With the conclusion of The RDPT Jeju Poker Festival 2024, we’ve just come to the end of what has been an astonishing week! Starting on November 27 and ending on December 1, the beautiful South Korean island of Jeju played host to a gathering that will long be remembered.
It’s a place where East and West meet in friendly competition enthusiastically open to players from all over the world. This turnout is up to the greatest expectations as 25 thrilling events, along with a total of 6 2nd natural events, pulled in 1,876 who came to compete An ambitious festival with a string of 25 events drawing nearly 2,000 entries from players all over the world and a massive jackpot prize totaling more than KRW 36,500,000. Its reputation as Asia’s celebration of poker was deserved.
From the morning of December 1st, the atmosphere began to change and an air of expectation hung thick about the National Museum. Jianting Cai from China emerged as a champion of the Red Dragon Championship with 243.8 million KRW (~USD 174,470) from his hard-fought struggle. The big winner, yes; but over those 25 events taking in 24 champions from nine countries and regions papered this world-class competition with as much red as any global company could hope for.
Jianting Cai’s Dominance In The Main Event Of RDPT Jeju
Kicking off November as the 27th of November rode past into December, the tournament’s climax was the Red Dragon Championships. Determined pitilessly by K RW 2.000.000 (USD 1.435) buy-in and its guaranteed prize pool of KRW 1.380.000.000 (USD 990.995), the event attracted some 642 entries from all around the world.
The Main Event in its penultimate day came to a conclusion when Jianting Cai dominated. Cai started final table play as chip leader and quickly proved his aggression to put that lead into effect.
Final RDPT Jeju day action lasted just under five hours, with Cai knocking out half of the remaining eight players en route to a convincing victory. In none-too-dramatic fashion, he collected his spoils after all was said and done.
The last hand was a dramatic affair! With his fellow countryman Zehao Li at just 3:1 in chips, Cai was quickly able to put him away. In the final hand of a highly-charged contest, The stakes involved were Cai’s tournament life against Trip Sixes: He called Li’s all-in, Making sure of the win and also of that important first-place prize worth K RW 243.800.000 (~USD 174,470). For Cai, this was not only his personal best cash, but his first-ever Red Dragon Championship title.
A Showcase of Talent as Multiple Champions Emerge Across Side Events
William Teoh Wins Red Dragon High Roller
- Event Dates: November 30 – December 1, 2024
- Buy-in: KRW 6,000,000 (~USD 4,290)
- Prize Pool: KRW 274,559,000 (~USD 196,740)
- Entries: 45 (32 unique)
- Winner: William Teoh (Malaysia)
The title of Mr Red Dragon High Roller went to William Teoh this year in South Korea’s Grand Hall Hotel. Despite a little pain, it wasn’t bad for him to be at the top of main events with fine play. In a difficult playfield, Teoh led all the way; His margin increased incrementally. At the end of play he dominated head-up against Joonhee Yea for a prize of KRW 86,259,000 (over USD 60,000).
Xianglai Li Captures Mini Main Event Victory
- Event Dates: November 30 – December 1, 2024
- Buy-in: KRW 1,500,000 (~USD 1,070)
- Prize Pool: KRW 222,615,000 (~USD 159,520)
- Entries: 170 (108 unique)
- Winner: Xianglai Li (China)
Xianglai Li was the champion of the Mini Main Event and received a prize of KRW 53,275,000 (about USD 38,000). With an instantaneous adjustment, Li performed over 3 days to achieve his victory. After a good day of play, he defeated Zhihao Chen; The latter won KRW 34,860,000 (nearly USD 25,000) for second place.
Jianfeng Jiao Wins Flip and Go NLH
- Event Dates: November 30 – December 1, 2024
- Buy-in: KRW 500,000 (~USD 355)
- Prize Pool: KRW 24,444,000 (~USD 17,515)
- Entries: 56 (32 unique)
- Winner: Jianfeng Jiao (China)
Jianfeng Jiao came out on top in the Red Dragon Flip and Go NLH event, earning KRW 8,324,000 (over USD 6,000). After a tough contest, he defeated Yin Liu who won (KRW 5,230,000/~USD 3,737) in the final heads-up match.
Patrik Demus Closes SuperStack Bounty Turbo
- Event Date: December 1, 2024
- Buy-in: KRW 1,500,000 (~USD 1,070)
- Prize Pool: KRW 21,047,000 (~USD 15,080)
- Entries: 26 (23 unique)
- Winner: Patrik Demus (Hungary)
Patrik Demus won the SuperStack Bounty Turbo to take home KRW 8,547,000 (nearly USD 6,100) in a slightly smaller field. In the final heads-up battle, he got the best (in a hard-fought victory) of Cheng-Yen Lo (KRW 5,710,000/~USD 4,080).
Hidenari Tomita Trumps MegaStack Turbo
- Event Date: December 1, 2024
- Buy-in: KRW 1,000,000 (~USD 715)
- Prize Pool: KRW 40,158,000 (~USD 28,775)
- Entries: 46 (35 unique)
- Winner: Hidenari Tomita (Japan)
Hidenari Tomita came out on top in the MegaStack Turbo with a prize of KRW 13,698,000 ( USD 9,787). Jiayu Ruan finished in second place; He took home KRW 8,590,000 (or about USD 6,000).
Chao Ting Cheng Wins MonsterStack Hyper Turbo
- Event Date: December 1, 2024
- Buy-in: KRW 800,000 (~USD 570)
- Prize Pool: KRW 9,778,000 (~USD 7,005)
- Entries: 14 (13 unique)
- Winner: Chao Ting Cheng (Taiwan)
Chao Ting Cheng of Taiwan was the winner in the MonsterStack Hyper Turbo, earning KRW 4,608,000 (around USD 3,300). Cheng won in the final heads-up against Ryutaro Oizumi (KRW 3,070,000/~USD 2,200).
RDPT Jeju Final Table Results
Here are the final standings and payouts for the Red Dragon Championship:
| Place | Player | Country | Prize (KRW) | Prize (USD) |
| 1 | Jianting Cai | China | 243,800,000 | 174,470 |
| 2 | Zehao Li | China | 162,150,000 | 116,040 |
| 3 | Ngoc Ha Nguyen | Vietnam | 112,450,000 | 80,470 |
| 4 | Chi Jen Chen | Taiwan | 79,350,000 | 56,785 |
| 5 | Ye Li | China | 57,000,000 | 40,790 |
| 6 | Joseph Cheong | United States | 41,700,000 | 29,840 |
| 7 | Kyosuke Nagami | Japan | 31,050,000 | 22,220 |
| 8 | Xiaobin Zhou | China | 23,450,000 | 16,780 |
| 9 | Cheng Chen | Taiwan | 18,200,000 | 13,020 |
A Record-Breaking Event In RDPT Jeju
The event broke several records, this time with its massive turnout. Players from around the world flocked to the festival, hoping each to take home a piece of the festival’s particularly large prize pool. The RDPT Jeju 2024 was more attended than expected, with over 1,876 entries one of perhaps in both player participation and prize money–the total prize pool was as high as KRW 3.65 billion (>USD 2.5 million). This was the first success of the Red Dragon Poker Tour (RDPT)–it truly does have global appeal.
Event Highlights And Key Moments Of RDPT Jeju
Throughout the tournament, there were many unforgettable moments in the RDPT Jeju Festival. From Ye Li’s strong push for more chips to a flush draw by Joseph Cheong, to the final courageous moments of Ngoc Ha Nguyen, the final table was filled with thrilling hands that kept fans on the edge of their seats. In one particular hand during the heads-up play between Cai and Li, when Cai called the river with trip sixes to eliminate Li for the victory, Cai made a hero call. This hand will be remembered as one of the defining moments of this tournament.
Looking Ahead
As the festival comes to a close, there is no doubt that the RDPT Jeju Poker Festival 2024 will be recorded as one of the most successful poker events in the region’s history. The Red Dragon Poker Tour continues to grow year on year, attracting top-tier talent and providing great opportunities for players from all over the world to enjoy themselves. The success of this year’s festival already started the preparations for next year’s offering, RDPT Jeju Poker Festival 2025.
With bigger prize pools, more varied events, and a larger field of entrants some time away from now, we can all anticipate a bright future for the tournament! If you enjoy poker then get ready: next year’s RDPT Jeju Poker Festival 2025 will be even more tense and exciting. With higher stakes and bigger thrills than ever before stepping up to the plate. The organisers of RDPT Jeju 2024 would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone involved–whether as a player or an organiser: those of you out there playing games on the two specially constructed movie sets. Bring it back home next year and let’s create more and more unforgettable moments in poker!
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