RPT Championship I Draws 1,118 Entries and VND 16B Prize Pool

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Updated: 2025.11.26

The first ever RPT Championship I Main Event made a powerful debut in Vietnam as players turned out in record numbers. The tournament opened with a VND 10 billion guarantee, but the response quickly surpassed expectations and climbed to a remarkable VND 16 billion prize pool built from 1,118 total entries. After ten days of nonstop action, a total of 44 Tiger Trophies have been awarded, marking a milestone conclusion to the festival.

Day 1A immediately delivered one of the event’s early highlights. Nguyen Duy Thuc closed the flight as the chip leader and earned the event’s special chip leader bonus, a reward designed to recognize strong early performance. His momentum carried throughout the tournament and eventually pushed him all the way to a runner up finish.

The final day brought high pressure decisions and dramatic shifts in momentum, but it was Nguyen Van Dong An who stayed composed at every stage. His steady and disciplined approach guided him through the toughest spots of the tournament and ultimately earned him the RPT Championship I Main Event title, marking him as the festival’s first champion. Thuc’s second place finish completed a standout run that began from the very first flight.

As part of his victory, Van also received the Gods of Poker Eden Awakens Main Event Package worth US$ 3,000, a reward provided through RPT’s partnership with Gods of Poker. This prize extends his journey beyond Vietnam and sends him to Jeju this December to compete on an international stage. On top of that, he earned a special privilege from Royal Poker Club Hanoi, granting him one year of free rake as part of his champion benefits.

The Gods of Poker package includes:
One Main Event Ticket valued at US$ 1,400
Five nights at Jeju Shinhwa World valued at US$ 600
US$1,000 in cash equivalent for travel expenses

High Roller Events Showcase More Vietnamese Standouts

The festival’s high roller events added another layer of excitement and showcased two strong Vietnamese performers.

Do Anh Tai claimed the High Roller Last Chance title after a confident late stage performance that pushed him ahead of a tough field. The event featured a 22 million VND buy in and a 600 million VND guarantee. As champion, Tai also earned an exclusive reward from Royal Poker Club Hanoi, receiving one year of free rake, considered the ultimate privilege for the Last Chance High Roller winner.

In the Mega Stack High Roller, Pham Thanh Nghia took full command of the deep structure and delivered one of the festival’s most polished performances. The event attracted 126 entries with a 33 million VND buy in. Its initial 2 billion VND guarantee was easily surpassed as players continued to join the action. Nghia secured the title after defeating Nguyen Duc Giao Linh heads up, adding one of the biggest side event victories of the series to his resume.

RPT Announces Full 2026 Championship Calendar

RPT confirmed four major stops for the 2026 season, aiming to create a stronger tournament calendar for players in Vietnam and the region, in response to the growing demand for competitive events. Each stop is scheduled to provide players with sufficient time to prepare and participate, featuring unique identities and highlights. With these championship festivals, RPT seeks to establish a year-round circuit that enhances continuity, excitement, and competition for both local and international players.

RPT Championship II
March 4 to March 15, 2026

RPT Championship III
June 3 to June 14, 2026

RPT Championship IV
September 9 to September 20, 2026

RPT Championship V
December 2 to December 13, 2026

A Strong Beginning for the RPT Championship Era

RPT Championship I delivered everything a first edition should. A record breaking Main Event. A deep pool of emerging talent. And a champion in Nguyen Van Dong An, who navigated a demanding field to claim the opening title. With Nguyen Duy Thuc completing a consistent tournament run capped by a runner up finish, and Do Van Tai and Pham Thanh Nghia winning the major high rollers, the festival showcased the growing strength of Vietnam’s competitive poker scene.

With a full calendar already secured for 2026, the RPT Championship is now positioned to grow even larger in the seasons ahead.

Stay Connected With the RPT Championship I

Stay tuned to witness the unfolding drama of the RPT Championship and the players involved. Players and fans can stay updated with results, schedules, photos, and announcements through Royal Poker Club’s official channels:

RPT – Royal Poker Tour Facebook Page
Hotline: +84 326 325 686