WPT Prime Cambodia Breaks Country Record, Carlos Hidalgo Atop Day 2 Ranks

No surprises here, as the World Poker Tour (WPT) continues to make a significant mark on the regional poker scene, with this season’s events clearly highlighting the brand’s growing influence. The festival’s first of two marquee events, WPT Prime Cambodia, has already set new records, being the biggest WPT Prime turnout in Cambodia to date. 

As more players flock to the scene, yesterday’s Day 1C drew in an impressive 679 entries, pushing the total attendance to a remarkable 1,484 new country record. Since its debut in 2022, the event has experienced steady growth, with each season surpassing the 1,000-entry mark. WPT’s expanding presence in the region is undeniable, and the 2025 edition has raised the bar even higher. 

In partnership with Connaissance Management Group and NagaWorld Integrated Resorts in Phnom Penh, this season’s prize pool has skyrocketed to an eye-catching $1,439,480, nearly double of its initial $750,000 guarantee, cementing WPT’s position further as one of the most sought out series in the Asian poker circuit.

WPT Cambodia – Schedule
WPT Prime – Live Updates

Carlos Hidalgo Leads WPT Prime Cambodia Day 2

Posting an accessible buy-in of $1,100, several flags were well-represented across the felt, making the WPT Prime a full international affair through and through. As the qualifiers concluded and the final chip counts tallied, Estonia’s Carlos Javier Hidalgo emerged at the top of the leaderboard, having ended the final flight with a chip count of 1,413,000 (141 BB). 

Hidalgo leads the 186-qualifier pack into Day 2 and kicks off the next round in prime position for a deep run. Right on his tail is Day 1B chip leader Najeem Ajez with 1,313,000 (131 BB), followed by Manuel Carvalho with 1,116,000 (112) to round up the top three counts. Amongst the healthiest stacks also sits highly decorated pros Mike Takayama with 927,000 (93 BB), and Jinlong Hu with 878,000 (88 BB), setting the stage for a tough battle up ahead.

Other notables advancing through include Cao Ngoc Anh (669,000), Rui Bouquet (668,000) Tobias Schwecht (637,000), Amit Kaushik (594,00), Xiaosheng Zheng (594,000), WPT Player of the Year Yunkyu Song (547,000), Daisuke Ogita (527,000), Nevan Chang (513,000), WPT champion Rayhaan Adam (431,000), Yongjia Lin (448,000), Abhinav Iyer (365,000), and WPT champion Pete Chen (333,000). While seasoned pros Yita Choong (168,000), Shiina Okamoto (130,000), Hon Cheong Lee (121,000), and Ryan Plant (120,000), all stack below the twenty big blind mark and will need to turn things around if they want to catch a spot into the Final Day games.

Strong Vietnamese contenders Thi Bao An Nguyen (478,000), Kyle Bao Diep (402,000), Nang Quang Nguyen (313,000), and Tien Dung Pham (126,000), likewise remain in the mix and are set to join the pack in their return to the felt this Monday, February 17th.

All Day 1 heat survivors are already guaranteed a min-cash of $2,000 and remain in contention for the $233,680 top prize, of which includes a $10,400 entry into the season-ending WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas.

WPT Prime Cambodia

• Date/s: February 14-18, 2025
• Buy-in: USD 1,100
• Guarantee: USD 750,000
• Entries: 1,484
• Prize pool: USD 1,439,480
• ITM: 186 places

By the Numbers

• D1A: 334 entries, 42 qualified
• D1B: 471 entries, 59 qualified
• D1C: 679 entries, 85 qualified

Top Ten WPT Prime Day 2 Qualifiers

View the full WPT Prime Cambodia Day 2 Chip Count List here