China’s Li Dong Bulldozes Through Poker Dream Jeju Main Event Final Table

In a commanding performance from Day 2 to the finish, China’s Li Dong emerged as the newest Poker Dream Main Event champion at the Landing Casino in Jeju Shinhwa World in South Korea. He eliminated six out of his eight opponents at the final table to more than deserve the victory, the trophy, and the KR₩ 376 Million (~$261,045) cash prize.

I’m happy, but not that happy, to be honest, because it reminds me of the WPT Main Event at the Jeju Poker Festival in November last year. I made a mistake on the final table and finished in third place in that event. If it weren’t for that mistake, my first main event trophy would have come to me sooner.

#3 Main Event (1,600,000 KRW)

After four days and running a total of 31 levels, China's Li Dong conquered a field of 1,394 players, absolutely dominating the final table, Li Dong emerges as the new Poker Dream 16 Main Event Champion here at the Jeju Shinhwa World in South Korea. In a post-win interview, Li shared,

"Generally speaking, as the chip leader, I had prepared myself with a strategy of acting according to the circumstances. If the opponent presented a strong hand, I would consider giving up the pot, because my deep stack allowed me to do so. But if the opponent showed weakness, I would try to take advantage of that."

The Main Event surpassed the guarantee hitting a total prize pool of a whopping KR₩ 2,580,588,000 (~USD 1,790,086) after 11 opening flights. The top 151 earned a portion. Additionally, 23 players qualified twice and 15 players qualified 3 times. Australia's Anton Lu earned the most Dream Bonus cash prizes for qualifying six times!

Total Prize

$1,791,625

Guaranteed

2,200,000,000

Entries

1,384

ITM

151

#	Payout	Player
1	$261,045 376,000,000 KRW	LD Li Dong China
2	$157,980 227,548,000 KRW	SY Song Ying China
3	$111,050 159,950,000 KRW	YM Yi Ma China
4	$83,345 120,050,000 KRW	LZ Lin Zhaoyi China
5	$64,130 92,370,000 KRW	JZ Jason Zhang China
6	$47,065 67,790,000 KRW	ZY Zhiyong Yan China
7	$34,720 50,010,000 KRW	ZH Zhao Hongjun China
8	$24,850 35,790,000 KRW	HY Haibo Yang China
9	$19,420 27,970,000 KRW	ZL Zhongyao Li China

Check the 151 Payouts & Results ...

Li Dong Wins Poker Dream Jeju Main Event

The 16th edition of Poker Dream Main Event was held back in Jeju for the brand’s second visit to the UNESCO world heritage island. After four days, 11 flights and 31 levels, the event attracted 1,384 entries to amass a brand record prize pool of KR₩ 2,580,588,000 (~USD 1,790,086). The top 151 earned a portion. Additionally, 23 players qualified twice and 15 players qualified 3 times. Australia’s Anton Lu earned the most Dream Bonus cash prizes for qualifying six times!

At the end of Day 2 and Day 3, Li Dong put on a masterclass of aggressive table control to carry in 38 percent of the chips into the final table. In just under six hours, he nailed it shut.

Generally speaking, as the chip leader, I had prepared myself with a strategy of acting according to the circumstances. If the opponent presented a strong hand, I would consider giving up the pot, because my deep stack allowed me to do so, but if the opponent showed weakness, I would try to take advantage of that.

One of the pivotal moments that took him to victory was hand #79 with five players left, when he opened 2BB from the button with 10♠6♦ and big blind Jason Zhang – 2nd in chips with 35BB at the time – called for a flop 10♥7♥K♥. Li continued for 1.9BB, Zhang check-called, the turn came 4♦ and Zhang switched to a lead for 2.5BB. Li raised to 11.2BB, got called by Zhang who then jammed for almost 20BB on the river 3♠. After using three time banks Li called, , eliminating Zhang who had A♥8♦ that catapulted him to 138BB, for a 5:1 chip advantage against his closest challengers.

Before the final day, I played against Jason and found that he often led without strong made hands in his range. Instead, facing aggressive players like me, he was highly likely to check-raise if he had strong made hands in his range. So, when he led, I would think he only had draws or weak made hands. Back to this hand, I knew he didn’t hit a flush on the flop. So, when he jammed in the river, it was a “flush or bluff” situation in his hand. I admit I was feeling a lot of pressure because if that all-in was not a bluff and I called, I would lose a large amount of chips and Jason would become the chip leader. That’s why I used up all my three time bank cards and made the decision to call in the last second. That hand was very difficult to me and definitely one of the key moments in my tournament life.

The hand was a game-changer as it only took another five hands to secure the victory. Read up on the action via the SMP Live Updates.