Level 25:
300K/600K (600K BBA)
Tian Zhi Kong - GOP Main Event champion
China's Tian Zhi Kong wasn't in radar at the start of the final day, entering the final 12 lineup as a clear underdog among a field stacked with established pros.
Wedged in the middle of the pack, Kong quietly climbed the ranks, then defeated Li Yin at heads up to become the first-ever Gods of Poker Main Event champion, earning him the right to hoist the Black-and-Gold Gauntlet. Along with the glory, and trophy, Kong locked up the largest payout deal of KR₩ 187,290,000 (~USD 127,000).
| Final 9 Payouts | |||
| 1 | Tian Zhi Kong | 187,290,000 | $128,000 |
| 2 | Li Yin | 111,270,000 | $75,591 |
| 3 | Meng Ling Lin | 112,780,000 | $76,617 |
| 4 | Kazuki Okamoto | 60,530,000 | $41,121 |
| 5 | Elmer Kalaquian | 45,990,000 | $31,243 |
| 6 | Peng Deng | 36,240,000 | $24,620 |
| 7 | Czardy Rivera | 29,370,000 | $19,952 |
| 8 | Jia Xin Wang | 24,340,000 | $16,535 |
| 9 | Joshua Figuerres | 20,550,000 | $13,961 |
Event Recap
The Gods of Poker Main Event took place from December 8–13, 2025 at LES A Casino, anchored by a bold KR₩ 1,000,000,000 (~USD 700,000) prize pool. Debuting the brand’s signature Cronus Structure, the tournament drew 481 entries across four starting flights, with strong representation from China, Taiwan, and Japan, all eager to put the new format to the test.
When the final flight closed, just 67 players remained in the money. And after another day of eliminations, only 12 returned on the final day. In just under 1.5 hours of play, Tao Wei Chang, Dongying Ling, and Jiang Wang all fell to miss their chance at a coveted final table seat.
Final table action was fierce with raises at nearly every deal This led to the first elimination with Joshua Figuerres walking away on a brutal bad beat. Short stacked Jia Xin Wang was bounced out next when Meng Ling Lin's rags improved to outdraw his better opening hand.
Czardy Rivera started the day at the bottom of the counts and laddered up to secure a seat at the final table. His run ended in 7th place with Peng Deng ahead all throughout.
Despite Deng's boost in chips, he met the rail next in 6th place, falling to Lin's straight on the flop. Flipping into 5th place was Elmer Kalaquian, his bust out ended all hope of a Filipino champion.
Four-handed saw the rise of Kong and the crash of Okamoto in 4th place. As one of the most aggressive players of the final day, Okamoto's run ended on a cooler against Yin.
Final three players
The final three battle was action-packed leading to Kong stealing the top spot for the first time. The players eventually struck an ICM deal then played for additional cash and all the laurels that came with the inaugural title.
Lin was stopped by Yin in 3rd place with his kicker in play to establish heads up. Yin started off with 70 big blinds to Kong's 15 big blinds. After Kong landed two double ups, Yin's stack plunged to just 3 big blinds then lost it all on the next hand to finish in 2nd place.
Congratulations to Tian Zhi Kong for his triumph at the Main Event!
Lin
Level 25:
300K/600K (600K BBA)Li Yin Eliminated In 2nd Place For KR₩ 111,270,000 (~USD 75,600)
By Tricia David
Li Yin - 2nd place
After plunging to just three big blinds, Li Yin committed it all-in when Tian Zhi Kong shoved on the button.
Li Yin: J ♥️ 4 ♠️
Tian Zhi Kong: 10 ♦️ 7 ♥️
Yin was ahead but not for long as the river paired up Kong on a board that completed 5 ♥️ 5 ♦️ Q ♠️ 9 ♣️ 7 ♣️.
Yin walked away with an ICM deal payout of KR₩ 111,270,000 (~USD 75,600).
Level 25:
300K/600K (600K BBA)Kong Doubles Up Again As Yin Plunges
By Tricia David
Li Yin limped in then called Tian Zhi Kong's 4,300,000 raise. More chips found the middle on the flop of 4 ♦️ 5 ♥️ 6 ♣️ with Kong firing 4,000,000 and Yin making it 9,000,000 to continue.
Kong called and the turn gave them 6 ♦️. Kong slowed down and checked, Yin went the opposite direction and shoved. Kong was covered and used one time-bank before dropping in the one-chip call.
Tian Zhi Kong: K ♥️ 4 ♥️
Li Yin: 3 ♥️ 3 ♠️
When the cards were on their backs, the hero-call was ahead and with the river 10 ♥️, Kong soared as Yin dropped to just three big blinds.
| Players | |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 55,400,000 |
| Li Yin | 2,100,000 |
Level 25:
300K/600K (600K BBA)Kong Dominates And Doubles Up
By Tricia David
On just the third heads up hand, Tian Zhi Kong it was all in preflop with Li Yin shoving on the button and Kong with the snap-call on the big blind.
Tian Zhi Kong: A ♣️ Q ♥️
Li Yin: A ♠️ 4 ♦️
Yin could not believe he was dominated and with the board running Q ♠️ 8 ♣️ 2 ♠️ 10 ♦️ J ♠️, it cost 12,800,000 for his lead to be trimmed significantly.
| Players | |
| Li Yin | 31,300,000 |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 26,200,000 |
Level 25:
300K/600K (600K BBA)Heads Up For The GOP Black And Gold Gauntlet
By Tricia David
Heads Up: Li Yin versus Tian Zhi Kong
After seven hours, the GOP Jeju Main Event is down to the final two players! The battle for the title and the mighty Black and Gold Gauntlet is between Li Yin and Tian Zhi Kong.
| Players | |
| Li Yin | 42,400,000 |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 15,100,000 |
Level 25:
300K/600K (600K BBA)
Meng Ling Lin - 3rd place
Meng Ling Lin was dealt her last hand, going all in on the button and big blind Li Yin shipping it after the runout.
Lin had K ♦️ 2 ♣️
Li Yin: K ♥️ 8 ♥️
The board finished off 5 ♥️ 7 ♣️ Q ♥️ K ♣️ Q ♦️.
Lin secured an ICM deal payout of KR₩ 112,780,000 (~USD 76,600).
Level 25:
300K/600K (600K BBA)Yin Catapults To The Lead
By Tricia David
Li Yin raised to 1,200,000 then called big blind Tian Zhi Kong's 3,600,000 three-bet. More chips fell on the flop 6 ♥️ 10 ♦️ 5 ♣️ with Kong barreling 2,600,000 and still Yin stuck around and called.
As soon as the J ♣️ was tabled on the turn, Kong jammed and in a snap, Yin called.
Kong flipped over A ♥️ 10 ♥️, Yin was far ahead with A ♣️ A ♠️. Only a ten to help Kong avoid paying up but it was not to be as the 6 ♠️ arrived on the river.
| Players | |
| Li Yin | 34,800,000 |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 15,400,000 |
Level 25:
300K/600K (600K BBA)ICM Deal Reached, Play Resumes
By Tricia David
The final three players have struck an ICM deal. Each of the players is guaranteed the amount below. The eventual champion will receive another KR₩ 16,000,000 and the coveted Black and Gold Gauntlet.
| Tian Zhi Kong | ₩171,290,000 | $116,365 |
| Meng Ling Lin | ₩112,780,000 | $76,617 |
| Li Yin | ₩111,270,000 | $75,591 |
Level 25:
300K/600K (600K BBA)Deal Being Discussed
By Tricia David
The new level has not yet begun as the final three players are discussing an ICM deal.
Level 24:
250K/500K (500K BBA)Break Time - Final 3 Chip Counts
By Tricia David
The final three players are on a 15-minute break.
| Players | |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 34,900,000 |
| Meng Ling Lin | 11,600,000 |
| Li Yin | 11,000,000 |
Level 24:
250K/500K (500K BBA)Kong Continues To Rise
By Tricia David
Tian Zhi Kong
Tian Zhi Kong has taken the lead after winning multiple pots against Meng Ling Lin. The latest saw him raise to 1,000,000 from the button and Li defended on the big blind.
After they both checked the flop 7 ♣️ 5 ♥️ 5 ♦️, the turn 4 ♠️ brought action with Lin leading out for 1,500,000, Kong raising to 3,500,000, and Lin called.
The river 9 ♦️ was checked by Lin, Kong barreled 3,500,000, Lin wanted to see and called.
Kong flipped over 9 ♠️ 7 ♠️ two pair to win the pot with Lin sending her hand to the muck.
| Players | |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 34,900,000 |
| Meng Ling Lin | 11,600,000 |
Level 24:
250K/500K (500K BBA)Kong On The Rise
By Tricia David
Li Yin kicked off the hand with a raise of 1,300,000 and the blinds called for a three-way look at the flop.
When the cards landed 10 ♠️ 6 ♠️ Q ♠️, they all checked. The friendliness ended on the turn 3 ♦️ with Lin betting 1,500,000 and Kong raising to 4,000,000. Yin got out of the way while Lin called.
On the river 4 ♦️, Lin checked to the aggressor Kong who announced all in for 6,450,000. Lin tanked for one time extension then made the call.
Kong had the goods showing 7 ♠️ 3 ♠️ flush on the flop that Lin could not beat with K ♣️ 10 ♣️ pair.
| Players | |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 24,000,000 |
| Meng Ling Lin | 21,000,000 |
Level 24:
250K/500K (500K BBA)Lin Takes Some Back
By Tricia David
Small blind Meng Ling Lin limped in then defended after big blind Tian Zhi Kong raised to 1,500,000.
They proceeded to check it to the turn 6 ♦️ Q ♦️ Q ♣️ 10 ♣️ where Lin tested for 1,500,000. Kong punched back with a raise of 4,000,000, and Lin called.
When the river landed 3 ♠️, both players passed it up. Lin showed Q ♠️ 5 ♣️ trips and raked in another sizable pot to widen her lead.
| Players | |
| Meng Ling Lin | 33,200,000 |
| Li Yin | 14,000,000 |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 10,300,000 |
Level 24:
250K/500K (500K BBA)Kong Pushes Out Lin
By Tricia David
Li Yin opened 1,200,000 and it was three-way to the flop with both blinds calling.
Everyone checked the board A ♦️ 2 ♥️ 3 ♥️ to bring a turn card of 7 ♠️. Lin took the reins for 2,000,000 and only Kong called to go heads up to the river 10 ♠️.
Lin fired again for 2,500,000, this time Kong put the heat on with a shove of 7,000,000. Lin tanked then folded after using up two time-banks.
| Players | |
| Meng Ling Lin | 22,000,000 |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 15,600,000 |
Level 24:
250K/500K (500K BBA)Lin Gets Value For Two Pair
By Tricia David
From the button, Tian Zhi Kong opened for 1,200,000 and got action from big blind defender Meng Ling Lin.
Kong continued for 500,000 on the flop of A ♦️ 5 ♥️ K ♥️ and Lin check-called to take them to fourth street where 4 ♦️ landed.
Both players tapped felt for a free river card 6 ♦️. Lin jumped out with a 2,500,000 bet and Kong called.
When Lin turned over K ♠️ 5 ♦️, Kong expressed his surprise then paid up.
| Players | |
| Meng Ling Lin | 25,000,000 |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 9,600,000 |
Level 24:
250K/500K (500K BBA)Lin Shocked At The Call
By Tricia David
Meng Ling Lin made it 1,500,000 from the small blind and Tian Zhi Kong wanted to continue and called.
Both players passed on the flop 10 ♠️ Q ♣️ 10 ♥️ then Lin dumped in 1,500,000 on the turn K ♠️. Kong stuck around and called to complete the board with a river 4 ♠️.
Lin double barreled 4,000,000, Kong called, and Lin revealed 8 ♥️ 8 ♣️. Kong showed one card A ♥️ which got a laugh from Lin who asked, “ace?”
| Players | |
| Meng Ling Lin | 18,000,000 |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 15,000,000 |
Level 24:
250K/500K (500K BBA)Kong's Ace Is Good For The Pot
By Tricia David
Tian Zhi Kong
Tian Zhi Kong opened 1,200,000 on the button and big blind Meng Ling Lin defended. Both players checked to the turn 9 ♣️ 8 ♠️ 9 ♥️ 3 ♠️ where Lin led for 1,500,000. Kong answered with a raise to 3,200,000, and Lin called.
After the heavy bets, no action was seen on the river 8 ♠️.
Lin had K ♦️ 4 ♦️ king high but it was not enough to win the pot with Kong flipping over A ♦️ 10 ♦️.
| Players | |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 17,000,000 |
| Meng Ling Lin | 12,900,000 |
Level 23:
200K/400K (400K BBA)Kong Doubles Up Again
By Tricia David
Tian Zhi Kong open-shoved 5,650,000 and small blind Li Yin snap-called.
Tian Zhi Kong: 8 ♣️ 8 ♠️
Li Yin: A ♣️ 8 ♦️
The board was 6 ♦️ 9 ♦️ 4 ♣️ 9 ♠️ Q ♣️ for a double up to Kong.
| Li Yin | 22,700,000 |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 12,100,000 |
Level 23:
200K/400K (400K BBA)
Kazuki Okamoto - 4th place
Kazuki Okamoto defended his big blind by calling Li Yin's min-raise then saw a flop of 7 ♥️ 10 ♦️ 7 ♠️.
Yin continued for 600,000 and Okamoto smooth-called to bring the turn 2 ♣️ Both players checked and the dealer dropped Q ♥️ on the river. Okamoto checked again, Yin fired 2,000,000, Okamoto raised to 5,000,000, then Yin shoved with a covering stack.
Okamoto called and saw the bad news.
Okamoto had 7 ♦️ 4 ♦️ trips that was crushed by Yin's Q ♦️ Q ♣️ full house on the river.
| Players | |
| Li Yin | 33,000,000 |
| Kazuki Okamoto | 0 |
Level 23:
200K/400K (400K BBA)Dramatic Boards For Kong
By Tricia David
Tian Zhi Kong celebrates!
Tian Zhi Kong has been the quietest at the table except when he announces all in. On his first shove, Meng Ling Lin called and was ahead with the better kicker.
Tian Zhi Kong: A ♦️ 6 ♠️
Meng Ling Lin: A ♠️ 10 ♥️
The board ran K ♦️ 8 ♦️ 2 ♠️ Q ♣️ 2 ♥️ and upon review, Kong celebrated his luck with a split pot.
Several hands after, Kazuki Okamoto opened then called Kong's jam.
Tian Zhi Kong: 9 ♠️ 9 ♦️
Kazuki Okamoto: A ♣️ K ♣️
Shock on the flop with cards landing K ♠️ K ♦️ 2 ♣️ giving Okamoto a commanding lead. The turn 9 ♣️ quickly burned him as Kong improved to a full house. And with the river Q ♠️, Kong doubled up while Okamaoto was stunned saying,
“You are really strong!”
| Players | |
| Kazuki Okamoto | 12,900,000 |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 6,000,000 |
Level 23:
200K/400K (400K BBA)Final 4 Chip Counts
By Tricia David
| Final Table Chip Counts | |||
| 1 | Li Yin | China | 18,225,000 |
| 4 | Meng Ling Lin | Taiwan | 22,750,000 |
| 5 | Tian Zhi Kong | China | 4,075,000 |
| 7 | Kazuki Okamoto | Japan | 12,400,000 |
Level 22:
150K/300K (300K BBA)Break Time
By Tricia David
The final 4 players are on a 15-minute break. Be right back.
Level 22:
150K/300K (300K BBA)
Elmer Kalaquian - 5th place
After Kazuki Okamoto min-raised on the button position, Elmer Kalaquian jammed on the small blind for 3,800,000 in total. Okamoto called and when they showed, Kalaquian was flipping for his tournament life.
Elmer Kalaquian: A ♠️ 10 ♥️
Kazuki Okamoto: 7 ♣️ 7 ♥️
With the flop running Q ♦️ 9 ♣️ J ♦️, Kalaquian gained more outs but the turn 6 ♠️ and river 2 ♣️ were a miss to end his title chase in 5th place.
| Players | |
| Kazuki Okamoto | 11,300,000 |
| Elmer Kalaquian | 0 |
Level 22:
150K/300K (300K BBA)Lin Reveals A Strong Hand
By Tricia David
From the button, Meng Ling Lin opened and big blind Kazuki Okamoto gave her action.
When the flop ran 4 ♦️ 10 ♣️ 6 ♦️, Lin continued for 500,000 then got check-raised to 1,200,000 by Okamoto. Lin called and the turn landed K ♠️.
Okamoto took control, leading out with a 2,000,000 bet and Lin barely flinched tossing in the call. Both players put the brakes on when the 7 ♣️ landed on the river.
Okamoto flipped over Q ♥️ 8 ♠️ air, Lin turned over A ♣️ A ♦️ giving everyone a shock.
| Players | |
| Meng Ling Lin | 21,400,000 |
| Kazuki Okamoto | 12,000,000 |
Level 22:
150K/300K (300K BBA)Yin Gets Value For Top Pair
By Tricia David
Li Yin opened 600,000 and big blind Tian Zhi Kong defended to bring a flop of 3 ♣️ Ts: :Td where Yin continued for 450,000 and Kong stuck around to defend.
Yin slowed down on the turn Q ♠️, opting to check back after Kong tapped to head to the river 6 ♠️.
Kong checked again, Yin slid out 1,200,000, Kong paid to see then mucked to Yin's Q ♥️ J ♣️ top pair.
| Players | |
| Li Yin | 17,000,000 |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 4,100,000 |
Level 22:
150K/300K (300K BBA)
Peng Deng - 6th place
Following a min-raise from Meng Ling Lin, small blind player Peng Deng shoved for 3,050,000. Lin folded for Deng to claim the pot unscathed.
On the very next hand, Lin raised the minimum again and Deng shoved once more. This time, Lin called and it was a race.
Peng Deng: A ♣️ 9 ♥️
Meng Ling Lin: K ♣️ Q ♣️
When the flop ran 9 ♠️ J ♠️ 10 ♣️, Lin jumped ahead with a straight, with the turn 10 ♦️, Deng had hope for a boat but it didn't materialize with the river bringing the A ♦️.
| Players | |
| Meng Ling Lin | 17,000,000 |
| Peng Deng | 0 |
Level 22:
150K/300K (300K BBA)Okamoto Denies Deng's Bluff
By Tricia David
Kazuki Okamoto
Kazuki Okamoto kicked off the hand with a min-raise and went down the streets with big blind caller Peng Deng.
Okamoto continued for 500,000 at the flop 3 ♣️ A ♦️ 6 ♥️ and still Deng defended to take them to fourth street where the 6 ♦️ found the board.
Deng took the reins for 700,000 and Okamoto called to complete the spread with a river J ♥️.
Deng dipped in again and laid out 1,600,000. Okamoto called. Deng flipped over 10 ♥️ 9 ♦️ air, Okamoto shipped the pot with 7 ♦️ 3 ♠️ bottom pair.
| Players | |
| Kazuki Okamoto | 16,500,000 |
| Peng Deng | 3,050,000 |
Level 22:
150K/300K (300K BBA)Lin's Bottom Pair Earns
By Tricia David
Kazuki Okamoto opened from hijack for 600,000 and Meng Ling Lin wasn't going to let him steal her blinds without a fight, she called.
Both players played it cool on the flop 8 ♠️ 7 ♣️ 4 ♦️ then Lin bet 1,000,000 on the turn J ♣️. Okamoto called then both went back to checking on the river J ♥️.
Okamoto had K ♣️ 9 ♦️, Lin claimed the pot with 10 ♠️ 4 ♣️ pair.
| Players | |
| Kazuki Okamoto | 13,000,000 |
| Meng Ling Lin | 9,500,000 |
Level 22:
150K/300K (300K BBA)
Czardy Rivera - 7th place
Czardy Rivera entered the final day as the shortest stack but managed to hold on with two double ups prior to reaching the final table. However on his third showdown, it was not to be, falling in 7th place to Peng Deng.
Czardy Rivera: Q ♣️ 8 ♣️
Peng Deng: K ♣️ 10 ♥️
The board ran out of K ♥️ J ♥️ 4 ♣️ 8 ♦️ 4 ♦️
| Players | |
| Peng Deng | 7,500,000 |
| Czardy Rivera | 0 |
Level 22:
150K/300K (300K BBA)
JIa Xin Wang - 8th place
With everyone folding to the button, Meng Ling Lin, she min-raised to 600,000. Big blind Jia Xin Wang defended with a shove for 1,600,000 and Lin topped up to put Wang at risk of elimination.
Jia Xin Wang: A ♥️ 7 ♣️
Meng Ling Lin: 7 ♠️ 4 ♦️
Wang was in good shape for a double but the flop dropped a pair for Lin and when it completed 4 ♥️ 3 ♦️ 10 ♥️ Q ♣️ 8 ♣️, Wang was eliminated in 8th place.
| Players | |
| Meng Ling Lin | 13,000,000 |
| Jia Xin Wang | 0 |
Level 21:
120K/240K (240K BBA)
Joshua Figuerres - 9th place
Kazuki Okamoto delivered Joshua Figuerres a brutal knockout but before it took place, the hand opened with an unsuspecting raise from Okamoto at hijack. Big blind Figuerres called.
Both players checked the flop to head to a turn board 3 ♦️ A ♣️ 2 ♦️ 8 ♦️. Okamoto slid out 500,000 and Figuerres check-raised to 1,000,000 leaving himself 850,000 behind.
Okamoto quickly answered with a shove. After using up his last time-bank, Figuerres risked his tournament life.
Joshua Figuerres: A ♠️ 10 ♣️
Kazuki Okamoto: A ♦️ 6 ♥️
Figuerres was looking good for a double up with his higher kicker until the river slapped down 6 ♣️ to crush his hopes on a brutal bad beat.
| Players | |
| Kazuki Okamoto | 11,240,000 |
| Joshua Figuerres | 0 |
Level 21:
120K/240K (240K BBA)Okamoto Picks Up A Decent Pot
By Tricia David
After several hands of uncalled, Kazuki Okamoto picked up picked up a pot that opened with a raise from under the gun Li Yin for 500,000. Okamoto three-bet to 1,500,000 on the button and Yin defended.
At the flop K ♣️ 10 ♥️ 10 ♠️, Okamoto fired 1,000,000 and with that, he took down the pot uncontested.
| Players | |
| Li Yin | 10,900,000 |
| Kazuki Okamoto | 9,800,000 |
Level 21:
120K/240K (240K BBA)Yin Earns With A Spread
By Tricia David
From cutoff, Li Yin opened for 500,000 and big blind Meng Ling Lin defended to take the bout to the flop.
The dealer spread 6 ♥️ 7 ♦️ Q ♥️ bringing more chips to the pot with Yin's 400,000 continuation bet called by Lin.
Both players slowed down on the turn 4 ♦️ with checks then Lin slid out 1,000,000 on the river 8 ♣️. Yin called.
Lin showed K ♦️ 8 ♥️ pair on the river but was denied the pot by Yin who flipped over K ♠️ 5 ♣️ straight.
| Players | |
| Li Yin | 16,920,000 |
| Meng Ling Lin | 7,245,000 |
Level 21:
120K/240K (240K BBA)Deng Doubles Up On Yin's Bluff
By Tricia David
First hand of the final table and Peng Deng opened from the button for 500,000 and massive chip leader on the big blind Li Yin defended.
At the flop 4 ♥️ A ♣️ 6 ♦️, Yin check-called Deng's 400,000 continuation bet then both players checked the turn 5 ♥️.
On the river Q ♦️, Yin announced all-in and within seconds, Deng called, risking his tournament life.
Yin revealed 4 ♥️ 7 ♠️ small pair bluff, Deng shipped a full double with A ♥️ 2 ♣️.
| Players | |
| Li Yin | 13,780,000 |
| Peng Deng | 5,030,000 |
Level 21:
120K/240K (240K BBA)Final 9 Chip Counts And Payouts
By Tricia David
Final 9 Players of the GOP Jeju Main Event
The final table will resume with blinds at 120,000-240,000 ante 240,000 for another 12 hands. Once the new level is reached, blinds will increase every 30 hands.
| Final Table Chip Counts | |||
| 1 | Li Yin | China | 17,255,000 |
| 2 | Joshua Figuerres | Philippines | 3,225,000 |
| 3 | Czardy Rivera | Philippines | 1,340,000 |
| 4 | Meng Ling Lin | Taiwan | 9,385,000 |
| 5 | Tian Zhi Kong | China | 5,230,000 |
| 6 | Jia Xin Wang | China | 2,540,000 |
| 7 | Kazuki Okamoto | Japan | 7,600,000 |
| 8 | Peng Deng | China | 3,235,000 |
| 9 | Elmer Kalaquian | Philippines | 7,640,000 |
| Final 9 Payouts | ||
| 1 | ₩203,830,000 | $138,471 |
| 2 | ₩123,860,000 | $84,144 |
| 3 | ₩83,650,000 | $56,827 |
| 4 | ₩60,530,000 | $41,121 |
| 5 | ₩45,990,000 | $31,243 |
| 6 | ₩36,240,000 | $24,620 |
| 7 | ₩29,370,000 | $19,952 |
| 8 | ₩24,340,000 | $16,535 |
| 9 | ₩20,550,000 | $13,961 |
Level 21:
120K/240K (240K BBA)40-Minute Break
By Tricia David
An unscheduled 30 minute break has been announced to set up the final table. Game resumes at 3:00 PM.
Level 21:
120K/240K (240K BBA)
Jiang Wang - 10th place
Jiang Wang missed his chance for a seat at the final table having been dusted by Meng Ling Lin. The hand opened with a raise from Wang of 1,355,000 at under the gun which Lin countered from the button with a reraise to 2,000,000 which essentially put Wang all in if he chose to call. Wang deliberated and eventually committed the rest.
Jiang Wang: A ♥️ 5 ♠️
Meng Ling Lin: A ♣️ 10 ♣️
It was looking bleak for Wang as Lin's kicker was far ahead. The board brought no miracles for Wang as it spread 8 ♥️ 6 ♠️ Q ♥️ 4 ♣️ J ♣️ to finish in 10th place, one spot shy of the final table.
| Player | Stack |
| Meng Ling LIn | 9,385,000 |
| Jiang Wang | 0 |
Level 21:
120K/240K (240K BBA)
Dongying Ling - 11th place
Dongying Ling shoved on the small blind and without batting an eyelash, big blind Li Yin called to place Ling on the ropes, battling to stay in the game.
Dongying Ling: A ♦️ 3 ♥️
Li Yin: Q ♣️ 8 ♠️
Ling was ahead at the start but his hopes quickly went south when the flop landed 4 ♦️ 5 ♦️ 8 ♣️ giving Yin a pair. The turn 6 ♣️ brought no change to rest his hopes on the river which failed to produce the outs he needed with a 4 ♥️ completing the board.
Immediately after the hand, Kazuki Okamoto comments to Yin, “you are such a strong player, wow!”
| Player | Stack |
| Li Yin | 17,255,000 |
| Dongying Ling | 0 |
Level 21:
120K/240K (240K BBA)Figuerres Outdraws To Stay Alive
By Tricia David
Joshua Figuerres
Small blind Meng Ling Lin open-shoved and big blind Joshua Figuerres liked what he was dealt to risk his tournament life.
Joshua Figuerres: Q ♦️ J ♦️
Meng Ling Lin: K ♠️ 10 ♥️
With a rail of friends calling out for diamonds, the board heeded their call as it ran 3 ♦️ 4 ♣️ 4 ♦️ 9 ♦️ 8 ♠️ to give Figuerres renewed life while Lin could only say, “nice hand."
| Player | Stack |
| Meng Ling Lin | 5,000,000 |
| Joshua Figuerres | 2,500,000 |
Level 21:
120K/240K (240K BBA)Short Stacks Battle, Ling Survives
By Tricia David
Dongying Ling went all in for his last three big blinds and big blind Czardy Rivera who was also short, called with slightly more behind.
Dongying Ling: J ♣️ 4 ♣️
Czardy Rivera: A ♥️ 4 ♠️
The board helped Ling stay in the game as it spread K ♣️ J ♥️ 10 ♣️ 5 ♦️ 9 ♦️.
| Player | Stack |
| Dongying Ling | 1,870,000 |
| Czardy Rivera | 470,000 |
Level 21:
120K/240K (240K BBA)Rivera Lands A Second Boost
By Tricia David
Czardy Rivera
Czardy Rivera is sticking around with another double up to slowly bring him out of the hole. Action opened with button player Kazuki Okamoto open-shoving his big stack and small blind Rivera risked it while big blind Jia Xin Wang opted out.
Czardy Rivera: A ♣️ 7 ♦️
Kazuki Okamoto: J ♠️ 5 ♥️
The flop quickly improved Okamoto with top pair as it ran J ♥️ 10 ♣️ 8 ♠️. Rivera owned the turn with A ♠️ giving him the higher pair. The river 6 ♠️ kept Rivera ahead to scoop up the pot.
| Player | Stack |
| Kazuki Okamoto | 5,800,000 |
| Czardy Rivera | 3,000,000 |
Level 20:
100K/200K (200K BBA)Kalaquian Catches The Bluff
By Tricia David
On a board showing 7 ♠️ 9 ♣️ 9 ♦️ A ♣️ 2 ♣️ with around 1,800,000 in the pot, Peng Deng slid out 725,000 and got called by Elmer Kalaquian.
Deng flipped over K ♦️ 6 ♦️ bluff, Kalaquian took down the pot with A ♠️ 10 ♠️.
| Player | Stack |
| Elmer Kalaquian | 7,940,000 |
| Peng Deng | 2,780,000 |
Level 20:
100K/200K (200K BBA)Ling Doubles Up
By Tricia David
Dongying Ling was next to get a pad up but before doing so, he raised 1,700,000 leaving just one 25,000 chip behind. He was called by big stacked Li Yin who then pushed on a flop of 6 ♥️ 3 ♠️ 9 ♣️.
Ling quickly called and showed K ♥️ Q ♠️ which was behind Yin's A ♥️ J ♦️.
With Lin on the brink of elimination, the board had other plans as the turn landed Q ♦️ to give him the lead. The river 4 ♣️ ensured the win for a double up.
| Player | Stack |
| Li Yin | 14,900,000 |
| Dongying Ling | 3,900,000 |
Level 20:
100K/200K (200K BBA)Rivera Doubles Up
By Tricia David
Czardy Rivera entered the final day with the shortest stack and has been looking out for the best spot to get it all in and hopefully bank a double up.
That moment arrived when he was dealt K ♦️ J ♣️ and shoved from the small blind. Jia Xin Wang called on the big blind with 10 ♣️ 7 ♥️
The board ran out of Q ♥️ Ac: 8 ♣️ K ♠️ 8 ♦️.
| Player | Stack |
| Jia Xin Wang | 2,160,000 |
| Czardy Rivera | 750,000 |
Level 20:
100K/200K (200K BBA)Suck Out Over Suck Out
By Tricia David
Meng Ling Lin versus Joshua Figuerres
Meng Ling Lin and Joshua Figuerres tangle again. Lin opened 400,000 then called Figuerres' 865,000 shove.
Joshua Figuerres: 8 ♦️ 8 ♥️
Meng Ling Lin: J ♣️ 10 ♣️
Upon showing, Figuerres was flipping for his tournament life. A dramatic flop landed 6 ♣️ Q ♦️ 6 ♣️ for an open-ended and flush draw to Lin while Figuerres was still ahead with his pocket pair.
The turn improved both with 8 ♣️ giving Lin the jump to a straight and Figuerres now with a set. The river :6 ♦️ drew shocks with Figuerres burning the straight with a full house.
| Player | Stack |
| Meng Ling Lin | 4,400,000 |
| Joshua Figuerres | 2,130,000 |
Level 20:
100K/200K (200K BBA)
Tao Wei Chang - 12th place
Tao Wei Chang became the first casualty of the final day and taking him down was Li Yin who delivered a brutal defeat. The hand opened with a raise of 500,000 from Yin on the button and Chang defended the big blind with a three-bet to 2,500,000. Yin slid out 3,000,000 and whether his intention was to raise or not, the decision was it was just a call as it did not meet the minimum raise.
The dealer then spread the flop 4 ♣️ A ♣️ 10 ♠️. Chang checked, Yin slid out enough chips to put Chang all in. After a minute, Chang called.
Tao Wei Chang: 3 ♥️ 3 ♣️
Li Yin: J ♠️ 8 ♠️
Chang was ahead but wasn't out of the woods yet. The turn K ♦️ gave Yin more options which connected on the river Q ♣️ for runner-runner Broadway.
| Player | Stack |
| Li Yin | 16,000,000 |
| Tao Wei Chang | 0 |
Level 20:
100K/200K (200K BBA)Lin Gets Value For Top Pair
By Tricia David
Meng Ling Lin
From cutoff, Meng Ling Lin opened 400,000 and two players tangoed with her to the flop of J ♣️ 7 ♥️ K ♠️.
Everyone checked it to the turn 6 ♣️ where Lin slid out a delayed continuation bet of 400,000 with only Joshua Figuerres taking interest.
The 4 ♦️ river brought another bet from Lin of 900,000 and again Figuerres paid up then folded upon seeing Lin's K ♥️ 3 ♣️ top pair.
| Player | Stack |
| Meng Ling Lin | 4,900,000 |
| Tian Zhi Kong | 2,455,000 |
| Joshua Figuerres | 1,375,000 |
Level 20:
100K/200K (200K BBA)Wang Doubles Up
By Tricia David
On Jia Xin Wang's second shove, he got called by big blind Kazuki Okamoto and when their cards were tabled, Wang was ahead with a superior kicker.
Jia Xin Wang: A ♠️ Q ♠️
Kazuki Okamoto: A ♦️ 8 ♦️
The board brought no bad beat as it ran a clean 3 ♥️ 2 ♣️ 9 ♠️ A ♣️ 4 ♦️ for a double up to Wang who happily celebrated.
| Player | Stack |
| Kazuki Okamoto | 7,165,000 |
| Jia Xin Wang | 4,150,000 |
Level 20:
100K/200K (200K BBA)Figuerres Picks Up Two Pots
By Tricia David
Joshua Figuerres opened the day picking up the first pot after limping in from the small blind that earned him the pot by turn with big blind Elmer Kalaquian folding to a bet.
The next pot was bigger with an open of 400,000 from under the gun that Meng Ling Lin called on the big blind. Both players checked it through the turn 7 ♦️ A ♥️ A ♠️ 6 ♣️ where Figuerres took a chance for 250,000 when the board dropped J ♣️ on the river.
Lin called then mucked to Figuerres' J ♠️ 10 ♣️.
| Player | Stack |
| Meng Ling Lin | 4,050,000 |
| Joshua Figuerres | 2,440,000 |
Level 20:
100K/200K (200K BBA)Okamoto Draws First Blood
By Tricia David
Kazuki Okamoto
On the first hand of the day at Table 22, Kazuki Okamoto opened 400,000 from the small blind and Tao Wei Chang defended on the big blind with a three-bet to 1,100,000. Okamoto called to bring them to the flop 10 ♦️ 4 ♣️ J ♣️.
Both players tapped to the turn 2 ♣️ where Okamoto slid out 1,000,000 and won the pot with Chang folding.
| Player | Stack |
| Kazuki Okamoto | 9,365,000 |
| Tao Wei Chang | 2,935,000 |
Level 20:
100K/200K (200K BBA)Cards In The Air!
By Tricia David
Cards now flying at the final day of the GOP Jeju Main Event! Good luck to all!
Level 20:
100K/200K (200K BBA)GOP Player Of The Series Update
By Tricia David
Mike Takayama
With eight days of games now in the books, the GOP Player of the Series race has a clear frontrunner. Mike Takayama leads with three titles under his belt and five cashes for 74,077 points. One player that has a chance of catching him is Meng Ling Lin who is still in the Main Event.
Listed below are the Top 5 players in points after eight days of games:
| Player | Points |
| Mike Takayama | 74,077 |
| Jianfeng Sun | 48,596 |
| Sanjay Kumar Chaudhary | 44,206 |
| Patrick Liang | 38,364 |
| Kevin Choi | 32,050 |
To be in contention for the lone GOP Crown Trophy, players need to accrue the most number of points throughout the series and have cashed in at least three point-generating events.
Along with the trophy, the POS winner will receive USD 1,500 in GOP Tournament Credits.
For second place, USD 1,000 in tournament credits will be awarded and for third place, $500 in tournament credits.
For all of the GOP Player of the Series Leaderboard and Information, click here.
Level 20:
100K/200K (200K BBA)Time To Crown The First-Event GOP Jeju Main Event Champion
By Tricia David
Welcome to the final day of the inaugural Gods Of Poker Jeju Main Event! Today, the final 12 players out of the 481 turnout will return to the felt at LES A Casino with one goal in mind - to hoist the glorious Black-and-Gold Gauntlet. The champion will also walk away with the lion’s share of the KR₩ 1 Billion (~USD 700,000) prize pool
As it stands, the remaining players have all locked up a minimum cash prize of KR₩ 13,620,000 (∼USD 9,000) while awaiting the champion is a handsome payout of KR₩ 20,830,000 (∼USD 138,000).
Leading the way is China's Li Yin with a stack of 10,285,000 (51 big blinds) followed by Japan's lone chaser Kazuki Okamoto with 8,,065,000 (41 big blinds), and Taiwan's Meng Ling Lin in third position with 7,555,000 (37 big blinds).
Players from the Philippines have already claimed multiple trophies at the series, and the chance to add a GOP Gauntlet is very much alive with three players still in contention. Elmer Kalaquian returns armed with the largest stack among them, sitting with 5,465,000 (27 big blinds).
Play gets underway at Level 20 with blinds at 100,000-200,000 ante 200,000. That places the average stack at 24 big blinds. Blinds increase every 60 minutes.
One added layer of pressure will be the clock. At the start of each entry flight, each player was issued 20 time chips, worth 30 seconds each, to last for the entire event. Several players have already burned through their allotment, while others now sit on the brink with just one or two remaining.
Cards start flying at 12:45 PM. Follow the action via the live updates.