WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship (3 PACKAGE)

After five intense days of poker action, China's Haoran Sun emerged victorious as the first ever WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship winner, navigating a marathon 2,337-entry field to claim the title, the trophy, and the lion’s share of the THB 75,488,000 (~USD 2.3M) total travel fund prize pool.

Sun entered the final day as one of the top stacks and consistently stayed afloat the ultra-fast paced structure, executing timely aggression, key knockouts, and cool composure from start to finish. In just two hours of final table action, Sun closed the win in stunning fashion, needing only two hands in heads up play to defeat Canada’s Philipp Zukernik and capture the crown.

For his incredible performance, Sun takes home THB 11,477,000 (~USD 352,480) in travel fund value along with a coveted must-play seat to the WPT World Championship in Las Vegas later this year. More than any other victory, Sun now becomes part of Thai's poker history, marking a truly unforgettable run in this historic debut hosted in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Interview with Haoran Sun:

SMP: Congratulations, Haoran! How does it feel to be the first-ever WPT Champion crowned on Thai soil?

Sun: I'm extremely excited, it feels like I've been living in a dream.

SMP: What was the first thought that went through your head when that final card hit the felt?

Sun: I've been playing against Philipp Zukernik for a long time, and I think he's the type of player who would push all-in with a wide range of hands. So I judged that my K7 could outperform most of his hand range in that situation, so I chose to call.

I was especially excited. At that moment, I knew the championship was secure. Because I had good luck today and basically didn't lose any pots, when I saw that my cards could beat his, I was certain that the championship was mine.

SMP: Looking back, what was the most pivotal hand for you in this event?

Sun: On the second day, I entered the day with 860,000 chips. I lost some chips at the start of the day and was left with just over 400,000. Later, I won a few pots and my chip count rose back to over 600,000, but 600,000 was only a few big blinds at that point. Then I got pocket kings (KK). With this hand, my chips tripled, and I directly returned to a healthy chip count. This hand was extremely crucial.

SMP: The adjusted structure was especially intense with the turbo 20 minute levels and short stacks, how did you adapt your game?

Sun: There weren't many major changes. I just cherished every big blind. However, during the bubble phase, I played more aggressively, which helped me accumulate a certain amount of chips. In the later stages, I tried to play tighter. When I got good hands to outplay my opponents, I would then "run it" (go all-in for a showdown) with them. Because in this format, many players would push all-in with a wide range of hands, and it's hard for short stacks to survive without taking the initiative. So I seized some of their mistakes, successfully accumulated chips, and ensured I stayed in the game all the time.

SMP: You came into the Final Day amongst the top counts. What was your strategy and how did you deal with all the short stacks?

Sun: My chip count was healthy today, and I ranked third when entering the final table. My strategy at that time was to make more use of position advantages to maintain a healthy chip count, steal more pots, and try to avoid unnecessary "all-in showdowns".

SMP: Were there any specific opponents who gave you a particularly tough time?

Sun: I think Singaporean player Alex Lee is very skilled, but unfortunately, his AK couldn't beat his opponent's A5, and he was eliminated early.

SMP: What does this victory mean to you personally and professionally?

Sun: Of course, it's meaningful. This is my first main event championship, and it has given me more confidence in my poker career. Winning a championship on an international stage is a very exciting moment in my life, and I'm very happy.

SMP: Can you tell us a bit about your poker background and how you got into the game?

Sun: At first, I played offline cash games for fun with friends, small games like 1-yuan and 2-yuan stakes. I found this game very appealing, but I always lost at the beginning. I'm a person who doesn't like to lose, so I kept studying the reasons for my losses. Gradually, I improved and later could beat them. After that, I came into contact with MTT tournaments and slowly became obsessed with tournaments, playing fewer cash games.

For this tournament in Bangkok, I've always known about the WPT brand and think it has great international influence. Moreover, this is the first Thailand stop, which is close to China, so I wanted to come and experience the atmosphere of an international event.

SMP: Have you played WPT events before? How does this one compare?

Sun: This is my first time participating in a WPT event, and I think the stage setup at the venue is especially great!

SMP: You’ve earned an entry to the WPT World Championship in Las Vegas. How excited are you to compete on that stage?

Sun：I'm very happy. If I can successfully get the visa, I will definitely go.

Congratulations to all the winners!

WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship

Date/s: August 1-5, 2025

Buy-in: Travel Package 3 valued at THB 37,000 (~USD 1,100)

Guarantee: THB 37,000,000 (~USD 1.1M) travel fund

Entries: 2,337

Prize pool: THB 75,488,000 (~USD 2.3M) travel fund

ITM: 293 places

Day 1A: 525 entries, 66 qualified

Day 1B: 663 entries, 83 qualified

Day 1C: 598 entries, 75 qualified

Day 1D: 551 entries, 69 qualified

Day 2: 292 players, 14 qualified

The final hand came quicker than anyone expected, just two deals into the heads up battle. Philipp Zukernik, staying aggressive, moved all-in for his remaining 24,000,000, but was unable to get past Haoran Sun’s dominating hand once the cards were tabled.

No surprises arrived on board 6♣ 3♠ J♥ Q♥ 4♦ , sealing the win for Sun as the inaugural WPT Thailand champion. Zukernik took the close runner up finish in stride, collecting a well-earned THB 7.6 million for his deep run.

The final battle for the inaugural WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship title has arrived, with the massive 2,337-entry field whittled down to just two contenders — China’s Haoran Sun and Canada’s Philipp Zukernik. Sun enters heads up play with a commanding near 2:1 chip lead, looking to seal the deal and etch his name in WPT history.

Duhan Lee unable to pick up any momentum, was forced all-in on the big blind once more, and was up against both opponents Philipp Zukernik and Haoran Sun.

Board A♠ 6♣ K♥ 7♠ K♦ was again checked to showdown, but this time, it was Sun who picked up the pot with his pocket pair, sealing Lee's elimination in 3rd place.

Running on fumes, Hong Cai flicked in his last 200,000 utg, and was joined by two more callers behind - Philipp Zukernik and Haoran Sun. Duhan Lee who was also forced all-in on the big blind, had no choice but to chime in on the four way pot.

Board 8♥ T♥ 6♦ 9♥ 4♥ was checked all the way to showdown, tabling Lee's flush for the win and keeping him firmly in contention, while Cai headed towards the payout desk.

Crippled from the previous loss, Alex Lee chucked in his remaining 900,000, and faced Philipp Zukernik in the big blind for a second time around.

Lee holding on for dear life, sadly found his hopes quickly crushed as the board 8♣ 9♥ T♥ 8♥ 4♦ landed in favor of Zukernik once more.

Philipp Zukernik open shoved 16,000,000 on the cutoff and was looked up by Alex Lee in the small blind, barely covering his Canadian opponent.

Lee well ahead, nearly clutched the massive pot as the board ran 9♦ Q♣ A♣ 8♥ , up until the river 5♣ offered Zukernik two pair to steal the win and leave Lee on the ropes in the process.

Philipp Zukernik open shoved utg for 11,000,000 and almost got it through, until action stopped on Atsunobu Konishi in the big blind who was left deep in thought. After a moment, Konishi decided to take a stand, calling off his 9,800,000 stack.

Gunning for an ace, Konishi found none on board 7♣ 4♦ 2♦ Q♦ 3♣ , leaving him to settle for a 6th place payout.

Haoran Sun opened 2,500,000 folded to him on the button, and gladly called Allen Nielsen's all-in for 1,100,000 more.

Nielsen crushed against the cowboys, headed out not long after board A♦ 2♣ J♠ 8♠ A♣ sealed his exit in seventh place finish.

Allen Nielsen open raised 8,600,000 in early position and found one customer in Atsunobu Konishi in the small blind, who called off his lesser 3,000,000.

Nielsen dominated, had no choice but to take the loss as Konishi's premium ace kept ahead through board 3♦ 4♥ Q♣ A♦ 5♠ from start to dfinish.

Down to less than a big blind, Ashkenazi Amit flicked in his last 400,000 utg, and was followed with a 2,000,000 raise from Hong Cai a seat after. Alex Lee in the small blind, joined in, pushing his entire 6,200,000 forward. After some deliberation, Cai made the final call, setting up a three way showdown.

Two at risk, Lee's ladies held strong across board 4♥ 9♠ 2♥ 5♣ K♣ , scooping up the pot and leaving Amit bound for the rails.

Ashkenazi opened 2,500,000 in early position and was priced in to call 800,000 more following a shove from Allen Nielsen in the small blind.

In for a race, Nielsen's slight advantage further widened as the flop 9♠ K♠ 2♦ landed him top pair. No bad beats arrived on runout A♠ 8♣ , shipping Nielsen the crucial double, while leaving Amit with less than a big blind.

Right on the first deal of the final table, action wasted no time, and neither did Haoran Sun. After it folded around to him on the small blind, Sun shoved all-in, putting the pressure on Nikhil Zedia in the big blind. With just 2,500,000 left, Zedia made the call to put his tournament life on the line.

Moments later, the cards were tabled, running a board of 3♠ K♣ 6♣ 8♠ T♣ , and just like that, one contender’s run came to an end, trimming the field to eight as the race for the title continues.

The final table is officially set at the WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship! After a whirlwind session that saw field after field get trimmed down, only nine players remain in contention for the historic title, along with the THB 11,477,000 (~USD 350,000) top prize in travel funds, and a prestigious must-play seat to the WPT World Championship in Las Vegas.

Each finalist is now secured at least THB 1,142,000 (~USD 35,075) in travel funds, but with shallow stacks and just a handful of big blinds separating the field, it’s still anyone’s game from here. Currently leading the charge is China's Hong Cai, bringing in 21,900,000 (27 BB) after delivering the final table bubble just slightly over half an hour since the day has begun.

Action will resume in a few minutes, with live updates posted an hour behind to run in sync with the official livestream hosted by WPT.

Stay tuned as SMP brings you live updates, key hands, and all the big moments straight from the tournament floor!

WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship

Date/s: August 1-5, 2025

Buy-in: Travel Package 3 valued at THB 37,000 (~USD 1,100)

Guarantee: THB 37,000,000 (~USD 1.1M) travel fund

Entries: 2,337

Prize pool: THB 75,488,000 (~USD 2.3M) travel fund

ITM: 293 places

Day 1A: 525 entries, 66 qualified

Day 1B: 663 entries, 83 qualified

Day 1C: 598 entries, 75 qualified

Day 1D: 551 entries, 69 qualified

Day 2: 292 players, 14 qualified

Day 3/ Final: Tuesday, August 5

Following a series of double ups, Shaohung Yu open raised all-in a fourth time around for 3,100,000 on the cutoff, and this time, was looked up by chip leader Hong Cai in the big blind.

A 50-50 spot, Yu was quickly left in pieces after the window card showed a Q♣ . Yu further missed to catch up on runout 8♥ 2♣ T♣ A♦ , sealing his elimination in 10th place for the first seven-digit payout nonetheless.

With blinds creeping up fast, Vu Hoai Lam made his move from utg, shoving his remaining 3,800,000 into the middle. But a couple seats behind him was Hong Cai, who woke up with a monster hand and quickly made the call.

Lam in rough shape, settled for an 11th place finish after board J♥ T♠ 6♠ 4♦ J♦ offered him no lifeline.

Another ultra short stack to start the day, Manabu Sato was already forced all-in on the big blind for his last 800,000, and only took one call from Hong Cai to his left to put him at risk.

Unable to escape the inevitable, Sato bowed out shortly after missing to connect with board A♠ Q♥ 7♦ 8♥ J♦ .

After doubling up Nikhil Kedia following a classic flip which saw the Indian's ladies hold up against Mingzhe Zhang's ace-king, the two were off to the races again, this time with Zhang at risk for his remaining 2,800,000.

Running another coinflip, Kedia took it a second time around after Zhang's overcards missed to pair up on board K♥ 7♦ 5♣ 6♦ 4♥ , capping the Chinese' run in 13th place.

Action folded to Atsunobu Konishi, pushing him to open raise all-in on the button. Shaohung Yu found himself at risk once more after calling off his remaining 1,200,000 for a race.

Yu ahead, clutched another crucial double as board T♥ 7♠ 2♦ 5♣ 5♦ kept his ace-high in front all the way. The following hand, Yu shoved all-in again, and this time found no takers, raking in another 1,500,000 boost.

Coming in with a single big blind, Chi Wei Lo was already forced all-in right on the first deal. Shaohung Yu joined in on the action, risking his 900,000 micro stack. Hong Cai in the small blind completed, setting up a potential double bust.

Cai shot ahead on flop 7♠ T♥ 2♥ , but kept Yu in contention after catching up on runout 9♥ Q♦ . Lo exited as the day's first casualty, punching in a 14th place payout ticket for his deep run.

WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship Final Day begins, good luck to all the players!

The stage is set, the spotlights are on, and the last fourteen players of the WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship are returning back at UOB LIVE, Emsphere for the grand finale of what has been a truly historic debut for WPT in Thailand.

After four starting flights and a turbo-charged Day 2 that whittled 292 hopefuls down to just two tables, only 14 contenders remain in the hunt for the THB 11,477,000 (~USD 350,000) top prize in travel funds, plus a coveted must-play seat to the WPT World Championship in Las Vegas. Each player is already guaranteed at least THB 721,000 (~USD 22,145) in winnings, but the dream of becoming the country's first ever WPT champion is still very much alive.

South Korea’s Duhan Lee leads today's charge with 16,175,000 (27 BB), trailed closely by China's Hong Cai with 13,750,000 (23 BB), and Haoran Sun with 13,400,000 (22 BB). But with shallow stacks across the board and the average sitting just under twelve big blinds, the crown remains wide open. Momentum can swing in a single hand, and redemption awaits whoever can hold steady under pressure.

Joining the fray is Singapore's Alex Lee, the most accomplished player on board, with over USD 1.5 million in career earnings. Lee delivered several key knockouts to close the day, bagging a mighty 8,825,000 (15 BB) to keep him in the hunt for this season's inaugural Championship title.

Action resumes at 6:00 PM, with play continuing down to a winner. Stay tuned as SMP brings you live updates, key hands, and all the big moments straight from the tournament floor!

WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship

Date/s: August 1-5, 2025

Buy-in: Travel Package 3 valued at THB 37,000 (~USD 1,100)

Guarantee: THB 37,000,000 (~USD 1.1M) travel fund

Entries: 2,337

Prize pool: THB 75,488,000 (~USD 2.3M) travel fund

ITM: 293 places

Day 1A: 525 entries, 66 qualified

Day 1B: 663 entries, 83 qualified

Day 1C: 598 entries, 75 qualified

Day 1D: 551 entries, 69 qualified

Day 2: 292 players, 14 qualified

Day 3/ Final: Tuesday, August 5