South Korea, LES A CasinoEVENT #S1

2026.01.11 - 2026.01.13Add to Calendar

K Poker Cup

Blind level

Level 16: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Entries

29/149

Total Chips

37,250,000

Average

1,284,483

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 3:50:50 PM

Shaoliang Luo Leads the Way as King Poker Cup Begins

Level 16: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Shaoliang Luo

China's Shaoliang Luo emerged as the definitive force at the end of Day 1A, bagging a massive 4,980,000 to lead the surviving field. Luo is a formidable presence on the Asian circuit, boasting over USD 812,000 in live earnings. His resume is highlighted by a deep run in the 2023 APT Main Event in Hanoi and a victory in the 2019 National Cup in Beijing. Luo played a disciplined game throughout the day, positioning himself as the man to beat as the field transitions to Day 2.

The King's Debut Crown Opener officially ushered in the high-stakes portion of the festival, representing the transition to the premium "King's" brand. This event raised the stakes significantly, featuring a USD 5,000 buy-in - a departure from the KRW denominations used earlier in the series. The prestigious atmosphere drew an elite field of 149 entries, quickly generating a prize pool that currently sits at USD 980,655. With registration continuing through Day 1B, the tournament is on track to become one of the most significant events of the series.

Top 10 Counts

Player	Chips
SL Shaoliang LuoChina	4,980,000(125 BB)
YL Yang LiChina	4,880,000(122 BB)
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	3,185,000(80 BB)
DZ Dajie ZhuoChina	3,125,000(78 BB)
ZY Zhihua YangChina	2,096,000(52 BB)
TR Tony Ren LinChina	2,085,000(52 BB)
RS Ranno SootlaEstonia	1,680,000(42 BB)
JS Jaemoon SeokSouth Korea	1,595,000(40 BB)
HD Huu Dung NguyenViet Nam	1,510,000(38 BB)
TT Tom Tsz Kin HeungChina	1,230,000(31 BB)

Hot on Luo’s heels is Yang Li, who finished the night with 4,880,000. Li, a consistent performer in high-buy-in events across Macau and Jeju, put on a masterclass in aggression today. He was notably involved in a late-session confrontation where he successfully isolated a short-stacked Yayun Liu with pocket queens, holding up against Liu’s ace-nine to score a knockout and propel his stack toward the five-million mark.

Rounding out the top three is Benjamin Wu, who bagged 3,185,000. Wu is a familiar face on the Hendon Mob charts, particularly in South Korea and Vietnam, where he has recorded numerous deep runs. Wu spent much of the afternoon applying pressure in three-way pots, notably forcing folds from both Tom Heung and Xuishen Wei on an ace-high flop after a continuation-bet. His ability to handle a tough table today puts him in a great spot for the final day.

Yang Li

Day 1A Action and Bubble

The action remained intense from the first whistle as players adjusted to the deeper stacks and premium structure. The field saw several notable collisions, including Jaemoon Seok flopping trips with six-four to eliminate Yanghao Fu, and Ranno Sootla finding a life-saving double through Zhihua Yang by pairing his jack on the flop.

The tension peaked during the hand-for-hand period as the field whittled down to 24 players. In a classic "cooler" that sent shockwaves through the room, Calvin Lee became the tournament's final casualty of the day. Lee got his remaining 400,000 chips into the middle holding pocket kings, only to find himself dominated by Jack Tam’s pocket aces. The flop brought an Ace to give Tam a set, and while a king on the turn offered Lee a glimmer of hope for a miracle one-outer, the river blanked. Lee’s exit on the bubble secured a min-cash and a Day 2 seat for the remaining 23 players.

Tek Lon "Jack" Tam's Aces Eliminated Calvin Lee on the Day 1A Bubble

The hunt for the Crown continues tomorrow with Day 1B of the King's Debut Crown Opener. With registration remaining open until the start of Level 10, there is still ample time for players to join the action and chase a share of the nearly USD 1 million prize pool.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 2:33:40 PM

Calvin Lee Bubbles Day 1A of King's Debut Event

Level 16: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Calvin Lee

Dajie Zhuo raised to 80,000 from under the gun, and it folded around to Tek Lon "Jack" Tam, who shoved from the small blind for around 700,000. Calvin Lee, sitting in the big blind, opted to call with his smaller stack of approximately 400,000 to put himself at risk. Once Zhuo vacated the hand, the two players tabled their cards:

Calvin Lee: K♣ K♠

Jack Tam: A♦ A♣

Lee was in significant trouble and, unlike many other all-in confrontations that occurred on the bubble, he found no help on the 7♦ A♠ 6♥ flop, as Tam improved to a set.

The K♥ turn card stirred some excitement by giving Lee a set of his own, but he was already out of his seat by the time the 4♠ completed the board. Lee's elimination sent the remaining 23 players into the money and through to Tuesday's Day 2.

Player	Chips
TL Tek Lon TamMacao	1,010,000(25 BB)
CL Calvin LeeUnited States of America	busted

Level 16: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 29/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 1:51:21 PM

Hand-for-Hand Commences

Level 15: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

24 players now remain in the King's Debut Crown Opener event, there will be a table break and hand-for-hand play will commence now.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 1:34:32 PM

Xuishen Wei's Two-Step Departure

Level 15: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Xuishen Wei

Benjamin Wu opened to 60,000 and received calls from button Xuishen Wei and big blind Tom Heung.

Heung check-folded when Wu continued for 60,000 on the K♠ A♦ 3♣ flop.

Wu upped it to 125,000 and Wei mucked on the Q♥ turn. Wei was left with around 600,000.

A couple of hands later, Wei had got his stack in against Zhihua Yang:

Xuishen Wei: 6♣ 5♣

Zhihua Yang: 6♠ 6♦

Wei needed connecting cards or clubs; unfortunately for him, neither of those happened, with the A♣ A♦ T♠ J♥ K♥ runout keeping Yang's sixes in the lead and scoring the knockout.

Player	Chips
ZY Zhihua YangChina	3,500,000(117 BB)
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	2,200,000(73 BB)
TR Tony Ren LinChina	1,750,000(58 BB)
TT Tom Tsz Kin HeungChina	1,090,000(36 BB)
XW Xuishen WeiChina	busted

Level 15: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 29/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 1:11:35 PM

Liu's Two-Step Departure

Level 14: 15,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Yayun Liu

Xiaolong Fu raised to 65,000 from the button and big blind Yayun Liu stuck in the call.

Liu checked the 8♦ 9♦ K♦ flop and Fu fired 45,000. Liu then check-raised it up to 100,000, but instantly folded when Fu moved all in with his covering stack.

In the next hand, Yang Li raised to 55,000 from middle position and received a call from Yewei Wu on the button. Small blind Liu then moved all in, and Li shoved behind him to isolate, prompting Wu to begrudgingly let the hand go:

Yayun Liu: A♥ 9♣

Yang Li: Q♣ Q♠

Liu had a semi-promising start with the 9♠ window card, but the remainder of the T♠ 8♠ flop didn't bode too well. The 7♠ turn and 2♦ river failed to help Liu, sending him to the rail and adding yet another boost to Li's towering stack.

Player	Chips
YL Yang LiChina	4,000,000(160 BB)
YW Yewei WuChina	1,700,000(68 BB)
XF Xiaolong FuChina	700,000(28 BB)
YL Yayun LiuChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 12:48:54 PM

"Not the Worst Hand"

Level 14: 15,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Ranno Sootla

Khoa Anh Ngo led for 135,000 on a 3♣ 9♥ 5♦ flop, with small blind Ranno Sootla making the call.

Both opted to check the J♣ turn, taking them to the 2♦ river.

Ngo checked before Sootla grabbed his stack and announced he was all in. Ngo quickly grabbed his cards and made the fold, allowing Sootla to scoop up the healthy pot.

"Not the worst hand," Sootla said when asked about his holding. "You definitely scared me though. Scared and confused me."

Player	Chips
RS Ranno SootlaEstonia	1,050,000(42 BB)
KA Khoa Anh NgoViet Nam	295,000(12 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 12:39:06 PM

Selected Stacks

Level 14: 15,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Yang Li is sitting on a commanding stack, just over double the average. Eight players remain until the Day 2 bubble.

Player	Chips
YL Yang LiChina	3,480,000(139 BB)
ZC Zengxiang ChenChina	1,800,000(72 BB)
ZY Zhihua YangChina	1,800,000(72 BB)
TR Tony Ren LinChina	1,750,000(70 BB)
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	1,700,000(68 BB)

Level 14: 15,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 33/149

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 33/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 12:25:01 PM

More Hit the Rail

Level 13: 12,000 / 24,000 ante: 24,000

Renji Mao

Player	Chips
RM Renji MaoChina	busted
RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	busted
ZH Zhao HongjunChina	busted
KW Kaifan WangUnited States of America	busted
WC Wan Chun KitHong Kong	busted
ML Meng Ling LinTaiwan	busted
JL Juns LeongMalaysia	busted
IB Iulian BlebeaRomania	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 12:18:31 PM

Sedlak Tangles with Tam

Level 13: 12,000 / 24,000 ante: 24,000

Tek Lon Tam "Jack"

Tek Lon 'Jack' Tam raised to 48,000 from under the gun before calling hijack Martin Sedlak's 125,000 three-bet.

The dealer fanned the 4♥ 4♦ 5♣ flop and Tam checked; Sedlak fired 77,000, and Tam stuck in the call.

The 6♣ landed on the turn and Tam checked a second time. Sedlak plonked his 300,000-chip stack in the middle, moving all in. Tam tanked for a little while before ultimately arriving at a fold.

Player	Chips
TL Tek Lon TamMacao	1,600,000(67 BB)
MS Martin SedlakGermany	750,000(31 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 11:55:06 AM

Teoh Wins One, Chops One

Level 13: 12,000 / 24,000 ante: 24,000

Thixoa Nguyen

Kok Wei Teoh raised to 50,000 from under the gun and was joined to the flop by big blind Gytis Lazauninkas.

Lazauninkas checked as the dealer fanned the 9♥ 8♥ K♠ flop, before swiftly folding to Teoh's 50,000 continuation-bet.

In the next hand, big blind Teoh called button Thi Xoa Nguyen's 50,000 raise. The two checked through the 7♦ J♦ 4♥ 8♠ turn, before Teoh shoved on the 5♦ river and Nguyen snapped it off. The showdown revealed that both players held a four for the straight, resulting in a chopped pot.

Player	Chips
TN Thixoa NguyenFrance	1,650,000(69 BB)
KW Kok Wei TeohMalaysia	1,000,000(42 BB)
GL Gytis LazauninkasLithuania	440,000(18 BB)

Level 13: 12,000 / 24,000 ante: 24,000

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 43/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 11:36:29 AM

Table 5 Action and Counts

Level 12: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Michael Allen, Tony Ren Lin, Liu Yang

Hand 1

Cutoff Tony Ren Lin raised to 50,000 and found one call from big blind Michael Allen.

Allen check-raised Lin's 40,000 bet to 100,000 on the T♠ 6♠ Q♣ flop. "I paid you too much already," Lin said as he sent his cards into the muck.

Hand 2

Meng Ling Lin raised to 40,000 from middle position and was called by Benjamin Wu on the button and Juns Leong in the big blind.

Leong instantly shoved his last 60,000 into the middle on the 6♥ 6♠ K♥ flop, prompting equally quick folds from Lin and Wu.

Hand 3

Tom Heung raised to 40,000 from under the gun before Liu Yang three-bet shoved for 92,000 from the hijack. Allen called from the button and Heung folded.

Liu Yang: K♣ Q♦

Michael Allen: A♠ J♣

Allen extended his lead on the A♣ 7♠ K♥ flop, despite the K♥ window card giving Yang some false hope initially. The 6♥ J♠ runout sealed Yang's elimination, with no chance of reentry in this flight.

Meng Ling Lin

Player	Chips
TR Tony Ren LinChina	2,050,000(103 BB)
YC Yita ChoongAustralia	1,270,000(64 BB)
MA Michael AllenUnited Kingdom	740,000(37 BB)
TT Tom Tsz Kin HeungChina	720,000(36 BB)
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	620,000(31 BB)
ML Meng Ling LinTaiwan	510,000(26 BB)
JL Juns LeongMalaysia	100,000(5 BB)
LY Liu YangChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 11:26:17 AM

Sootla Scores a Lifeline through Yang

Level 12: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Zhihua Yang

Zhihua Yang raised to 52,000 from the cutoff before calling big blind Ranno Sootla's three-bet shove for 256,000.

Ranno Sootla: A♦ J♣

Zhihua Yang: 2♦ 2♣

Sootla vaulted ahead on the 9♠ J♦ 7♦ flop and kept his lead for the remainder of the 3♠ 6♦ runout, securing a life-saving double.

Player	Chips
ZY Zhihua YangChina	790,000(40 BB)
RS Ranno SootlaEstonia	530,000(27 BB)

Level 12: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 67/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 11:09:28 AM

Table 8 Counts

Level 11: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Yang Li Leads the Table

Player	Chips
YL Yang LiChina	2,450,000(153 BB)
TL Tek Lon TamMacao	1,850,000(116 BB)
TN Thixoa NguyenFrance	840,000(53 BB)
GL Gytis LazauninkasLithuania	630,000(39 BB)
HM Haohui MaChina	620,000(39 BB)
WC Wan Chun KitHong Kong	420,000(26 BB)
YL Yongjia LinChina	410,000(26 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 11:05:30 AM

Leong Scores a Double Through Lin

Level 11: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Tony Ren Lin opened to 32,000 from under the gun before calling cutoff Juns Leong's three-bet shove for 83,000:

Juns Leong: A♥ K♦

Tony Ren Lin: 8♠ 8♣

Leong couldn't have asked for a much better flop when the dealer fanned out A♣ 6♥ K♣. The 2♠ 4♥ turn and river kept Leong's Big Slick ahead and secured a much-needed double through Lin.

Player	Chips
TR Tony Ren LinChina	1,450,000(91 BB)
JL Juns LeongMalaysia	200,000(13 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 10:46:53 AM

Debusted in the Debut

Level 11: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Lester Edoc

Player	Chips
QL Qiang LiuChina	busted
XL Xiaoyu LiChina	busted
YL Yuhan LiuChina	busted
LE Lester EdocPhilippines	busted
DW Dylan Wayne FosterAustralia	busted
LY Lei YuChina	busted
MC Matas CimbolasLithuania	busted
HL Haiwei LiangChina	busted

Level 11: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 67/149

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 10:41:24 AM

Liu's Bluff Doesn't Get Past Li

Level 10: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Weihong Liu

Yuan Li opened to 25,000 from middle position and received a call from button Ranno Sootla and big blind Weihong Liu.

Liu check-raised Li's 32,000 continuation-bet up to 80,000 on the T♦ 2♥ J♥ flop; Li made the call while Sootla got out of the way.

Both opted to check the T♣ turn to the A♦ river, where Liu fired a huge 115,000 into the middle. Li plucked off a timebank before ultimately deciding to call.

Liu giggled with a bit of embarrassment as she flicked over 5♣ 2♦ for a bluff with bottom pair, while Li collected the pot with Q♠ J♦.

Player	Chips
YL Yuan LiChina	830,000(69 BB)
RS Ranno SootlaEstonia	610,000(51 BB)
WL Weihong LiuChina	170,000(14 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 10:33:04 AM

Registration Closed!

Level 10: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

The floor has announced there are a total of 149 entries into Day 1A of the King’s Debut Opener event, with just 23 of the field making it through to Tuesday’s Day 2 finale.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 10:27:54 AM

Ngo Traps Mai

Level 10: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Khoa Anh Ngo

Hijack Fen Mai raised to 25,000 and Khoa Anh Ngo defended from the big blind.

Ngo check-called Mai's 13,000 continuation-bet on the Q♦ J♦ 9♠ flop.

Mai bumped it up to 55,000 on the J♥ turn, with Ngo check-calling once more.

Ngo checked a third time on the T♠ river, and Mai quickly checked back, only to see Ngo table Q♥ 7♣, seemingly good for the pot.

Shortly after, Mai was sent to the rail.

Player	Chips
KA Khoa Anh NgoViet Nam	620,000(52 BB)
FM Fen MaiHong Kong	busted

Level 10: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 81/119

Dinner Break

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 81/119

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 9:12:20 AM

Old and New Faces

Level 9: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Player	Chips
YW Ye WangChina	250,000(25 BB)
RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	250,000(25 BB)
YF Yanghao FuChina	250,000(25 BB)
ML Meng Ling LinTaiwan	250,000(25 BB)
YL Youkan LiChina	250,000(25 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 9:09:09 AM

Zheng Shakes Mao Off

Level 9: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Renji Mao opened to 20,000 from middle position and big blind Xiaosheng Zheng called.

Action went check-check on the 7♦ 6♦ 6♣ flop, sending them to the Q♣ turn where Zheng led for 25,000, and Mao stuck in the call.

The 9♦ completed the board, and Zheng sized up to 56,000. Mao debated tossing in the call, but had one last glance at his cards before deciding against the idea.

Player	Chips
RM Renji MaoChina	595,000(60 BB)
XZ Xiaosheng ZhengChina	380,000(38 BB)

Level 9: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 81/119

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 8:53:18 AM

Seok's Flopped Trips Send Fu to the Rail

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

Yanghao Fu

Small blind Jaemoon Seok called Yanghao Fu's min-raise from under the gun and the two headed to the flop.

The dealer fanned 8♥ 6♥ 6♦ and both players opted to check.

On the A♦ turn, Seok checked once more, Fu bet 15,000, and Seok check-raised to 51,000. Fu plonked his remaining stack in the middle, around 150,000, and Seok snapped it off, tabling 6♣ 4♠ for flopped trips. Fu showed A♣ T♦, needing an ace to save him on the river.

Unfortunately, no such help came as the dealer peeled off the Q♣, sending Fu to the rail.

Registration remains open for one more level and will close at the commencement of Level 10.

Player	Chips
JS Jaemoon SeokSouth Korea	880,000(110 BB)
YF Yanghao FuChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 8:43:55 AM

He Shoves Liu Off the River

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

Yayun Liu limped in from the small blind and Yaoyu He checked in the big.

Liu led for 8,000 on the K♥ A♦ J♦ flop and He stuck around with a call.

The dealer peeled off the 5♥ turn card and Liu upped it to 50,000. He counted out the chips and stuck them in.

The T♦ completed the board, and Liu sized down to 30,000. He grabbed one of his stacks and announced he was all in, sending Liu into the tank. After some time, Liu elected not to call and surrendered the pot to He.

Player	Chips
YH Yaoyu HeChina	360,000(45 BB)
YL Yayun LiuChina	240,000(30 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 8:30:33 AM

Kit Takes Charge on the River

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

Qin Wang limped from the hijack and cutoff Wan Chun Kit limped also, with big blind Bin Zhao checking his option.

All three players opted to check the Q♠ Q♥ 4♥ flop, taking them to the 5♠ turn, where Zhao led for 20,000. Wang got out of the way but Kit stuck in the call.

On the K♠ river, Zhao checked; Kit took the lead with a hefty 120,000 bet, and after tanking for a while, Zhao decided not to stick in the call.

Player	Chips
QW Qin WangChina	320,000(40 BB)
WC Wan Chun KitHong Kong	270,000(34 BB)
BZ Bin ZhaoChina	220,000(28 BB)

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

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 78/110

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 8:17:59 AM

Ma Scores a Lifeline, Eliminated Shortly After

Level 7: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Haohui Ma

Haohui Ma limped from under the gun before being three-bet to 16,000 by Yang Li on the button. Small blind Hongjun Zhao called, before big blind Yuelun Wang four-bet to 81,000. Ma called to put himself at risk and Li and Zhao let it go:

Haohui Ma: K♠ K♣

Yuelun Wang: Q♠ Q♥

Ma had Wang in a tough spot and kept his lead on the 9♠ T♦ T♣ 3♣ 9♥ runout, securing a double and then some.

A couple of hands later, however, Ma was seen walking back to the registration desk having been eliminated.

Player	Chips
YL Yang LiChina	750,000(125 BB)
YW Yuelun WangChina	600,000(100 BB)
ZH Zhao HongjunChina	380,000(63 BB)
HM Haohui MaChina	250,000(42 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 8:05:18 AM

Early Casualties

Level 7: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Yita Choong

Player	Chips
YC Yita ChoongAustralia	busted
RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	busted
QL Qiang LiuChina	busted
KA Khoa Anh NgoViet Nam	busted
CM Chenxiang MiaoChina	busted

Level 7: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 66/85

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 7:46:53 AM

Table 7 Action

Level 6: 2,500 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Jaemoon Seok

Hand 1

Yanghao Fu raised to 10,000 from under the gun and big blind Chen An Lin defended.

Lin led for 10,000 on the 7♣ 8♠ 4♥ flop and Fu swiftly released his cards.

Hand 2

Christopher Park opened to 10,000 from under the gun before folding to Lin's 32,000 three-bet from the small blind.

Hand 3

Jiali Ouyang opened to 10,000 from the hijack then folded to cutoff Jaemoon Seok's 32,000 three-bet.

Hand 4

Small blind Park limp-called big blind Alexandru Papazian's 17,500 raise.

Both opted to check the 2♦ 8♦ 4♠ flop, taking them to the 3♠ turn where Park check-folded when Papazian fired 30,000.

Player	Chips
JO Jiali OuyangChina	420,000(84 BB)
CA Chen An LinTaiwan	305,000(61 BB)
JS Jaemoon SeokSouth Korea	280,000(56 BB)
AP Alexandru PapazianRomania	280,000(56 BB)
CP Christopher ParkUnited States of America	270,000(54 BB)
YF Yanghao FuChina	110,000(22 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 7:15:21 AM

Wang Asserts Dominance

Level 6: 2,500 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Vietnam's Nang Quang Nguyen, who already has a side event victory under his belt this series, opened the action to 10,000 from early position. He was called by Xiaolong Fu in the cutoff before Xuanchen Wang three-bet to 25,000 from the button. Both Nguyen and Fu made the call to see the flop.

When the dealer fanned A♥ 4♥ 7♣, both Nguyen and Fu checked. Wang continued for 40,000, which was enough to earn prompt folds from both opponents.

A few hands later, Fu opened to 15,000, but he was met with a 40,000 three-bet from Wang. On the 3♥ 9♣ T♣ flop, Wang fired a bet of 55,000, Fu begrudgingly folded, flashing the 9♦ as he surrendered the pot.

Player	Chips
XW Xuanchen WangChina	295,000(59 BB)
XF Xiaolong FuChina	265,000(53 BB)
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	170,000(34 BB)

Level 6: 2,500 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 61/78

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 61/78

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 6:32:44 AM

Miao Gets Two Streets of Value

Level 5: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Ben Fan opened for 8,000 from under the gun and found a caller in Chenxiang Miao in middle position. Zengxiang Chen, seated on the button, three-bet to 28,000, which successfully forced Fan out of the hand. However, Miao wasn't done, firing back with a four-bet to 63,000. Chen made the call to create a rather bloated pot as they headed to the flop.

The dealer spread K♠ 6♠ 3♠, and Miao led out for 55,000. Chen paused briefly before tossing in the call.

When the Q♠ landed on the turn, Miao opted to check. Chen took the initiative with a bet of 50,000, which Miao called.

The 3♦ completed the board, and Miao checked a final time. Chen checked back, and Miao revealed J♠ 4♠ for a flopped flush. Chen could only muck his cards as the pot was pushed to Miao.

Player	Chips
CM Chenxiang MiaoChina	520,000(130 BB)
BF Ben FanChina	415,000(104 BB)
ZC Zengxiang ChenChina	205,000(51 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 6:19:34 AM

He Pressures Qin

Level 5: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Huu Dung Nguyen opened for 8,000 from early position and found a caller in Yuan Qin from the hijack. Yaoyu He, seated in the cutoff, then increased the price with a three-bet to 31,000. While Nguyen stepped aside, Qin made the call to see a flop.

On the 7♠ Q♠ 3♣ board, Qin checked over to the aggressor. He continued for 26,000, and Qin matched the bet after a brief moment of reflection.

The A♦ on the turn prompted another check from Qin. He didn't slow down, firing a substantial 68,000. Qin weighed his options but ultimately decided to release his hand, letting He rake in the sizeable pot.

Player	Chips
YH Yaoyu HeChina	450,000(113 BB)
YQ Yuan QinChina	325,000(81 BB)
HD Huu Dung NguyenViet Nam	110,000(28 BB)

Level 5: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 56/66

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 6:13:33 AM

Li Eliminated by Big Slick

Level 4: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Yuan Li committed his final 47,500 chips from the small blind after three-betting Zhiqiang Zhang, who made the call to put Li at risk.

Yuan Li: A♣ J♠

Zhiqiang Zhang: A♥ K♠

Li was in desperate need of help against Zhang’s Big Slick, but the board offered no help. The dealer fanned 8♥ 8♦ 6♦ 7♠ K♣, improving Zhang to a pair of kings on the river to secure the elimination and send Li to the rail.

Player	Chips
ZZ Zhiqiang ZhangChina	235,000(78 BB)
YL Yuan LiChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 6:04:10 AM

Early Table 8 Action

Level 4: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Abhijith Cheruku

Xin Jin opened to 6,500 from the button, and both Abhijith Cheruku (small blind) and Gytis Lazauninkas (big blind) called.

All three players checked the 5♥ 7♥ 9♣ flop. On the 8♥ turn, Lazauninkas led out for 20,000, which was enough to prompt folds from both Cheruku and Jin.

In the subsequent hand, Lei Yu raised to 6,500 from under the gun and was called only by Chao Duan in the hijack.

Yu continued for 20,000 on the 7♣ Q♠ 4♦ flop. After burning through a couple of timebanks, Duan opted to fold his hand back to the dealer.

Player	Chips
GL Gytis LazauninkasLithuania	245,000(82 BB)
LY Lei YuChina	240,000(80 BB)
XJ Xin JinChina	200,000(67 BB)
CD Chao DuanChina	195,000(65 BB)
IB Iulian BlebeaRomania	175,000(58 BB)
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	170,000(57 BB)

Level 4: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 40/46

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 5:31:51 AM

One Jack's Good for Zhang

Level 3: 1,500 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Michael Allen

Michael Allen raised to 6,000 from the button and found a caller in Yiping Zhang from the big blind.

On the 8♦ 8♣ J♣ flop, Zhang check-called a continuation bet of 4,500 from Allen.

Both players then checked through the 5♣ turn and the Q♠ river. Zhang tabled K♠ J♥, taking down the pot with the pair of jacks he flopped.

Player	Chips
YZ Yiping ZhangChina	340,000(136 BB)
MA Michael AllenUnited Kingdom	200,000(80 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 5:22:58 AM

Nguyen Takes Down Two Pots

Level 3: 1,500 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Zhiqiang Zhang opened to 5,000 from the cutoff, and big blind Nang Quang Nguyen defended.

On the 8♣ 3♥ 6♦ flop, Nguyen check-called a 5,000 continuation bet from Zhang. Both players proceeded to check the Q♦ turn and 7♥ river. Nguyen tabled A♣ 3♠, scooping the pot with a pair of threes.

In the very next hand, Nguyen limped from the small blind and a freshly-seated Jaemoon Seok checked his option from the big blind.

The flop fell 5♣ 2♥ 9♠, and Nguyen led out for 3,000, which was enough to earn a swift fold from Seok.

Player	Chips
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	267,000(107 BB)
JS Jaemoon SeokSouth Korea	245,000(98 BB)
ZZ Zhiqiang ZhangChina	239,000(96 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 5:10:05 AM

More Fresh Faces

Level 3: 1,500 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Player	Chips
CP Christopher ParkUnited States of America	250,000(100 BB)
AP Alexandru PapazianRomania	250,000(100 BB)
IB Iulian BlebeaRomania	250,000(100 BB)
TT Tom Tsz Kin HeungChina	250,000(100 BB)
LY Lei YuChina	250,000(100 BB)
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	250,000(100 BB)
TH Trung Hieu NguyenViet Nam	250,000(100 BB)

Level 3: 1,500 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

35 minutes

Remaining Players: 23/24

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 5:03:00 AM

He Sniffs Out Su's Bluff

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

Yaoyu He

Jiazhi Su opened the action to 7,000 from middle position and called after Yaoyu He three-bet to 21,000 from the cutoff.

The flop landed A♠ 4♠ 6♥, and Su check-called a bet of 15,000 from He. When the 9♠ arrived on the turn, Su checked again but then check-raised He's 25,000 bet up to 75,000. He made the call to see the river.

On the 5♣ river, Su used a couple of timebank chips before shoving his remaining stack of approximately 100,000. He snap-called, and while Su attempted to muck his missed bluff, the dealer revealed his Q♣ J♥. He showed A♣ K♠ for top pair with the best kicker to scoop the massive pot and score an early elimination.

Player	Chips
YH Yaoyu HeChina	480,000(240 BB)
JS Jiazhi SuChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 4:51:07 AM

Chiang Scoops a Huge One

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

Shaoshuai Li opened the action to 4,000 from under the gun, findng callers in Jen Yue Chiang and button Wenchao Liu.

On the 3♦ A♥ Q♣ flop, Li continued for 7,500 and both opponents called to see the 4♦ turn. Li opted to check, prompting Chiang to fire out 17,000. Liu then raised the price to 43,500, which successfully forced Li out of the pot, though Chiang made the call to see a river.

The A♦ on the river saw Chiang take the betting lead, sliding out 67,500. Liu looked rather vexed by the runout and eventually folded, awarding the pot to Chiang.

Player	Chips
JY Jen Yue ChiangUnited States of America	325,000(163 BB)
SL Shaoshuai LiChina	235,000(118 BB)
WL Wenchao LiuChina	195,000(98 BB)

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

35 minutes

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 4:26:36 AM

Early Registrations - Cards in the Air!

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

Cards are now in the air and the King's Debut Opener event is underway inside the Les A Casino.

Player	Chips
MA Michael AllenUnited Kingdom	250,000(250 BB)
ZC Zengxiang ChenChina	250,000(250 BB)
JY Jen Yue ChiangUnited States of America	250,000(250 BB)
YF Yanghao FuChina	250,000(250 BB)
YH Yaoyu HeChina	250,000(250 BB)
TK Takeo KimuraJapan	250,000(250 BB)
JK Jeongmo KooUnited States of America	250,000(250 BB)
WL Wenchao LiuChina	250,000(250 BB)
HM Haohui MaChina	250,000(250 BB)
RN Ryuta NakaiJapan	250,000(250 BB)
YQ Yuan QinChina	250,000(250 BB)
YZ Yiping ZhangChina	250,000(250 BB)
ZZ Zhiqiang ZhangChina	250,000(250 BB)
ZH Zhao HongjunChina	250,000(250 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 3:40:29 AM

Schedule Update

A brief update for players planning to join the high-stakes action this afternoon at LES A Casino.

While the King's Debut Opener Day 1A was originally scheduled to kick off at 12:00 PM, the start has been slightly delayed. Tournament officials are currently waiting for more entries to meet the minimum player requirement before cards can get in the air.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/11/2026, 2:32:33 AM

King Poker Cup Kicks Off at 12:00 with King's Debut Opener

Whilst the festival at the Les A Casino here in Jeju Shinwa World transitions into its second half, the stakes are rising with the commencement of the premium King Poker Cup series. Designed to bring a high-stakes, international flair to the island, this portion of the schedule features a lineup of elite events, beginning with the USD 5,300 King’s Debut Opener.

Day 1A kicks off today at 12:00 PM, giving players their first opportunity to build a stack in this prestigious opener. For those who miss the early levels or need a second chance, Day 1B Turbo follows later tonight at 7:00 PM.

The schedule remains packed as the series moves toward its conclusion. Day 1C is set for tomorrow, Monday, January 12, at 12:00 PM, serving as the final starting flight before the field merges. All survivors will then return on Tuesday, January 13, at 1:00 PM for Day 2, where they will battle through the final levels to crown the first champion of the King Poker Cup era.

Upcoming King’s Debut Opener Schedule:

- Today, 12:00 PM: Day 1A

- Today, 7:00 PM: Day 1B Turbo

- Monday, Jan 12, 12:00 PM: Day 1C

- Tuesday, Jan 13, 1:00 PM: Day 2 (Final Day)

Event starts 12:00 local time..