Japan's Ryo Hosaka

Japan's Ryo Hosaka came away with the title in the KRW 2,500,000 HR Hyper 20 Sec at WPT Seoul 2026, taking home KRW 18,042,000 (~USD 13,530) after topping a 19-entry field.

The high-roller event generated a KRW 42 million (~USD 31,465) prize pool, with four players making the money. Hosaka secured the biggest payout, adding another title to Japan's results at the festival.

Kensuke Kanamori finished runner-up, earning KRW 11,330,000 (~USD 8,495) for his deep run. The heads-up result left Hosaka with the trophy and the top prize.

Tomoyo Kono claimed third place for KRW 7,130,000 (~USD 5,345), while Mitsuki Aihara completed the four paid positions with a fourth-place payout of KRW 5,450,000 (~USD 4,085).

Teruhisa Matsuoka

Japan's Teruhisa Matsuoka added another trophy to the country's collection after taking down the KRW 300,000 Hyper Turbo 15 Sec at WPT Seoul 2026. The fast-paced event attracted 80 entries, with Matsuoka emerging as the last player standing to collect KRW 6,016,000 (~USD 4,510).

The tournament generated a KRW 20.7 million (~USD 15,550) prize pool, with the top finishers sharing the payouts. Matsuoka secured the largest portion after navigating the field and making it through the final stages of the event.

Fellow Japanese player Taekweng Yoo came close but had to settle for second place, earning KRW 3,730,000 (~USD 2,795). Takumi Haga completed the top three with a payout of KRW 2,440,000 (~USD 1,830).

China's Xiaohuang Chen, who had already claimed an opening-day Hyper Turbo title, also made another deep run. Chen reached the money again, finishing sixth for KRW 1,240,000 (~USD 930).

Anton Lysenko

For Anton Lysenko, the victory in Event #13 PLO was about more than just the money. The Russian player had a special reason to celebrate after finally getting his hands on his first-ever trophy on the live poker circuit.

Lysenko raised the Russian flag after coming out on top of a 36-entry field, earning KRW 6,722,400 (~USD 5,040) for his achievement. The event generated a KRW 18,662,400 (~USD 13,990) prize pool, with Lysenko taking home the biggest share.

Standing between him and his first live title was Taiwan’s Yih Ming Su, but Lysenko got the better of his opponent in the heads-up battle to seal the victory. It was a memorable result for the Russian, who now has his first live poker trophy to add to his collection.

Event #13 PLO - Results

Kazuki Hane

With only three players left, Mitsuaki Onizuka, being the shortest, needed to make a stand and double up to last longer in the tournament.

He chose to do it in the small blind, calling Kazuki Hane's all-in shove from the button.

Mitsuaki Onizuka: A♣9♣

Kazuki Hane: A♥8♦

Onizuka had Hane dominated but his lead was short-lived as his opponent was pushed ahead on the 4♣4♦8♣ flop.

No help came on the J♦ turn. And with Hane's hand improving to a full house on the 8♥ river, Onziuka was eliminated from the tournament in 3rd place.

It didn't take long before a winner was crowned, however.

On the button, Hane shoved all-in with his massive stack sending Nobuaki Narita to the tank but after a few seconds, he quietly announced a call, the dealer almost didn't hear it.

Nobuaki Narita: Q♦4♠

Kazuki Hane: 3♥3♣

Narita needed his overcards to double up. The flop dropped 9♦2♥8♦ keeping Hane in the lead. With no help on the J♣J♦, Narita had to settle for runner-up.

And just like that, Kazuki Hane emerged victorious, claiming the title of Event #12 Freezeout Champion!

Here are the final results:

Ryoichi Katsumata

After two days of nonstop action, the Championship Warm Up crowned its champion.

Across three starting flights, the event recorded 353 entries, more than doubling its initial KRW 100 million guarantee to generate a prize pool of KRW 213,494,400 (~USD 160,000).

In the end, Japan's Ryoichi Katsumata took home the trophy and the top prize of KRW 42,000,000 (~USD 31,480), also securing the biggest cash of his career. Katsumata and runner-up Hendrik Uibo agreed to adjust the payouts, with Uibo collecting KRW 37,024,400 (~USD 27,750) for second place.

Final Table Results

The final hand saw a pot of 2,000,000 in the middle with the board showing 7♦5♦4♥K♠. Katsumata led for 900,000, only to face an all-in shove of 3,600,000 from Uibo. After taking some time to think, Katsumata made the call.

Hendrik Uibo: K♦T♦
Ryoichi Katsumata: A♣6♦

Uibo was ahead with top pair, but the A♠ river gave Katsumata a higher pair, sealing the victory.

Ryoichi Katsumata and Hendrik Uibo

Following Hyunki Kim’s elimination, play was paused as the two remaining players, Ryoichi Katsumata and Hendrik Uibo, discussed a possible ICM deal.

After a few minutes of negotiations, the pair reached an agreement, adjusting the original payouts as follows:

1st place: KRW 42,000,000

2nd place: KRW 37,024,400

This replaces the original payout structure of KRW 49,000,000 for the winner and KRW 29,980,000 for the runner-up.

With the deal settled, play resumed, with Katsumata and Uibo returning to the felt to battle it out for the title and trophy.

Ryoichi Katsumata

Action was picked up with Hyungki Kim, at risk, and Ryoichi Katsumata in an all-in showdown.

Hyungki Kim: Q♠Q♦

Ryoichi Katsumata: A♦4♠

Kim was quite happy to see that he was ahead and was all smiles when the flop fell T♠5♠4♣. Katsumata hit bottom pair but will need a bit more to beat Kim's hand.

The 3♥ fell on the turn, giving Katsumata additional outs and give Kim a sweat which seemed to amuse him.

The 2♥ river completed Katsumata’s straight, sealing Kim’s fate. A good sport, Katsumata took the result graciously, shaking hands with everyone at the table before making his exit in good spirits in 3rd place.

Hendrik Uibo

Bernahu Kassa open-shoved all-in for 1,750,000 and Hendrik Uibo in the big blind called. Both players headed to showdown with Kassa, at risk.

Bernahu Kassa: A♥J♠

Hendrik Uibo: Q♥Q♠

Kassa was hoping to find an ace on the board but the dealer flopped T♠4♥9♦. His fate was sealed when the Q♦ dropped on the turn, improving Uibo's hand to a set.

Kassa's outs increased, however, with an open-ended straight draw but the river fell J♥ sealing Kassa's fate of finishing in fourth.

Bernahu Kassa

Bernahu Kassa opened to 300,000 in cutoff and the player on his left, Ryoichi Katsumata three-bet to 800,000. When action went back to him, Kassa called leading them to the flop.

The dealer fanned out Q♦A♦2♣. Kassa checked and Katsumata followed suit. Action continued to go check, check on the A♥ turn.

On the 6♥ river, Kassa fired 1,000,000 and Katsumata, after a few seconds of thought, called.

Kassa showed T♠8♠ making Katsumata show his T♥T♣ to take down the pot.

Hatori Shota

Shouts could be heard across the venue as the Championship Warm Up final table witnessed a huge pot. Hatori Shota was all in preflop for 1,470,000 against Bernahu Kassa, who held the covering stack.

Hatori Shota: K♣K♠
Bernahu Kassa: A♥A♦

Both players held premium pairs, but Shota's tournament life was in danger after Kassa hit top set on the A♣T♠4♠ flop. The 8♠ turn gave Shota a flush draw, and the Q♠ river completed it, prompting a loud celebration from Shota as he found a crucial double-up.

Five players remained at the final table.

Hane Kazuki and Terai Koya

With 117 entries recorded, the Freezeout was down to its final 16 players and on the money bubble when Terai Koya moved all in for 53,000, with Hane Kazuki holding the covering stack.

Terai Koya: 9♣9♥
Hane Kazuki: A♣Q♥

It was a flip for Koya's tournament life, but the Q♣J♥T♣ flop gave Kazuki the lead.

The 4♠ turn changed nothing, and the A♠ river improved Kazuki to two pair, eliminating Koya as the stone bubble.

In true McDonagh fashion, catching him for an interview proved to be quite a challenge. Always on the move, the veteran tournament director seemed to be everywhere on the tournament floor at once, checking in on players, keeping an eye on the action, and making sure everything was running smoothly.

Not to be outdone, we had to move just as quickly to get a few questions in with the man himself - the flash of the tournament floor, McDonagh!

With nearly three decades in the poker industry, McDonagh needs little introduction. A member of the Australian Poker Hall of Fame and a longtime fixture in the Asia-Pacific poker scene, he has played a major role in shaping the region's tournament landscape.

Taking a brief moment away from his whirlwind schedule at WPT Seoul 2026 at INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, we caught up with McDonagh to talk about the changing face of Asian poker, Korea's place in WPT's regional expansion, and what players can look forward to in the coming months.

Three Destinations, One Growing Poker Market

Asia has become an increasingly important market for international poker tours, and WPT is looking to strengthen its presence with a growing selection of destinations.

For McDonagh, Korea is an important piece of that strategy. With established stops in Cambodia and Taiwan joining the tour's presence in Korea, WPT is building a wider network of opportunities for players across the region.

"Korea is a great fit for our broader aims in the region. We now have three events in diverse locations across Asia: Cambodia, Taiwan, and Korea," he explained.

There is, however, an important distinction when it comes to the Korean market. While Korean players cannot participate in tournaments at INSPIRE in Incheon, they can travel to the other WPT destinations in Taiwan and Cambodia.

"Having three different destinations for players to choose from makes for a perfect fit for the World Poker Tour here in Asia," McDonagh added.

It's a strategy that reflects the diversity of the Asian poker market, which has evolved considerably since McDonagh first began working in the region.

From Macau to the Rest of Asia

Having been part of the Asian poker scene since 2007, McDonagh has witnessed firsthand how the game has spread across the region.

When tournaments first began taking shape in Macau, Hong Kong was initially sending the largest number of players, followed by Japan. China eventually embraced the game, with Korea also emerging as one of the major markets feeding players into the circuit.

But the landscape has expanded considerably since those early days.

"Since then, we've seen Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand become very popular spots," he recalled.

Today, poker's reach extends across virtually the entire region. Singapore has also developed a strong player base, while the presence of expatriates throughout Asia and the relatively easy access from Australia have helped bring even more players into the mix.

For McDonagh, the continued expansion is exactly what makes the region so exciting. "Virtually the whole of Asia is now very interested in poker. So, the Asian market continues to grow, which is fabulous."

A 32-Day Poker Marathon Awaits

And if anyone thought the WPT Seoul festival would give McDonagh a chance to slow down, his upcoming schedule suggests otherwise.

The tournament director revealed that he is heading into an incredible 32-day WPT swing across Taiwan and Cambodia, beginning in January 2027.

First up is the return of WPT Prime Taiwan, scheduled for January 2 to 11, 2027 at CTP Asia Poker Arena. After missing out on a festival in 2026, the tour is looking forward to returning, with the Main Event carrying a TWD 35,000 buy-in and a massive TWD 30 million guarantee, just shy of US$1 million.

There will be little time to catch his breath before the next stop. From January 12 to February 2, WPT Cambodia will take over, delivering a 22-day festival that McDonagh describes as the longest WPT festival ever held in Asia.

The schedule will feature both WPT Prime and Main Tour events, with the US$1,100 Prime Main Event carrying a US$500,000 guarantee and the US$3,500 Main Tour Main Event offering US$1 million.

Across the festival, players can look forward to 95 numbered events, alongside approximately 25 daily MegaStack tournaments. With buy-ins ranging from US$200 to US$15,000, the series is designed to accommodate players across different bankrolls.

"We really try to cater to all bankrolls in Cambodia," McDonagh said.

Beyond the tournament schedule, both Taiwan and Cambodia offer plenty to attract travelling players, from accommodation and restaurants to special promotions throughout the festivals.

He encouraged players to keep an eye on the WPT website and his social media channels for upcoming announcements and promotional details.

The Flash Never Stands Still

With the Asian poker market continuing to expand and two major festivals already lined up for early 2027, McDonagh clearly has plenty on his plate.

And if our brief encounter at INSPIRE was anything to go by, keeping up with him might be just as challenging as keeping up with the ever-growing poker calendar.

For now, the focus remains on WPT Seoul 2026, but the next destinations are already calling. For players across Asia, that means more opportunities to compete, more places to travel, and plenty more poker to come.

As for catching McDonagh for another interview? We might need to work on our running speed first.

Bernahu Kassa

The Championship Warm Up final table saw overall chip leader Guanglai Jin become the first player eliminated, finishing in 9th place for KRW 4,480,000 (~USD 3,355), while Kenji Asakawa followed in 8th place for KRW 5,760,000 (~USD 4,315).

Meanwhile, Yusuke Honda suffered a brutal bad beat after getting all in preflop against Bernahu Kassa.

Yusuke Honda: A♥A♠
Bernahu Kassa: Q♣Q♠

Honda was in a great position to eliminate Kassa, but the Q♦8♥5♥ flop gave Kassa one of his two outs, turning the hand around. Honda was then looking for one of the two remaining aces, but neither the 5♣ turn nor the 6♣ river brought any help.

Kassa secured a big double-up, leaving Honda short. Honda managed to double up afterward but was eliminated shortly after in 7th place for KRW 7,160,000 (~USD 5,365).

Six players remained at the final table.

The Championship Warm Up - Final Table

The Championship Warm Up is nearing its end with the final table being reached. Leading the pack is Wakama Shunsuke from Japan, who got a boost in chips after eliminating Day 2 chip leader Guanglai Jin to reach the final table.

Compatriot Ryoichi Katsumata follows him in second and in third is Canadian Hyungki Kim.

All nine players are guaranteed a minimum cashout prize of KRW4,480,000 but all eyes are set on the top prize of KRW49,000,000.

Below is the list of the final nine and their chip counts:

Shunsuke Wakayama and Jin Guanglai

Action was picked up with Jin Guanglai and Shunsuke Wakayama in an all-in showdown.

Guanglai Jin: 5♦5♣

Wakayama Shunsuke : 6♦6♥

Wakayama was ahead and stayed ahead when the dealer dealt a J♦3♠T♠4♣T♥. Guanglai left he table and with his elimination the final table had been reached.

Abay Bernahu

So close to the final table, the remaining 15 players have been cautious, choosing the right hill to die on.

Abay Bernahu made that choice in the big blind. Katsumata Ryoichi raised to 60,000 from middle position and when action folded to him, Bernahu pushed his remaining 250,000 to the middle of the felt.

Ryoichi with a huge stack in front of him, asked for a count, as he considered his options. He calmly called taking them to showdown with Bernahu looking visibly anxious.

Abay Bernahu: 6♥6♦

Katsumata Ryoichi: A♥T♠

Despite being ahead, Bernahu wasn't so hopeful he would win the flip and let out a groan of frustration. He got on his feet ready to leave when the dealer flopped K♦Q♣9♥, giving Ryoichi more outs with a gutshot straight draw.

But the 6♠ fell on the turn strengthening his lead. With a full house on the Q♦ river, Bernahu sat back down relieved he could continue with his tournament run.

Registration for the Freezeout has officially closed! The event attracted 117 entries, generating a total prize pool of KRW 50,544,000.

But there's still plenty of action ahead at WPT Seoul 2026 at INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, with several events currently underway, others getting ready to kick off, and late registration still open!

Still Open for Registration

Currently Underway:

11:30 a.m.: Mystery Bounty to ITM Day 1A (₩1,000,000 buy-in) — Late Reg: Level 10 @ 4:20 p.m.

1:00 p.m.: PLO (₩600,000 buy-in) — Late Reg: Level 8 @ 4:15 p.m.

Coming Up Later Today:

5:00 p.m.: Mystery Bounty to ITM Day 1B (₩1,000,000 buy-in)

8:00 p.m.: Hyper Turbo 15 Sec (₩300,000 buy-in)

8:30 p.m.: HR Hyper 20 Sec (₩2,500,000 buy-in)

8:30 p.m.: WYS at 50K Milestone Satellite to WPT Seoul INSPIRE Championship (₩400,000 buy-in)

There's still time to get in the game! Pick your event, take your seat, and make the most of another exciting day at INSPIRE!

Vincent Chauve

At first glance, Vincent Chauve hardly looks like someone who has spent years making deep runs on the World Poker Tour circuit. Dressed in a simple white shirt and jeans, he blends effortlessly into the tournament floor, carrying himself with an understated presence that doesn't immediately reveal the experience and achievements behind his name.

But Chauve's tournament record tells quite a different story.

A familiar face across the WPT circuit, Chauve has competed in 26 recorded WPT-branded events, spanning WPT National, WPTDeepStacks, WPT Prime, and regular WPT festivals. His appearances have taken him across Asia and beyond, with stops in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, South Korea, and the United States.

His results are equally impressive. Chauve has recorded 12 top-nine finishes, including multiple final-table appearances and two WPT victories.

One of his biggest career milestones came in March 2019 at WPT Vietnam, where he conquered a 686-entry field in the WPTDeepStacks Main Event. Entering the final day fourth in chips, Chauve fought his way through the remaining contenders to claim the championship trophy and VND 2.3 billion (approximately US$99,100).

The victory also propelled him to the top of the WPT Asia-Pacific Player of the Year standings for Season XVII.

Four years later, Chauve returned to the winner's circle at WPT Korea in July 2023, taking down the SuperStack Classic after outlasting a 70-entry field for KRW 26,270,000. He wasn't finished there, going on to secure another podium finish with third place in the SuperStack Closer at the same festival.

His other notable results include a runner-up finish at the WPT National Thailand Main Event in 2016, a sixth-place finish in the WPT Cambodia High Roller in 2019, and a fifth-place finish in the WPT Cambodia Mini Championship Freezeout in 2024.

Now making another appearance at WPT Seoul 2026 at INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, Chauve brings a wealth of experience and a proven record of success on the tour.

He may not be the loudest personality in the room or the most conspicuously dressed player at the tables. But behind that simple white shirt and jeans is a seasoned competitor with multiple WPT final tables and championship trophies to his name.

Vincent Chauve is proof that you don't need to look like a poker superstar to have the résumé of one.

Guanglai Jin

The Party's Over. Now It's Time to Play for the Trophy!

The first Day 1 flights are in the books, but the action at WPT Seoul 2026 at INSPIRE Entertainment Resort is showing no signs of slowing down!

Sunday brings a big day of poker, with the 45 surviving players in the Championship Warm Up returning for Day 2. Each player is already guaranteed a minimum cash of KRW 1,300,000, but the real mission today is to capture the KRW 49,000,000 top prize and lift the trophy.

Leading the charge are Guanglai Jin of China, who returns with 862,000 chips, followed by Shao Kai Lin of Taiwan with 663,000, and Hyungki Kim of Canada with 611,000. With the top prize and trophy now firmly in sight, the battle for the Championship Warm Up title is set to heat up.

Yesterday's action wasn't confined to the felt, either. After a full day of poker, players enjoyed a riveting Halloween night of music and dancing, with Japanese musician MIYAVI taking the stage and bringing the celebrations to life.

But it's back to business today, with the Championship Warm Up reaching its final stage and a packed schedule of side events giving players plenty more opportunities to get in on the action.

Here's what's happening on Sunday, November 1:

11:30 a.m.: Championship Warm Up Day 2

11:30 a.m.: Mystery Bounty to ITM 1A (₩1,000,000 buy-in)

11:30 a.m.: Freezeout (₩500,000 buy-in)

1:00 p.m.: PLO (₩600,000 buy-in)

5:00 p.m.: Mystery Bounty to ITM 1B (₩1,000,000 buy-in)

8:00 p.m.: Hyper Turbo 15 Sec (₩300,000 buy-in)

8:30 p.m.: HR Hyper 20 Sec (₩2,500,000 buy-in)

8:30 p.m.: WYS at 50K Milestone Satellite to WPT Seoul INSPIRE Championship (₩400,000 buy-in)

From crowning a new Championship Warm Up winner to chasing Mystery Bounties and closing out the night with fast-paced action, WPT Seoul 2026 has another thrilling day of poker ahead.

Stay locked in as we bring you more highlights from WPT Seoul 2026 at the beautiful INSPIRE Entertainment Resort!

Here are the 45 players returning for the Championship Warm Up Day 2 and their seat draws.

Just a short distance from Incheon International Airport, INSPIRE Entertainment Resort is hard to miss — and once you're inside, there's plenty more to explore than just the casino.

This massive integrated resort on Yeongjong Island began its soft opening on November 30, 2023, before holding its official grand opening on March 5, 2024. The project took shape over several years, with construction running from 2019 to November 2023. It brings together three hotel towers inspired by the Forest, Sun and Ocean, a 15,000-seat arena, an indoor water park, and a range of dining and entertainment spaces.

One of its most recognizable features is Aurora, a 150-meter-long digital entertainment street covered in large LED displays. Look up as you walk through, and you'll see why it's become one of the resort's standout attractions. There's also plenty of space to explore, whether you're checking out the restaurants, catching a show or simply taking a break between poker sessions.

But for poker players, there's another reason to make the trip.

Welcome to YY Poker Club

Located on the second floor of INSPIRE's new entertainment space, YY Poker Club is the resort's brand-new poker destination and the home of WPT Seoul 2026.

With 70 tables dedicated to cash games, the club is being introduced as Asia's largest casino card room. The room is built to accommodate both regular cash-game players and major tournament fields, with a dedicated livestream studio adding to its tournament setup.

There are games across different stakes, with No-Limit Hold'em blinds starting at KRW 2,000/3,000 and going up to KRW 10,000/20,000.

And there's more to the new poker space than the tables. Players can also find Daia, an exclusive VIP gaming area, and Ultra Lounge, where the atmosphere shifts from poker to nightlife.

A Big Opening Weekend for Poker

WPT Seoul 2026 marks the first major poker festival hosted in this brand-new space, running from October 30 to November 9. It's a fitting way to introduce YY Poker Club to the international poker community, with players arriving from across the region and beyond.

Whether you're here for the tournaments, looking for a cash game, or simply curious to see what the new room has to offer, YY Poker Club gives players another reason to put INSPIRE on their poker travel list.

The cards are already in the air, and this is just the beginning for poker at INSPIRE.

The Halloween party is officially underway at WPT Seoul 2026, and INSPIRE Entertainment Resort is turning up the energy for a night of music, revelry, and spooky celebrations!

It's time to step away from the poker tables, soak up the atmosphere, and let the music, the company, and the Halloween spirit inspire you to make the most of the night.

Adding to the excitement, Japanese musician MIYAVI will take the stage at Ultra Lounge, located at the 3F Rotunda, bringing his electrifying performance to tonight's festivities.

So leave the cards behind for a while, hit the dance floor, and let the night take over!

Get into the spirit, hit the dance floor, and have a frightfully good Halloween at INSPIRE! 🎃👻

And the prize pool is in! With registration now closed across all Day 1 flights, the Championship Warm Up has drawn a total of 353 entries, generating an impressive KRW 213,494,000 prize pool.

A total of 45 players have secured their seats for Day 2 tomorrow, November 1, at 11:30 a.m. The survivors will return to the felt and battle through 40-minute blind levels until a champion is crowned. With a hefty prize pool up for grabs, the race for the title is officially on!

Ishibashi Tsuyoshi and Oya Yuto

It was a battle of the blinds between Ishibashi Tsuyoshi in the small and at risk, against Oya Yuto in the big.

Ishibashi Tsuyoshi: 4♣2♣

Oya Yuto: Q♣Q♥

Yuto was way ahead but the flop fell 6♦4♠7♠ giving Tsuyoshi a little bit of hope if he hits another card on the ensuing streets. But the runout J♠9♣ dropped, eliminating Tsuyoshi short of the money.

Takeya Okada

With 20 players remaining, the Championship Warm Up Day 1A field went hand-for-hand to determine the final 19 survivors.

The shortest stack in the field, Takeya Okada, open-shoved for 36,000 from the button. Bernahu Kassa reshoved from the small blind, forcing the big blind out of the hand.

Takeya Okada: T♦4♣
Bernahu Kassa: 8♦6♥

The Q♣6♦2♠ flop gave Kassa the lead, which he maintained through the 2♦ turn and 4♥ river. Okada was eliminated as the sole bubble of Day 1A.

That leaves 19 players advancing to Day 2, returning tomorrow at 11:30 AM to continue the race for the Championship Warm Up title.

19 Day 1A Survivors – Chip Counts

Iyo Kazuho

Action was picked up with Iyo Kazuho and Toe Naoya, at risk, in an all-in showdown.

Toe Naoya: 9♥9♦

Iyo Kazuho: J♠J♥

Naoya didn't look so pleased when he saw Kazuho's jacks but stayed to see the board finish. The dealer ran a T♠4♠4♥Q♠5♥ board. With nothing to improve his hand, Naoya exited the tournament to enjoy the Halloween Party.

The action is heating up at WPT Seoul 2026 at INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, with the Championship Warm Up already making waves on the tournament floor!

Registration has officially closed for Day 1B, drawing 165 entries and bringing the combined field from Day 1A and Day 1B to 332 entries. The turnout has already more than doubled the tournament's KRW 100,000,000 guarantee, setting the stage for an even bigger prize pool.

With Day 1C still underway, the numbers are expected to climb further, giving players even more reason to chase a deep run and a share of the growing prize pool.

Meanwhile, Halloween celebrations are taking over INSPIRE tonight, with plenty to enjoy both on and off the felt. Forget the Halloween candy...the real treat tonight is that ever-growing prize pool!

Jason Li

The wait is over!

Remember Jason Li? The player who kept us waiting in Day 1A, only to make a lightning-fast exit after finally getting his chips in?

Well, he said he'd see us again in Day 1B, and true to his word, he is back!

This time, though, things are looking a little different.

We just got there as the table was being cleaned up for the next hand, and Li had just doubled up. Li was holding pocket eights against Tobito Kyohei who had big slick.

With no face card on the board, Li scooped the pot for a double leaving Kyohei with crumbs. Kyohei was eliminated a few hands after.

They say the second time's the charm, and Li is certainly making a better case for it this time. After all, he's already doubled up.

Takumi Nakayama - Big O Winner

Takumi Nakayama is having quite a year, and his latest stop at WPT Seoul 2026 has brought him another trophy to add to the collection. The Japanese player came out on top in the Big O event, marking his ninth trophy win in 2026 and the 21st of his career.

Nakayama had to get through a field of 18 entries to secure the title, along with KRW 3,346,000 (~USD 2,500) in prize money. With nine trophies already collected this year, his 2026 run is showing no signs of slowing down.

Jason Li

Good things normally come for those who wait but, unfortunately, such was not the case for Jason Li.

Li had been nursing his extremely short-stack, showing such discipline, folding hand after hand. Once he saw media standing by his table, he had to ask, "You waiting for me?" We weren't but now that he mentioned it, we got curious as to when he would go all-in with his seven big blind stack.

As he came into the big blind, a player raised the minimum and when action went to him, he shouted, "I refuse!" then folded his hand. Pierre Xabi to his left asked if he wanted some change to make his stack look bigger, and with a chuckle, he said yes.

Finally in the small blind, Li shoved all-in for 21,000 after a raise from Paul Alexadre to 9,000. The latter called and they headed to showdown.

Jason Li: K♦Q♥

Paul Alexadre: A♣K♣

After all that wait, Li was dominated prompting him to look at the ceiling in frustration. The board ran 8♣4♥2♠9♥K♥.

Li's tournament run was over in the blink of an eye. Still, he took it all in stride, leaving with a smile and promising to see the media again in Day 1B. Here's hoping the next wait comes with a much better payoff.

Day 1A of the Championship Warm Up has closed registration with 150 entries, already surpassing expectations. In just one flight, the KRW 100 million (~USD 75,000) guarantee has been beaten, with the prize pool set to grow further.

Two more flights remain, and the field is already building in Day 1B, which has recorded 90 entries so far. With Day 1C still to come, the tournament now has a chance to push toward double the original guarantee.

Hei Chan Chin

Play was already underway and after a three-bet from Dou Bo on the button, small blind Hei Chan Chin shoved all-in for 41,800. After the other players folded to the four-bet, Bo called putting himself at risk and taking them to showdown.

Dou Bo: K♣9♥

Hei Chan Chin: A♠K♥

Chin was visibly surprised by Bo's call but the button player was looking at a potential double up when he connected with the 2♠4♦9♠ flop.

Nothing changed with the 5♠ turn. Bo's hopes were dashed, however, when the A♣ fell on the river. Bo walked off the table while Chin, scooping the pot, talked to his seatmate about the call.

Gemmy

Gemmy had barely arrived at INSPIRE before jumping into Day 1A of the Championship Warm Up, and she was straight into the action.

In one of her first hands, she opened from under the gun and folded when Kai Lin Wei three-bet to 9,000. Nomura Shuhei then moved all-in for 25,400, and Wei snap-called.

Nomura Shuhei: J♥J♦
Kai Lin Wei: K♣K♠

The board ran A♠9♣4♣5♦6♣, giving Shuhei no help and sending him to the rail. Gemmy later revealed that she had ace-jack and would have won the hand had she called.

A few hands later, she found herself all-in. Abay Berhanu opened from early position and received one caller before Gemmy shoved for 29,600 from the small blind. Berhanu reshoved, forcing the other player out of the hand.

Gemmy: K♦Q♣
Abay Berhanu: J♦J♣

The K♠6♣6♠ flop put Gemmy ahead, leaving Berhanu with just two outs. But one of them arrived on the J♠ turn, giving Berhanu a set of jacks and leaving Gemmy drawing dead before the 3♣ river completed the board.

Gemmy's first bullet in Day 1A came to an end, but there's still time to try again. Registration remains open, with two more starting flights on the schedule and plenty of opportunities to make it through to Day 2.

Daniel Neilson

Australia’s Daniel Neilson has been spotted joining the fray in the Mini High Roller Warm Up 15/30, bringing plenty of experience and personality to the field.

Currently ranked fifth on Australia’s All-Time Money List, Neilson is known for his strategic approach to the game, as well as his candid humor and lively table banter. His presence often adds an extra layer of entertainment to any tournament he enters.

Neilson has enjoyed an impressive 2026 campaign, recording multiple final-table appearances and tournament victories. With total live earnings of $7,301,731, he has already amassed $2,041,429 in winnings this year alone.

Now at WPT Seoul 2026 at INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, Neilson will be looking to build on that momentum and add another major result to his already impressive résumé. With his competitive game and larger-than-life personality, his presence is sure to make things interesting at the tables.

Hendrik Uibo

Being a poker player sometimes means travelling thousands of miles just to get back in the game. For Hendrik Uibo, that meant leaving Estonia after a month-and-a-half break, taking a six-hour flight to South Korea, and heading straight to the tables at INSPIRE Casino.

Still early in his poker career, Uibo has already built up more than $100,000 in live tournament earnings. Last August, he recorded the biggest score of his career, finishing fourth in the WPT Cambodia Passport to the World Championship Main Event for $32,919.

Now back from his break, Uibo is making his first visit to South Korea. Despite still dealing with some jet lag, he was impressed with what he found at INSPIRE.

“It's really nice here. Everything is new, the venue is really good. I like it here,” he said.

Rather than taking time to recover from the journey, Uibo went straight into the Championship Warm Up. It is an event he knows well, having also finished fourth in the same tournament during WPT Cambodia.

The Championship Warm Up Day 1A has crossed the 100-entry mark after the first break, and the KRW 100 million (~USD 75,000) guarantee is already within reach. Registration remains open until around 6:00 PM local time, giving the field plenty of time to grow — and perhaps push the prize pool well beyond the guarantee.

There are still two more flights on today's schedule for anyone looking to take another shot. Day 1B starts at 4:00 PM, followed by the turbo Day 1C at 8:00 PM. With three flights in total, players have more than one chance to get in on the action.

Yuta Takamatsu

A huge multi-way pot occurred involving Uibo Hendrik, Yun Sung Hee, Batsukh Myagmardorj and Yuta Takamatsu.

It all started with Hendrik opening with 1,000 and both Hee and Myagmardorj joined him. Small blind Takamatsu, however, cranked up the heat and made it 4,000. The remaining three players decided to stay in the hand and see a flop.

The flop came Q♠K♣8♠ and after a 2,200 bet from the small blind, Hendrik raised it to 6,500. Only Hee got out of the escalating pressure.

Aggression eased a bit on the T♠ turn, after both Takamatsu and Hendrik checked the action to Myagmardorj, who felt it was now his turn to put some pressure with a 5,300 bet.

It resulted in heads-up play after Hendrik surrendered his hand leading them to the Q♥ river. With only 10,000 behind, Myagmardorj put all his chips in. Takamatsu called prompting Myagmardorj to say, "You win!" as he continued to hang on to his cards.

Takamatsu finally tabled his hand showing A♠J♥ for a broadway straight triggering Myagmardorj, who refused to show his hand, to muck it before leaving the floor.

WPT Seoul 2026 kicked off yesterday to plenty of positive feedback from the players, who were impressed by the venue at INSPIRE Entertainment Resort. Beyond the stunning surroundings, players also spoke highly of their experience at the tables, with the dealers and the overall running of the festival receiving positive reviews.

With the first day now in the books, players are already looking ahead to what the rest of the festival has in store. If the opening day was any indication, there will be no shortage of exciting moments, fun, and thrilling poker action in the days to come, all set against the spectacular backdrop of INSPIRE.

Here's a look at what's on tap for Saturday:

11:30 a.m.: Championship Warm Up to ITM Dia KRW 100 Million GTD (₩700,000 buy-in)

11:30 a.m.:Big O (₩500,000 buy-in)

12:30 p.m.: Mini HR Warm Up (₩2.2 million buy-in)

4:00 p.m.: Championship Warm Up to ITM Dib KRW 100 Million GTD (₩700,000 buy-in)

6:00 p.m.: Megastack Turbo (₩500,000 buy-in)

8:00 p.m.: Championship Warm Up to ITM Dic KRW 100 Million GTD (₩700,000 buy-in)

8:30 p.m.: Evening Hyper Turbo (₩1 million buy-in)

8:30 p.m.: Satellite to Mystery Bounty (₩300,000 buy-in)

Want to plan your day? Check out the full WPT Seoul 2026 schedule for more details on all the events taking place throughout the festival.

Cash Game Perks at YY Poker Club

The tournament action isn't the only thing heating up at INSPIRE.

YY Poker Club is adding to the opening weekend festivities with a special Cash Game Promotion. The first six players to complete two hours of cash game action will receive free WPT merchandise and enjoy the two hours rake-free.

The promotion began at 22:00 on October 30 and runs through the opening weekend, so players looking to get in on the action should head over to YY Poker Club and grab a seat early.

Poker by Day, Halloween by Night

And once the cards are bagged for the day, there is still plenty to look forward to.

WPT Seoul players can trade the poker table for the dance floor at the Halloween Party on October 31, held at Ultra Lounge at INSPIRE Resort. Japanese musician MIYAVI will take the stage, giving players a chance to unwind and celebrate Halloween alongside fellow players.

Doors open at 9:00 p.m. at Ultra Lounge, located at the 3F Rotunda.

From a packed day of tournaments to cash game perks and a Halloween celebration to cap off the night, WPT Seoul 2026 offers plenty of action both on and off the felt, with INSPIRE keeping the excitement going well into the night.