Japan's Tetsuya Tsujisaka Day 1 Chip Leader

A thrilling day played out at the APT Zodiac Classic, sponsored by Natural8. The event drew 373 entries (273 unique) to generate a massive KRW 1,192,406,400 (~USD 889,855) prize pool, more than doubling the KRW 500,000,000 guarantee.

Of the total field, 65 players will return tomorrow for the final day, with only 55 players making the money. But the ultimate goal for tomorrow will be the top prize of KRW 228,656,400 (~USD 170,640).

Closest to that goal is Japan’s Tetsuya Tsujisaka, who bagged 806,000 at the end of the day. The Japanese player has enjoyed a strong run on the APT this year, putting together several deep runs and capturing the APT High Roller Ultra Stack in Taipei in April.

That victory earned him his first APT Lion and the biggest cash of his career. He will now look to build on that success by taking down the Zodiac Classic.

Chun Kit Kwan

Following Tsujisaka in the chip lead is Hong Kong’s Chun Kit Kwan, who bagged 562,000. Kwan already knows what it takes to win this event, having taken down the same tournament in Taipei in May 2025.

With a healthy stack heading into the final day, he is well positioned to make another run at the title.

Coming in third is Lee Wee Liew with 555,000. The reigning Korean National Cup Champion will be looking to carry his winning momentum into the final day and add another title to his collection before heading home to Malaysia.

Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts

Nevan Chang made it through to the final day with 178,000. Chang chipped away at his opponents’ stacks over the final two levels to secure a solid stack for tomorrow.

Fabian Gumz took a big hit when Su Jing rivered a flush against his top pair. Despite the setback, Gumz managed to recover and will return with 146,000.

Other notables advancing to the final day include Ryuta Nakai (293,000), Tony Lin (134,000), and Renji Mao (129,000).

Kunal Patni

Not everyone was as fortunate, however.

Kunal Patni was eliminated late in the day, but he was already in a celebratory mood. While still in the tournament, Patni had started enjoying a few drinks, with the Player’s Party next on his agenda.

Among those who failed to advance to the final day were Rene von Reden, Abraham Ceesvin, Georgios Skarparis, Daisuke Ogita, Tom Verbruggen, and Stephen Pang.

The final day begins tomorrow, October 2 at 11:15 a.m. (KST) at A Les Casino. Players will battle through 40-minute levels until a champion is crowned.

The stage is set for one final showdown. Who will rise above the field and claim the Zodiac Classic title? Tune in tomorrow as the remaining contenders battle it out for the APT Lion.

To view the Payouts, CLICK HERE

To view the Seat Draw, CLICK HERE

To view the complete List of Survivors, CLICK HERE

Play has now concluded and the surviving players are now bagging and tagging for the evening.

Stay tuned for a recap of the day's action!

Jie Zhang

Action was picked up with Wenchao Liu, at risk and Jie Zhang engaged in an all-in showdown.

Wenchao Liu: 8 8

Jie Zhang: T T

Zhang was ahead with his pocket tens and the 6 A Q kept him in the lead. Liu needed a miracle to turn things around. He didn't seem to expect it to happen as he prepared to leave the table as the dealer completed the board with a 3 turn and a 6 river.

Yiming Li

Yiming Li four-bet shoved his marginally covering stack after Chunnuan Xu appeared to have three-bet to 50,000 from the small blind. After a short while, Xu called to put her tournament life on the line:

Chunnuan Xu: K Q

Yiming Li: T T

Xu came out on top on the 5 A Q flop, pairing her queen and leaving Li trailing.

The 7 turn put four spades on the board, giving Li some chop outs to go with his two tens, but the 5 river bricked and Xu was awarded the full double. Meanwhile, Li was left with barely two big blinds.

Fabian Gumz

Su Jing in the small blind and Fabian Gumz under the gun had built a huge pot of around 80,000 sitting beside a 2 8 9 .

The turn dropped 2 and after action was checked to him, Gumz fired 38,000. Jing called to see the last card.

The river 4 dropped and Jing jammed 113,000 sending Gumz to the tank. He had to burn a time card to mull things over then finally made the call.

Jing showed a flush with K 5 . Gumz mucked his hand but the dealer turned it over to show A 9 .

Button Khanh Duy Ta raised to 10,000 and Yiming Li defended his big blind.

Both checked the 7 8 2 flop to the 2 turn, where Li led for 21,500 and Ta promptly called.

The 2 river put three deuces on the board, and Li didn't take long to fire again, this time for around 60,000. Ta quickly called, and after another look at his cards, Li sent them straight to the muck and the pot was pushed to Ta.

Fabian Gumz

Zhongyao Li in the small blind raised to 8,000. Kei Okuda defended his big blind with a three-bet to 24,000. Li replied with an all-in shove for 208,000 and Okuda, with only 138,500, called putting his tournament life on the line.

Kei Okuda: A J

Zhongyao Li: K J

The flop came K Q 7 pushing Li into the lead with a chance to eliminate Okuda, but Okuda still had outs with a gutshot straight draw or an ace.

The turn dropped a 9 which didn't change the situation.

Okuda's straight was completed when the T fell on the river, securing his double up.

Nevan Chang

Yun Xun raised to 8,000 from under the gun, and blinds Dajie Zhuo and Nevan Chang joined him on the flop.

All three checked the 9 8 4 flop to the 7 turn, where Zhuo led for 8,000.

Chang instantly raised to 22,000, prompting an equally instant muck from Xun. Zhuo thought it over for a little while before eventually letting it go, mucking the 6 face up.

Zhouqun Zhang

Zhouqun Zhang opened to 6,000 in hijack and Anson Lau called in the cutoff. After the remaining players folded, the dealer flopped 9 6 J .

Both players checked all through the A turn. On the 5 river, Zhang fired 24,000 and stared straight at Lau's stack. Lau took his time to consider his option but made the call before time ran out.

Zhang showed queen-high with Q 2 . With a sigh of relief, Lau turned over T 9 .