Record-Breaking APT Jeju 2025 Marks a New Era for Poker in Korea

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By Mrinal Gujare
09 Oct 2025
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Mrinal Gujare 09 Oct 2025
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  • APT Jeju 2025 drew 11,821 total entries.
  • The festival set a 37% increase in entries over 2024.
  • Main Event won by Abraham Ceesvin; High Roller by Ngo Khoa Anh.
APT Jeju 2025
Image Credit: Asian Poker Tour
APT Jeju 2025 has set a new milestone, attracting 11,821 total entries and awarding KRW 18.46 billion in prize money. Abraham Ceesvin claimed victory in the Main Event, while Ngo Khoa Anh triumphed in the High Roller, marking Korea’s most lucrative poker festival to date.

The Asian Poker Tour (APT) Jeju 2025 achieved a historic milestone, breaking two major international records and cementing its position as the richest APT festival ever hosted in Korea. 

The 10-day festival at LES A Casino, Jeju Shinhwa World, showcased the growing prominence of the Korean poker scene on the global stage.

Spanning 99 trophy events, APT Jeju 2025 drew 1,444 unique players from 48 countries, generating a record 11,821 total entries. The combined prize pool reached KRW 18,463,730,934 (≈ USD 13.19 million) — the largest ever in Korean poker history.

The 2025 edition recorded a 37% increase in entries and a 49.7% growth in total prize money compared to APT Jeju 2024, with six new events added to the schedule. Additionally, 13 national records were broken during the series, setting new benchmarks for live poker in Asia.

APT Jeju 2025 Main Event

The APT Jeju 2025 Main Event featured a KRW 2.6 million buy-in and attracted 1,693 total entries, the largest field ever recorded for an APT Main Event in Korea. The final prize pool soared to KRW 3,803,155,200 (≈ USD 2.72 million), marking a new national record.

Abraham Ceesvin emerged victorious, claiming KRW 649,835,200 (≈ USD 464,170) and an APT Championship Main Event seat worth KRW 14 million (≈ USD 10,000).

Runner-up Lili Tang earned KRW 364,460,000 (≈ USD 260,330) along with an APT Championship Main Event seat. The event’s record-breaking turnout and payouts reaffirmed Jeju’s position as one of Asia’s most competitive poker destinations.

Signature Lion Trophy Events

The APT Lion Trophy events once again proved to be the centerpiece of the Jeju schedule, each setting new records in their respective categories:
  • Super High Roller (KRW 15M buy-in): 97 entries — record field size, prize pool, and top prize for the event in Korea; the second richest prize pool of the festival.
  • APT High Roller (KRW 5M buy-in): Record field and prize pool, ranking fourth overall in total prize money during the series.
  • SuperStar Challenge (KRW 35M buy-in): Generated KRW 1.326 billion, the third-largest prize pool of the festival.

Together, the top ten events of the festival accounted for KRW 12,907,716,900 of the total prize money, underscoring APT Jeju’s status as a high-stakes hub in Asia.

Ngo Khoa Anh Triumphs in APT High Roller

Vietnam’s Ngo Khoa Anh captured one of the festival’s most prestigious titles — the APT High Roller (KRW 5M buy-in). The event drew 305 entries, setting a new record for the largest High Roller field ever hosted by APT in Korea.

The prize pool reached KRW 1,317,600,000, reflecting the event’s growing appeal among Asia’s elite players. Ngo triumphed after a swift heads-up battle with Fabian Gumz, earning KRW 261,400,000 (≈ USD 186,715) and an APT Championship seat worth KRW 14 million (≈ USD 10,000).

Gumz secured KRW 173,770,000 for second place, with notable performances from several international pros across the final table. 

Ngo’s win marked a career milestone, earning him his first APT Lion Trophy and a place among Vietnam’s top 10 all-time money list.

APT Jeju 2025

Beyond the staggering prize pools and participation numbers, APT Jeju 2025 represented a defining moment for poker in Asia. 

The festival’s success highlighted Korea’s growing dominance as a major poker destination and reinforced APT’s role in expanding the regional competitive landscape.

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