Tournament marks largest attendance in Korean poker history.
Li overcomes 3:1 chip deficit against top pros.
While the elite of the sporting world are currently chasing gold in northern Italy, a different kind of history was being written across the globe in Jeju, South Korea. In a tournament that shattered expectations and local records alike, Canadian amateur William Li emerged from a massive field of 1,718 entries to claim the APT Jeju Classic 2026 Main Event title.
Li’s performance was a masterclass in poise, turning a massive heads-up deficit into a life-changing $402,000 payday and an APT Gold Lion trophy, a stunning personal best for a man who maintains that poker isn't even his profession.
A Historic Milestone for Korean Poker
The 2026 APT Jeju Classic wasn't just another stop on the circuit; it was a landmark event for the region. Marking the 20th anniversary of the Asian Poker Tour, the series saw a significant surge in attendance, with the Main Event officially becoming the largest international poker tournament ever held on Korean soil.
APT Jeju Classic 2026 Main Event The $2.3 million prize pool reflected the growing "boom" in the Asian market, as Jeju Shinhwa World became the epicenter for grinders from across the globe. Alongside the Main Event, high-water marks were also set in the Mini Main and Ultra Stack events, signaling a banner year for the tour.
Navigating a Star-Studded Field
Despite his amateur status, Li’s path to the podium required him to navigate a final table packed with hardened professionals. The lineup included heavy hitters like Japan’s Shintaro Sato and Romania’s Christian Tabac, with earlier deep runs from the likes of GPI Player of the Year Punnat Punsri and local favorite Ren Lin providing a high-pressure backdrop.
William Li Li, who admitted to being a "relatively pessimistic person," stayed grounded throughout the four-day marathon, picking his spots carefully as the field narrowed and the six-figure pay jumps began to loom large.
The Turning Tide: Heads-Up Heroics
The finale was a showcase of resilience. Entering the heads-up battle against Shintaro Sato, Li faced a daunting 3:1 chip deficit. However, the tide turned early when Li found a double-up with two pair, effectively leveling the stacks.
Shintaro Sato The defining moment of the tournament came when Sato attempted a massive river bluff into the Canadian; after a long deliberation, Li made a clinical call to pick off the bluff and seize a stranglehold on the match.
William Li Just hands later, Li sealed the victory, completing an "Olympian" comeback and securing his first major live title.
APT Jeju Classic 2026: Main Event Final Table Results
WSOP 2026
