Inside the Action: A Closer Look at Jeju Poker Festival’s Unique Events

Kai Cocklin is a poker journalist and live reporting manager who has worked with PokerNews at major festivals including the World Series of Poker and the European Poker Tour. He has managed multiple live reporting teams at the World Series of Poker and trained individual reporters to develop their skills. He now oversees Somuchpoker’s editorial and live coverage, ensuring consistent quality and engaging content across the Asian poker scene.

Updated: 2025.10.18

Jeju Poker Festival 2025 isn’t just about massive guarantees and global brands joining forces. Beyond the combined schedule of WPT Prime Korea, the K Poker Cup, and the Red Dragon Poker Tour, this year’s festival will showcase two of the most creative and highly anticipated formats in Asian poker: the RD Expedition Club Red Dragon Team Event and the “WePoker” Dragon Egg Mystery Bounty.

Here’s a closer look at how these unique events work, with some videos to show you exactly what goes down.

RD Expedition Club – Red Dragon Team Event (Nov 1-2)

The RD Expedition Club Team Event returns as one of the most distinctive formats in the series. A total of 36 teams, each buying in for KRW 2,000,000, will compete across multiple knockout rounds. Every team consists of four players, with at least two newcomers required on each roster.

Sponsored by the RD Expedition Club, teams can also apply for a KRW 1.9 million Poker Travel Fund, though logos or team names linked to online poker platforms are not permitted.

Day 1 features two rounds of knockout multi-table tournaments. Four teams will qualify directly from the first round, while others who reach the top 32 can still fight back through the Resurrection Round, which awards four additional seats in the finals. All teams start with 20,000 chips, play 15-minute levels in Round 1 and 10-minute levels in Round 2, and use a 10-second shot clock throughout.

The Final Day on November 2 brings together eight teams who are all guaranteed to finish in the money. Each team’s four players will split into three unique challenges: an 8-handed SNG, a Tag Team KO SNG, and a heads-up elimination bracket. Points from these matches determine the champion, with extra heads-up rounds used for any tie-breaks.

A complete overview of structures, tie-breaks, and scoring formats can be found in the full guide to the Red Dragon Team Event.

Sneak Peek at the Action

A quick preview of what’s to come, this short teaser sets the tone for the team competition and includes some thoughts from previous participants.

This highlight reel captures the intensity and energy of the matches as players battle not only for individual pride but also for their team’s standing in the tournament.

A snippet of the previous edition, giving new players an idea of the structure, pacing, and atmosphere that make this one of the most engaging parts of the Jeju Poker Festival.

Teams interested in participating this year must complete the official Red Dragon Team Event application form before the registration deadline.

“WePoker” Dragon Egg Mystery Bounty (Nov 10-11)

The WePoker Dragon Egg Mystery Bounty is another festival highlight that perfectly blends excitement with unpredictability. With KRW 140 million added to the bounty pool and a top bounty worth KRW 100 million, every elimination carries real suspense.

The event has a buy-in of KRW 3,500,000, with KRW 1,000,000 from each entry allocated to the bounty pool. Players begin with 30,000 chips and play 30-minute levels across both Day 1 flights. Those who survive advance to Day 2, where every knockout could unlock a life-changing reward.

In true Red Dragon style, each bounty is revealed by cracking a golden dragon egg, inside which the prize amount is hidden. It’s a dramatic twist on the mystery bounty format that has become a signature feature of Red Dragon events, combining competition with spectacle in front of a captivated audience.

A first look at the Mystery Bounty event, outlining the concept and structure while building anticipation for the dramatic “egg cracking” reveals.

A fast-paced teaser showing the signature golden egg ritual and some of the biggest bounty moments that await players in Jeju.

KPC High Roller Series (Nov 3-7)

A long-standing highlight of Asia’s high-stakes poker scene, the KPC High Rollers consistently attracts the region’s top professionals and international legends. Here, elite grinders and high-stakes regulars face off in battles of pure skill and nerve, where every decision can define a career. With legends clashing against rising stars, every hand carries the potential to create a new iconic moment.

KPC Single Day Super High Roller
– Date: Nov 3 at 2:00 p.m.
– Buy-in: USD 10,000
– Starting stack: 300,000
– Levels: 25 minutes
– Late registration: Until end of Level 10

KPC Single Day High Roller
– Date: Nov4 at 1:00 p.m.
– Buy-in: KRW 3,000,000
– Starting stack: 100,000
– Levels: 20 minutes
– Late registration: Until end of Level 10
KPC Super High Roller
– Dates: Nov 4–5 (3:00 p.m. start both days)
– Buy-in: USD 30,000
– Starting stack: 500,000
– Levels: 40 minutes
– Plays 10 levels on Day 1
– Late registration open until the end of Level 12 on Day 2
– Plays to a winner

KPC High Roller
– Dates: Nov 6–7 (3:00 p.m. start)
– Buy-in: KRW 8,000,000
– Starting stack: 200,000
– Levels: 40 minutes
– Late registration until the end of Level 9 on Day 1
– Plays to a winner

Where Entertainment Meets Competition

From team-based companionship to the thrill of hidden prizes, these two formats showcase the creative side of the series. The RD Expedition Club Team Event, the “WePoker” Dragon Egg Mystery Bounty, and the KPC High Roller series all highlight why the Jeju Poker Festival has become one of the most engaging stops on the live poker calendar.

Stay tuned to Somuchpoker for full coverage once cards hit the felt in Jeju, including live reports, event recaps, and a closer look at those egg-cellent bounty-cracking moments.