TLPT Jeju 2025: Main Event Circuit Winner Weizheng Zhong Among Halfway Highlights

Interview With Weizheng Zhong - Inaugural TLPT Main Event Champion

The $700,000 guaranteed inaugural The Lord Poker Tournament Circuit Main Event crowned Weizheng Zhong capturing his first poker trophy and $120,000, to more than double his all-time live earnings.

Congratulations on winning the biggest event of the series so far! How do you feel?

I feel very happy and very lucky to win this.

This was quite the marathon heads up, how did you adjust to your opponent?

So basically I tried to play as much as possible against him, but still I folded when I had KQ off suit against him. If I didn't get that cooler hand I'd probably lose the heads up.

Starting day 2 with only 15BB how has the journey been to become champion?

It was pretty sweet honestly, on Day 1, I almost bubbled, before late reg I only had 3 or 4 bb left. Then I rounded up to 112K in one level, then eventually I bagged around 70K. You know the first two level of Day 2, I actually didn't get any spots so I was down to like 3 bb, then when I moved and got pretty good spots and cooler get paid.

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

It was Stephen Song because he is the most experienced player, but I didn't play many pots against him, but at last five players left I think it was William Jia because he was the better opponent after Stephen busted.

How did you get into poker?

I started playing poker when i was in college during the pandemic. My first time playing poker was in like 2019 and I started to play a lot during the first year of pandemic so 2020.

Is it just a hobby or you play poker for a living?

Right now I play cards and crypto stuff.

How will your poker carrer change now that you have this massive win?

I mean it's not really like life changing money for me, but definitely I can travel more now.

Will you try your luck in one of the high rollers in the coming days?

My initial plan was not playing, but honestly I don't know now (laughs)

How did you find out about The Lord Poker Tournament and what made you play?

My friend invited me to come here (Zhou Yinan) so he said there was a freeroll in Jeju and I was traveling to China so said sure yeah.

Read up on the action via the Live Updates.

Xiaqing Ji Turned His AAPoker Freeroll Ticket to $120,000!

The first event of the inaugural TLPT Jeju blasted in as players poured for the $600,000 guaranteed Freezeout Freeroll. To enter players had to obtain entry via the AAPoker app. A total of 446 players showed up with the top 75 claiming a portion of the prize pool. In the end, it was Xiaqing Ji who turned his freeroll ticket to a whopping $120,000!

Interview With the Champion

What does it feel like winning 100k from nothing

I feel great and very happy right now

How did you hear about the event?

From a good friend of mine Evan Zhang

How did you approach the final table coming in as cl and having position on the 2nd biggest stack?

I just played my style, be aggressive and used my stack properly to build more and more stack.

How do you approach this tournament strategically? (e.g., do you play a wide range of hands, focus on post-flop play, or try to get a good chip stack early?)

First of all I read all the body movement of the player in my table so i know how will i adjust my play style.

How do you handle the pressure of a big field?

(Explore their ability to stay calm and make rational decisions despite the large number of players)

There is still some pressure on the big field, because some time ago compare the low period the grades are not very good.

What is your poker history? You took a long break from playing poker after 2020

My Buglix probably started in 2017, I have also been all over the world,Including EPT the Australian Millions will participate there will be participation in domestic Asian competitions. Then give me more after winning the championship this time. It has greatly increased my confidence I hope that on the way to the next game you can also get better results.

Any advice for young players?

First of all, we should do a good job of fund management. Then through continuous learning I think everyone through hard work Naturally, there will be good grades.

Nevan Chang Wins AAPoker Deep Stack

The $1,000 buy-in AAPoker Deep stack event pulled in a healthy 202 entries to boost the prize pool to just over the guarantee for $202,000, shared among the top 26 places. Leading up to that moment, the bubble burst on Kanghao Yang with A♦ K♠ outdrawn by Lei Yu's Q♠ J♣ .

With the money certain, it was a race to the final table. Notables Patrik Demus (20th) and Dong Chen (15th) were among the fallen while Yu missed the final 9 by one spot. With nearly every player decorated in achievements, it was anyone's game. TLPT's Ivan Zhang fell in 8th place, TLPT Ambassador Quan Zhou was out next in 7th falling to Nevan Chang with A♠ A♣ dominating A♥ K♥ .

At six remaining, poker couple Chang and Hua Wei Lin dominated the action. Lin built a wide lead after eliminating Zhengfang Huang in 6th place with pocket Jacks over pocket Fives however it didn't last as Chang overtook by railing Yongwei Mo in 4th place.

Down to three-handed Yanghao Fu went on a heater to see him surge to the top then took down Lin who was behind with Q♥ 6♥ at the flop K♥ Q♦ 3♣ against Fu's K♠ 3♠ and didn't improve on the turn J♥ and river A♣ .

It was a tight race for the trophy. Chang scored a decisive double up with A♦ 7♠ over A♠ 6♥ leaving Fu with crumbs. It quickly wrapped up with Chang sealing the victory sending Fu to settle for a runner-up finish.