A new heavyweight contender has officially entered the Asian poker landscape. The highly anticipated Gods of Poker (GOP) brand has launched its inaugural festival, “Eden Awakens,” on the volcanic island of Jeju, South Korea. Hosted at the LES A Casino within the Jeju Shinhwa World Resort, the ten-day series runs from December 5 through December 14, 2025.
The festival promises a massive schedule of 80 tournaments and boasts a total prize pool guarantee of KRW 2 Billion (approximately USD 1.4 Million). Beyond the prize money, GOP is distinguishing itself with a unique format change called the “Cronus Structure.” This aggressive format closes registration after just two levels.
GOP Founder Lloyd Fontillas explained that the structure addresses modern player demands for fair play and reasonable hours. He noted that players want meaningful games without enduring 14-hour marathons. The brand aims to provide a complete package that values community and off-table experiences just as much as the competition itself.
The Main Event: A Deep Stack Battle for the Gauntlet
The crown jewel of the series is the Gods of Poker Main Event. With a guarantee of KRW 1 Billion (roughly USD 700,000), this tournament is designed to test the skill of every entrant. The winner will claim the Black and Gold Gauntlet trophy, a symbol of dominance in this new arena.
The event features a deep structure where players begin with 120,000 chips, representing 120 big blinds. The schedule runs from December 8 to December 13 and includes a unique direct-entry option at the start of Day 2.
Main Event Schedule
- Buy-in: KRW 2,000,000 (~USD 1,360)
- Day 1A: December 8 at 12:30 PM
- Day 1B: December 9 at 12:30 PM
- Day 1C: December 9 at 6:00 PM
- Day 1D (Standard): December 10 at 2:00 PM
- Day 1D (Day 2 Direct Entry): December 11 at 12:30 PM
- Day 2: December 12 at 12:45 PM
- Final Day: December 13 at 12:45 PM
All Day 1 flights play down until 13.5 percent of the field remains, ensuring all returning players are in the money.
Action Begins with “The Opener”
The series is already underway with “GOP The Opener.” This first major test offers a KRW 100,000,000 (USD 68,000) guarantee for a buy-in of KRW 500,000 (USD 340). The winner will lift the first of six Silver Spartan trophies.
To accommodate arriving players, the opening day features four separate flights. Flight A and B kicked off the action earlier in the day. Flight C caters to evening arrivals with a 6:00 PM start, while Flight D offers a final chance at 9:00 PM. Survivors from all flights will combine for the Final Day on Saturday, December 6.
CEO Ray Chiu commented on the launch, stating that the floor is alive with passion and that the community has responded positively to the efficient, skill-rewarding nature of the Cronus Structure.
High Rollers and Elite Competition
The festival offers substantial action for high-stakes players, including the “Single Day High Roller” where a Gold Spartan Trophy is on the line. The field has already attracted notable names such as Taiwanese star Meng Ling “Candy” Lin, KPC Champion Joris Michl, Filipino pro Vamerdino Magsakay, and international veterans Ryan Plant and Brian Green.
GOP has introduced a rare incentive for these events. The first 12 entrants in the Single Day High Rollers receive a rake rebate ranging from KRW 125,000 to KRW 215,000.
Key High Roller “Gauntlet” Events
- Demigods Challenge (Black Gauntlet): Dec 6 (Buy-in: KRW 15.5M)
- GOP Super High Roller (Gold Gauntlet): Dec 7-8 (Buy-in: KRW 10M)
- Titan Stack High Roller (Rose Gold Gauntlet): Dec 9-10 (Buy-in: KRW 6M)
- GOP High Roller (Silver Gauntlet): Dec 13-14 (Buy-in: KRW 5.5M)
Aphrodite’s Events and Player of the Series
The schedule places a spotlight on women in poker with daily “Aphrodite’s Events.” Champions of these tournaments receive a custom Mirror Trophy. The flagship Aphrodite event runs on multiple days throughout the series with a KRW 600,000 buy-in, alongside a Mystery Bounty edition on December 9 and a High Roller edition on December 13.
Players across all events are also competing for the “Player of the Series” title. The consistent performer who accumulates the most points will win the GOP Crown Trophy and USD 1,500 in tournament credits. Second and third place finishers will receive USD 1,000 and USD 500 in credits respectively.
Travelers intending to join the action at Jeju Shinhwa World Resort can complete their Les A Casino membership pre-registration online to ensure faster entry upon arrival.
