WPT Prime Playground Championship: Yunkyu Song Claims Victory in an Epic Tournament

On a thrilling Friday night, the World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime Playground Championship concluded with an unexpected twist of cards and fates. Out of an impressive field of 1,587 players across four starting flights, it was Yunkyu Song who emerged victorious, snatching the coveted title along with a handsome CAD $241,620 first-place prize and a seat in December’s WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas.

Poker enthusiasts and competitors alike flocked to the event, where the stakes were high and the action was intense. The PokerNews team, including Liam Gannon, David Salituro, and Ryan Lashmar, was present to capture the pivotal moments, including five standout hands that showcased the skill, strategy, and luck that are essential in high-stakes poker.

What a Hero Call!

The excitement ramped up on Day 2 during Level 23, where only 34 players remained. The tension reached its peak when Timothy Rutherford made a min-raise to 80,000 from the cutoff. Senthuran Vijayaratnam, defending his big blind, saw a flop of 10♦ 7♣ 4♥. After a series of check-calls and bets, the river brought a 2♠, and Vijayaratnam found himself in a precarious position.

With Rutherford betting 850,000 into the pot, Vijayaratnam took a moment to think before heeding his gut instinct and calling with Q♦ 4♦ for just fourth pair. Astonishingly, it was the right decision, revealing Rutherford’s bluff with A♥ J♣. This pot not only propelled Vijayaratnam up to 111 big blinds but also led to Rutherford’s early exit in 31st place.

Cooler Deep on Day 2

As Day 2 progressed, the pressure mounted further with only 30 players left in the game. Tension heightened in Level 24 when Yunkyu Song made his move by raising to 100,000 from the cutoff. Srikanth Gundela responded with a jam for 705,000 from the button, prompting Song to snap-call.

Gundela showed pocket queens, while Song confidently revealed pocket kings. The board dramatically unfolded with a flop of 10♠ 9♠ J♠, giving Gundela a straight flush draw but leaving him needing the right cards to stay in the game. Despite his hopes, the turn and river brought no help for Gundela, sending him home in 30th place with a consolation prize of CAD 6,287.

Raymond Carter’s Kings Deposed

During Day 3, the competition intensified as only 13 players remained in Level 28. Raymond Carter was initially holding the edge with his pocket kings against Zeyu Huang, who had a flush draw with A♥ 9♥ after the Q♠ 6♥ 4♥ flop. In a dramatic turn of events, the K♠ revealed on the turn improved Carter to a set, solidifying his lead.

However, fortune turned cruelly when the river fell the 3♥, granting Huang a winning flush and knocking Carter down to a 13th-place finish with CAD 15,400. It was a heart-wrenching moment echoed by the sympathy of fellow players around the table.

Huang Set Up to End Four-Handed Play

The stakes were raised in a critical confrontation during four-handed play at the final table. On Hand #39, Zeyu Huang raised under the gun and was met by a call from Yunkyu Song. When the flop revealed Q♣ 6♠ 3♠, Huang bet 1.8 million, capturing Song’s attention. After an aggressive raise by Song, Huang pushed all-in, only to discover that Song had flopped a set with 6♣ 6♦ against Huang’s Kings.

The turn brought a J♦ while the river revealed a 9♥, ultimately sending Huang packing in fourth place with a significant payout of CAD 85,000.

Another Bad Beat to End the Tournament

As the tournament approached its climactic finish, Kevin Rivest faced off against Yunkyu Song in Hand #167 of the final table—a nail-biter in Level 34. Rivest initially held the upper hand with A♦ Q♦ against Song’s A♣ J♣. However, fate had different plans when the flop came down K♣ J♠ 5♦, giving Song a pair and altering the dynamics of the pot.

As the turn and river revealed 3♠ and 4♥, Rivest’s predicament solidified, leaving him to settle for second place and a respectable CAD 152,000.

Conclusion

The WPT Prime Playground Championship was a testament to the unpredictability and thrill of live poker. From game-changing hands to moments of sheer frustration, the tournament delivered excitement at every turn. Yunkyu Song’s ultimate triumph not only showcased his skill and tenacity but also solidified his place among the elite in the world of professional poker.

As the PokerNews team continues to cover the WPT Playground, players and fans can look forward to more riveting stories and insights from the felt in the days to come.

Photos courtesy of World Poker Tour (WPT) / Alicia Skillman