Wan Ning Hazel Tan Tops 1,152 Entries in Warm Up as Eugene Zhou Wins Back-to-Back Trophies at Poker Dream 26

Day 2 of Poker Dream 26 Malaysia at Genting Highlands, saw Wan Ning Hazel Tan claim the Warm Up title, outlasting a field of 1,152 entries to secure a career-best payday of MYR 111,000 (~USD 27,750). The Malaysian topped the MYR 800 (~USD 200) event after two days of play, with the prize pool reaching MYR 692,808 (~USD 173,202), more than four times its MYR 150,000 guarantee.

The day also saw Eugene Zhou capture his second trophy in as many days, while the Malaysia Open continued to build its field with 816 entries across its first three starting flights.

Wan Ning Hazel Tan Records Career-Best Result

Tan's Warm Up victory marked a new high point in her live tournament career. Her previous best recorded cash came in October 2025, when she won a Mystery Bounty event at the Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) Championship 2025 for NTD 162,000 (~USD 5,254). The MYR 111,000 first-place prize more than doubled that result.

The Malaysian has built a steady record at Poker Dream events over the past few years. All of her last 13 recorded live tournament cashes have come on the circuit, including several deep runs before this breakthrough win.

Her previous results included fourth place in the Monster Stack at Poker Dream 20 Malaysia for MYR 35,700 (~USD 8,925), and another fourth-place finish in the Ultra Stack at Poker Dream 25 Malaysia for MYR 22,200 (~USD 5,550). She also placed ninth in the Malaysia Open at Poker Dream 25 Malaysia for MYR 20,800 (~USD 5,200).

Tan's earlier titles include the Ladies Event at Poker Dream 18 Malaysia, where she collected MYR 13,200 (~USD 3,300). Her latest victory now stands as the biggest result of her career.

Key Hands on the Road to the Title

Two hands played a major role in Tan's run through the Warm Up field.

With two tables remaining, she was in the big blind holding ten-four suited in a three-way limped pot. Tan raised on a ten-high, two-tone flop and called an opponent's check-jam on the turn. The river completed a straight flush, giving her stack a significant boost as the tournament moved closer to the final table.

With four players left, Tan then shoved for 29 big blinds from the button with ace-three. The small blind folded, but the big blind called for his remaining nine big blinds with pocket jacks. Tan flopped a wheel and held through the remaining streets, eliminating her opponent and improving her position near the finish.

By heads-up play, Tan had established a commanding chip lead over Kai Yang Gu. She continued to wear down Gu's stack until he was left with less than one big blind. On the final hand, Tan called his shove with seven-deuce. A deuce on the flop and a seven on the river sealed the victory and the MYR 111,000 top prize.

Warm Up Final Table Results

Full payouts available on Somuchpoker.

Malaysia Open Draws 816 Entries Across Three Flights

The Malaysia Open continued to add entries, with its first three starting flights attracting 816 entries combined.

Day 1A recorded 287 entries, followed by 416 in Day 1B, the largest flight so far. Day 1C brought in another 113 entries, putting the event within reach of its MYR 1,500,000 (~USD 365,000) guarantee.

The tournament has a buy-in of MYR 1,500 (~USD 365), with four more starting flights scheduled. Those additional flights give the field more room to grow, with the event potentially moving well beyond its guarantee if the pace continues.

Eugene Zhou Wins Back-to-Back Trophies

Eugene Zhou added a second title to his Poker Dream 26 Malaysia campaign by winning the NL Single Draw Mix (A-5, 2-7) event. He outlasted 17 entries to claim the trophy, following his victory in the 7 Card Stud (Stud, Razz) – Turbo event the previous day.

The two wins in consecutive days give Zhou another boost in the 2026 Dream Player of the Year (DPOY) race as the season approaches its conclusion.

Poker Dream 26 to Decide the 2026 Player of the Year Races

Poker Dream 26 Malaysia is the final opportunity for players to earn points toward the 2026 Dream Player of the Year (DPOY), Ladies Player of the Year (LPOY), and Regional Player of the Year (RPOY) standings.

Results across Poker Dream events throughout the season have shaped the three rankings. With the final points available at Poker Dream 26, players still have a chance to improve their positions before the standings are finalised.

The winners will be announced at the conclusion of the series. Award ceremonies for the 2026 DPOY, LPOY, and RPOY titles are planned for a special event in 2027, with the date and location to be announced.

Stay tuned to Somuchpoker for the latest results and updates as Poker Dream 26 Malaysia continues at Genting Highlands.

All images courtesy of Poker Dream.