APT Super High Roller Champion Mingcong Chen

Mingcong Chen of China has captured the KRW 15M (~USD 10,640) APT Super High Roller, earning a career-best score of KRW 348,252,500 (~USD 246,990). This marks his second APT title, following his victory at the APT Single High Roller in Phu Quoc in 2024.

Chen outlasted a total field of 97 entries, a new tour country record for the Super High Roller, surpassing the mark set just last month at APT Incheon 2025. And with that record, the event generated an impressive prize pool of KRW 1,340,782,500 (~USD 950,910) making it the richest as well. Along with his cash prize, Chen also secured an APT Championship Main Event ticket worth KRW 14,100,000 (~USD 10,000).

The final showdown came against countryman Daiji Zhou, who had entered the day as chip leader and maintained his dominance for most of the final table. Chen, starting second in chips entering the final day but trailing far behind, staged his comeback and after just four hands of heads-up play, clinched victory. Zhou settled for runner-up honors and a payout of KRW 244,110,000 (~USD 173,130).

Reflecting on his opponent, Chen remarked: “Zhao Wei, in my mind, is both an online legend and an offline legend. Very experienced, very strong. In my eyes, really powerful. Since I often play heads-up with him, whenever I face any opponent afterwards, I feel no fear. Even if it’s the top players in the world, I’m not afraid. Because I still feel very confident—that’s it.”

Final Table Results

Final Table Action

A total of 22 players returned for the final day, with only 13 spots paid. With such a small gap to the money, it didn’t take long for the bubble to burst. Short-stacked Hugues Girard was forced all-in from the big blind with less than the minimum bet. Both the button and small blind limped in to give him action. Ultimately, it was Joseph Cheong from the United States who ended Girard’s run, catching a straight on the river with five-four suited against Girard’s jack-six offsuit.

The first final table bustout came just as quickly. Germany’s Fabian Schmidt looked down at pocket aces and tried to maximize their value by trapping Zhou, who had been relentlessly aggressive all day. This time, however, Zhou’s king-ten suited connected with the river to make a flush, cracking Schmidt’s rockets and sending him out in 9th place for KRW 37,150,000 (~USD 26,350).

After the break, Belgium’s Thomas Boivin soon followed. He ran into Zhou’s ace-queen offsuit while holding ace-ten offsuit. Already dominated, Boivin’s hopes were dashed when Zhou turned a pair. Ever the professional, Boivin left the table smiling and wished the rest of the field luck. He pocketed KRW 49,090,000 (~USD 34,815) for 8th place.

Joseph Cheong

Next to fall was American pro Cheong, who shoved pre-flop with pocket fours against Zhou’s ace-jack offsuit. Cheong improved to a full house on the turn, but with Zhou chanting for an ace, the river delivered, giving Zhou the superior boat and eliminating Cheong in 7th place. Cheong walked away with KRW 63,020,000 (~USD 44,695).

In 6th place was Hong Kong’s Biao Ding, who moved all-in with ace-king suited against Chen’s pocket jacks. The board paired Chen’s hooks, sealing Ding’s fate. He exited with KRW 79,600,000 (~USD 56,455).

Play slowed for a while as chips exchanged hands, but the next bustout came when Japan’s Haruhiko Shinohara, short-stacked in the cutoff, shoved with seven-five suited. He ran straight into Roman Hrabec’s ace-ten suited. The flop gave Hrabec two pair, leaving Shinohara little hope. He departed in 5th place with KRW 102,150,000 (~USD 72,450).

Runner up Daiji Zhou

Shinohara’s elimination sparked a domino effect. Shortly after, Czechia’s Hrabec tangled with Zhou in a post-flop showdown. Holding pocket sevens, Hrabec couldn’t escape Zhou’s pocket aces, which held strong. Hrabec claimed KRW 126,700,000 (~USD 89,860) for his 4th place finish.

Down to three, Romanian Iulian Blebea put his tournament life on the line with ace-ten offsuit, only to run into Chen’s pocket queens. With no ace arriving, Blebea bowed out in 3rd place, earning KRW 161,190,000 (~USD 114,320).

That left two players. Chen and Zhou entered heads-up play nearly even in chips, setting up what seemed like it could be a long battle, but it ended in just four hands. On the final hand, Zhou shoved with eight-seven offsuit after hitting middle pair, only to fall into Chen’s trap. Chen had already made a full house on the turn and called him off, ending the tournament. Zhou took home KRW 244,110,000 (~USD 173,130) for his runner-up finish.

This crowned Mingcong Chen as the new APT Super High Roller Champion. Reflecting on his victory, Chen humbly shared: “The prize money is just a side effect of an athlete’s hard work. It’s not like the prize money changes my life—actually, not much has changed. But what makes me happy is that I feel life is better when hard work pays off. That in itself is a blessing.”

With Mingcong Chen’s victory, the APT Super High Roller 2025 in Jeju Shinhwa World went out in spectacular fashion, setting new records and delivering thrilling action from start to finish. Congratulations to all the players!

Mincong Chen has been crowned the new APT Super High Roller Champion! He takes home the prestigious APT Silver Lion Trophy, and the top prize of KRW 348,252,500 (~USD 246,990) along with an APT Championship Main Event ticket worth KRW 14,100,000 (~USD 10,000).

A full recap is coming shortly.

Hand 74: Daiji Zhou limped with 8 7 and Mingcong Chen defended by raising to 800,000, holding: J 2 .

The flop came: 8 J 2 . Chen continued with 700,000 and Zhou flat-called. Catching the full house on the turn J , Chen checked, setting a trap. Zhou shot out 2,000,000 and after some time to consider his option, Chen made the call.

The river 6 was dealt and Chen knuckled once again. Zhou moved all-in, and Chen snap-called for the championship. Zhou’s run ended in 2nd place, crowning Chen as the last man standing.

Hand 71: On the button, Mingcong Chen raised to 500,000 with: A 4 and took the pot down.

Hand 72: Dajie Zhou limped in with: 6 5 and Chen checked his option with: 7 5 . The flop came: K 4 9 . After a check, Zhou bet 200,000 and claimed the pot.

Hand 73: On the button, Chen raised to 500,000 with: Q 3 . Zhou called with: Q 7 . The flop dropped: Q 3 T After a check, Chen bet 400,000. Zhou flat-called.

Zhou checked the K turn and Chen continued with 1,300,000. Zhou didn't hesitate to call.

For the third time, Zhou checked, the river showed 2 and Chen fired another 4,100,000 into the pot. Zhou flat-called. Dominated, Zhou mucked his hand and the dealer sent the chips towards Chen's direction.

The players are back to battle it out for the championship. The stakes are high with a Title, a much-coveted APT Lion Trophy, and an APT Championship Main Event ticket, worth KRW 14,100,000 (~$10,000) and the top prize of KRW 348,252,500 (~$246,990)

Who will be the last man standing?

Heads-Up Chip Counts

We are now heads-up. The players are going on a break to allow the APT staff to set up the stage.

Iulaina Blebea in 3rd Place

Hand 70: Iulaina Blebea raised to 400,000 on the button and received a three-bet from Mingcong Chen in the big blind. BleBea replied with an all-in shove for 3,700,000. Chen snap-called putting Blebea at risk.

Iulaina Blebea: A T

Mingcong Chen: Q Q

Chen continued his lead on the flop of: 3 9 J . BleBea was looking to hit an ace on the board but the 6 turn and the 5 river didn't help him at all, sending him to the payout counter to claim his 3rd place prize.

Hand 66: Roman Hrabec raised to 600,000, under the gun holding, : Q 6 and won the pot.

Hand 67: Mingcong Chen limped with: J 3 and Hrabec checked his option with: 9 7 .

The flop dropped: T 5 9 and both players checked, leading them to the turn. After Chen checked the 4 turn, Hrabec shoved all-in and took the pot.

Hand 68: Hrabec shoved all-in with queen-six suited and won the pot.

Roman Hrabec in fourth place

Hand 69: Mingcong Chen, under the gun, raised to 400,000 holding: Q J . Roman Hrabec with: 7 7 , re-raised to 1,200,000 on the button. Big Blind, Daijie Zhou, however, woke up to: A A and flat-called. Chen got out of the way, leaving the two men to head to the flop.

The flop dropped: 4 T 9 . Zhou immediately shoved all-in for 8,900,000 and got on his feet when Hrabec snap-called, putting himself at risk.

Both players started calling out some cards when the 6 turn was dealt. Hrabec's chances increased with a gutshot straight draw but the 9 fell ending his tournament run abrubtly.

Hand 58: Roman Hrabec raised to 320,000 holding: Q J and picked up a pot.

Hand 59: Dajie Zhou with: Q 9 raised to 325,000 on the button and got a 2,300,000 shove from Roman Hrabec, holding: A . Zhou conceded the pot.

Hand 60: Mingcong Chen raised to 320,000 with: T 8 and won the pot.

Hand 61: Iulian Blebea shoved all-in for 1,900,000 with ace-three suited and won the pot.

Hand 62: Chen got a walk

Hand 63: Chen raised to 500,000 in small blind, holding: T 3 and won the pot.

Hand 64: Hrabec limped in the small blind with Q 2 and Blebea checked his option with T 6 .

The flop dropped: 2 7 2 . Hrabec bet 200,000 and took the pot down.

Hand 65: Hrabec shoved all-in for 2,800,000 on the button. In the small blind, BleBea, covered, putting himself at risk.

Iulian Blebea: A K

Roman Hrabec: A 8

Blebea was looking at a potential double up,: as he dominated Hrabec. Both players hit the flop of 3 A J , Blebea with the superior kicker. The 5 turn dropped with no consequence. The river Q completed the board. Blebea scooped the pot for a double up and Hrabec's stack was brought down by more than half.