In a spectacular showdown at the Landing Casino, China’s Shengfa Huang made history by winning the prestigious Red Dragon Championship, walking away with a colossal prize of KR₩ 360,000,000 (~$250,615).
A Championship Dream Come True
After four intense days and 33 thrilling levels of poker action, Shengfa Huang emerged victorious, triumphing over 997 competitors from across the globe. With the total prize pool soaring to KR₩ 2,175,953,000 (~$1,582,120), Huang’s victory was not just a personal achievement but a testament to his strategy, resilience, and poker acumen.
“I feel quite calm now, though I was a bit excited earlier,” Huang said in a post-win interview. “This is my first time winning a live tournament. It’s a huge motivation for me to keep playing Texas Hold’em.”
Huang’s first major live poker title now holds a special place in his heart. The insurance broker from China clearly has a deep passion for the game, which only seems to have grown after his massive win.
“Winning this championship has made me like Texas Hold’em even more. I’ll probably play more games now,” Huang added.
Red Dragon Championship Recap: A Star-Studded Event
The Red Dragon Championship, a major event on the Red Dragon Poker Tour, ran from May 4-9, 2025. Boasting a ₩2 Billion guarantee, the tournament exceeded expectations, attracting an impressive 997 entries and ballooning the prize pool. With some of the world’s top poker professionals in attendance, including John Juanda, Chen An Lin Alan King Lun Lau, Joseph Cheong, and CTP founder David Tai, the competition was fierce.
Red Dragon Championship
By Day 2, the field had already been reduced to 237 players, all vying for a piece of the prize pool. The bubble burst in dramatic fashion, with players getting eliminated in a flurry of all-ins. By the end of the day, only 37 players remained, with Qing Zhao in the lead. Huang, at that point, was ranked 4th in chips, setting the stage for his rise to the top.
Huang’s Journey to Victory
As the poker tournament progressed, Huang’s strategy was clear – take it slow and steady. “Entering the final table, I didn’t know the players well, so my strategy was just to slowly reduce their chips,” Huang remarked. “I didn’t feel much pressure since I didn’t know their background.”
The final table, however, was far from easy. Junjie He, the chip leader, dominated early on, but Huang’s seat draw played a crucial role in his success. He was seated in a position that allowed him to target the two largest stacks effectively.
By eliminating Sishu Peng in 7th place and Jiapeng Yu in 6th, Huang moved up the ranks, putting him in direct competition with Junjie He. The turning point came when Huang won a massive pot, pushing him into the lead for the first time. From there, there was no stopping him. Huang proceeded to eliminate two more players and entered the heads-up phase against He with a commanding lead.
In a final flurry of action, Huang finished off He and secured his place as the Red Dragon Champion.
Red Dragon Championship Final 9 players
Final Payouts: A Glimpse at the Top Earners
- 1st Place: Shengfa Huang – KR₩ 360,000,000 (~$250,615)
- 2nd Place: Junjie He – KR₩ 240,123,000 (~$167,160)
- 3rd Place: Chenxu Zhang – KR₩ 168,570,000 (~$117,350)
- 4th Place: Sun Yunfeng – KR₩ 119,910,000 (~$83,475)
- 5th Place: Marcus Lok Sheng Law – KR₩ 86,680,000 (~$60,340)
With these top five finishers all hailing from China, it’s clear that the country’s poker scene is on the rise, bringing fierce competition to global poker stages.
FAQs
1. Where did the Red Dragon Championship take place?
The Red Dragon Championship was held at the Landing Casino in Asia, a popular venue for major poker tournaments.
2. How many entries were there in the tournament?
There were 997 entries, making it a highly competitive event with players from all over the world.
3. How much was the total prize pool?
The total prize pool for the event was KR₩ 2,175,953,000 (~$1,582,120), which far exceeded its initial guarantee.
4. What was Shengfa Huang’s winning amount?
Shengfa Huang walked away with a grand prize of KR₩ 360,000,000 (~$250,615), the largest payout of his career.
5. How long did the tournament last?
The Red Dragon Championship took place over four days, from May 4-9, 2025, with 33 levels of intense poker action.
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