Poker Dream 20 Malaysia: Genting’s Massive Turnout Raises the Stakes for the Season

Huang’s Reaction to the Win

Moments after being crowned the champion of the PD20 Main Event in Genting, Huang sat down with host Veronica to discuss his journey through the massive field of 1,600 players and the aggressive tactical plays that secured his victory.

I… actually find it quite hard to believe. Throughout the entire journey, I was the chip leader for a long time, but there was a point in the middle where my stack size actually dropped. However, I managed to hold on and persevere until the end.

Reflecting on the final table, Huang identified one high-stakes decision that defined his tournament.

I think the most crucial hand was at the Final Table when I was the second-largest stack. The chip leader went all-in against the button—essentially trying to bully him of the pot. I was holding ace-queen suited. I was weighing the ICM pressure heavily in my mind, but in the end, I couldn’t resist the lure of the championship and I made the call. I ended up winning that hand, and it changed everything.

Throughout the broadcast, Huang was noted for his psychological warfare, often showing his bluffs to the table. For him, it was a calculated move rather than just a personality trait.

Whether I’m showing a bluff or chatting with people at the table, it is all about information—either trying to gain some from my opponents or feeding them specific information. I think most of us poker players operate the same way in that regard.

Despite the gruelling ten-hour sessions each day, Huang felt right at home in the Genting environment.

I think the experience here has been great, especially the temperature. Back in China, it is currently winter and very cold, so this has been a very comfortable place to hold a tournament and play. The warmth of the staff here made it just as pleasant.

As he prepared to celebrate his career milestone, Huang already had his sights set on the next chapter of the tour.

I just want to say: everyone is welcome to come and join us for PD21!

First In, Last Out: Xu Shines in SHR Finale

The MYR 20,000 Super High Roller was a masterclass in high-stakes tournament poker, delivering two days of elite competition that gripped the regional poker circuit. From the moment the first cards were dealt, the event established itself as a heavyweight showdown, ultimately attracting 73 entries and creating a massive MYR 1,198,733 (~USD 305,000) prize pool. The action was defined by a shift in power: beginning with South Korea’s Juyeol Lee , who dominated Day 1 to bag a towering lead of 2,460,000 chips, and concluding with China’s Yuan Xu , whose performance on the final day secured him the trophy and a payout of MYR 274,111 (~USD 69,500) following an ICM deal.

The tournament was defined by huge swings and high-level play over two intense days. Early on, players like Julian Warhurst survived miracle runouts, while veterans like Yang Zhang and Winfred Yu used their vast experience to bully their way through a field of 22 returning survivors. The pressure reached a boiling point at the money bubble, where “Mr Poker Dream” himself became the final casualty in a tough confrontation against Lee, officially paving the way for the final 11 players to secure their return on investment. As the final table unfolded, a series of rapid-fire knockouts saw seasoned pros like Sean Ooi and start-of-day leader Lee fall, leaving Yuan Xu and Yujian Eugene Zhou to battle for the title. Xu’s victory not only adds another Poker Dream trophy to his mantle but also cements his status as one of the region’s most consistent high-stakes forces, pushing his career earnings past the $460,000 milestone.

The Poker Dream series is celebrated for its diversity, offering niche events that cater to every type of poker enthusiast. This year’s “specialty” winners have showcased incredible talent and deep poker resumes:

Ladies Event (#24): Kar Mun Lim emerged victorious over 134 entries to take home MYR 7,500. This victory adds to her consistent track record in regional women’s events.

In addition to the high-stakes action of the Super High Roller, Poker Dream 20 introduced a unique twist to the festival with the #36 Influencer Invitational. This event debuted a new format known as “Magic Poker,” which added an extra layer of strategy and unpredictability to the traditional game through the use of special ability cards.

The game featured a series of “Magic Cards” that players could deploy to alter the course of a hand. These power-ups included:

Magic Card	Function	When to Use
Chip Leader Swap	Swap stacks with the chip leader.	Before the cards are dealt.
Chip Steal	Take 50% from a player who has a bigger stack than you at your table.	Before the cards are dealt.
Redraw River	Re-draw the river card.	When the river is dealt.
Reborn	Re-enter at the same table and start with 50% of average stack size.	When eliminated.
Peek a Card	Look at one of an opponent’s cards in any period of the hand.	During the hand.
Force Dead Money	Force a player to pay 50% of his/her chips into the pot on the next hand (dead money).	Before the cards are dealt.
Steal Magic Card	Take another player’s Function Card.	Before the cards are dealt.
Shield	Block one Function Card used on you.	When the function card is used by someone else.
Blank	No power. If stolen, draw a new good card.	None.

The Champion: Zhiyong Ye

China’s Zhiyong Ye proved to be the most adept at navigating this magical landscape, ultimately lifting the trophy to become the inaugural Magic Poker champion.

For his victory, Zhiyong secured a prize package that included MYR 10,000 in Tournament Credits. Additionally, the win earned him an exclusive dinner with the event’s hosts, Grant and Veronica, capping off a unique and successful debut for the format at Resorts World Genting.

A signature highlight of the festival is the Dream Player of the Year (DPOY) race, a prestigious leaderboard that rewards the most consistent performers across the series. Every deep run and final table finish counts, pushing players to diversify their game across the wide range of mixed-game, high-roller, and specialty events. Beyond the prestige, the winner of the 2026 flagship award will walk away with a prize package valued at $15,000.

Currently, Singapore’s Yujian Eugene Zhou holds the top spot with a commanding lead. With some continued momentum he could be looking to claim the coveted title back-to-back years; however, several players making deep runs in the Main Event, including Sean Ooi  and Joris Michl , are hot on his heels in the top 10.

Current DPOY Top 10 Rankings

Looking Ahead: Schedule for 2026

As the final cards fall at Resorts World Genting, the focus of the poker community shifts to the long road ahead in the 2026 season. This festival was just the beginning of what promises to be a record-breaking year for the tour, with the race for the Dream Player of the Year (DPOY)now officially underway. This year, the stakes are higher than ever with the introduction of the Ladies Player of the Year (LPOY) and Regional Player of the Year (RPOY) awards, offering more players a chance to secure their legacy and a share of the prestigious prize packages.

The tour shows no signs of slowing down as it prepares for a packed schedule across Asia’s premier poker destinations. While more stops may be announced, regulars and high rollers alike are already marking their calendars for the upcoming festivals: