Two years after finishing runner-up, Jianfeng Sun finally took the trophy. The 2026 Asian Poker Tour Jeju Main Event ended with Sun winning $315,639 and his first APT main event title, according to Card Player's coverage published October 5, 2026. The finish had a twist, though: because of a heads-up deal, runner-up Steve Ng of Singapore actually collected the larger payout. The result is a useful case study in deal making, final-table chip leads, and the way payouts can differ from trophies.
The Event
The APT Jeju Main Event was a no-limit hold'em tournament with a KRW 2,700,000 buy-in, about $1,907. It drew 679 entries across four starting flights, pushing the prize pool past the KRW 2.2 billion guarantee by KRW 1 billion and to more than $2.3 million. After four days of combined-field play at LES A Casino, 72 players cashed and eight reached the final day. The top four finishers each earned six figures.
A Card Player Player of the Year line shows what the winner earned beyond cash: 840 points. Sun's career earnings now exceed $1.9 million, and with 2,032 points across eight final tables he sits just outside the top 200 in the 2026 POY standings. Our earlier APT Jeju coverage includes the Super High Roller win by Teeraphat Rangkatekarn.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Payout | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jianfeng Sun | $315,639 | 840 |
| 2 | Steve Ng | $331,548 | 700 |
| 3 | Kwang Chung Tan | $166,233 | 560 |
| 4 | Toby Joyce | $123,114 | 420 |
| 5 | Weimin Chen | $96,213 | 350 |
| 6 | Jiawei Wan | $72,449 | 280 |
| 7 | Erdun Xu | $55,389 | 210 |
| 8 | Shuang Qiu | $39,296 | 140 |
| 9 | Changliang Sun | $30,252 | 70 |
Notice that second place paid more than first. That is the product of the heads-up deal Sun and Ng agreed to before the final stage of play.
How the Final Table Unfolded
Sun began the final table as the chip leader. Early on, his ace-king eliminated Shuang Qiu's pocket kings in eighth place, a hand that every poker player knows is a notable underdog result but one that happens often enough. He later flopped trips to win a big pot.
Toby Joyce, a WSOP bracelet winner, lost a big preflop coin flip to Steve Ng and finished fourth. Ng went into heads-up play with a lead of just over 3:2 after Kwang Chung Tan, the short stack, was eliminated in third when his all-in was overtaken on the turn.
Before the heads-up match began, Sun and Ng agreed to a deal that flattened the payouts. The deal left the title and about $17,600 to play for. From there, Sun took the lead and built more than a 4:1 chip advantage. On the final hand, Ng opened on the button with king-ten, and Sun shoved from the big blind with ace-four. Ng called, and the board ran out Q♣7♦6♣3♦2♦, giving Sun the pot with ace-high.
Understanding the Deal
Heads-up deals are common in live poker, and they often cause confusion. In this case, both players agreed to split most of the remaining prize money in a way that reflected their chip counts, leaving a small amount and the trophy as the prize for the winner. Because Ng held the chip lead going into heads-up play, the deal paid him more than the standard payout schedule would have. After the trophy hand, Ng's total of $331,548 was higher than Sun's $315,639, even though Sun lifted the Gold Lion trophy.
Why would a player with the chip lead take a deal? Reasons include reducing variance and locking in a large sum. Why would a player with fewer chips accept? Because the deal usually reflects the chip proportions, and the title may carry extra value for sponsorships, reputation, or personal goals. In Sun's case, he said he badly wanted the win and the seat that comes with it. Pokertube's weekly roundup noted that the win also earns him a seat in the APT Championship in Taipei in November.
Deals are typically calculated using ICM, the Independent Chip Model, or a chip-chop formula. Our glossary page on ICM explains how stack sizes translate to equity in prize money, and our poker strategy hub covers related final table decisions.
The Value of Experience
Sun finished second in this same event two years ago, which gave him knowledge of the venue, format, and pressure. Entering the final table as chip leader was an advantage: he could apply pressure, use his stack to attack short stacks, and avoid marginal confrontations. A chip lead at a final table is worth more than its raw numbers, because opponents must fold hands they would otherwise play.
His preflop all-in on the final hand with ace-four from the big blind also demonstrates a core principle: heads-up with a big chip lead, you can shove a wide range because the opponent's calling range is limited by the risk of losing. Ace-four is a hand with good equity against a wide range of button opens. Our poker odds page shows the numbers, and you can test hand matchups yourself with the poker odds calculator.
Asia's Growing Live Scene
The APT Jeju result also highlights how big Asia's tournament circuit has become. A field of 679 entries for a roughly $1,900 buy-in is substantial, and the prize pool beat the guarantee by KRW 1 billion. Jeju has been a hub for poker in 2026, with Triton and other series in town; see our Triton Jeju II results roundup and our KPC Jeju guide for more context.
For players outside Asia, the takeaway is that live poker is global, and festivals frequently offer value through large guarantees and overlays.
What It Means for Players
Here are practical lessons from Sun's win.
First, understand deals before you need them. If you reach a final table, know how ICM and chip-chop calculations work and whether a deal beats your estimated equity. Do not accept a deal without checking the math. Our ICM guide is a good starting point.
Second, appreciate the value of chip leads. Sun's early lead helped him dominate decisions. When you are the chip leader, apply pressure but avoid unnecessary risks.
Third, learn from past results. Sun's runner-up finish two years earlier was part of his path. Review hands, note mistakes, and return stronger.
Fourth, plan your bankroll for festival travel. International events involve travel and lodging costs on top of the buy-in. Our bankroll management guide helps you budget.
Fifth, consider online qualifiers and satellites to reduce costs. See our tournaments page and real money poker guide for sites with satellites, and check the bonus page for offers.
The Bottom Line
Jianfeng Sun's APT Jeju Main Event win was a story of persistence, a chip lead used well, and a heads-up deal that made the runner-up the bigger earner. He collected $315,639, a trophy, 840 POY points, and a ticket to the APT Championship, while Steve Ng walked away with $331,548. For players, the lessons are about preparation, math, and knowing exactly what is at stake when a deal is on the table.