callers in button Yubin Xie and big blind Cheng Li to take the action three-ways to the flop.

The dealer fanned J♣ T♦ 3♥ and Li checked over to Yipeng, who fired a continuation-bet of 500. Xie quickly got out of the way, but Li stuck around with a call.

When the 9♥ landed on the turn, Li checked once more. Yipeng fired a second barrel of 900, which Li called once again.

The J♦ paired the board on the river and Li checked for a third time. Yipeng opted to check behind, only for Li to reveal K♣ J♠ for rivered trips to scoop the pot.

Player	Chips
CL Cheng Li 2China	31,000(155 BB)
YY Yang YipengChina	22,000(110 BB)
YX Yubin XieChina	20,000(100 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/3/2026, 3:15:09 AM

Heartbreak on the River for Xie

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Qingshan Yao

Yubin Xie made it 400 to go from the small blind and Qingshan Yao defended from the big blind.

Xie continued for 700 on the 2♣ T♥ 3♣ flop, and Yao stuck around to see the 4♥ fall on the turn, where Xie sent another barrel of 2,000. Yao came along.

Thr J♥ river saw Xie fire his third barrel for 3,500, prompting a snap-call from Yao.

Xie flipped over a flopped pair of tens with K♥ T♠, but it wasn't enough against Yao's rivered pair of jacks with K♣ J♣.

Player	Chips
QY Qingshan YaoChina	35,000(175 BB)
YX Yubin XieChina	7,000(35 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 3:09:40 AM

Cards in the Air!

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

The Jeju Opening event has now commenced inside the Les A Casino, stayed tuned for live updates throughout the day!

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/3/2026, 1:19:45 AM

KPC x LPT Kicks Off with Jeju Opening

The action kicks off inside the luxurious Les A Casino in Jeju, South Korea as Somuchpoker begins its coverage of the KPC (Korea Poker Cup) x LPT (Long Poker Tour) Series 2026. Today’s focus is the KRW 900,000 buy-in Jeju Opening, a high-energy kick-off event featuring a KRW 180 Million guaranteed prize pool. While the island is currently blanketed in snow, the action inside is heating up as this historic collaboration marks a massive start to the 2026 poker season. With three starting flights scheduled for today, players have multiple chances to build a stack for the first major deep run of the year.

Flight A kicks off at 12:00, followed by Flight B at 16:40, and a final turbo Flight C starting at 21:30. Flights A and B will feature 30-minute levels to guide the pace through the early stages, whilst Flight C ups the momentum with 20-minute levels, ensuring a quick route to the end of the day. Late registration across all flights remains open until the end of Level 8. Players will start with a generous 125 big blinds from a 25,000 starting stack. Six timebank cards will be issues for players registering in Level 1 and 2, with every two following levels dropping one timebank issued each time.

Following the schedule, today’s flights will play until they reach the money. All surviving players who bag up will return tomorrow, January 4th, for Day 2 to compete for the lion's share of the KRW 180M GTD prize pool. This event is just the beginning of a festival promising over KRW 2 Billion in total guarantees. Here are the key events we are covering as the festival progresses:

Jan 3–4 – Jeju Opening KRW 180M GTD
Jan 4–5 – High Roller KRW 250M GTD
Jan 5–10 – KPC x LPT Main Event KRW 880M GTD
Jan 11–13 – King Debut Crown Opener
Jan 13–17 – King Poker Cup Main Event
Jan 17–18 – Final Coronation

Stay tuned throughout the day for live updates from the floor of Les A Casino of the Jeju Opening event!

Event starts 12:00 local time..

Yixian Chen Leads Day 1A at Jeju Opening

Day 1A Chip Count

Day 1A Wraps Up

Level 17: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Hon Lung Ip Bubbles Flight A

Lin’s Exit Brings the Field into Stone Bubble

Break

Chen Survives Kuo’s Big Slick

Kang Doubles Wang on the Soft Bubble

Hand-for-Hand Begins

Wu Turns a Boat, Stays Afloat

Level 16: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Dai on Fumes

Chen's Turn Barrel Ends It; No Answer to Zhang's River Shove

Wang and Kang Collide as the Bubble Looms

Level 15: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

King on the Flop Saves Liang

Cheeky Check-Raise from Kao

Leading Stacks

Level 14: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Double Bluff Madness: Chen Scoops Them All

Xin Among the Latest Casualties

A Brutal River for Cai

Level 13: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Break

Triple Barrel Forces the Fold

Silent River for He's Kings

Table 23 Action

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

River Straight Sends Lam to the Muck

Zhou's Sailboats Sink

Won't Be Cashing in Flight A

Shang's Deuces Hold

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

Double for Dai

ITM Confirmed

Back from the Brink: Peng’s Double-Up Redemption

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

Shang Flushes Xu Out

Li Leads on the River

Kang's River Bet Takes It Down

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

Break

No Excitement at Table #20

Registration Closed!

Xiao Wins One, Loses One

Level 8: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Chen Doubles Through Lam

Easy Pot for Kang's Sixes; Hsu's River Shove Takes It Down

Bai's Boat Improves to Quads, Scores Double Knockout

Recent Departures

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

Liu Rivers Trips

No River Shown

Chan Sees Through Wang

Li Eliminates Liu

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Lam Wins with Two Pair

Yang's Flopped Full House Crushes Kings and Trips

Straight Flush for Guo

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Break

Shang Sends Ma Out

Zhang's Two Pair Takes It

Flush vs Flush: Wu Wins the Cooler

Yao Muscles Out Xu

Level 4: 300 / 500 ante: 500

Dai Sees Xie Out

Ace-King All-In Results in Split Pot

Cheng Shoves Xie Off a Big One

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Chunky River Bet Gets It Done for Wong

Deuces Collide: Lam’s Ace Kicker Wins the Duel

Liu Takes Control

Level 2: 200 / 300 ante: 300

Dainton’s Jack Backing His Aces

Three Jacks for Li

Heartbreak on the River for Xie

Cards in the Air!

KPC x LPT Kicks Off with Jeju Opening

Yixian Chen Leads Day 1A at Jeju Opening