RDPT Jeju 2025 Final Highlights

"This Is My First Time To Win A Live Tournament"

What an achievement for Shengfa Huang! After four days and 33 levels, with a total of 997 entries that ballooned the total prize pool to KR₩2,175,953,000 (~$1,582,120), Huang clinched the Red Dragon Championship. Lifting the first poker trophy of his life, Huang shipped the massive first prize payout of KR₩ 360,000,000 (~US$ 250,615) and slipped into the coveted Red Dragon champions jacket.

I feel quite calm now, though I was a bit excited earlier. This is my first time to win a live tournament. Winning this championship has made me like Texas Hold’em even more. I'll probably play more games coz winning the championship for the first time gives me more motivation for the next time.

Read more about his win via the Live Updates.

Interview With Lei Yu After Winning The Red Dragon Prestige High Roller

You've had so much success with plenty of final tables here in Jeju - including the back to back to back super high roller and both superstar challenge final tables at the Poker Dream 16 we had the pleasure to report about - what is it about jeju or the landing casino that brings the best out of you?

I guess this is one of my “home courts.” We’re the Red Dragon Team, and Red Dragon events are held here regularly, so I come often. Maybe the familiarity—and a bit of good luck—helps.

Another congrats is in order, winning your first WSOP bracelet in December. How big of a bucket list item was that for you and did finally winning one change anything for you professionally or privately?

Winning a bracelet is every player’s ultimate dream, so I was very happy to achieve it. But honestly, life hasn’t changed much—I just go with the flow.

How do you maintain focus and composure during long tournament days

Mainly by getting good rest. Once I’m at the table I raise my concentration, play each hand well, and keep an eye on what my opponents are doing.

Lets talk about the final table. Did you make any adjustments to your play style during the final table especially with the chip leader on your right side? explain what strategy you used.

It wasn’t too bad—having position on him most of the time let me play some marginal hands and build big pots against him.

Who is your toughest opponent in the final table and why?

Honestly, nobody felt especially tough. I also ran pretty well on that FT.

Can you describe a hand where you made a risky play that paid off, and what were the factors you considered?

I wouldn’t say I took huge risks. When a hand fell into my range, I just played it the way it should be played—and I was lucky in this event.

What motivated you to pursue poker professionally, and how did you transition to high-stakes play?

I started in 2013, playing with friends. I loved the game and kept grinding tournaments. Moving up was a step-by-step process: start small, build experience and bankroll online, and gradually transition upward.

What's been the biggest challenge you've faced in poker, and how did you overcome it?

There were plenty of downswings when nothing went right and I doubted myself. Continuous study and self-adjustment helped me push through, one step at a time.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a high-stakes poker player?

Try higher buy-ins only when you can afford them. High-roller fields are tough, but playing them teaches you a lot and builds experience.

How do you adjust your opening range based on stack sizes and game context?

First study each player’s style, then adapt. Versus tighter opponents I open wider; against aggressive ones I tighten up. Chip stack, tournament stage, and looming pay jumps all factor in.

How do you manage your hand frequency when you are on the button versus the small blind?

I stay flexible—ranges shift with stack depth, stage, and opponent tendencies.

How do you manage your emotions and tilt in heads-up?

Don’t overthink. Treat every hand seriously, stay patient, forget about the title, and focus on playing mistake-free poker.

How do manage to gain the lead in the heads up play?

With deep stacks, you have room. Spot your opponent’s leaks, accumulate chips gradually, or take controlled aggressive lines in smaller pots and manage post-flop tempo.

Interview With Dragon Egg Champion Tom Verbruggen On Grinding Asia

You had a pretty good run here in Asia, can you tell me which one is your most memorable win?

I would say the most memorable were actually last year towards the end of last year was really good. I had good run at APT where I won two events in one series. Then I got second in a High Roller in Vietnam at USOP, and then I went to the inaugural player series in Taipei and I won the super High Roller there. It hasn't been really good this year, a little bit less.

You've had so much success with plenty of final tables here in jeju - including the back to back to back super high roller and both superstar challenge final tables at the Poker Dream 16 we had the pleasure to report about - what is it about Jeju that brings the best out of you?

It's nice to come here in Jeju because there are many Chinese people here and I used to live in China for over seven years, so for me it's actually a great opportunity as well to keep my Mandarin on point. I think it's a very beautiful casino here, very luxurious so it's a nice place to be.

USOP high roller 2nd place in december for your biggest $103K cash to date and finally a win a week later at the PST Super high roller. Did you work on your heads up game to clinch the title more often, if the opportunity presents itself next time?

Yes, I have been working on my heads up play but maybe not yet as much as I should. This summer I'm gonna go to Vegas for WSOP for the first time. I think it's definitely good this upcoming weeks which i will be studying to put some extra attention to the heads up play, because this is actually where the most money is going to be made.

You've been on the Asian poker scene since 2019, what do you like about it compared to Europe or other places in the world and where in Asia do you like to play the most?

Actually, I played one event in 2019, this was the APT in Vietnam and actually since last year I started to grind full time in the Asian circuit. I was living in China, so this was always convenient and closeby and yeah I think it's much easier to travel here in Asia. My friends are here as well, we travel together so this is one of the main reasons for me. It's often a nice weather here compared to Europe.

Do you have a mentor or coach? if yes how does it help you improve your game?

Yes, they've been extremely important for me from the start, because I only started grinding since last year. I would say they helped me a lot with confidence and with all the important things that I need to know, when going to the different tours. I would say without my coaches, I wouldn't be where I am today for sure.

Interview With Xixiang Luo - Short Deck Champion

After winning today's KRW 2,000,000 buy-in Short Deck tournament for KRW 21,840,000 (~$15,205) we had a chance to catch up with two-time bracelet winner Xixiang Luo.

Congrats to another win! Is that your first short deck trophy?

This is my second Short Deck championship.

Was it smooth sailing or did you have some unforeseen challenges?

The tournament wasn't smooth sailing - I faced significant volatility early on with multiple all-ins and had to re-buy two or three times.

Let's talk about your incredible run at the WSOP last year, taking home the $2K H.O.R.S.E and the $1,500 Double Board bracelets, along with two close calls (3rd in Mixed Big Bet and 6th in another H.O.R.S.E) all within a month. How were you able to achieve that?

Pure luck, honestly! In 2024, also here in Jeju, I won a Main Event title. Back then, I made a wish to win a WSOP bracelet, and somehow ended up winning two. Wishing works - the edge of science is metaphysics!

Being such a versatile player, how did you come to learn all the different poker variants?

t’s about personality. I enjoy exploring new things and approach them with a ‘participate-first’ mindset. I’m naturally laid-back, but novelty excites me - when I encounter a new format, I dive in wholeheartedly.

Outside the USA, you’ve had incredible success in Jeju—3rd in the 2018 Red Dragon High Roller, APT Main Event Champion last year, and a Poker Dream 16 High Roller runner-up recently. What about Jeju brings out your A-game?

It boils down to solid poker fundamentals. I maintain my competitive edge through physical training and consistent tournament play. Recently, I’ve been studying Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategies to address my weaknesses. as an old-school player, I used to rely on instinct, but modern poker demands technical mastery.

With over a decade in poker, what keeps you hungry?

Simple - passion. I genuinely love competitive poker. Early in my career, I focused on cash games, but tournaments became my priority as they evolved. The thrill never fades.

What advice would you give to young players aspiring to reach high-stakes games?

Follow your passion, but stay grounded. Play events suited to your bankroll and skill level. Treat poker as entertainment first - don’t overextend yourself. Master one format before chasing the next.

Interview With Weiran Pu - Red Dragon Closer Champion

Congrats to winning another trophy for your collection! How do you feel?

I’m absolutely thrilled! It’s been more than a year since I won my WSOP bracelet, so this is my first title in quite a while—and it finally ends my championship drought.

What's your summary of the final table today? We saw some interesting plays from you.

Even though the final table was relatively small, I weighed every decision carefully. Overall, I’m satisfied with my performance. The field was tough, but with the shorter structure luck matters a bit more—and the cards certainly cooperated today.

You've had some great results here in Jeju, the biggest being the 5th place in the Triton Event 1 for a whopping $309k just a few months ago. What do you like about jeju and the venue here?

Jeju feels like home turf for the Red Dragon Team, and that “home-field aura” really boosts my confidence. I’ve had strong finishes in two Triton events here, and now I’ve captured a Red Dragon trophy on the same island. The mix of familiarity and success means a lot to me—I’m genuinely happy here.

Being one of the few Chinese Bracelet winners, how did the win in 2023 change your life, turning $5,000 into almost $1M!

That victory meant far more than money; it was an enormous boost to my poker career. Winning on the world’s biggest stage cemented my commitment to this path. Since then, Triton, WSOP, EPT—top-tier international events—have been my goals, and I’ll keep pursuing them with everything I’ve got.

Will you be playing again this year?

Absolutely. When the schedule allows, I’ll be back for every Red Dragon Cup stop—this is home ground!

Lets get to some more general questions. How did you get started in poker, and what sparked your interest in the game?

I wrote about this in detail in my book *How My Bracelet Was Forged*. A friend first introduced me to poker, and I fell in love instantly. I’d never been that interested in card games before, but poker grabbed me at once. From 2010 until now—that’s over a decade of passion. Being able to stick with something I love makes me feel very fortunate.

Do you still play online much?

Not as often these days—mostly because of time-zone issues. I prefer live tournaments: the routine is healthier and the experience is better.

What were the biggest challenges you faced early in your career, and how did you overcome them?

I was lucky—my big adventure began in early 2023, and I captured a WSOP title quickly. But after that, I went through more than a year without another win. This recent victory finally ended that slump. It taught me that you have to keep a level head in poker and enjoy the ups and downs along the way.

With such an accomplished career, what keeps you motivated?

Pure love for the game. You can’t love poker only when you’re winning and quit when you’re losing. The game’s intrinsic appeal drives me to keep playing—and to share my experiences through Vlogs.

Outside of poker, what other interests do you have, and how do they influence your perspective on the game?

I used to be an esports player and even played *StarCraft*, but once I fell for poker, I poured almost all my time into it—especially these past two years traveling the high-roller circuit. If I had to name something else, it’s music. I often listen to piano pieces while playing; they help me reset, stay calm, and keep my focus.

Read up on Weiran Pu's road to victory via the Live Updates.