Renji Mao Leads APT Jeju Classic 2026 High Roller as Side Event Winners Emerge

Renji Mao of China bagged the chip lead with 1,058,000 after Day 1 of Event #52: High Roller at the APT Jeju Classic 2026, positioning himself for a potential fifth APT title. The two-day tournament drew 174 entries, generating a KRW 751 million prize pool worth about USD 527,000, with KRW 174,770,000 or roughly USD 122,600 set aside for the winner. Twenty-three players advanced to the final day.

Peng Yang, also from China, sits second with 947,000 chips, followed by compatriot Xintao Tian in third at 783,000. U.S. player Calvin Sungwon Lee holds fourth place with 765,000, while Germany's Rene von Reden, the APT Taipei Poker Classic 2024 Main Event champion, rounds out the top six with 741,000.

The top 10 chip counts heading into the final day are:

The APT Jeju Classic 2026 has shattered records, with the Main Event becoming the largest poker tournament ever held in South Korea. Day 3 of the Main Event resumes tomorrow, featuring several big names still in contention.

Side Events Crown New Champions

Yilong Wang of China claimed his first APT title in Event #53: Masters Fixed Limit Draw Poker, topping a 31-entry field for KRW 14,866,000 or about USD 10,432. Thailand's Punnat Punsri finished second for KRW 10,240,000, with compatriot Sorawit Suriyakarn third at KRW 6,530,000. Five players cashed.

The final table payouts were:

Chi Jen Chen of Taiwan secured his fifth APT title in Event #54: NL Hold'em, besting 255 entries for KRW 35,803,264 or roughly USD 25,125. China's Jiani Yang took second for KRW 24,110,000, and Taiwan's Min Liang Tsao placed third at KRW 17,000,000. Thirty-one players cashed.

The final table results included:

Lili Tang of China won her second APT title in Event #55: Women's High Roller, overcoming 39 entries for KRW 18,704,000 or about USD 13,126. Vanna Tea of the United States finished second for KRW 12,890,000, with Taiwan's Chu Ling Hsu third at KRW 8,210,000. Five players cashed.

The final table payouts were:

Hao Chen of China earned his second APT title in Event #56: Turbo – PL Omaha Ultimate Hi-Lo – Cry Me A River, defeating 52 entries for KRW 6,710,832 or roughly USD 4,708. Fellow Chinese player Xuanyu Jin placed second for KRW 4,850,000, and Portugal's Hen Rosilio third at KRW 3,090,000. Seven players cashed.

The final table results were:

Yang Lu of China captured his eighth APT title in Event #58: Hyper Turbo – NL Triple Draw Mix, topping 37 entries for KRW 4,390,947 or about USD 3,081. China's Yik Hei Isaac Lo finished second for KRW 3,020,000, with Japan's Daiki Aoki third at KRW 1,920,000. Five players cashed.

The final table payouts included:

Jin Wang of China won his third APT title in Event #59: Tick Tock BOOM!, besting 111 entries for KRW 7,932,486 or roughly USD 5,567. Hong Kong's Man Ho Yuen took second for KRW 5,470,000, and China's Jialu Shen placed third at KRW 3,590,000. Fifteen players cashed.

The final table results were:

Wenwen Chen of China claimed his first APT title in Event #60: Hyper Turbo – High Roller, overcoming 79 entries for KRW 28,144,000 or about USD 19,751. U.S. player Chun Ping David Lo finished second for KRW 20,020,000, with China's Junkai Kui third at KRW 13,110,000. Eleven players cashed.

The final table payouts were: