Jeju Poker Festival 2024: WPT Main Event Down to 24 Players Led by Dong Li; Xinhong Li and Tsz Kin Heung Shine Across Side Events

An action-packed day landed at Landing Casino’s doors, with several thrilling WPT Korea events playing through its lineup. The esteemed WPT Main Event remained the center of attention with its Day 3 games in the works. Only 24 players remain on the hunt for the title with China’s Dong Li topping the list following five levels of play. In addition to the headliner, Day 1 heats for two WPT Korea Ring Events – WPT Super High Roller and WPT Closer, ran through, with tomorrow seeing its champions rise to the podium.

Across the side events, Xinhong Li claimed glory at the WPT Mystery Bounty with a bulldozing run earning him not only the top prize, but also the biggest bounty on the list. Hong Kong’s Tsz Kin Heung has likewise been crushing the scene, having captured a second series trophy at today’s No Limit 2-7 Single Draw.

Stay tuned to SMP Live Updates as the games unfold, and catch the latest action directly off the floor.

Jeju Poker Festival 2024 – Player Guide
Jeju Poker Festival 2024 – Festival Results
Jeju Poker Festival 2024 – Live Updates

Dong Li Ends WPT Main Event Day 3 with the Lead

The race for the WPT Main Event title is slowly taking shape with Day 3 seeing its 667-entry field draw down to three tables remaining. Only five minutes into the 23rd level saw the action wrap up following the exit of Uzbekistan’s Valeriy Pak, leaving its 79 survivor list to start the day, down to 24 players. All Day 4 qualifiers are now guaranteed KRW 10,500,000 (~USD 7,510) in cashes, and continue to be a step closer to the KRW 300 Million (~USD 214,560) top prize.

China’s Dong Li capped the day with the lead, having dominated the games from start to finish. Li kicked off Day 3 amongst the top ranks and took the lead by the second break of the day. Li wielded his big stack with ability and continued his ascent level per level, to eventually reach bagging time with a towering 4,500,000 (112 BB) chip count. Chenxiang Miao follows behind with 3,840,000 (96 BB), joined by Yong Li with 2,315,000 (57 BB), to round up the top three counts.

Among those fallen in today’s battle include Ying Song (35th), Xiaqing Ji (43rd), Jun Li (63rd), Joseph Cheong (68th), Baofeng Zheng (70th), and Renji Mao (79th). Baofeng Zhang entered with a commanding chip lead across Day 3, yet was left nowhere to be seen by the second level. Hao Chuang, who claimed hold of most of his chips, survived the rounds and is due to return middle of the pack with 1,055,000 (26 BB).

Action will resume on November 21st, 12 noon with the Day 4 games set to play down to the final six players.

WPT Main Event Review

• Dates: November 16-22, 2024
• Buy-in: KRW 2,500,000 (~USD 1,795)
• Guarantee: KRW 1,680,000,000 (~USD 1,206,430)
• Entries: 667 (507 unique)
• Prize pool: KRW 1,680,000,000 (~USD 1,206,430)
• ITM: 96 places

By The Numbers

• Day 1A: 120 entries, 42 qualified
• Day 1B: 207 entries, 70 qualified
• Day 1C: 340 entries, 117 qualified
• Day 2: 229 players, 79 qualified
• Day 3: 79 players; 24 qualified
• Day 4: Thursday, November 21
• Day 5 /Final: Friday, November 22

WPT Main Event Day 3 Top Ten Qualifiers

Backtrack on the day’s action via SMP Live Updates

Side Event Winners

Xinhong Li Crushes WPT Mystery Bounty

A fun-filled atmosphere embodied the WPT Mystery Bounty games with the bounty pool coming into play across the Final Day games. China’s Xinhong Li led the charge to start the action and carried this advantage through the end, closing out the win in just five hours. In addition to his KRW 45,526,000 (~USD 32,530) top prize, Li claimed hold of five bounty tokens, one of which was the KRW 20 Million (~USD 14,300) largest bounty, making him the biggest winner by far with KRW 78,526,000 (~USD 56,160) in total winnings.

• Date/s: November 19-20, 2024
• Buy-in: KRW 2,000,000 (~USD 1,430)
• Entries: 161 (106 unique)
• Prize pool: KRW 281,106,000 (~USD 201,045)
• ITM: 21 places

WPT Mystery Bounty Final Table Results

Tsz Kin Heung Captures Second Series Win at No Limit 2-7 Single Draw

Hong Kong’s Tsz Kin Heung has had a smashing week at the WPT Korea games with his fifth cash being a second series victory at the No Limit 2-7 Single Draw games. For his recent feat, Heung secured another KRW 8,518,000 (~USD 6,090) in prizes, having bested the 26-entry field. The all-around runner previously won the Survivor Bounty event in addition to two runner up finishes, bringing his total cashes to date at a notable KRW 57,651,000 (~USD 41,230).

• Date/s: November 20, 2024
• Buy-in: KRW 1,000,000 (~USD 715)
• Entries: 26 (17 unique)
• Prize pool: KRW 22,698,000 (~USD 16,230)
• ITM: 5 places

No Limit 2-7 Single Draw Full Payouts

Shiina Okamoto Triumphs Over Win the Button – Hyper Turbo NLH

In for an evening grind, 72 entries ponied up the KRW 600,000 (~USD 430) buy-in across the Win the Button – Hyper Turbo NLH games, generating a KRW 37,714,000 (~USD 26,970) prize pool on the line. Fast paced ten minute levels were set on the clock, leaving the games to finish just past midnight, with Japan’s Shiina Okamoto securing the victory. The bracelet winner dominated the final rounds, earning her KRW 11,104,000 (~USD 7,930) in prizes for her first series cash.

• Date/s: November 20, 2024
• Buy-in: KRW 600,000 (~USD 430)
• Entries: 72 (56 unique)
• Prize pool: KRW 37,714,000 (~USD 26,970)
• ITM: 11 places

Win the Button – Hyper Turbo NLH Full Payouts

Day 1 Heats

Bayar Saran Bags Big in WPT Super High Roller

With the last WPT High Roller Ring at stake, today’s WPT Super High Roller Day 1 games drew in 34 entries throughout the day, with registration remaining open through the first level of Day 2. Eleven levels of play ran through, and saw Mongolia’s Bayar Saran top the 21-qualifier list, having built a stack of 1,830,000 to take the lead. Japan’s Koichi Chiba follows just three big blinds behind with 1,790,000, along with USA’s Joseph Cheong in third rank.

• Date/s: November 20-21, 2024
• Buy-in: KRW 16,000,000 (~USD 11,440)
• Day 1 Entries: 34 (27 unique)
• Current prize pool: KRW 506,464,000 (~USD 362,225)

Wanyu Zhang Leads WPT Closer

The final WPT Ring highlight across the schedule, WPT Closer, ran through its two qualifying rounds, and attracted a combined 194 entries. Action played down to ITM at 25 players with China’s Wanyu Zhang taking the overall lead, having capped Day 1A with the largest at 630,000. Compatriot Yi Qin trails closely behind, having similarly topped the later field to bring in a stack of 580,000.

Among those geared to make a return are notables Naoki Yashiro (395,000), Thijs Hilberts (325,000), Shiina Okamoto (241,000), Jieming Xu (210,000), WPT Opener champion Tomas Patka (149,000), and Tae Hoon Han (87,000).

• Date/s: November 20-21, 2024
• Buy-in: KRW 2,000,000 (~USD 1,430)
• Entries: 194 (126 unique)
• Prize pool: KRW 338,724,000 (~USD 242,255)
• ITM: 25 places

WPT Closer Top Ten Chip Counts