ZSOP The Rising Horse 2026 | June 4-15 | Les A Casino, Jeju Island

The spectacular tour made a highly anticipated stop from June 4 to June 15, 2026, at the luxurious Les A Casino on the beautiful island of Jeju, South Korea. Below, we look back at the historical milestones, player attendance, and champions who conquered the fields during this memorable run.

Recap of ZSOP The Rising Horse 2026

The thrilling live poker festival delivered intense competitive action from June 4 to June 15, 2026, drawing an enthusiastic international crowd to the premium tournament floor of Les A Casino in Jeju, South Korea. The action-packed series established heavy engagement throughout its multi-day run, recording a total attendance of 952 entries across its extensive schedule of 78 unique trophy events. The festival successfully built a total festival prize pool of $637,890, completely showcasing the massive growth of the brand against its initial ₩650,000,000 series guarantee. The absolute centerpiece of the entire schedule was the prestigious ZSOP Main Event, which witnessed top regional experts battling for tactical supremacy at the tables. Outlasting the fierce competition in a memorable final table performance holding a king-diamond and a two-spade, Australia's Yongjia Lin captured the coveted championship title. For his historic victory, he walked away with the magnificent marquee truncheon trophy and a monumental top prize payout of $56,780 (approx. ₩87,996,000) after defeating his final opponents in heads-up play. Other major highlights of the festival included massive player turnouts and thrilling battles across marquee preliminary rings, including Zodiac Rooster Starter and Zodiac Rat Mini Main Event, which drew heavy engagement from traveling VIP players.

For the complete payout structures and full player standings of all events, visit the official ZSOP The Rising Horse 2026 full results page.

Champions

Here are the prominent champions from the recently concluded festival who conquered the competition and claimed the prestigious trophies at Les A Casino:

The Zodiac Series of Poker (ZSOP) makes its highly anticipated landing on the shores of South Korea with The Rising Horse Jeju 2026. Taking place from June 4 to 15, 2026, at the prestigious Les A Casino in Jeju Island, this 12-day festival promises a massive KRW 1,550,000,000 (~USD 1,135,000) in total guarantees. Following the successful The Horse Awakens stop in Taipei, the tour brings its unique zodiac-themed trophy events to one of Asia's premier poker destinations.

ZSOP The Rising Horse 2026 Highlighted Events

The festival features a diverse range of tournaments, but the spotlight is firmly on the signature Zodiac events. The schedule is anchored by the Zodiac Horse Main Event and the Zodiac Monkey King Mystery Bounty, which together account for nearly half of the series' total guarantees.

• Zodiac Horse Main Event: KRW 400,000,000 GTD (Buy-in: KRW 1,500,000)

• Zodiac Monkey King Mystery Bounty: KRW 300,000,000 GTD (Buy-in: KRW 1,000,000)

• Zodiac Rooster Starter: KRW 150,000,000 GTD (Buy-in: KRW 750,000)

Full Tournament Schedule

The 2026 lineup includes over 40 individual events catering to all bankrolls, with buy-ins ranging from KRW 400,000 for Speed Racer NLH events to KRW 7,000,000 for the Zodiac Dragon Super High Roller. Players can expect a mix of formats including Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and specialized formats like Win The Button and Short Deck.

The festival kicks off with the Zodiac Rooster Starter on June 4, a high-value opening event designed to build momentum. High stakes enthusiasts will look toward the Zodiac Dragon Super High Roller on June 12, while the ladies are treated to a dedicated Ladies Main Event on June 14.

Satellites & Qualification

ZSOP provides numerous paths for players to win their way into the marquee events for a fraction of the cost. Milestone Satellites are scheduled daily at 11:00 AM, utilizing the "Win Your Seat at 60,000" format. These include specific qualifiers for the Zodiac Rooster Starter (KRW 150K buy-in), Zodiac Monkey King Mystery Bounty (KRW 200K buy-in), and the Zodiac Horse Main Event (KRW 300K buy-in).

Live Stream & Coverage

Fans and players can follow the action from anywhere in the world as the ZSOP production team brings the intensity of the Jeju Island tables to your screen. The broadcast will feature professional commentary and hole-card displays for selected final tables.

Official Event Stream

The Zodiac Horse Main Event (Day 2 and Final Table) and the Zodiac Monkey King Mystery Bounty (Final Day) will be streamed live. You can catch the action on the official ZSOP YouTube Channel and Facebook Page starting from June 11.

Poker & Travel Guide

Jeju Island, often referred to as the "Hawaii of Korea", is a self-governing province known for its volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches, and visa-free entry for most nationalities. The island serves as a perfect backdrop for a poker holiday, combining high-stakes action with world-class tourism. Les A Casino, located within the Shinhwa World Resort, offers a luxurious environment with state-of-the-art facilities.

Official Poker Guide (Rules & Structures)

All ZSOP events utilize the Big Blind Ante format. A Shot Clock is implemented from the start of every event: 20 seconds pre-flop and 30 seconds post-flop (Turbo events are 20 seconds for all actions). Players are provided with "Time Bank" cards depending on their entry time.

Registration & Entry Information

The registration desk is located at the entrance of the Les A Casino poker room and opens one hour before the first event of the day. Buy-ins are accepted in South Korean Won (KRW). While currency exchange is available on-site, players are encouraged to bring KRW for faster processing. A valid passport is mandatory for casino entry and tournament registration.

Destination Guide & Must See

Jeju Island offers an incredible array of sights outside the poker room. The island’s unique culture is tied to its "Haenyeo" (female divers) and the iconic "Dol Hareubang" (stone grandfathers).

• Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak): A UNESCO World Heritage site offering breathtaking views.

• Jeju Shinhwa World: The massive resort complex housing Les A Casino, featuring theme parks and premium shopping.

• Halla Mountain: The highest peak in South Korea, perfect for nature trails.

Travel Logistics

• Airport Transfer: Jeju International Airport (CJU) is approximately 45-60 minutes from the Shinhwa World resort area. Taxis are readily available and cost roughly KRW 35,000–45,000.

• Transportation: The KakaoTaxi or UT (Uber) apps are highly recommended for reliable transport around Jeju Island.

• DK Tour Poker Travel Agency: For specialized poker travel packages including accommodation at Shinhwa World, players can contact the official travel partner.

Past Results & Champions

The Rising Horse is the second major stop of the 2026 ZSOP season. The series has quickly become a favorite in the Asia circuit due to its high-quality trophies and professional organization.

Previous Festival Highlights: ZSOP The Horse Awakens 2026

The tour's inaugural 2026 stop, ZSOP The Horse Awakens, took place in Taipei, Taiwan from March 12 to 23, setting an incredible benchmark for the series. The festival attracted massive fields, generating a total prize pool of over $2.5 million across its diverse schedule of zodiac-themed events. The highlight was the Zodiac Horse Main Event, which drew a staggering 1,143 entries and saw Singapore’s Yuanxi Chen emerge victorious to claim TWD 4,401,000 (~$137,450). Other major highlights included Thailand's Wutikrai Phraikhieo winning the Zodiac Dragon Super High Roller and high turnouts in the Zodiac Monkey King Mystery Bounty, solidifying ZSOP's status as a premier tour in Asia.

Champions

The Venue: Les A Casino

Les A Casino (formerly Landing Casino) is situated within Jeju Shinhwa World. It is one of the largest and most modern gaming facilities in South Korea, featuring a dedicated poker area that expands significantly during major festivals like ZSOP. The casino operates 24/7 during the event.