Red Dragon Closer (1,500,000 KRW)

Interview With Weiran Pu - Red Dragon Closer Champion

Congrats to winning another trophy for your collection! How do you feel?

I’m absolutely thrilled! It’s been more than a year since I won my WSOP bracelet, so this is my first title in quite a while—and it finally ends my championship drought.

What's your summary of the final table today? We saw some interesting plays from you.

Even though the final table was relatively small, I weighed every decision carefully. Overall, I’m satisfied with my performance. The field was tough, but with the shorter structure luck matters a bit more—and the cards certainly cooperated today.

You've had some great results here in Jeju, the biggest being the 5th place in the Triton Event 1 for a whopping $309k just a few months ago. What do you like about jeju and the venue here?

Jeju feels like home turf for the Red Dragon Team, and that “home-field aura” really boosts my confidence. I’ve had strong finishes in two Triton events here, and now I’ve captured a Red Dragon trophy on the same island. The mix of familiarity and success means a lot to me—I’m genuinely happy here.

Being one of the few Chinese Bracelet winners, how did the win in 2023 change your life, turning $5,000 into almost $1M!

That victory meant far more than money; it was an enormous boost to my poker career. Winning on the world’s biggest stage cemented my commitment to this path. Since then, Triton, WSOP, EPT—top-tier international events—have been my goals, and I’ll keep pursuing them with everything I’ve got.

Will you be playing again this year?

Absolutely. When the schedule allows, I’ll be back for every Red Dragon Cup stop—this is home ground!

Lets get to some more general questions. How did you get started in poker, and what sparked your interest in the game?

I wrote about this in detail in my book *How My Bracelet Was Forged*. A friend first introduced me to poker, and I fell in love instantly. I’d never been that interested in card games before, but poker grabbed me at once. From 2010 until now—that’s over a decade of passion. Being able to stick with something I love makes me feel very fortunate.

Do you still play online much?

Not as often these days—mostly because of time-zone issues. I prefer live tournaments: the routine is healthier and the experience is better.

What were the biggest challenges you faced early in your career, and how did you overcome them?

I was lucky—my big adventure began in early 2023, and I captured a WSOP title quickly. But after that, I went through more than a year without another win. This recent victory finally ended that slump. It taught me that you have to keep a level head in poker and enjoy the ups and downs along the way.

With such an accomplished career, what keeps you motivated?

Pure love for the game. You can’t love poker only when you’re winning and quit when you’re losing. The game’s intrinsic appeal drives me to keep playing—and to share my experiences through Vlogs.

Outside of poker, what other interests do you have, and how do they influence your perspective on the game?

I used to be an esports player and even played *StarCraft*, but once I fell for poker, I poured almost all my time into it—especially these past two years traveling the high-roller circuit. If I had to name something else, it’s music. I often listen to piano pieces while playing; they help me reset, stay calm, and keep my focus.

Read up on Weiran Pu's road to victory via the Live Updates.