The 4th Edition of the International Poker Open recently ended in Changsa, Hunan province in Mainland China. Last year, it was held in Manila and was won by Filipino poker pro Lester Edoc. Guaranteeing a prize pool of 2,600,000 RMB (US$390,000) for the Main Event, the Festival this year was unique as it had a total entry fee of 8,800 RMB (US$1,326) which was good for the Main Event and all Side Events.
Although no famous international poker players were able to grace the event, numerous prominent Chinese poker players attended, to name a few – Mo Yongwei, Zhang Weiyi, Wang Yuping, Wang hai, Zhao Nan, Ye Guanfu.
One of these renowned poker players was Tuan Tuan who won the Main Event, outlasting a field of 497 players and taking home 600,000RMB as first prize.
This turnout was another testament to the growing community of poker players in China. This year alone, tournaments that happened in Mainland China all showed a healthy participation from the Chinese market; The Asia Poker League (APL) tournament in Beijing had a participation of 465, and the China Poker Games in Sanya had 1,075 entries.
Final Table Payouts (In RMB)
1 – Tuan Tuan 600,000
2 – Zhong Iianbiao 370,000
3 – Song Ke 246000
4 – Fan Fan 182,000
5 – Li Huabing 137,000
6 – Peng Chengjian 104,000
7 – Ye Guanfu 79,000
8 – Shi Fangyu 61,000
9 – Zhao Nan 47,000
Side Events Action
Of great interest is the Chan Yu team who won the Team Event. Players from this team seem to be showing great potential and skills in the game. One of its members is Aiko Wang, a rising Chinese female poker star, who won the Pot Limit Omaha Event.
Somuchpoker interviewed Ms. Wang on her view on the Chinese poker market in the recently ended Asia Poker League.
More: A Quick Chat with Aiko Wang from Team Pro Chang You
Other notable winners of the side events are as follows:
| Event | Winner |
| Team Event (10 teams) | Chan Yu Team |
| Deepstack Turbo Event (194 players) | Zheng Yubin |
| Open Face Big Pineapple (136 players) | Sunbin |
| Pot Limit Omaha (194 players) | Aiko Wang |
| Chan Yu Tournament (335 players) | Yinmomo |
| Bounty Hunter Event (248 players) | Luo Huaqing |
With 497 entries in the books, International Poker Open will definitely be another tournament in Asia to watch out for.
Louis Hartwell
Graduated in Media Communication at the University of Lausanne, Louis Hartman is a co-founder of somuchpoker.com. He began his career in Cambodia as freelance journalist. In same time he was making his living by playing poker every night at that time. Intense learner, he read dozens of poker strategy books to improve his skills during many years. With a strong interest about poker "behind the scene" in Asia and his communication skills, Louis launched Somuchpoker in 2014.
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