Jeju Poker Festival Awards More Than $10M Across WPT Korea, Korea Poker Cup and Red Dragon Poker Tour
Jeju has cemented its status as a premier poker destination, playing host to an unprecedented trifecta of tournaments: the World Poker Tour (WPT) Korea, Korea Poker Cup (KPC), and Red Dragon Poker Tour (RDPT). This powerhouse collaboration delivered a festival of poker, unlike anything the region has ever seen.
The combined series drew 5,471 entries across 65 events, generating a hefty KRW 15,093,174,000 ($10.7 million) in prize pools. Tournament winners walked away with KRW 3,999,572,000 ($2.84 million), along with the bragging rights to call themselves poker champions.
Among the standout performers, Chenxiang Miao claimed the WPT Korea Main Event title, prevailing over a 667-entry field and adding a Pot Limit Omaha side event victory to his resume. Jian Ting Cai emerged victorious in the RDPT Red Dragon Championship, besting 642 entries, while the Netherlands' Joris Michl captured the KPC Main Event title, earning KRW 190,000,000 (~$136,410).
A special mention should also go to Dong Li, who won four side events. Two triumphs came in PLO, with another coming in PLO Hi-Lo. A No-Limit Hold'em title was also dished out to Li, after he hoovered up every last chip in the RDPT Win the Button Hyper Turbo.
KRW to USD conversion rate: 1 South Korean won equals 0.00071 United States Dollar
WPT Korea Championship Round-Up
The WPT Korea Championship proved to be a smash hit, with sizeable turnouts for the 28-event schedule. As expected, the WPT Main Event was best attended and saw 667 entries vie for a slice of the KRW 1,680,000,000 guaranteed prize pool (~$1,197,788).
Chenxiang Miao halted Dong Li's quest for a quintet of titles in the final three before defeating compatriot Dingding Guan in heads-up play to capture the KRW 300,000,000 (~$213,000) first-place prize.
The victory marked a career-defining moment for Miao, eclipsing his previous personal best—a €136,900 score from a €25,000 High Roller at EPT Monte Carlo a decade ago.
Miao was one of two WPT Korea players to earn multiple titles during the series. Xinhong Li also had an exceptional run on the live felt, capturing back-to-back victories in the Pot Limit Omaha - Hyper Turbo and the WPT Mystery Bounty events. The two gold medals earned Li KRW 52,648,000 (~$37,380).
There's been no rest for the folks at WPT, as all eyes are on the 2024 WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open Championship finale. After the trip to Florida, the WPT heads to Las Vegas for the third edition of the WPT World Championships, which plays out from December 3-23.
WPT Korea Main Event Final Table Results
| Rank | First Name | Country | Prize (KRW) | Prize (~USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chenxiang Miao | China | 300,000,000 | $213,000 |
| 2 | Dingding Guan | China | 200,000,000 | $142,000 |
| 3 | Dong Li | China | 150,000,000 | $106,500 |
| 4 | Baojie Lin | China | 110,000,000 | $78,100 |
| 5 | Yong Li | China | 80,000,000 | $56,800 |
| 6 | Takeo Kimura | Japan | 55,000,000 | $39,050 |
| 7 | Hongshuang Hu | China | 42,000,000 | $29,820 |
| 8 | Zhikang Dai | China | 33,000,000 | $23,430 |
| 9 | Andrew Matahira | Japan | 27,000,000 | $19,170 |
WPT Korea Festival Results
Michl Enters Winner's Circle in Korea Poker Cup
Dutchman Joris Michl was another player who reached new heights in Jeju after his tournament-winning performance in the KPC Main Event. After he overcame Wei Chen Lin in the final showdown, Michl captured KRW 190,000,000 (~$136,410) from the KRW 1,000,000,000 (~$717,000) prize pool and almost doubled his career-live earnings.
Michl has been in hot form in 2024, with his latest top-of-the-podium finish being his fifth outright tournament win in 2024. This achievement was the most lucrative and caps off a fine year at the tables.
Another player from The Netherlands also proved their worth in the KPC festival as Rene van Krevelen helped himself to a $691,228 payout in the KPC Super High Roller Short Deck. The intimate field of 52 entries created a massive KRW 3,230,860,000 (~$2,304,088) prize pool and like Michl, Van Krevelen earned himself his best career payout.
The KPC hosted 13 events, with the 1,488 entries swelling the final prize pool total to KRW7,405,623,000 (~$5.266m). Xinyin Xu was another big winner, receiving a windfall of KRW615,150,000 (~$436,757) from besting 72-entries in the KPC Single Day Super High Roller.
KPC Main Event Final Table Results
| Place | Name | Country | Prize (KRW) | Prize (~USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joris Michl | Netherlands | 190,000,000 | $134,900 |
| 2 | Wei Chen Lin | Taiwan | 117,500,000 | $83,425 |
| 3 | Cheng Yen Lo | Taiwan | 83,900,000 | $59,569 |
| 4 | Changyang Liu | China | 65,000,000 | $46,150 |
| 5 | Yi Ma | China | 51,000,000 | $36,210 |
| 6 | Jianfeng Sun | China | 40,000,000 | $28,400 |
| 7 | Jianwei Lin | China | 30,000,000 | $21,300 |
| 8 | Xiao Liu | China | 20,700,000 | $14,697 |
KPC Festival Results
Cai's Determination Pays Off
Back in July, Jian Ting Cai hopped into the Red Dragon Championship and navigated his way to a 16th-place finish. Fast forward six months, Cai was back in the saddle and proved unstoppable as he galloped confidently toward the finish line in first place.
Even with tournament powerhouse Joseph Cheong at the final table, Cai remained steadfast in his pursuit of the KRW 243,800,000 (~$173,098) top prize, last eliminating Zehao Li to get the winner's spoils.
The major win gave Cai's total live earnings a spectacular boost, with his previous tally of $29,838 rising to $202,936.
RDPT Championship Final Table Results
| Place | First Name | Country | Prize (KRW) | Prize (~USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jian Ting Cai | China | 243,800,000 | $173,098 |
| 2 | Zehao Li | China | 162,150,000 | $115,127 |
| 3 | Ngoc Nguyen | Vietnam | 112,450,000 | $79,840 |
| 4 | Chi Jen Chen | Taiwan | 79,350,000 | $56,339 |
| 5 | Ye Li | China | 57,000,000 | $40,470 |
| 6 | Joseph Cheong | United States | 41,700,000 | $29,607 |
| 7 | Kyosuke Nagami | Japan | 31,050,000 | $22,046 |
| 8 | Xiaobin Zhou | China | 23,450,000 | $16,650 |
RDPT Festival Results
Positive Player Feedback
The three tours orchestrated a successful series during their time in Jeju, demonstrating a clear commitment to placing the player experience at the heart of their planning. From the moment the cards were in the air, every detail seemed designed to enhance the atmosphere, ensuring players felt valued and engaged on and off the tables.
This focus did not go unnoticed, as players expressed overwhelmingly positive feedback. Many highlighted the thrill of competing in varied and challenging fields, the satisfaction of competing for prestigious titles, and the joy of immersing themselves in an event that blended world-class poker with the unique charm of Jeju.
