Kyungsuk Ko is a South Korean professional poker player who has become a prominent regular on the Asian tournament circuit, particularly within the competitive fields of the Philippines and Taiwan.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, his total live earnings stand at $45,216. Ko has been remarkably active throughout 2024 and 2025, consistently reaching final tables in major regional festivals. His career-best live cash was achieved in July 2025 at the APPT Manila, where he outlasted a large field to win the PHP 15,000 Megastack for PHP 537,318 (∼$9,266).

His tournament resume features several other significant podium finishes:

• APPT Manila (2025): 2nd place in the PHP 10,000 Knockout Turbo for PHP 154,000 (∼$2,642).
• APPT Manila (2025): 3rd place in the PHP 25,000 SuperStack for PHP 179,000 (∼$3,071).
• Manila Megastack 19 (2024): 3rd place in the PHP 10,000 Knockout for PHP 88,000 (∼$1,566).
• APPT Manila Championship (2025): 10th place in the PHP 20,000 SuperStack for PHP 36,000 (∼$620).
• ACE Poker League (APL) Manila (2025): 29th place in the PHP 12,900 Mystery Bounty for PHP 31,000 (∼$533).

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from South Korea, Ko is currently ranked among the top 700 players on the South Korea All Time Money List. He has become a “road warrior” in the Asian scene, moving beyond the local Korean clubs to establish a formidable reputation in the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) and ACE Poker League (APL) circuits. His career trajectory shows a significant uptick in volume during the 2025 season, transitioning from a recreational competitor to a consistent trophy hunter in mid-stakes events.

Play Style & Strategy

Ko is recognized for a high-intensity and aggressive play style, particularly excelling in “Turbo,” “Megastack,” and “Knockout” formats where fast decision-making is critical. His ability to navigate deep into large fields, evidenced by his APPT Manila Megastack victory against 259 entries, demonstrates strong ICM awareness and a refined strategy for applying pressure during the late stages of a tournament. He is particularly dangerous in short-handed and bounty situations, where he leverages his chip stack to exploit tighter opponents.