APT 20 Years: National Cup and High Roller Action Ignite Jeju Classic 2026

The APT Jeju Classic 2026 has officially commenced at the LES A Casino , located within the luxurious Jeju Shinhwa World resort. This ten-day festival, running from January 30 to February 8, marks the beginning of the APT 20-Year Anniversary campaign, celebrating two decades of the tour’s history and impact. With 99 events on the schedule and over KRW 4.9 billion (~USD 3.4 million) in total guarantees, the tour returns to South Korea for its 125th milestone festival.

APT National Cup: 690 Entries Across Opening Flights

The APT National Cup, sponsored by Natural8 , kickstarted the festival with a KRW 200,000,000 (~USD 159K) guarantee. The opening day featured three flights that drew a massive combined field of 690 entries.

• Flight A: Concluded with 28 survivors out of 200 entries, led by India’s Vishal Ojha.

• Flight B: Saw 283 entries, with 40 players advancing, led by China’s Yanggang Zou.

• Flight C: The final turbo flight added 207 entries, with 29 players moving on, led by China’s Yi Qin .

APT National Cup Final Day Top 10 Stacks

Kyle “Pocket Kyles” Ivanich Claims Second Career Title

In a standout early performance, APT host and commentator Kyle Ivanich, widely known as “Pocket Kyles,” secured his second recorded live tournament win in Event #8: Super Hyper Turbo – NLH.

Usually the one calling the action, Ivanich stepped away from the cameras and commentary booth and straight into the chip lead of the event. His Instagram stories told the story of his run, featuring a relentless string of knockouts as he transitioned from analyst to the field’s biggest threat. By the time the 48-player field had narrowed to six, Ivanich had amassed 40% of the chips in play, and with five remaining, he controlled a massive two-thirds of the total supply.

The masterclass in dominance ended in a dramatic double-knockout. Ivanich was all in with queen-three offsuit against his two competitors, who held less than a big blind each. He paired his queen on the flop to eliminate his final two opponents in a single hand. The victory earned him KRW 4,231,075, the baby lion trophy, and a temporary reprieve from his broadcast duties to celebrate the win.

#8 Super Hyper Turbo (350,000 KRW)

Total Prize USD

$9,430

Total Prize

₩13,441,075

Entries

48

ITM

7

#	Payout	Player	SPI
1	₩4,231,075 $2,970	KI Kyle Ivanich Canada	402.76
2	₩3,060,000 $2,150	TI Taisaku Iwao Japan	284.79
3	₩1,950,000 $1,370	BB Battulga Byanbajav Mongolia	232.53
4	₩1,480,000 $1,040	HT Hayate Tanabayashi Japan	201.38
5	₩1,140,000 $800	TY Ting Yu China	180.12
6	₩870,000 $610	HZ Haitao Zhuang China	164.43
7	₩710,000 $500	HF Haizhi Fan China	152.23

Satellite Opportunities

The festival provides numerous ways for players to qualify for high-stakes events at a fraction of the cost:

• Live Satellites: Daily live satellites are held at the LES A Casino. A notable example is the Satellite to the APT Main Event, which features “Win Your Seat” formats with buy-ins around KRW 550,000.

• Online Qualifiers: Players can win their way to Jeju through online partner sites like Natural8, which also sponsors several of the festival’s marquee events.

• High-Value Prizes: Beyond direct entry, winning specific trophy events – such as the APT Super High Roller, APT High Roller, and Zodiac Classic – awards a coveted seat worth approximately USD 10,000 to the season-ending APT Championship 2026 Main Event in Taipei.

Diversity of Events

The schedule is designed to cater to all player types, from recreational enthusiasts to high-stakes professionals, across 99 different events:

• Omaha Tournaments: There are 17 Omaha-focused events, including variants like Pot Limit Omaha (PLO), PLO Double Board Bomb Pot, and PLO Hi-Lo.

• Assorted Mixed Games: For specialists, the festival features 15 assorted mixed games, such as Fixed Limit Triple Draw Mix, Dealer’s Choice, 9-Game Mix, and Seven Card Stud Mix.

• Signature High Roller Series: The lineup includes 18 high roller tournaments, headlined by the APT Super High Roller (KRW 15M buy-in) and the Superstar Challenge (KRW 35M buy-in).

• Specialised Formats: Other unique offerings include:

  • Women’s Events: Specifically designed tournaments for female players, including a Women’s High Roller.

  • Teams Event: A format where two players compete together as a team.

  • Turbo & Hyper Turbo: Fast-paced events like the Super Hyper Turbo and Turbo Win the Button for those preferring high-action games.

Key Events to Watch

Live streaming begins Sunday, February 1, at 11:45 AM (KST) on the official APT YouTube channel, starting with the Final Day of the Super High Roller. Live coverage of the fesitval is available on both the Somuchpoker and Asian Poker Tour websites.