Hon Cheong Lee - SOMUCHPOKER
Hong Kong native Hon Cheong “Ivan” Lee is rising up to the spotlight having strongly dominated the Asian tournament poker circuit throughout the past year. This 2024 forecasts a great year ahead for Lee with a smashing start at the U Series of Poker Taiwan already under his belt. Lee capped the January season with five cashes across the festival including a victory in the Super High Roller event for NTD 3.12M (~USD 99K). Lee booked the win after defeating Thai pro Punnat Punsri to clinch the title and boost his festival winnings to over NTD 5M (~USD 158K).
Previously in 2023, Lee recorded crushing final table appearances one after the other and secured a number of titles across several international tours to see his career best year yet. Lee came close to following through his maiden World Poker Tour title in late 2022, but came out a few spots short in the tour’s 2023 WPT Prime Taiwan festivities. Still an impressive feat, Lee showcased his skills on the felt through four final table appearances, two of which were runner-up finishes for a collective cash of NTD 1.2M (~USD 38K).
Lee’s biggest payout stands to be a 2nd place finish at the Asian Poker Tour Hanoi Billions, Vietnam 2023 series for VND 2.66M (~USD 109K). Lee lost the APT Super High Roller title to Shimizu Nozomu and still remains in search of a lion trophy to add to his collection. The outstanding pro has similarly made several attempts at a World Series of Poker bracelet dating back to 2013. His closest one yet however, looks to be his most recent visit to the entertainment capital, coming in 7th place at the $1,000 Super Turbo NLH event for USD 29,417.