Poker Dream Jeju 12 sets multiple records including ₩14.8 Billion festival prize pool

From September 26 to October 6, 2024, Poker Dream debuted its 12 edition in Jeju Island, South Korea with jaw dropping prize pools on the line. As seen since the brand’s inception, Poker Dream once again pushed the boundaries, making player ambitions soar to new heights. In the aftermath, the festival exceeded all expectations, smashing records with a staggering KR₩ 14.8 billion (USD 11 million) grand festival prize pool. This was a new record for the brand, just one of several throughout the festival. Let’s have a look at the highlights and final numbers.

Poker Dream Jeju 12 – Festival Results
Poker Dream Jeju 12 – Schedule

Poker Dream Jeju 12 Wraps Up

Dates: September 26 to October 6, 2024
Venue: Landing Entertainment Korea
Location: Jeju Shinhwa World
Trophy Events: 45
Festival Prize Pool: KR₩ 14.8 billion (US$11 million)
Jeju Record Main Event: ₩2,835,154,800 (~US$ 2,140,100)
Record Super High Roller: 210 entries / ₩1,874,040,000 (~US$ 1,414,600)
Largest First Prize: Heung Tsz Kin – Super High Roller – ₩396,300,000 (~US$ 299,150)
US$30,000 NLH: 88 entries / ₩3,440,976,000 (~US$ 2,609,600)
Largest side event: Mystery Big Bounty sponsored by Korea Poker Cup – 642 entries
Richest side event (non-high roller): Mystery Bounty sponsored by QQPoker – ₩697,520,000 (~US$ 526,500)
Multiple Wins: Liu Chun Keat – $10,000 NLH, QQPK Cup Pokerlympics
Trophy By Flag: China (33), Malaysia (3), Singapore (1), Germany (1), United Kingdom (2), Hong Kong (2), Denmark (1), Japan (1)

Chinese Players In Full Force

The dominating number of Chinese players was undeniable throughout the event. With an impressive 33 out of 45 trophies claimed, their presence at the festival was overwhelming. From the start, they showed up in droves, seizing victory after victory, even winning the record Main Event and the highest buy in event of $30,000 NLH.

Record Main Event Prize Pool

Poker Dream set an ambitious US$ 2 Million guarantee, which coming in, was already a Main Event record for Jeju. With 1,656 turning up, the prize pool increased to ₩2,835,154,800 (~US$ 2,140,100). Dream come true victory for newcomer Kong Qingtao who came from behind at three-handed. Kong secured a career high payout of ₩250,009,346 (~US$ 186,150). Due to an ICM deal, earning the largest payout was 3^rd placer Lim Yat Yong for ₩336,608,507 (~US$ 250,625).

Poker Dream Jeju 12 – Main Event Live Updates
Poker Dream Jeju 12 – Main Event – Payouts
Poker Dream Jeju 12 – Main Event – Live stream

Record Super High Roller / Biggest Earner

The Super High Roller was a triple smasher with 210 entries ponying up the ₩10,000,000 (~$7,328) buy in for a prize pool of ₩1,874,040,000 (~US$ 1,414,600). This was the largest ever SHR turnout in the region. Tom Tsz Kin Heung clinched it for his first poker dream major title. Heung also walked away as the single richest earner for pocketing ₩396,300,000 (~US$ 299,150).

Multiple Wins

Coming off a stellar performance at EPT Barcelona in early September, Malaysia’s Liu Chun Keat brought the winning momentum to Poker Dream Jeju 12 and added another two titles to his portfolio. Liu won the $10,000 NLH for ₩169,300,000 (~US$ 126,000) and the QQPK Pokerlympics for a seat to the next Poker Dream Main Event.

Biggest Bounty Winners

The Mystery Big Bounty sponsored by Korea Poker Cup was a smoking hot item on the menu with 642 entries. This built a prize pool of ₩697,520,000 (~US$ 526,500) prize pool. Liu Tian shipped for a substantial total payout (includes bounties) of ₩103,020,000 (~US$ 76,700). Finding the lucky ₩55 Million (~US$41,500) bounty prize was Liu Chenglong who finished in 23^rd place.

That completes the SMP coverage of Poker Dream Jeju 12. Up next for the brand is Poker Dream Malaysia 13 scheduled from November 15 to 24, 2024 at Genting Highlands just outside of Kuala Lumpur. This is the brand’s most popular location. The event features MYR 5,000,000 (~US$ 1.16 Million in guarantees!