“I Did Not Think I Would Become Champion” – Zhenyi Huang Claims First Major At CPG Championship Finals Main Event In Sanya

With only four years of poker under his belt, Zhenyi Huang emerged victorious in the 13th CPG Championship Finals Main Event, capturing his first known major title and outlasting some of the country’s most decorated players. In a brief interview with SMP, the champ expressed,

It’s awesome! I feel awesome and happy… one of my most crucial moments was in Day 3 when I almost busted out. I was all in with KQ against AJ then a jack came on the flop. But then a king came on the turn. At the final table, Yunchao Yu and Jinnan Zhao were tough for me. Zhao was crazy and Yu was a strong player overall. 

In an interview with Chinese poker media dzpknews.com, Huang was ecstatic,

To get to the final table was beyond my expectations. I did not think I would become champion. Facing these pros, it was a real world lesson. Their decision making and control were all valuable learning tools. This win gives me confidence, and I want to go out and play everywhere in different levels, experience the style of players from all over the world. I want to continue to hone my skills and prove myself in more competitions.

13th CPG Championship Finals Main Event

The 13th CPG Championship Finals opened on August 20 at the Howard Johnson Resort in Sanya Bay, Hainan Island, China with the Main Event taking center stage on August 23.

• August 23: Day 1A set a new record turnout for an opening flight of 1,657 players
• August 24: Typhoon, all events postponed
• August 25: Games resumed; Day 1B drew 1,656 players
• August 26: Day 1C drew 898 players for a total of 4,211 entries
• Main Event became the second-largest CPG Championship in history

Interestingly, organizers noted a drop in the international turnout this year, however a surge of fresh faces made up for it, with 42% of the field comprised of first-time CPG participants.

After the starting days, 1,433 returned players returned for Day 2, filling over 160 tables across three halls. On the seventh hour, the bubble burst with three players falling at hand-for-hand leaving 486 players celebrating the moment. The heat ended with 240 players remaining.

At Day 3, only 35 survived. Among the fallen was the last of the international contingent, Juns Leong from Malaysia. Day 4 wrapped up with the final 9 players led by Mian Deng Chen.

Final Table Recap

With a livestream screen set up in the ballroom, spectators were able to watch the event live. It was action from the start as Zhenyi Huang knocked out Yong Guo early to quickly climb up the leaderboard.

Not so fortunate for the entering chip leader Mian Deng Chen who lost a series of pots before falling to veteran Yu YunChao who defended preflop with a pocket pair that held throughout the board.

With a fortress of chips before him, Yu proceeded to eliminate Xiongfeng Chen (7th), and after Jiachu Ma was ousted in 6th place, he cleaned out Jian Zhao in 5th place with pocket nines over pocket sixes.

However, the momentum shifted and Yu’s attempt to control the felt led to his demise with Huang’s ace-high holding over a missed draw. Jinnan Zhao followed out in 3rd place after running into Leyang Zhang‘s big slick to set up heads up with Huang ahead 85 big blinds to Zhangs 41 big blinds.

In just under an hour, the final hand arrived. All in on a flop K♦Q♦8♦, Huang held 10♦2♦ flush, Zhang K♥4♦. The turn 5♠ sealed Huang his first major poker title.

Final Table Results

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