As expected, the World Poker Tour (WPT) continues to make a powerful mark on the regional poker scene, demonstrating its growing influence across Asia. One of this season’s marquee events, WPT Prime Cambodia, has now officially become the largest WPT Prime event in the country’s history.
Yesterday’s Day 1C drew an impressive 679 entries, pushing the total field size to 1,484 players — a new national record. Since its debut in 2022, WPT Prime Cambodia has seen consistent year-over-year growth, surpassing 1,000 entries each season. The 2025 edition has now raised the bar even higher, further cementing its place as one of the premier poker festivals in Asia.
Event Highlights:
• The total prize pool reached an impressive USD 1,439,480, nearly double the original USD 750,000 guarantee.
• Since its debut, WPT Prime Cambodia has continued to break its own records each season, attracting an ever-growing number of players from around the world.
• WPT’s rapid expansion across Asia has made it one of the most sought-after series among poker players.
With both participation and prize pools continuing to rise, the WPT brand’s influence has grown stronger than ever, marking a major milestone in the poker world. The success of this event also signals that future WPT series in Asia are poised to deliver even more remarkable moments in the years to come.
Carlos Hidalgo Leads WPT Prime Cambodia Day 2
The $1,100 buy-in WPT Prime Cambodia Main Event has turned into a true international spectacle, drawing players from all over the world. Following the conclusion of the starting flights and chip count updates, Carlos Javier Hidalgo from Estonia emerged as the overall chip leader, bagging 1,413,000 chips (141 big blinds) to lead the field into Day 2.
Leaders and Top Contenders:
• Hidalgo will guide 186 Day 1 qualifiers into Day 2, sitting in a strong deep-stack position.
• Najeem Ajez, the Day 1B chip leader, follows closely with 1,313,000 chips (131 big blinds).
• Manuel Carvalho rounds out the top three with 1,116,000 chips (112 big blinds).
Other big stacks include:
• Mike Takayama – 927,000 (93 BB)
• Jinlong Hu – 878,000 (88 BB)
Other Notable Qualifiers:
• Cao Ngoc Anh – 669,000
• Rui Bouquet – 668,000
• Tobias Schwecht – 637,000
• WPT Player of the Year Yunkyu Song – 547,000
• WPT Champion Rayhaan Adam – 431,000
• Abhinav Iyer – 365,000
• WPT Champion Pete Chen – 333,000
Meanwhile, short stacks like Yita Choong (168,000), Shiina Okamoto (130,000), Hon Cheong Lee (121,000), and Ryan Plant (120,000) will need to find momentum early on Day 2 if they hope to reach the final day.
Strong Showing from Vietnam:
• Thi Bao An Nguyen – 478,000
• Kyle Bao Diep – 402,000
• Nang Quang Nguyen – 313,000
• Tien Dung Pham – 126,000
Payouts and Rewards:
All players who advanced from Day 1 have already locked up a minimum cash of $2,000, but the ultimate goal remains the $233,680 top prize, which also comes with a $10,400 seat to the WPT World Championship at season’s end.
Action resumes on Monday, February 17, as players battle for glory and a shot at the WPT Prime Cambodia Main Event title!
WPT Prime Cambodia 2025 Data Recap
• Dates: February 14–18, 2025
• Buy-in: USD 1,100
• Guaranteed Prize Pool: USD 750,000
• Total Entries: 1,484
• Total Prize Pool: USD 1,439,480
• Players in the Money (ITM): 186
Flight Breakdown
• Day 1A: 334 entries, 42 advanced
• Day 1B: 471 entries, 59 advanced
• Day 1C: 679 entries, 85 advanced
Top 10 Chip Leaders Heading into Day 2
Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds (BB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Carlos Hidalgo | Estonia | 1,413,000 | 141 |
2 | Najeem Ajez | Australia | 1,313,000 | 131 |
3 | Manuel Carvalho | Portugal | 1,116,000 | 112 |
4 | Kaifan Wang | USA | 943,000 | 94 |
5 | Mike Takayama | Philippines | 927,000 | 93 |
6 | Patrik Demus | Iceland | 903,000 | 90 |
7 | Marius Kudzmanas | Lithuania | 878,000 | 88 |
8 | George Tomescu | Romania | 878,000 | 88 |
9 | Jinlong Hu | China | 878,000 | 88 |
10 | Raffaele Sorrentino | Italy | 870,000 | 87 |
Highlights
• Carlos Javier Hidalgo leads the field with an impressive 141 big blinds, setting the tone for a dominant Day 2 performance.
• Najeem Ajez and Manuel Carvalho sit close behind in second and third place, both with stacks exceeding 100 big blinds.
• With several world-class players in the Top 10, Day 2 is set for an intense battle as everyone chases the $233,680 top prize and the prestige of becoming the next WPT Prime Cambodia Champion.
Red Dragon Poker APP Officially Launched
The long-established tournament brand Red Dragon Cup has now released its own app — “Red Dragon Poker.”
The Red Dragon Cup is a well-known Asian poker brand with a strong reputation across the region. Originating in Macau, it quickly became one of the most influential poker events in Asia. Red Dragon Poker tournaments regularly attract players from all over the world, offering massive fields and impressive prize pools.
For those interested, we highly recommend downloading the “Red Dragon Poker” app to join more exciting tournaments.