Guide To The 12th Annual CPG Championship Underway At Sanya, Hainan Island, China

The 12th Annual CPG Championship festival is now underway in Sanya, Hainan Island, China with doors opening on Wednesday, August 21 and running for ten days, concluding on August 30, 2024. Hosted by China’s leading poker brand, China Poker Games, the festival is once again anticipated to draw large crowds with the upcoming Championship Finals aiming to set a new attendance record. One of the targets is to surpass the 1,722 unique players set at the 10th Annual CPG Championship Finals aka Main Event.

CPG Championship – PLAYER GUIDE

For the tenth consecutive year, the CPG Championship takes place at the Howard Johnson Resort Sanya Bay. Unlike its beginnings with just one room able to accommodate the main and side event fields, today, four rooms have been set up (Red, Blue, Purple, Orange) with a whopping 184 poker tables in total. That alone should give players an idea of the magnitude of this event.

As Asia’s premier annual event, international player attendance has been steadily increasing. Already on-site is Singapore’s Alex Lee, accompanied by around 12 players. Vietnam will also be well-represented, with approximately 15 players confirmed to attend. If you’re planning to join or are already on your way, here’s a guide to everything you need to know.

12th CPG Championship

Traveling to Sanya for the 12th Annual CPG Championship is a breeze, with 59 select countries eligible for visa-free entry to Hainan Island. The Somuchpoker team experienced this firsthand, flying in via Hong Kong as visa-exempt travelers. Players opting to fly in through mainland China, however, will need to obtain a visa. Additionally, if your country is not part of the list, you will need to apply for a visa to China to get to Hainan Island.

Upon arrival, we immediately lined up at immigration where standard questions were asked about our purpose, length of stay, hotel accommodations, and traveling party. Our passports were then stamped for a 30-day stay.

After collecting our baggage, CPG provided shuttle service to the hotel. This service is available to all international players and those who have CPG Championship Finals Packages.

Visa-free countries

America: USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Schengen Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
European Countries: Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Monaco
Asia: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar

Ease of Registration and the CPG APP

As poker innovators, CPG has pioneered the way for seamless and cashless registration process. Players only need to download the newly revamped CPG APP, register for a tournament, then scan the event voucher at any of the self-service registration booths located at the entrance of every room. All players are entitled to a free souvenir pack which includes a cool beach bag, CPG windbreaker, Championship cap, poker playing cards, and CPG keychain. Don’t forget to pick up yours at the Souvenir Collection Room.

The CPG APP offers top-notch customer service, serving as a multi-functional tool for players. In addition to registration, the app allows users to browse restaurant options at the venue, book travel packages and activities around Sanya, order massage services while playing poker, rent cars, plan family activities, and get shopping tips. The app is a convenient one-stop shop, and players can easily make payments using CPG service vouchers.

Another use for the app is to get paid. Players that cash at any of the events will instantly receive cash plus credit vouchers in the CPG APP. There are multiple ways to convert the vouchers into hard cash with the organizers ready to assist.

In 2021, CPG introduced a Do-It-Yourself merchandise store, where players can design their own CPG shirts, hoodies, jackets, and caps. This feature has been a huge hit, with many players creating multiple unique items.

CPG Championship As A Destination

The CPG Championship Finals, held just once a year, is a must-attend event for many Chinese players. One of the major factors for its large attendance is the opportunity to combine a poker trip with a vacation. Those with families especially enjoy this added perk.

Another perk is the Player Party Buffet offered only on the first three days of the festival. As the saying goes, “the early bird gets the worm”. At the CPG Championship, for early birds, the buffet is well worth it with a large selection of local delicacies and fantastic seafood on the menu.

Situated off the southern coast of China and the eastern coast of Vietnam, Hainan Island has gained worldwide attention for its stunning beaches and attractions, appealing to all types of travelers. For players familiar with Danang and Sihanoukville, Hainan Island offers a similar vibe.

*Important reminder: Government has now loosened regulations, players must now notify CPG of attendance at least 12 hours prior as opposed to the earlier notice of 24 hours prior.

*As of August 22, players planning to attend the Main Event must now have their tickets purchased on the CPG APP by August 23, 2024. 

Getting Around Sanya

First-time visitors to Sanya are encouraged to explore the island’s many attractions. However, be prepared for a potential language barrier if you don’t speak Mandarin, so having a translator app handy is recommended. The island has largely moved away from using cash, though some merchants still accept it. To avoid any inconvenience, it’s best to use Alipay for payments.