New Jeju International Poker Tour to Host Inaugural Stop From April 7 to 14

A new live poker series will take place one week from now on Jeju Island in South Korea. Organized by the Korea Hold’em Association, Jeju International Poker Tour (JIPT) will be hosted from April 7 to 14, 2024 at the 5-star Jeju Oriental Hotel & Casino. It is only the second time that a major live poker event is taking place at this location with the previous international poker tour held way back in 2013.

Everything we know about Jeju International Poker Tour

More than 11 years later, live poker returns to the same venue with  Jeju International Poker Tour (JIPT) unveiling a diverse schedule which includes a total of 22 tournaments and several milestone satellites. The event is described as an international competition allowing participation for both Korean amateur poker players and foreign players through casino agents. Prizes are distributed legally through the same agents. This system has been in use for most other live poker events in South Korea, with the card game having gained a rapid increase in popularity in the country throughout the last few years. The JIPT series is designed to be accessible to all with a standard participation fee.

Flagship tournament of the series is the 2024 JIPT Jeju Main Event, which comes with an ambitious guarantee of KR₩ 600,000,000 (~USD 444,000) and a buy-in of KR₩ 1,700,000 (~USD 1,250). A total of four starting days are available, three of which feature 60-minute levels,  aiming for players to maintain an average stack of 70-80 big blinds until Day 3. The final turbo heat has a level duration of 20 minutes each. The registration for each flight is open for the first eight levels.

Three Single Day High Rollers are part of the schedule with buy-ins ranging from KR₩ 2,500,000 to KR₩ 4,000,000. Several other tournaments feature a bargain buy-in of KR₩ 200,000 (~USD 150), which appears to be geared towards the recreational players.

Notably, the JIPT series brings together floor staff, dealers, and professional poker players, including influencers and broadcasters who have achieved good results in recent international tournaments. The rising popularity of Korea Poker (Kimchi Poker) in the Asian hold’em market awaits foreign hold’em players to spice up the competition.

The JIPT series is organized and hosted by the Korea Hold’em Association, approved by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism

Jeju International Poker Tour – Schedule

Jeju Island First Timers

Jeju Island, known as one of Asia’s top tourist destinations, was formed through volcanic activity. It boasts over 360 volcanic cones (oreums) of varying sizes and shapes, creating unique landscapes. With significant erosion, the island features valleys, waterfalls, and stunning coastal cliffs, including the famous Jusangjeolli (columnar jointing) formations that are rarely seen elsewhere on Earth. Needless to say, it is breathtaking in its beauty.

Jeju Oriental Hotel & Casino

Jeju Oriental Hotel & Casino, a 5-star hotel equipped with various amenities such as a casino, sauna, screen golf course, café, and buffet. Located approximately 3.8 km from Jeju International Airport, it takes about 10 minutes by car to reach the hotel. Additionally, the hotel provides free shuttle buses, operating twice a day.

Additional amenities, the facilities features a jogging course with a backdrop of the blue sea, as well as a basketball court, exercise equipment, souvenir shops, shopping areas, seafood stalls, and some of Jeju’s finest cafés. It’s a top choice among foreign tourists for their first visit to the island.