South Korea, LES A CasinoEVENT #S4

2026.01.14 - 2026.01.17Add to Calendar

K Poker Cup

Blind level

Level 13: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Entries

32/94

Total Chips

47,000,000

Average

1,468,750

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 4:14:54 PM

Ranno Sootla Tops Day 1A Chip Counts at King’s Main Event

Level 13: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Ranno Sootla

Advancing to the twelfth day of the marathon festival, the first opening flight of the King’s Main Event at the King Poker Cup wrapped up its night at the extraordinary LES A Casino.

Day 1A concluded with a 94-entry field, and after more than 12 hours of intense play, just 24 survivors bagged up their chips heading into Day 2.

Leading the charge on Day 1A is Estonia's Ranno Sootla, carrying a commanding stack of 3,870,000 into Day 2. With over $1.3 million in total live earnings, Sootla is definitely a force to be reckoned with. He has accumulated multiple titles around European tourneys and is now well-positioned for his maiden Asian title. Currently ranked 7th on the Estonia All-Time Money List, Sootla is approaching the event with strong momentum.

Day 1A Top Ten Chip Counts

Player	Chips
RS Ranno SootlaEstonia	3,870,000(97 BB)
JW Jason Wong (2)United Kingdom	3,010,000(75 BB)
AZ Alan ZhengAustralia	2,980,000(75 BB)
KA Khoa Anh NgoViet Nam	2,875,000(72 BB)
QZ Quan ZhouChina	2,840,000(71 BB)
YL Yuhan LiuChina	2,810,000(70 BB)
JZ Jinjiang ZhangChina	2,360,000(59 BB)
IB Iulian BlebeaRomania	2,350,000(59 BB)
AC Abraham CeesvinSingapore	2,345,000(59 BB)
LY Lei YuChina	2,235,000(56 BB)

Close behind is Jason Wong of the United Kingdom, who put in an impressive run to bag 3,010,000 chips. Wong stayed consistent throughout the day, quietly building his stack and finishing comfortably inside the top group of the leaderboard heading into the next stage. Rounding out the top three is Australia’s representative, Alan Zheng, with 2,980,000 chips.

Vietnam’s Khoa Anh Ngo also carried a healthy stack of 2,875,000 chips. The Vietnamese pro was on track to close his night as the chip leader with over four million, but he couldn’t maintain his momentum during the final seven hands of the day and ended fourth on the leaderboard.

Ngo made his mark on the festival with a strong performance, having recently won the highly competitive KRW 5,000,000 High Roller at the KPC x LPT Series 2026, outlasting a field of 178 entrants to bank the KRW 181,700,000 (~USD 125,670) top prize. Continuing his streak, he also finished 3rd in the KRW 6,000,000 High Roller, taking home KRW 113,000,000 (~USD 78,155). With his hefty stack, Ngo still positions himself well for another career-defining title.

Khoa Anh Ngo

Day 1A Highlights

Late at night, Ngo’s momentum reached its peak as he dragged in a sizable pot from Meng Ling Lin. Holding jack-ten suited, Ngo fired two barrels on the board and completed his straight on the river, cracking Lin’s flopped trip fours and taking the pot. Right after this hand, Ngo had built his stack past the four-million mark in chips. Unfortunately, his momentum stalled afterward, and he lost a chunk of chips during the final seven hands of the night.

Iulian Blebea

The player who sent Defeng Chen out was Romania’s Iulian Blebea, who responded to Chen’s queen-high open shove with ace-high. The deck ran perfectly for Blebea, turning him quad aces. Chen had no chance to survive and was eliminated in decisive fashion.

A few hands later, Blebea was once again favored by aces. In a hand against the King’s Debut Opener champion, Yang Zhang, Blebea’s ace-three improved to flopped trip aces, leaving Zhang with no chance to win the pot.

Other notables in contention include Quan Zhou (2,840,000), boasting over $14 million in total live earnings; Abraham Ceesvin (2,345,000); and Lei Yu (2,235,000). Both Ceesvin and Yu have also accumulated seven-figure totals in live earnings.

Abraham Ceesvin

With Day 1A in the books, the stage is set for Day 1B of the King’s Main Event tomorrow. The leaderboard is stacked with heavy hitters and rising stars, and the action is guaranteed to be just as intense as today’s marathon.

Stay tuned to Somuchpoker for full coverage, live updates, and all the key hands as the festival continues to unfold!

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 3:58:13 PM

Last 7 Hands for Day 1A

Level 13: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

The floor has announced that there will be seven more hands before players bag their chips for the night.

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 3:50:39 PM

Lin’s Trips Can’t Hold the River

Level 13: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Khoa Anh Ngo

Khoa Anh Ngo made it 80,000 to go from early position, and Meng Ling Lin defended her big blind.

Lin check-called a 75,000 continuation-bet from Ngo on the Q♣ 9♠ 4♦ flop. Action went check-check on the 4♠ turn.

When a K♣ filled out the board, Ngo checked. Lin fired out 275,000, which didn't deter Ngo from dropping a call.

Ngo revealed a rivered straight with J♣ T♣, while Lin showed her 4♣ for a beaten trip fours and conceded the pot.

Player	Chips
KA Khoa Anh NgoViet Nam	4,095,000(102 BB)
ML Meng Ling LinTaiwan	1,040,000(26 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 3:44:34 PM

Heung Wins One, Loses One

Tom Heung opened to 80,000 from the small blind before calling Thixoa Nguyen's 180,000 three-bet from the big.

Both opted to check the 8♦ 3♣ 7♦ flop to the J♥ turn where Heung check-called Nguyen's 200,000 bet.

On the 4♦ river, Heung checked again before promptly folding to Nguyen's 300,000 bet.

In the next hand, Heung raised to 80,000 from the button and received one call from Iulian Blebea in the big.

Both checked through the J♠ 3♠ 7♣ 5♣ flop and turn to the 3♣ river, where Blebea check-folded when Heung fired 155,000.

Player	Chips
IB Iulian BlebeaRomania	2,700,000
TN Thixoa NguyenFrance	2,050,000
TK Tsz Kin HeungHong Kong	1,640,000

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 3:29:31 PM

Zhang’s Deuces Don’t Deliver

Level 13: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Khoa Anh Ngo

Khoa Anh Ngo opened the button to 80,000 and Quan Zhang called in the small blind.

The duo tapped the table throughout the K♣ 9♦ A♦ Q♣ 7♠ board and took it to a free showdown.

Ngo revealed a flopped pair of nines with 9♠ 8♦ to best Zhang's pair with 2♦ 2♠.

Player	Chips
KA Khoa Anh NgoViet Nam	3,600,000(90 BB)
QZ Quan ZhouChina	1,555,000(39 BB)

Level 13: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 32/94

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 3:14:10 PM

Sootla Strikes Twice

Level 12: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Ranno Sootla opened to 60,000 from under the gun and big blind Yuan Li joined him to the flop.

Li check-called Sootla's 75,000 continuation-bet following the J♣ 5♦ 7♦ flop.

Both checked the 6♠ turn to the 7♣ river, where Li checked again. Sootla fired 190,000, which was enough to take down the pot.

A couple of hands later, Sootla limped in from the small blind and Christopher Park checked his option.

Both opted to check the K♠ 3♥ 3♠ flop. On the 3♣ turn, Sootla slid 40,000 in, prompting a fold from Park.

Player	Chips
RS Ranno SootlaEstonia	2,500,000(83 BB)
CP Christopher ParkUnited States of America	1,450,000(48 BB)
YL Yuan LiChina	720,000(24 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 3:12:19 PM

Backdoor Straight for Lin

Level 12: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Meng Ling Lin

Meng Ling Lin limped from the small blind and Lei Yu checked in the big blind.

Lin led out for 30,000 on the monochrome 2♠ J♠ 5♠ flop, and Yu called.

The two then tapped the table on the K♠ Q♦ runout and took it to a free showdown.

Lin revealed a rivered straight with T♣ 9♥ and dragged in the pot as Yu mucked.

Player	Chips
LY Lei YuChina	2,295,000(77 BB)
ML Meng Ling LinTaiwan	1,150,000(38 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 3:06:47 PM

Blebea Takes It with Trip Aces

Level 12: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Iulian Blebea

Iulian Blebea limped from the small blind, and Yang Zhang raised to 85,000 in the big blind.

Blebea check-called an 80,000 bet from Zhang on the 5♣ A♣ A♠ flop to see a K♦ fall on the turn, where Blebea check-called again, this time for 140,000.

The 9♠ river saw both players check to a free showdown.

Blebea revealed flopped trip aces with A♦ 3♣, leaving Zhang no choice but to muck.

Player	Chips
IB Iulian BlebeaRomania	2,675,000(89 BB)
YZ Yang ZhangChina	1,425,000(48 BB)

Level 12: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 48/95

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 2:48:38 PM

Table 13 Action and Counts

Level 11: 15,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Abhijith Cheruku

Hand 1

Shaoliang Luo raised to 50,000 from the button and received a call from big blind Wenjie Huang.

Huang check-called Luo's 25,000 continuation-bet on the A♠ K♠ 9♦ flop.

Huang checked a second time on the 8♣ turn before instantly folding to Luo's shove.

Hand 2

Khoa Anh Ngo raised to 50,000 from the hijack then folded to button Abhijith Cheruku's shove.

Hand 3

Ngo raised to 50,000 from middle position and Meng Ling Lin defended in the big blind.

Lin check-called Ngo's 75,000 bet on the Q♣ A♣ T♦ flop.

Lin checked again on the 3♥ turn; Ngo fired 100,000 which was enough to shake her off the pot.

Player	Chips
LY Lei YuChina	2,500,000(100 BB)
KA Khoa Anh NgoViet Nam	2,100,000(84 BB)
SL Shaoliang LuoChina	900,000(36 BB)
ML Meng Ling LinTaiwan	825,000(33 BB)
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	700,000(28 BB)
YC Yita ChoongAustralia	450,000(18 BB)
WH Wenjie HuangChina	280,000(11 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 2:29:58 PM

Blebea Turns Quads, Chen Walks Out

Level 11: 15,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Iulian Blebea

Iulian Blebea opened the hijack to 50,000, only to face a shove from Defeng Chen in the small blind for 355,000. Blebea made the call.

Defeng Chen: Q♥ 8♠

Iulian Blebea: A♦ J♦

Blebea started well with ace-high against Chen's queen-high and extended his dominance on the 2♥ A♠ A♣ flop, improving him to trip aces.

Chen's hopes for survival were dashed by an A♥ turn, upgrading Blebea to quad aces.

The 6♦ river came merely as a formality, sending Chen to the rail and shipping the pot Blebea's way.

Player	Chips
IB Iulian BlebeaRomania	2,670,000(107 BB)
DC Defeng ChenChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 2:24:49 PM

Zhang Scores a Double Through Sootla

Level 11: 15,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Ranno Sootla

Ranno Sootla raised to 40,000 from the hijack before calling button Nan Zhang's three-bet shove for 230,000.

Nan Zhang: Q♠ Q♣

Ranno Sootla: A♥ Q♥

Sootla found a straight draw on the T♣ 7♥ 8♦ K♣ flop and turn, but the 6♦ river bricked and thus awarded the double to Zhang, taking a small chunk of chips from Sootla's stack.

Player	Chips
RS Ranno SootlaEstonia	2,300,000(92 BB)
NZ Nan ZhangChina	480,000(19 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 2:20:40 PM

Three-Way All-In Sends One Out

Level 11: 15,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Xiaoyu Li

A three-way all-in just played out at Table 12, ending with one player eliminated.

Xiaoyu Li open-shoved the hijack for 230,000, and Yang Zhang called from the small blind. Defeng Chen also moved all in from the big blind for around 1,300,000. Zhang called for his remaining 750,000.

Xiaoyu Li: K♥ Q♠

Yang Zhang: A♠ K♣

Defeng Chen: J♠ J♥

Chen started strong with his pocket jacks and held control on the T♠ 7♥ 4♦ flop. The turn brought a 2♥, changing nothing for Li and Zhang.

While Chen looked poised to score a double knockout, the river came the K♦, giving Zhang top pair of kings. Zhang doubled up, and Chen was left crippled.

Player	Chips
YZ Yang ZhangChina	1,730,000(69 BB)
DC Defeng ChenChina	355,000(14 BB)
XL Xiaoyu LiChina	busted

Level 11: 15,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 48/95

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 47/94

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 1:52:23 PM

The Fallen

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

Nevan Chang

Player who have just 20 more minutes to get involved if they'd like another shot in the King's Main Event Day 1A.

Player	Chips
NC Nevan ChangTaiwan	busted
AL Alp LinHong Kong	busted
PW Pingfeng WuChina	busted
QL Qiang LiuChina	busted
YW Ye WangChina	busted
JO Jiali OuyangChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 1:49:21 PM

Sedlak Doubles with the Help of Wang

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

Ye Wang

Martin Sedlak raised to 50,000 from the cutoff before facing a three-bet shove from Ye Wang in the small blind. Sedlak immediately stuck in the call and got out of his chair to watch the action unfold:

Martin Sedlak: 9♣ 9♠

Ye Wang: Q♦ T♦

Sedlak was ahead, but the runout was tense. The 2♦ 8♣ 6♣ flop was safe, but the J♦ turn card brought in both flush and straight draws, as well as needing to avoid Wang pairing either of his overcards to Sedlak's nines. Thankfully for him the 3♣ river bricked out, and he secured the full double, leaving Wang with just 40,000 behind.

Player	Chips
MS Martin SedlakGermany	745,000(37 BB)
YW Ye WangChina	40,000(2 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 1:47:12 PM

Nguyen's Candy Canes Cracked at a Double-Up Price

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

Quang Minh Nguyen

Quan Zhou made it 40,000 to go from the cutoff, and Quang Minh Nguyen three-bet to 155,000 from the small blind. Zhou came along.

Nguyen continued for 110,000 on the J♦ 8♠ 3♣ flop, and Zhou stuck around to see the 4♠ on the turn, where Nguyen sent another barrel of 190,000. Zhou then shoved for 597,000, sending his opponent into the tank. After burning two time bank cards, Nguyen responded with a call.

Quang Minh Nguyen: 7♦ 7♥

Quan Zhou: T♥ 8♥

"Shxt...," Nguyen exclaimed when he saw Zhou table a flopped pair of eights, beating his sevens. Soon after, the dealer revealed a Q♣ river, shipping a monster pot Zhou's way and leaving Nguyen short-stacked.

Player	Chips
QZ Quan ZhouChina	1,765,000(88 BB)
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	380,000(19 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 1:15:29 PM

Liu's Bullets Fly for a Double-Up

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

Yuhan Liu

Yuhan Liu raised the cutoff to 40,000 and Yongjia Lin three-bet to 150,000 in the small blind. Liu then four-bet shoved for 528,000. Lin snap-called.

Yongjia Lin: Q♣ Q♦

Yuhan Liu: A♣ A♦

Liu was in front with his pocket aces and held control on the 8♥ 9♠ 8♣ flop. The turn brought a 5♠, changing nothing for Lin.

When the river showed a 7♦, Liu scored a crucial double-up, leaving Lin short-stacked.

Player	Chips
YL Yuhan LiuChina	1,106,000(55 BB)
YL Yongjia LinChina	340,000(17 BB)

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 57/91

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 1:10:28 PM

Ngo Wins One, Loses One

Level 9: 10,000 / 15,000 ante: 15,000

Jiali Ouyang

Khoa Anh Ngo raised to 30,000 from the button and received a call from Abhijith Cheruku defending his big blind.

The flop came 5♣ A♦ 9♦ and Cheruku checked. Ngo slid out a 20,000 continuation-bet, and after using a timebank, Cheruku moved all-in, prompting a very swift fold from Ngo.

The following hand, Ngo raised to 30,000 from the cutoff and big blind Jiali Ouyang stuck in the call.

Ouyang check-called Ngo's 30,000 continuation-bet on the 4♠ 6♠ J♥ flop.

The 8♣ landed on the turn and Ouyang checked again; Ngo fired 115,000 and she swiftly released her hand.

Player	Chips
JO Jiali OuyangChina	930,000(62 BB)
KA Khoa Anh NgoViet Nam	780,000(52 BB)
AC Abhijith CherukuIndia	280,000(19 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 1:03:53 PM

Small Pot for Zhang's Turned Pair of Queens

Level 9: 10,000 / 15,000 ante: 15,000

Yang Zhang

Michael Allen made it 30,000 to go from middle position and Yang Zhang called on the button, as did Thixoa Nguyen from the small blind.

The trio checked it down to a showdown on the A♠ 6♠ 5♠ Q♦ 6♦ board.

Nguyen tossed her cards into the muck right away, and Allen tabled his pair with 8♦ 8♠, which was still no match for Zhang's turned pair of queens with K♦ Q♣.

Player	Chips
YZ Yang ZhangChina	720,000(48 BB)
MA Michael AllenUnited Kingdom	592,000(39 BB)
TN Thixoa NguyenFrance	526,000(35 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 12:55:08 PM

Chen's Sevens Hold for a Double-Up

Level 9: 10,000 / 15,000 ante: 15,000

Dong Chen

Jiaming Zhao opened to 25,000 from under the gun, and Dong Chen three-bet to 60,000 from middle position. Zhao then four-bet to 130,000, only to face a shove from Chen for around 130,000. Zhao dropped in a call to put his opponent at risk.

Jiaming Zhang: K♥ J♥

Dong Chen: 7♦ 7♠

Chen picked up the lead with pocket sevens and maintained his dominance on the 6♠ A♠ T♣ flop. The dealer sent a 5♥ on the turn, changing nothing for Zhang.

Unfortunately for Zhang, the river showed a board-pairing T♥, forcing him to cough up chips for Chen's double-up.

Player	Chips
JZ Jiaming ZhaoChina	1,545,000(103 BB)
DC Dong ChenChina	291,000(19 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 12:39:53 PM

Leong Finds Life with Flush vs. Set

Level 9: 10,000 / 15,000 ante: 15,000

Juns Leong

Guoliang Wei raised to 40,000 from early position before Juns Leong on the button three-bet shoved for his remaining 112,000-chip stack. It swiftly folded around and Wei stuck in the call:

Juns Leong: K♦ Q♦

Guoliang Wei: J♥ J♠

Wei was ahead, and the 9♦ 8♠ J♦ flop did give him a set, but gave Leong a straight flush draw.

The 7♦ didn't quite complete the straight flush, but it was what Leong needed to keep him in the game, with an inconsequential 5♥ completing the board to award Leong the full double through Wei.

Player	Chips
GW Guoliang WeiChina	1,150,000(77 BB)
JL Juns LeongMalaysia	240,000(16 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 12:35:44 PM

USD 1,200,000

Level 9: 10,000 / 15,000 ante: 15,000

Day 1A of The King's Main Event is well underway, and the numbers are already looking strong. So far, the field has reached 89 entries, pushing the prize pool to USD 1,263,600.

With two levels still to go before late registration closes at 23:10, there’s plenty of time for that figure to climb even higher as players continue to filter in for the opening flight.

Level 9: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 59/87

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 12:25:01 PM

Easy Pot for Nguyen's Threes

Level 8: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Trung Hieu Nguyen

Zengxiang Chen made it 25,000 to go from under the gun and Trung Hieu Nguyen called in the cutoff, as did Zhuzhai Wang from the big blind.

The trio checked through the board of 5♦ 8♠ 8♥ A♥ T♠ and took it to a free showdown.

Wang tabled 9♦ 4♠, and Chen revealed K♣ J♣, but none of them could overcome Nguyen's pair with 3♠ 3♣.

Player	Chips
TH Trung Hieu NguyenViet Nam	1,380,000(115 BB)
ZW Zhuzhai WangChina	1,280,000(107 BB)
ZC Zengxiang ChenChina	500,000(42 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 12:14:34 PM

Bleabea Pays for Zhuo's Double-Up

Level 8: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Iulian Blebea

Wayne Heung opened to 24,000 from under the gun, and Iulian Blebea three-bet to 80,000 in the cutoff. Dajie Zhuo then four-bet shoved for 88,000. Heung stepped aside, and Bleabea dropped in a call.

Iulian Blebea: J♠ K♦

Dajie Zhuo: A♠ Q♥

Zhuo picked up the lead with ace-high and extended his dominance on the A♥ 5♥ 6♦ flop.

The 5♦ delivered on the turn, leaving Bleabea drawing dead effectively before the 9♣ river appeared, shipping a tournament-saving double-up for Zhuo.

Player	Chips
IB Iulian BlebeaRomania	1,017,000(85 BB)
DZ Dajie ZhuoChina	236,000(20 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 12:10:28 PM

Table 8 Action

Level 8: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Michael Allen

Hand 1

Button Abraham Ceesvin raised to 25,000 and received a sole call from big blind Michael Allen.

Allen checked the 7♣ A♣ J♥ flop before swiftly folding to Ceesvin's 23,000 continuation-bet.

Hand 2

Hijack Thixoa Nguyen raised to 27,000 before folding to big blind Pingfeng Wu's 78,000 three-bet.

Hand 3

Nguyen raised to 25,000 from late position and received a call from hijack Ceesvin.

Nguyen fired 26,000 on the J♦ 2♠ 4♣ flop and Ceesvin stuck around.

The dealer peeled off the T♥ turn and Nguyen fired once more, this time for 78,000, receiving a call from Ceesvin.

Nguyen fired a third barrel, this time a hefty 250,000 on the Q♥ river. Ceesvin tanked for around a minute before flicking in the call, relieved to see Nguyen instantly muck her cards. Ceesvin sent his cards back face-down also.

Player	Chips
AC Abraham CeesvinSingapore	1,650,000(138 BB)
TN Thixoa NguyenFrance	1,100,000(92 BB)
PW Pingfeng WuChina	460,000(38 BB)
MA Michael AllenUnited Kingdom	200,000(17 BB)

Level 8: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 59/87

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 11:54:03 AM

Papazian Hooks in a Five-Bet Pot

Level 7: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Jiali Ouyang

Renji Mao opened the hijack to 22,000 and Jiali Ouyang called on the button, as did Tsz Kin Heung from the small blind. Alexandru Papazian then three-bet to 160,000 in the big blind. Mao folded, and Ouyang four-bet to 500,000. Heung stepped aside, and Papazian made a five-bet shove for around 258,000. Ouyang snap-called to put her tablemate at risk.

Jiali Ouyang: 7♦ 7♣

Alexandru Papazian: J♥ J♣

Papazian started strong with pocket jacks, running straight into Ouyang's sevens, and held control on the 2♣ 8♣ 4♦ flop. The 6♠ came on the turn, giving Ouyang a gutshot.

However, luck stayed on Papazian's side with a board-pairing 4♥ river, making Ouyang cough over chips for her tablemate.

Player	Chips
AP Alexandru PapazianRomania	460,000(46 BB)
JO Jiali OuyangChina	382,000(38 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 11:41:06 AM

Chang Forced to Fold on the River

Level 7: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Nevan Chang

Ranno Sootla made it 22,000 to go from under the gun and Nevan Chang defended his big blind.

The two tapped the table on the 6♣ 7♠ J♠ flop to see a 5♠ fall on the turn, where Chang check-called a 30,000 bet from Sootla.

The J♣ river saw Chang check to Sootla, who sent another barrel of 75,000, forcing a fold from Chang.

Player	Chips
RS Ranno SootlaEstonia	1,040,000(104 BB)
NC Nevan ChangTaiwan	323,000(32 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 11:34:37 AM

Wong Shoves into Zhao's Bullets

Level 7: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Jiaming Zhao

Jiaming Zhao raised to 40,000 from middle position before being three-bet to 85,000 by Jason Wong on the button. Zhao responded with a four-bet to 150,000, leaving behind a few thousand in chips, and Wong put him all in with his covering stack. Zhao called and the two went to the races.

Jiaming Zhao: A♣ A♦

Jason Wong: J♠ J♣

Zhao had Wong dominated, and the 3♥ A♠ 9♣ flop only extended his lead, leaving Wong drawing virtually dead. The 2♦ T♣ runout secured Zhao's double and left Wong with a severely dented stack.

Player	Chips
JZ Jiaming ZhaoChina	750,000(75 BB)
JW Jason Wong (2)United Kingdom	170,000(17 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 11:34:14 AM

Tricky Runout for Liu

Level 7: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Alp Lin raised to 20,000 from under the gun and received a sole call from Qiang Liu in the small blind.

Liu led for 15,000 on the hearty 3♥ 8♥ 4♥ flop and Lin tossed in the call.

On the J♣ turn, Liu check-called Lin's 50,000 bet.

Both opted to check the T♥ river, where Lin flicked over Q♦ Q♥ for pocket queens improved to a queen-high flush.

Liu was reluctant to turn over his cards before eventually tabling J♠ 8♣.

Player	Chips
QL Qiang LiuChina	490,000(49 BB)
AL Alp LinHong Kong	480,000(48 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 11:33:31 AM

Zhou Rivers a Flush for a Monster Pot

Level 7: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Quan Zhou

Yuhan Liu opened the button to 20,000 and Quan Zhou defended his big blind.

Zhou checked over the 7♣ 5♠ Q♣ flop to Liu, who continued with another 20,000 bet. Zhou then cranked it up to 90,000. Liu stuck around.

When the 5♦ hit on the turn, Zhou sent a 152,000 bet, only to face a shove from Liu with his covering stack. Zhou called for his remaining 380,000 instantly, putting himself on the line.

Yuhan Liu: A♦ Q♦

Quan Zhou: 5♣ 4♣

Zhou started strong with turned trip fives against Liu's flopped pair of queens. The deck stayed on Zhou's side as the river sent a 9♣, completing Zhou's flush and locking up the massive pot for him in even more satisfying fashion.

Player	Chips
YL Yuhan LiuChina	1,080,000(108 BB)
QZ Quan ZhouChina	920,000(92 BB)

Level 7: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 53/71

Dinner Break

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 53/71

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 10:15:28 AM

Two Pair on Two Pair Ends in a Chop

Level 6: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Dylan Foster

With a pile of chips in the middle, the flop came Q♦ 7♣ T♣. Quang Minh Nguyen bet 175,000 from the small blind, only to face a shove from Dylan Foster for 262,000 in the big blind. Chenxiang Miao called on the button, as did Nguyen.

The dealer revealed a 5♦ on the turn, and Nguyen moved all in for around 385,000. Miao folded after thinking for a long time.

Dylan Foster: T♥ 7♦

Quang Minh Nguyen: T♠ 7♠

Both players flipped over flopped two pair with ten-seven, setting up high chances for a chop pot. The A♥ filled out the board, splitting the pot for them.

Player	Chips
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	835,000(104 BB)
DW Dylan Wayne FosterAustralia	459,000(57 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 10:05:35 AM

Wang Pays to Prolong Sun's Tournament

Level 6: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Xiao Sun

Yuelun Wang opened the hijack to 8,000, only to face a shove from Xiao Sun for 127,000 from the small blind. Wang dropped in a call to put his tablemate at risk.

Xiao Sun: Q♣ T♥

Yuelun Wang: A♦ Q♥

Wang started ahead with ace-high against Sun's queen-high and maintained his dominance on the 7♣ J♦ 8♠ flop. The dealer sent a K♦ on the turn, giving Wang a sweat as Sun picked up an open-ended straight draw.

Much to Wang's dismay, the deck came for Sun with an A♥ river, completing her straight and shipping a tournament-prolonging double up her way.

Player	Chips
XS Xiao Sun (4)China	305,000(38 BB)
YW Yuelun WangChina	79,000(10 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 9:55:59 AM

Table 11 Action and Counts

Level 6: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Meng Ling Lin

Hand 1

Hui Chen raised to 16,000 from the button and received a call from small blind Zhuzhai Wang. Big blind Meng Ling Lin then made it 65,000 and only Chen stuck around.

On the Q♣ 6♣ A♦ flop Lin continued for 50,000, prompting a swift fold from Chen.

Hand 2

Pingfeng Wu got a walk in the big blind.

Hand 3

Chen raised to 16,000 from middle position and blinds Wu and Yang Li joined him to the flop.

The dealer fanned K♥ 4♦ 2♦ and both blinds check-folded when Chen continued for 25,000.

Hand 4

Chen raised to 16,000 and cutoff Lin, plus big blind Trung Hieu Nguyen stuck in the call.

All three opted to check the Q♥ Q♣ 4♥ 2♣ flop and turn, taking them to the T♣ river. Nguyen checked, Chen fired 25,000 and only Lin called. Chen tabled K♣ T♣ for a rivered two pair, and Lin sent her cards to the muck.

Player	Chips
TH Trung Hieu NguyenViet Nam	1,380,000(173 BB)
ZW Zhuzhai WangChina	1,280,000(160 BB)
HC Hui Chen 3China	720,000(90 BB)
ML Meng Ling LinTaiwan	525,000(66 BB)
WL Wanpeng LimSingapore	490,000(61 BB)
PW Pingfeng WuChina	250,000(31 BB)
YL Yang Li (3)China	160,000(20 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 9:55:01 AM

Ace-High is Enough for Lazauninkas

Level 6: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Gytis Lazauninkas

Dylan Foster limped from under the gun and Gytis Lazauninkas raised to 50,000 from the small blind. Foster called.

Lazauninkas continued for 10,000 on the 2♠ 6♣ 2♥ flop, and Foster stuck around.

The duo then tapped the table on the 3♣ 9♠ runout and took it to a free showdown.

Lazauninkas tabled ace-high with A♣ Q♥ and took down the pot as Foster mucked.

Player	Chips
GL Gytis LazauninkasLithuania	315,000(39 BB)
DW Dylan Wayne FosterAustralia	295,000(37 BB)

Level 6: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 51/55

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 9:13:10 AM

Nguyen Takes Control on the River

Level 5: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Michael Allen raised to 12,000 from under the gun and received a call from button Quang Minh Nguyen plus big blind Dajie Zhuo.

Zhuo led for 18,000 on the 2♣ 4♠ 5♦ flop which got Allen out of the way, but Nguyen stuck around with a call.

The K♦ landed on the turn and Zhuo checked; Nguyen fired 28,000 and Zhuo made the call.

The 8♣ completed the board and Zhuo slid in 32,000. Nguyen bumped it up to 107,000 and after considering it briefly, Zhuo let the hand go.

Player	Chips
DZ Dajie ZhuoChina	740,000(123 BB)
QM Quang Minh NguyenViet Nam	710,000(118 BB)
MA Michael AllenUnited Kingdom	250,000(42 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 9:12:10 AM

Ceesvin Applies River Pressure to Take It Down

Level 5: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Abraham Ceesvin

Abraham Ceesvin made it 12,000 to go from middle position and Pingfeng Wu called from the cutoff, as did Hui Chen in the big blind..

The trio tapped the table on the 2♠ J♠ 5♣ flop to see a 9♦ on the turn, where Chen checked to Ceesvin, who bet 45,000. Wu folded, and Chen stuck around.

When an A♠ filled out the board, Chen checked to Ceesvin, who fired a chunky bet of 168,000, forcing Chen to fold.

Player	Chips
AC Abraham CeesvinSingapore	730,000(122 BB)
HC Hui Chen 3China	425,000(71 BB)
PW Pingfeng WuChina	279,000(47 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 9:08:16 AM

Straight Flush for Li (nearly)

Level 5: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

The action was joined on a flop showing 4♦ 5♣ 6♦. Yiming Li was in the small blind ready to act against cutoff Jinjiang Zhang.

Li had shoved the remainder of his 352,000 chip stack in and Zhang snapped it off. Li tabled 7♦ 5♦ for a straight and a flush draw, whilst Zhang had J♦ 8♦ for a higher flush draw. Li needed to avoid any further diamonds that weren't the 3♦ or 8♦ to stay in the game.

Luckily, the Q♣ A♠ runout was what Li needed, keeping his pair of fives ahead and securing the full double and then some.

Player	Chips
YL Yiming LiChina	850,000(142 BB)
JZ Jinjiang ZhangChina	740,000(123 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 8:57:48 AM

Zhou’s River Barrel Gets It Done

Level 5: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Quan Zhou

Xiao Sun limped from early position, and Quan Zhou raised to 24,000 from middle position. Martin Sedlak called in the cutoff, as did Sun.

Sun checked over the Q♣ 9♦ 9♥ flop to Zhou, who continued with a 28,000 bet. Selak folded, and Sun stuck around.

The Q♥ turn saw both players check to another Q♥ on the river, where Sun checked. Zhou sent a chunky barrel of 96,000, prompting a fold from Sun successfully.

Player	Chips
XS Xiao Sun (4)China	369,000(62 BB)
QZ Quan ZhouChina	330,000(55 BB)
MS Martin SedlakGermany	232,000(39 BB)

Level 5: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 45/47

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 8:54:09 AM

Gytis Gets Away from It

Level 4: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Nevan Chang opened to 10,000 from the button before calling Gytis Lazauninkas' three-bet to 50,000 from the big blind.

Lazauninkas led for 15,000 once the dealer fanned the Q♣ J♥ A♥ flop.

On the 3♠ turn, Lazauninkas slowed down with a check. Chang took the betting lead and fired 30,000, shaking Lazauninkas off the pot pretty swiftly.

"Lucky boy," tablemate Dylan Foster said to Chang.

Player	Chips
GL Gytis LazauninkasLithuania	350,000(70 BB)
DW Dylan Wayne FosterAustralia	333,000(67 BB)
NC Nevan ChangTaiwan	220,000(44 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 8:46:46 AM

Nguyen Turns Trips and Gets Paid by Foster

Level 4: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Huu Dung Nguyen

Dylan Foster limped from the small blind, and Huu Dun Nguyen raised the big blind to 15,000. Foster made the call.

Foster check-called a 10,000 bet from Nguyen on the T♦ 3♦ 2♠ flop to see the board-pairing 3♥ fall on the turn, where Foster checked. Nguyen sent another barrel of 23,000. Foster cranked it up to 65,000. Nguyen stuck around.

When the Q♠ landed on the river, Foster checked. Nguyen went deep into the tank and burned one time bank card before he fired out 40,000. Foster snap-called.

Nguyen immediately tabled K♥ 3♠ for turned trip threes, leaving Foster no choice but to fold.

Player	Chips
HD Huu Dung NguyenViet Nam	888,000(178 BB)
DW Dylan Wayne FosterAustralia	333,000(67 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 8:42:31 AM

Sootla's River Bet Gets the Job Down

Level 4: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Ranno Sootla

Dylan Foster opened the hijack to 12,000 and Ranno Sootla defended his big blind.

Sootla check-called on the 5♥ K♠ J♣ flop after Foster continued for 8,000. The 8♥ turn saw both players check through.

The 3♥ filled out the board, and Sootla fired a 38,000 bet, which was good for the pot as Foster laid it down.

Player	Chips
RS Ranno SootlaEstonia	937,000(187 BB)
DW Dylan Wayne FosterAustralia	510,000(102 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 8:27:17 AM

Nguyen Surges Ahead

Level 4: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Trung Hieu Nguyen

Trung Hieu Nguyen is now sitting on a commanding stack of around 1.4 million in chips. The first hand saw Nguyen raise to 11,000 from under the gun and was joined to the flop by blinds Pingfeng Wu and Yang Li.

Wu check-called and Li check-folded when Nguyen continued for 15,000 on the Q♠ K♥ 2♦ flop.

Both opted to check the 3♥ turn to the 7♠ river, where Wu led for 12,000 and Nguyen snap-called, tabling A♠ Q♦, besting Wu's inferior kicker with Q♣ 9♣.

In the next hand, Seunghyun Nam raised to 10,000 from under the gun and hijack Abraham Ceesvin made the call, along with big blind Nguyen.

Nguyen and Nam checked the K♠ 4♦ 9♥ flop; Ceesvin fired 11,000, which Nguyen called, before Nam upped it to 40,000, and only Nguyen stuck around.

Nguyen check-called Nam's 43,000 bet on the A♠ turn, before both players opted to check the board-pairing 9♣ river.

Nguyen flicked over 4♣ 4♠ for a flopped set; Nam slowly slid his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips
TH Trung Hieu NguyenViet Nam	1,380,000(276 BB)
AC Abraham CeesvinSingapore	625,000(125 BB)
YL Yang Li (3)China	490,000(98 BB)
PW Pingfeng WuChina	250,000(50 BB)

Level 4: 3,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 45/47

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 24/25

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 7:57:39 AM

Nguyen's Jack Works for the Pot

Level 3: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Alexandru Papazian

Alexandru Papazian made it 9,000 to go from under the gun and Nang Quang Nguyen defended his big blind.

Nguyen check-called on the K♦ 6♦ 8♣ flop after Papazian made a continuation-bet of 8,000.

The 6♠ turn saw both players check to the J♥ river, where Nguyen checked over. Papazian then fired 21,000. Nguyen made the call.

Nguyen tabled a rivered pair of jacks with A♦ J♦, overtaking Papazian's queen-high with Q♠ T♣.

Player	Chips
AP Alexandru PapazianRomania	534,000(134 BB)
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	395,000(99 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 7:53:43 AM

No Answer to Ceesvin's River Shove

Level 3: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Abraham Ceesvin

The action was picked up on the turn with around 220,000 chips in the pot and the board reading 4♥ K♣ 5♦ 2♥. Abraham Ceesvin bet 80,000 from under the gun. Pingfeng Wu went deep in the tank before he announced to call from middle position.

Ceesvin then shoved all in for 324,000 on the A♥ river, prompting a snap-fold from Wu.

Player	Chips
AC Abraham CeesvinSingapore	687,000(172 BB)
PW Pingfeng WuChina	305,000(76 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 7:36:31 AM

Lazauninkas Pays for Li's Double-Up

Level 3: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Yiming Li

Yiming Li limped from under the gun, and Ryan Plant raised to 14,000 from middle position. Gytis Lazauninkas called on the button, only to face a shove from Li for 125,000. Plant stepped aside, and Lazauninkas dropped in a call to put his tablemate at risk.

Gytis Lazauninkas: A♥ Q♥

Yiming Li: K♥ K♠

Li started strong with his pocket kings, facing off Lazauninkas' ace-high, and held control on the 3♠ 4♠ 8♥ flop. The 7♥ came on the turn, leaving Lazauninkas still needing an ace or a queen to collect one knockout.

The deck favoured Li as the river revealed another K♦, improving Li to a set and dragging in a crucial double-up for him.

Player	Chips
RP Ryan PlantUnited Kingdom	575,000(144 BB)
GL Gytis LazauninkasLithuania	575,000(144 BB)
YL Yiming LiChina	155,000(39 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 7:35:52 AM

The Ten-Timebank Tank

Level 3: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Benjamin Wu

Yongjia Lin opened to 9,000 from early position and received a sole call from big blind Yuhan Liu.

Liu opted to check the 4♦ J♣ 8♥ flop but swiftly folded when Lin fired 16,000.

In the next hand, Juns Leong raised to 9,000 from the cutoff before small blind Liu three-bet to 42,000. Big blind

Benjamin Wu then four-bet to 105,000 and only Liu stuck in the call.

Liu check-called Wu's 50,000 continuation-bet following the 2♦ 4♥ K♥ flop.

Action went check-check on the K♦ turn, taking them to the 9♣ river, where Liu led for a hefty 160,000, sending Wu into the torture chamber.

Wu went through a range of emotions and employed a myriad of tactics to try and make sense of the situation, including intense stare-downs of Liu, all-in-all using 10 timebanks to make his decision. In the end he opted to fold, and Liu elected not to show his hand.

Player	Chips
YL Yuhan LiuChina	600,000(150 BB)
JL Juns LeongMalaysia	490,000(123 BB)
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	380,000(95 BB)

Level 3: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 24/25

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 7:26:49 AM

Lazauninkas Takes Down Two Pots

Level 2: 2,000 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Gytis Lazauninkas

Gytis Lazauninkas made it 8,000 to go from middle position and Dajie Zhuo defended his big blind.

Zhuo check-called on the 5♦ J♥ K♣ flop after Lazauninkas continued for 7,000. The 4♥ turn saw both players check through.

When the board-pairing 4♣ filled out the board, Zhuo fired out 32,000. After thinking for a while, Lazauninkas dropped in a call.

Zhuo tabled his bluff with T♥ 9♦, while Lazauninkas showed his pair with 7♦ 7♥ and took down the pot.

A few hands after, Jiaming Zhao raised to 7,000 from early position and Lazauninkas defended his big blind.

The two tapped the table on the 8♣ 3♣ 2♥ flop to see the 2♦ on the turn, where Lazauninkas sent a 35,000 bet. Zhao stuck around.

The 9♦ came on the river, and Lazauninkas fired another barrel of 55,000. Zhao made the call.

Lazauninkas revealed his flopped pair of eights with J♥ 8♠ and took down the pot as Zhao folded.

Player	Chips
GL Gytis LazauninkasLithuania	635,000(212 BB)
JZ Jiaming ZhaoChina	604,000(201 BB)
DZ Dajie ZhuoChina	526,000(175 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 7:07:53 AM

Nguyen Takes Out Wu

Level 2: 2,000 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Nang Quang Nguyen

Following an earlier confrontation with Guoliang Wei, Benjamin Wu had around 140,000 left in his stack.

Wu opened to 7,000 from under the gun and was joined to the flop by Defeng Chen on the button and small blind Nang Quang Nguyen.

Both Nguyen and Wu checked when the dealer fanned 2♥ 8♣ 6♥. Chen fired 17,000 and Nguyen stuck in the call, before Wu check-shoved for his remaining stack. Chen swiftly got out of the way, but after confirming the count, Nguyen called once more and the two tabled their hands.

Nguyen tabled 8♦ 7♦ for top pair, whilst Wu's K♥ T♥ had the nut flush draw on the table. Unfortunately for Wu, No further hearts appeared on the 7♣ K♠ runout, improving Nguyen to two pair and sending Wu out as one of the first casualties of the day.

Player	Chips
NQ Nang Quang NguyenViet Nam	790,000(263 BB)
DC Defeng ChenChina	295,000(98 BB)
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	busted

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 7:04:03 AM

Zhao Misses the Heart and Pays for Li's Shove

Level 2: 2,000 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Jiaming Zhao opened the hijack to 7,000 and Yiming Li three-bet the cutoff to 26,000. Zhao came along.

Zhao checked over the 6♥ 7♥ 6♠ flop to Li, who continued for 42,000. Zhao cranked it up to 250,000, only to face a shove from Li for 176,000. This didn't deter Zhao from making the call.

Jiaming Zhao: A♥ J♥

Yiming Li: A♦ Q♥

Li started ahead with a stronger queen kicker, but the tension wasn't over yet as Zhao picked up a flush draw. The dealer then sent a T♠ on the turn, leaving Zhao still looking for a heart to eliminate Li.

Luck stayed on Li's side as the river came a Q♣, pairing Li's queen and securing a massive pot for him.

Player	Chips
YL Yiming LiChina	580,000(193 BB)
JZ Jiaming ZhaoChina	380,000(127 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 6:59:10 AM

Zhao's Sailboats Sink

Level 2: 2,000 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Dajie Zhuo

With around 15,000 chips in the pot, the dealer spread the 2♦ K♦ 9♥ flop. Jiaming Zhao checked over from the big blind to Dajie Zhuo, who led out for 7,000 in the cutoff. Zhao then check-raised to 27,000. Zhuo stuck around.

The duo then tapped the table on the 2♥ turn and Q♥ river. After seeing Zhao reveal his pair with 4♠ 4♣, Zhuo tabled his rivered pair of queens with A♥ Q♠, dragging in the pot.

Player	Chips
JZ Jiaming ZhaoChina	570,000(190 BB)
DZ Dajie ZhuoChina	494,000(165 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 6:50:15 AM

Wu's Bluff Sniffed Out

Level 2: 2,000 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

The action was joined with a completed board reading 6♦ T♠ 8♣ 4♥ 3♣, where button Benjamin Wu was locked in a confrontation with big blind Guoliang Wei. Following a check from Wei on the river, Wu moved all-in for his remaining 25,000 chips. After a minute of deliberation, Wei made the call.

Wu turned over K♦ 5♦ for a king-high bluff, while Wei revealed A♠ A♣. The pocket aces held up to secure a significant pot and a double-up for Wei. Meanwhile, Wu was left with a short stack and a difficult path ahead in the King Poker Cup Main Event.

Player	Chips
GW Guoliang WeiChina	750,000(250 BB)
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	150,000(50 BB)

Level 2: 2,000 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 16/16

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 6:40:01 AM

Sedlak Tanks, but Zhao Has the Winner

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

Jiaming Zhao

With 73,000 chips in the pot, the board ran out 4♦ Q♦ 6♠ T♠ 3♦ when Jiaming Zhao fired 55,000 in the big blind. Martin Sedlak, sitting in middle position, went deep in the tank before he dropped in a call.

Zhao tabled Q♠ 2♦ for a flopped pair of queens, and it was strong enough for the pot as Sedlak mucked.

Player	Chips
JZ Jiaming ZhaoChina	590,000(295 BB)
MS Martin SedlakGermany	409,000(205 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 6:37:36 AM

Nguyen Lets It Go Twice

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

Trung Hieu Nguyen raised to 5,000 from under the gun before calling Benjamin Wu's 23,000 three-bet from a couple of seats over.

The dealer fanned the K♦ 5♠ 6♠ flop and Nguyen checked; Wu continued for 20,000 and Nguyen promptly folded.

In the next hand, Xiao Sun limped from the cutoff, and button Quan Zhou raised to 7,000, and only Nguyen in the big blind made the call.

Nguyen checked the 4♠ Q♠ Q♣ flop and Zhou stuck 6,000 in the middle, and Nguyen sent his cards back to the dealer.

Player	Chips
BW Benjamin WuUnited States of America	520,000(260 BB)
QZ Quan ZhouChina	515,000(258 BB)
XS Xiao Sun (4)China	490,000(245 BB)
TH Trung Hieu NguyenViet Nam	470,000(235 BB)

Zoe ChangZoe Chang

1/14/2026, 6:34:43 AM

Nguyen Flops an Ace for the Four-Bet Pot

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

Christopher Park

Yang Li opened to 6,000 in the cutoff, and Trung Hieu Nguyen three-bet the button to 20,000. Christopher Park made a cold four-bet to 55,000 from the small blind. Li stepped aside and Nguyen came along.

Park continued for 30,000 on the 9♥ 3♥ A♥ flop and Nguyen stuck around to see the Q♠ on the turn, where action went check-check.

The 5♠ filled out the board, and both players tapped the table, taking it to a free showdown.

Park tabled his pair with T♣ T♥, which was beaten by Nguyen's tope pair of aces with A♠ J♣.

Player	Chips
TH Trung Hieu NguyenViet Nam	525,000(263 BB)
CP Christopher ParkUnited States of America	461,000(231 BB)

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

40 minutes

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 6:22:14 AM

Early Birds

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

Player	Chips
YB Yao BaiChina	500,000(250 BB)
ZC Zengxiang ChenChina	500,000(250 BB)
GL Gytis LazauninkasLithuania	500,000(250 BB)
XL Xiaoyu LiChina	500,000(250 BB)
YL Yang Li (3)China	500,000(250 BB)
YL Yuhan LiuChina	500,000(250 BB)
TH Trung Hieu NguyenViet Nam	500,000(250 BB)
MS Martin SedlakGermany	500,000(250 BB)
CP Christopher ParkUnited States of America	500,000(250 BB)
RS Ranno SootlaEstonia	500,000(250 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

1/14/2026, 4:17:24 AM

The King’s Main Event Underway at 15:00

The anticipation at the LES A Casino here in Jeju Shinhwa World has reached its peak as The King's Main Event officially takes center stage. This premier event is the crown jewel of the King Poker Cup, attracting some of the most elite grinders from the region.

To secure a seat in this prestigious tournament, players must put up a buy-in of USD 15,000. Players will begin their quest with a substantial starting stack of 500,000 chips. The structure is meticulously crafted for deep-stack play, featuring 40-minute levels during the opening flights to allow for maximum manoeuvrability. When the tournament progresses into Day 2 and the Final Day, the intensity increases with levels extending to 50 minutes.

The road to the title is divided into the following key stages:

- Day 1A: Wednesday, January 14 at 15:00

- Day 1B: Thursday, January 15 at 13:00

- Day 2: Friday, January 16 at 13:00

- Final Day: Saturday, January 17 at 13:00

Late registration for both opening flights remains available until the end of Level 10. Today, registration closes at 23:10, while the slightly earlier start on Day 1B tomorrow means registration will conclude at 21:10. All remaining contenders from the first two flights will combine for Day 2 as they battle toward the final coronation.

Event starts 15:00 local time..