Every August, the southern coast of Hainan Island comes alive once again.
With its stunning beaches and rolling waves, Sanya transforms into the poker capital of China as the prestigious China Poker Games (CPG) returns for its annual grand finale.
Now celebrating its 13th year, the 10-day CPG Championship Grand Final once again takes center stage at the luxurious Howard Johnson Resort Sanya Bay, where the cards have been in the air since August 20, 2025, and play will continue through August 29.
The event marks not only the pinnacle of competitive poker in China but also a cultural celebration — a testament to how far the Chinese poker scene has evolved in just over a decade.
2025 Sanya CPG Championship Grand Final
Looking back at its remarkable journey, the China Poker Games (CPG) Grand Final has not only inspired domestic organizers but also made a lasting impact across the entire Asian poker scene.
As early as 2013, the Main Event already attracted over 1,000 players, building a prize pool worth seven figures in USD. That year, renowned high-stakes player Xuan Tan claimed the title, turning a modest ¥1,600 buy-in into ¥1,800,000 (~US$280,000).
By 2019, the series exploded in scale —the Main Event drew 3,132 entries and generated a prize pool of ¥29,700,000 (~US$4.1 million). Since then, CPG’s momentum has only grown stronger, with Main Event entries consistently surpassing 4,000.
Astonishingly, 98% of participants are Chinese players, underscoring the brand’s massive domestic following.
📊 Recent Highlights:
2023: 4,406 Main Event entries — Prize pool: ~US$6.5M
2024: 4,080 Main Event entries — Prize pool: ~US$5.5M
2024 Overall Festival: 91 events, total prize pool ¥106,380,000 (~US$15M), with 3,058 unique players
Beyond its impressive numbers, the CPG festival has earned praise for its diverse and accessible schedule.
Although this year’s overall duration is shorter, the daily lineup is denser and more varied, ensuring players of all levels can find high-value events every single day.
💡 Why Is CPG So Appealing?
What makes this annual festival so special?
Why do participation numbers keep rising, even with almost no international players in the field?
According to the organizers, there’s only one answer:
“CPG is not just about the prize pool — it’s a true celebration of the game itself.”
🏅 China’s “Olympic Stage” for Poker Players
For Chinese players, the CPG Grand Final in Sanya is akin to the Olympic Games —an event marked on every poker player’s calendar, whether amateur or professional.Everyone dreams of standing on that stage, facing off against the nation’s best.It’s not just about winning — it’s about being part of something bigger.
The scale alone feels “Olympic” in spirit:with over 4,000 entries, players from every corner of China converge in Sanya to compete in one grand arena.
And just like the Olympics blend sport and celebration, the CPG Grand Final merges world-class poker competition with Sanya’s beaches, cuisine, tourism, and cultural performances —creating an atmosphere that’s both festive and fiercely competitive, and uniquely Chinese in character.
CPG vs. WSOP — A Tale of Two Poker Worlds
When comparing the China Poker Games (CPG) to the World Series of Poker (WSOP), one thing becomes clear — both share the same vision.
WSOP stands as the pinnacle of global poker.
CPG Grand Final serves as its Chinese counterpart.
Both have evolved far beyond being just tournaments — they’ve become annual traditions, cultural milestones that players build their lives around. Structurally, both main events feature Freezeout formats, though CPG adds a repechage system, allowing players an extra shot to re-enter and chase glory.
🎉 A Celebration Beyond the Cards
One major difference separates CPG from WSOP — the prize pool is not the main driving force.
What keeps players coming back year after year is the spirit of competition and the festival atmosphere.
At CPG, poker is only part of the experience. Off the felt, the event transforms into a social and cultural celebration:
Nightly player buffets and networking events
Organized sightseeing and travel activities
Encouragement for players to bring family and friends
In Sanya, this isn’t just a poker tournament — it’s a shared experience. Friendships form as easily over dinner and on the beach as they do at the poker table.
🏅 Redefining Poker as a Sport
While the CPG may not yet have full international recognition, the organization firmly believes that if poker is to be recognized as a true sport — especially in Asia — its presentation and structure must evolve.Over the years, CPG has implemented a series of reforms aimed at professionalizing the game:
Advance Registration Policy:Players must register at least one day before the event.No same-day entries are allowed. Registration mirrors that of formal sporting events, requiring full forms and personal details.
Single-Day Freezeout Rule:All one-day events follow a strict Freezeout format.For multi-flight tournaments, players are allowed only one entry per flight, with no multiple-stack re-entries.
Non-Cash Mystery Bounty Rewards:In Mystery Bounty events, prizes are non-monetary, consisting of sponsored products or experience packages instead of cash.
No ICM or Deal-Making Allowed:Any form of prize-splitting or financial agreement is considered a major sports violation and may result in immediate disqualification.
🃏 The 2025 CPG Grand Final Main Event Begins
The 2025 CPG Championship Main Event officially kicked off on Saturday, August 23 at 12:00 PM.
The tournament features three starting flights, each with 60-minute levels and a strict Freezeout rule — once you’re out, you’re done for that flight.
The excitement was immediate:
327 players were seated when the opening bell rang.
Within two hours, entries surpassed 1,100, filling three tournament halls and over 120 tables.
By Level 6, entries climbed to 1,600, with 1,187 players still in action across four rooms.
🌟 Notable Players in Attendance
The field features a mix of top Chinese professionals and well-known international players:
Chinese Poker Stars: Luo Xixiang, Pu Weiran, Xu Zhiyuan
2025 WSOP Bracelet Winner: Wang Yilong
International Players: Tom Verbruggen, Grant Gardner, Emmanuel Derecho, Zhao Feng
Lord Poker Tour Representative: Ivan Zhang (张翼凡)
With its mix of competition, community, and celebration, the CPG Grand Final continues to redefine what poker means in Asia — not just as a game, but as a growing sport and a shared cultural experience.
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.