William Li Wins APT Jeju Classic 2026 in Record-Breaking Tournament
The Asian Poker Tour Jeju Classic 2026 has just concluded, throwing up some incredible numbers. The event saw 99 trophy events, over 12,000 entries, and more than $13 million in prize money. The Main Event had 1,718 entries, setting a new record for Korea's largest poker tournament.
A New Record for Korea's Largest Poker Tournament
The Main Event's success was a highlight of the festival, with Canada's William Li winning the $402K top prize. APT President Neil Johnson shared some memorable moments from the bubble, including a player going all-in with 7-2 offsuit and losing.
The Bubble: A Moment of High Drama
Johnson described the bubble as "that moment between zero and 'what did I just do for two days?'" He recalled several memorable moments, including a player losing with K-6 to A-K preflop and another player going all-in with pocket aces.
Experimenting with New and Unusual Games
Johnson's role includes finding new and unusual poker variants to add to the tournament schedule. He emphasized the importance of making the game more fun and experimenting with different games. Some of these games, like 'Atomic Pineapple' and 'Omajack,' have been successful and will be included in future APT events.
The APT's 20-Year Anniversary Season
The 2026 season marks the APT's 20-year anniversary, and Johnson is determined to make it a memorable one. The APT Championship will take place in November at two venues: Red Space and the Asia Poker Arena. The addition of the Asia Poker Arena will add another 50 tables to the event.
A Former Dealer's Perspective
Johnson, a former poker dealer himself, praised the hard work of the APT crew and the dealers who have to learn to deal various games. He recalled his first APT series in Singapore and feels it's a full-circle moment for him to be helping to create the next 20 years of the tour.
