South Korea’s Jeju Poker Festival has once again solidified its place as one of the world’s greatest poker destinations. The Maldives witnessed a first this year when we hosted a hat trick of tournaments: the World Poker Tour (WPT) Korea, Korea Poker Cup (KPC), and Red Dragon Poker Tour (RDPT). Together, these titans of poker united to create a record-breaking festival that brought thousands of the world’s top players. It amassed an incredible official prize pool amount of KRW 15,093,174,000 (about ten point seven million dollars).
It was a poker event the likes of which had never been seen in Jeju, and over 5,471 entries across 65 events spread over several days ensured it would be just that. Spanning two weeks of high-roller tournaments, side events, and huge tournament prize pools. The festival drew a field that included pros and amateurs alike looking to cash in on the action.
One of the many highlights was Chenxiang Miao, who fought their way through a field of 667 entries to win the WPT Korea Main Event title. Miao wasn’t the only victor to raise eyebrows during the fest. Jian Ting Cai secured the RDPT Red Dragon Championship, besting 642 entrants for his prestigious title, and Joris Michl won the KPC Main Event. It leads to learning a KRW 190,000,000 (˜$136,410) payout following an intense final table.
A Record-Breaking Jeju Poker Festival
The Jeju Poker Festival in 2023 raised the bar for poker tournaments held in this peninsula region. The festival series combined new faces and pre-existing tournament favorites as they fought for the high marks. All three major events managed to pull off a staggering KRW 15.1 billion in prize pools combined. The total player payouts across competitions hit over $10 million.
The success of the Jeju Poker Festival is a sign of poker’s popularity growth in South Korea and the surrounding area. Although Jeju Island has always been known as a tourist destination, poker is also gaining popularity on the island and attracting players from all over the world. 65 different events across a variety of formats highlighted the vast potential for competitive poker now flourishing in the country.
Highlights from the WPT Korea Championship: Miao Lights Up
The WPT Korea Championship was the showpiece tournament of the festival. It is drawing 667 entries in pursuit of a share of the spooky KRW 1.68 billion ($1.2 million) prize pool. Chinese star Chenxiang Miao took the crown after a tightly contested event for the KRW 300,000,000 ($213,000) top prize.
It was a career-defining victory for Miao, who bettered his best score as well as having taken €136,900 for finishing 17th in a €25,000 High Roller at EPT Monte Carlo back in 2014. Miao took on Dong Li in the WPT Korea Main Event. A player who was already gunning for what would be a record fifth title at the festival. He, though, stopped Li’s run in its tracks by taking the title in a heads-up play.
Miao wasn’t the only WPT Korea player to shine. In the run of Xinhong Li, he won two consecutive trophies in Pot Limit Omaha—Hyper Turbo and WPT Mystery Bounty. Li took home a total of KRW 52,648,000 (~$37,380) for his two wins. Further continuing the trend of talented players emerging from the festival.
The WPT Korea event was a precursor to the 2024 WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open Championship and the most awaited of all. The WPT World Championship is set for Las Vegas from December 3-23, 2024.
KPC Main Event: Michl Takes a Major
Another player who made their mark at the Jeju Poker Festival was Joris Michl from The Netherlands, who won the KPC Main Event after an exciting final hand, battling Wei Chen Lin. Michl won KRW 190,000,000 ($136,410) in cash for taking down the KRW 1 billion ($717,000) tournament. It was an especially sweet victory for Michl. It was his fifth tourney victory of 2024 and by far the most lucrative.
The win only cemented Michl’s already impressive seeing out 2024 poker, which features multiple podium finishes and six-figure payouts. He shone at the KPC festival, challenged by such strong competition.
The KPC series held its own with a few other Dutchmen shining bright. Another Dutchman, Rene van Krevelen, had a fine run. He finished first in the KPC Super High Roller Short Deck with a forceful KRW 3.23 billion ($2.3m) prize pool up for grabs. With just 52 entries, the event was hard-fought. Yet van Krevelen’s victory saw him take home a career-best payday of KRW 691,228 (≈ $493,212).
The KPC festival had 13 different events, with a total of 1,488 entries for this festival. It resulted in a prize pool that shows the growing position of poker in the region.
RDPT Red Dragon Championship: Cai, the Champion
Another festival highlight was the RDPT Red Dragon Championship, which received 642 entries to build a substantial prize pool. The merciless field demonstrated its marked battle on the extreme, in which Jian Ting Cai claimed the championship title. Cai’s victory at the Red Dragon Championship added another major trophy to his case, occurring just before the festival was starting to wind down.
The RDPT also hosted a few extras, with Dong Li stealing the spotlight. Yet Again Li, who already had a title from earlier in the WPT Korea series. It secured four more side events throughout the festival. He also took down two Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) events, as well as a PLO Hi-Lo win. Li’s biggest victory happened in the RDPT Win the Button Hyper Turbo, a No-Limit Hold’em event where he bested his opponents for another trophy.
What Does the Future Hold for Poker in Jeju Poker Festival?
The success of the Korean Poker Festival in 2024 is seen to further enhance Jeju Island’s position as a first-class poker location for Asian players. The novelty from the heart of Asia, with a prize pool exceeding $10 million and other top names walking out winners.
The popularity of poker only increased in the Jeju Poker Festival. It is expected that even greater achievements will come to the area in the coming years. More players arriving on the island as they seek to compete against some of the biggest players in their field. This brought Jeju Poker Festival into its own as a world-class poker destination. It helped by strong showings from both the KPC. The Korea Poker Championships, as well as WPT Korea and the RDPT series.
So for both the poker grinder and the casual player, Jeju Island will surely remain a must-visit location, hosting lucrative tournaments in top-notch facilities and growing. With 2023 coming to a close, the poker world will be watching as Jeju continues its streak. It is known as one of the hottest stops on the international tour.
Conclusion Of Jeju Poker Festival
The Jeju Poker Festival is an inflection point for poker. With record prize pools, thrilling tournament results, and a star-studded lineup of champions. It was a set of poker festivals that is unlikely to be matched anywhere on the planet. Whether you’re a pro or an amateur, Jeju’s emergence as a hot poker destination is something to watch for, and the future should be just as exciting. The WPT Korea, the KPC, and the RDPT 2024 are poised to lay the ground for what promises to be a bright future ahead for poker in Asia.
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