
Final Day
Khayal Abbasov Wins Won Poker Cup III Main Event for $116,500

In just four hours of Final Day action, the Won Poker Cup III Main Event crowned a new champion with Khayal Abbasov claiming all the accolades. Abbasov showcased a full display of unwavering composure, sharp decision-making, and relentless pressure throughout the final games, ultimately rising as the last man standing out of a 415-entry field.
“I feel very excited and happy,” Abbasov said shortly after the win. “I have been waiting for this for a long time—maybe since the start of my career. I haven't won anything bigger than this. I'm really happy.”
For his well-earned feat, Abbasov rewrote his career best cash to $116,500, and takes with him the coveted Won Trophy and the exclusive W Ring.
Only nine players headed back to the scene, with Abbasov holding down a commanding lead. Abbasov kicked off the day to a slow start but eventually picked up the momentum once the field drew thinner. A decisive double knockout five-handed propelled him further ahead, and set the stage for the Azerbaijani to steamroll to victory.
"I played my game and got very lucky.. Aces, kings, what more could you ask for, just very lucky.”
From there, the chips continued to fall in Abbasov’s favor, eventually landing him a seat in the final duel against 2024 Runner Up Armon Van Wijk with an 8:1 chip advantage. It only took half a level for Abbasov to secure the victory, leaving his Australian foe yet with another close finish.
“I will definitely be back, I won the Mini Main last time and the Main Event this time.” he added. “Actually, I think I can say that this is the best organization I have ever played in around Asia. Having played a lot of series, I think so far, this has been the best venue.”
/As for what comes next?
“I plan on celebrating for about two weeks to a month,” he laughed. “Drink with friends, just have fun, and celebrate all of this. After that, I’ll find a series to play.”
Congratulations to all the winners!
Won Poker Cup III Main Event
Date/s: May 17-21, 2025
Buy-in: USD 1,320
Guarantee: USD 600,000
Entries: 415
Prize pool: USD 600,000
ITM: 52 places
Final Table Results
Place | Player | Prize (USD) |
---|---|---|
1 | KA Khayal Abbasov | $116,500 |
2 | AV Armon Van Wijk | $73,800 |
3 | AC Abhijith Cheruku | $53,300 |
4 | VA Viet An Nguyen | $43,100 |
5 | NT Ngoc Thai Huynh | $34,100 |
6 | MB Mikayel Balabekyan | $26,300 |
7 | AB Adrian Brion | $19,600 |
8 | HA Hoang Anh Nguyen | $14,200 |
9 | KB Kyle Bao Diep | $11,500 |
Armon Van Wijk Settles for Another Runner Up Finish - $73,800

Armon Van Wijk again completed his big blind against Khayal Abbasov's button open, and faced another 200,000 cbet on flop 8♦ 5♠ J♥ . Van Wijk this time, pulled a check raise to 600,000, which shortly merited a call from his opponent.
With a tower of chips already in the middle, Van Wijk decided to slow down on turn 9♦ and check to his opponent. Abbasov unrelentlessly, put Van Wijk to the test for his remaining 10 big blinds, and shortly garnered a call from the Australian with top pair J♣ 6♥ . Abbasov revealed a better K♦ K♥ , leaving Van Wijk with only a few outs to turn the tables.
River 8♠ sealed the win for Abbasov, leaving Van Wijk with another Won Main Event runner up finish on his resumé.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 12,450,000(125 BB) |
AV Armon Van Wijk | busted |
Khayal Abbasov Takes Some Back

Armon Van Wijk defended his big blind against Khayal Abbasov's 250,000 button open, and check called 400,000 on flop 8♦ 6♥ 5♦ . On turn 2♠ however, Van Wijk was left unable to continue as Abbasov followed with another 900,000.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 9,600,000(96 BB) |
AV Armon Van Wijk | 2,800,000(28 BB) |
Armon Van Wijk Doubles Up
Khayal Abbasov opened 225,000 on the button and Armon Van Wijk completed his big blind.
On board 6♠ 9♥ K♣ 4♥ J♦ , Abbasov triple barreled 150,000, 450,000, and a final all-in, with Van Wijk calling down all three streets with two pair K♠ 6♥ . Abbasov showed a busted straight draw T♠ 7♣ and forked over yet another pot to his opponent.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 9,000,000(90 BB) |
AV Armon Van Wijk | 3,400,000(34 BB) |
Armon Van Wijk Draws First Blood

A limp pot, action checked to turn 7♠ 6♥ 8♣ 3♦ , where Khayal Abbasov led a bet of 200,000. Armon Van Wijk stuck around to see river 9♣ and decided to gun for a final 400,000. Abbasov paid the price, yet mucked as Van Wijk revealed a straight J♣ 5♣ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 10,200,000(102 BB) |
AV Armon Van Wijk | 2,100,000(21 BB) |
Heads Up!

This season’s Won Poker Cup III Main Event has reached its final showdown, with Azerbaijan’s Khayal Abbasov facing off against Australia’s Armon Van Wijk. Abbasov entered the Final Day as the chip leader and maintained his dominance, continuing to hold an overwhelming 8:1 chip advantage to put him in prime position to capture the victory. For Van Wijk, it’s a familiar scene as he finds himself once again heads up for the title, just as he did in last year’s inaugural edition.
Chip Counts
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 11,085,000(111 BB) |
AV Armon Van Wijk | 1,365,000(14 BB) |
Remaining Payouts
Place | Payout (USD) |
---|---|
1 | $116,500 |
2 | $73,800 |
Abhijith Cheruku Falls Short in 3rd Place - $53,300

Following a series of opens and folds, Abhijith Cheruku finally took a stand and called off his last 7 big blinds against Khayal Abbasov's open jam.
Cheruku poised for a double up, unfortunately didn't get one as board 9♠ 2♥ 9♥ 9♦ 8♥ rolled Abbasov a full house to take the win, sending him out of the running.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | A♦8♣ D | 11,085,000(111 BB) |
AC Abhijith Cheruku | A♥J♥ SB | busted |
Chip Count Update
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 9,700,000(97 BB) |
AV Armon Van Wijk | 1,300,000(13 BB) |
AC Abhijith Cheruku | 1,300,000(13 BB) |
Armon Van Wijk Spared From Elimination

Armon Van Wijk slammed his 19 big blind stack against Khayal Abbasov's button open, and saw the chip leader waste no time in making the call.
Lucky for Van Wijk, the board 4♣ 3♦ 2♣ K♣ 5♣ landed both players a wheel straight, saving him from a potential bust.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
AV Armon Van Wijk | A♠5♠ BB | 1,900,000(19 BB) |
KA Khayal Abbasov | A♦Q♦ D | 8,600,000(86 BB) |
Viet An Nguyen Finishes in 4th Place - $43,100; Ngoc Thai Huynh Busts in 5th Place - $34,100


A massive three way preflop all-in unfolded beginning with a button open from Khayal Abbasov. Ngoc Thai Huynh was the first to shove his last 1,140,000, called by Viet An Nguyen behind. Abbasov jumped in on the action with another jam, leaving Nguyen to commit the remainder of his chips for a dramatic three way showdown.
Abbasov's nutted aces held up across board 9♦ 2♣ 8♠ T♣ 2♦ , delivering the double knock out to extend his lead even further with only three left in contention.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | A♦A♠ D | 8,300,000(104 BB) |
VA Viet An Nguyen | A♥J♠ BB | busted |
NT Ngoc Thai Huynh | A♣7♥ SB | busted |
Khayal Abbasov's Initiative Pays Off

Abhijith Cheruku shot out a minraise on his button option and saw Khayal Abbasov complete on the big blind.
On flop 6♣ 5♦ 7♥ , Abbasov went ahead and led for 140,000, followed by another 425,000 on turn 5♠ . Cheruku called the initial bet, but found no reason to continue as Abbasov kept up the aggression.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 4,200,000(53 BB) |
AC Abhijith Cheruku | 2,000,000(25 BB) |
Khayal Abbasov Triple Barrels for the Win

A three way raised pot led by Khayal Abbasov saw the aggressor triple barrel - 155,000, 300,000, and 1,200,000, on board K♦ 5♠ 5♣ 7♠ J♥ . Viet An Nguyen on the button, called down two streets, but just couldn't get past the final bet for a showdown.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 3,900,000(49 BB) |
VA Viet An Nguyen | 2,400,000(30 BB) |
Khayal Abbasov Bleeds More Chips
Khayal Abbasov defended his big blind against Viet An Nguyen's cutoff open, and got a free pass on flop 2♠ 6♦ 7♠ through to turn A♦ . Abbasov made an attempt with a bet of 300,000, called by Nguyen. Both checked river 2♦ to showdown, with a quick muck from Abbasov earning Nguyen the pot as he revealed top pair A♥ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 3,790,000(47 BB) |
VA Viet An Nguyen | 2,400,000(30 BB) |
Abhijith Cheruku Wins Preflop War

Abhijith Cheruku opened 160,000 on the button and was quickly met with a 500,000 three bet from Khayal Abbasov on the big blind. Cheruku fired back with a raise to 900,000, leaving Abbasov to walk away entirely.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 3,790,000(47 BB) |
AC Abhijith Cheruku | 2,500,000(31 BB) |
Armon Van Wijk Doubles Up

Armon Van Wijk stood his ground and agreed to risk his last 12 big blinds with A♦ 4♦ , up against Khayal Abbasov's all-in with K♣ J♣ for a race.
Van Wijk broke a sweat as Abbasov flopped a flush draw on 7♣ 7♦ 3♣ , but was relieved to see the runout 6♠ 8♠ fade his opponents' outs, earning him a double up.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 4,200,000(53 BB) |
AV Armon Van Wijk | 1,900,000(24 BB) |
Chip Count Update
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 5,310,000(66 BB) |
VA Viet An Nguyen | 2,400,000(30 BB) |
AC Abhijith Cheruku | 2,190,000(27 BB) |
NT Ngoc Thai Huynh | 1,600,000(20 BB) |
AV Armon Van Wijk | 980,000(12 BB) |
Mikayel Balabekyan Crashes in 6th Place - $26,300

With action folded to the blinds, Mikayel Balabekyan limped in and faced a 460,000 raise from Khayal Abbasov right behind. Balabekyan jumped the gun for his last 1,400,000 and was snapped by Abbasov, putting him at risk.
Board 6♠ 3♣ Q♣ 8♠ 8♣ sealed Balabekyan's fate in 6th, cutting the field down to five.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | A♦A♥ BB | 5,310,000(89 BB) |
MB Mikayel Balabekyan | A♠T♠ SB | busted |
Armon Van Wijk on the Move

Two big stacks were already in the pot beginning with an utg open from Khayal Abbasov, followed by a call from Abhijith Cheruku on the button. Armon Van Wijk undeterred, pulled a squeeze to 830,000 on the small blind and picked up the pot uncontested.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 3,600,000(60 BB) |
AC Abhijith Cheruku | 2,700,000(45 BB) |
AV Armon Van Wijk | 1,290,000(22 BB) |
Viet An Nguyen Recovers
Viet An Nguyen once again pushed his last few big blinds in the middle and this time, found Khayal Abbasov as his latest customer.
Looking to pair up, Nguyen did just so on board 7♣ J♣ 8♣ Q♣ 3♥ , securing him the much needed double.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
VA Viet An Nguyen | J♠T♥ MP | 720,000(12 BB) |
KA Khayal Abbasov | 9♦9♠ BB | 3,600,000(60 BB) |
Adrian Brion Continues to Hang On

Action folded to the blinds, prompting big stacked Khayal Abbasov to open raise all-in. Adrian Brion on the big blind, called off his last couple of big blinds and found himself in for a flip for his tournament life.
Things were looking glum for Brion as the flop 4♣ 5♦ 2♦ landed Abbasov a set, but quickly turned around as the runout 3♠ 6♦ showed a straight on board for a split pot.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
AB Adrian Brion | A♥9♥ BB | 430,000(9 BB) |
KA Khayal Abbasov | 2♥2♣ SB | 4,200,000(84 BB) |
Chip Count Update
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 3,600,000(72 BB) |
MB Mikayel Balabekyan | 2,200,000(44 BB) |
AC Abhijith Cheruku | 1,900,000(38 BB) |
VA Viet An Nguyen | 1,875,000(38 BB) |
NT Ngoc Thai Huynh | 1,100,000(22 BB) |
AV Armon Van Wijk | 1,000,000(20 BB) |
AB Adrian Brion | 580,000(12 BB) |
Easy Double for Ngoc Thai Huynh

Khayal Abbasov lodged a 300,000 three bet against an early open and was priced in to call Ngoc Thai Huynh's 485,000 all-in from the big blind.
Crushed against the best hand in the deck, Abbasov booked the loss on board 4♣ T♠ K♠ J♠ 4♦ , giving Huynh more room to breathe.
Player | Hand | Chips |
---|---|---|
NT Ngoc Thai Huynh | A♥A♣ BB | 1,100,000(22 BB) |
KA Khayal Abbasov | A♣3♦ D | 3,600,000(72 BB) |
Balabekyan Shaves Some Off Abbasov

Mikayel Balabekyan defended his big blind against an early open from chip leader Khayal Abbasov, and check called two streets - 70,000 and 180,000 on board 9♦ 5♦ 9♣ 9♠ . On river J♠ , Abbasov decided to slow down, check it back, and concede the pot as Balabekyan revealed 6♦ 6♥ .
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 3,900,000(98 BB) |
MB Mikayel Balabekyan | 1,900,000(48 BB) |
Khayal Abbasov Puts On the Pressure

Khayal Abbasov opened from early position and saw Mikayel Balabekyan defend his big blind. On board J♥ 4♠ A♥ T♣ , Abbasov double barreled 70,000 and 225,000, convincing Balabekyan to give it up by the turn.
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 4,200,000(105 BB) |
MB Mikayel Balabekyan | 1,410,000(35 BB) |
$116K Up Top: Final Table Battle Kicks Off Today!

The stage is set for the thrilling conclusion of the Won Poker Cup III Main Event! After several days of intense action and a 415-entry field reduced to just nine contenders, the final table returns today — May 21st at 12:00 PM, to battle for the $116,500 top prize, the trophy, and the exclusive W Ring.
Leading the charge is Azerbaijan's Khayal Abbasov, who enters the Final Day with a dominant stack and nearly a third of the chips in play. But with poker’s unpredictable swings and increasing blinds, anything can happen as the final chapter of this Main Event unfolds. Each finalist has locked up at least $11,500, but only one will walk away as the Won Poker Cup III champion.
Stay locked in as SMP brings you real-time updates, key hands, and chip counts straight from the tournament floor!
Won Poker Cup III Main Event
Date/s: May 17-21, 2025
Buy-in: USD 1,320
Guarantee: USD 600,000
Entries: 415
Prize pool: USD 600,000
ITM: 52 places

Seat Draw
Player | Chips | Table | Seat |
---|---|---|---|
KB Kyle Bao Diep | 480,000(12 BB) | 1 | 1 |
AB Adrian Brion | 550,000(14 BB) | 1 | 2 |
NT Ngoc Thai Huynh | 1,045,000(26 BB) | 1 | 3 |
VA Viet An Nguyen | 1,720,000(43 BB) | 1 | 4 |
AC Abhijith Cheruku | 1,185,000(30 BB) | 1 | 5 |
AV Armon Van Wijk | 1,270,000(32 BB) | 1 | 6 |
MB Mikayel Balabekyan | 1,660,000(42 BB) | 1 | 7 |
HA Hoang Anh Nguyen | 430,000(11 BB) | 1 | 8 |
KA Khayal Abbasov | 4,105,000(103 BB) | 1 | 9 |
Chip Count
Player | Chips |
---|---|
KA Khayal Abbasov | 4,105,000(103 BB) |
VA Viet An Nguyen | 1,720,000(43 BB) |
MB Mikayel Balabekyan | 1,660,000(42 BB) |
AV Armon Van Wijk | 1,270,000(32 BB) |
AC Abhijith Cheruku | 1,185,000(30 BB) |
NT Ngoc Thai Huynh | 1,045,000(26 BB) |
AB Adrian Brion | 550,000(14 BB) |
KB Kyle Bao Diep | 480,000(12 BB) |
HA Hoang Anh Nguyen | 430,000(11 BB) |
Remaining Payouts
Place | Payout (USD) |
---|---|
1 | $116,500 |
2 | $73,800 |
3 | $53,300 |
4 | $43,100 |
5 | $34,100 |
6 | $26,300 |
7 | $19,600 |
8 | $14,200 |
9 | $11,500 |