The Korea Poker Cup (KPC) Series 2025 witnessed two thrilling events on April 7th, showcasing high-stakes poker and intense competition. The two events, Single Day High Roller and Fun Game-Win The Button, offered a unique blend of tension and excitement, with remarkable performances from the players. Let’s delve into the details of these events, with a special focus on the winners and their exceptional gameplay.
Single Day High Roller (2,500,000 KRW)
The Single Day High Roller event, with a buy-in of 2,500,000 KRW, had a total prize pool of $117,245, attracting 69 entries and producing some of the most intense poker action in the tournament. After a day of fierce competition, the top 12 players emerged victorious, each taking home significant payouts.
Top 3 Winners:
- 1st Place: Hao Chuang from Taiwan, securing $34,005 (50,000,000 KRW). Hao Chuang’s exceptional skills and composure throughout the tournament earned him the top spot. He displayed perfect strategic control, managing the massive blinds with remarkable accuracy to eventually emerge as the winner.
- 2nd Place: Chi Jen Chu, also from Taiwan, earned $20,470 (30,100,000 KRW). Chi Jen’s play was solid, with several calculated moves to keep him in the running. Despite a valiant effort, he couldn’t catch up with the relentless aggression of Chuang, but his second-place finish was a significant achievement.
- 3rd Place: Hao Che Cheng, from Taiwan, finished in 3rd place with a payout of $14,350 (21,100,000 KRW). Hao Che Cheng had a commendable performance, and although he fell short of the top two spots, he showed excellent resilience throughout the event.
Position | Player | Country | Payout (KRW) | Payout (USD) |
1 | Hao Chuang | Taiwan | 50,000,000 KRW | $34,005 |
2 | Chi Jen Chu | Taiwan | 30,100,000 KRW | $20,470 |
3 | Hao Che Cheng | Taiwan | 21,100,000 KRW | $14,350 |
4 | Yuhang Chen | China | 15,600,000 KRW | $10,610 |
5 | Tien-min Liang | Taiwan | 11,500,000 KRW | $7,820 |
6 | Ka Fai Wong | Hong Kong | 9,100,000 KRW | $6,190 |
7 | Yilu Yuan | China | 7,700,000 KRW | $5,235 |
8 | Meng Ling Lin | Taiwan | 6,600,000 KRW | $4,490 |
9 | Jie Xu | China | 5,700,000 KRW | $3,875 |
The blind levels started at 200/500 and escalated throughout the event to 50,000/100,000, challenging the players’ adaptability and ability to read the table dynamics. The strategic depth displayed by the top finishers was commendable.
Fun Game-Win The Button (300,000 KRW)
The Fun Game-Win The Button, a more relaxed yet equally thrilling poker event, had a buy-in of 300,000 KRW. Despite the relatively lower prize pool of $4,990, the tournament was full of intensity, with 22 entries and 5 players making it into the money.
Top 3 Winners:
- 1st Place: Renji Mao from China emerged victorious with $1,875 (2,754,000 KRW). Renji’s consistent performance and calm under pressure earned him the first-place finish. His ability to read opponents and capitalize on their mistakes helped him secure the top prize.
- 2nd Place: Yuan Sheng Li from Taiwan bagged $1,245 (1,830,000 KRW). Yuan played an impressive game, positioning himself well through each level, although he couldn’t match Renji’s aggression in the final stages.
- 3rd Place: Wei-chen Lin, representing Taiwan, claimed $830 (1,220,000 KRW). Wei-chen’s solid poker skills allowed him to stay competitive, but he ultimately fell short of the top two.
Position | Player | Country | Payout (KRW) | Payout (USD) |
1 | Renji Mao | China | 2,754,000 KRW | $1,875 |
2 | Yuan Sheng Li | Taiwan | 1,830,000 KRW | $1,245 |
3 | Wei-chen Lin | Taiwan | 1,220,000 KRW | $830 |
4 | Linghui Dai | China | 870,000 KRW | $590 |
5 | Chen Liu | Taiwan | 660,000 KRW | $450 |
The blind levels in this game were designed for quicker play, starting at 100/100 and escalating up to 25,000/50,000. The action was fast-paced, with players needing to make quick decisions and adapt to changing conditions at the table.
Conclusion
Both the Single Day High Roller and Fun Game-Win The Button events at the Korea Poker Cup Series 2025 provided an exciting spectacle. The top winners, including Hao Chuang and Renji Mao, showcased remarkable skill and resilience under pressure, securing their place at the top of the leaderboard. These events exemplified the global reach and competitive spirit of poker, with players from Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong coming together for a thrilling competition.