Xu Jieming won the Red Dragon Cup PLUS Main Event, becoming the Red Dragon King.
Red Dragon Cup PLUS Finals Day: The highly anticipated showdown
The 2026 Red Dragon Cup PLUS Series reached its climax with the Main Event Final Day. As the grand finale of the entire tournament, nine top players emerged victorious after numerous rounds of fierce competition, gathering at the final table to make their final push for the Red Dragon Championship trophy and bracelet, symbols of ultimate glory. The atmosphere was tense and exciting, with players' families and friends gathered to support them, making the outcome unpredictable from the very beginning.
Final table start: Fast pace and rapid elimination
With the blind structure adjusted to 36 hands per level, players have more room to maneuver, but the pressure has also increased dramatically. All-in duels soon emerged in the tournament.
- 9th place: Wang Zuyou(98 of a kind is no match for 99)
- 8th place: Wei Guoliang(55 collided with JJ and was eliminated)
The rapid early eliminations demonstrate the intense competition at the final table.
Classic showdown: AA's defeat by KK ignites the entire arena.
As the game entered its crucial stages, a classic "rivalry" showdown unfolded:
- Li Zehao: AA
- Yu Yunchao: KK
After the flop, AA still held the lead, but the turn card K completely reversed the situation, shocking everyone. This hand became one of the turning points of the entire game, allowing Yu Yunchao to continue expanding his chip advantage.
Intense battles in the mid-to-late game: clashes between experts with ever-changing situations
As the number of participants decreases, the game enters a deeper strategic phase:
- 6th Place: Ivan Karatayeu (JJ lost to QQ)
- 5th Place: Naohiro Matsuda (KJ lost to AK)
As the chips on the field were constantly being reshuffled, Xu Jieming gradually rose to prominence and began to challenge Yu Yunchao's leading position.
Three-on-one showdown: Xu Jieming's key move in turning the tide
After entering the three-player table, American player Christian Harder rose to prominence, at one point holding more than 60% chips.
In the crucial moment:
- Xu Jieming: K♣10♣
- Yu Yunchao: A♥J♦
The King on the river card helped Xu Jieming complete a comeback, directly eliminating Yu Yunchao (third place) and successfully advancing to heads-up.
Four-hour duel: An epic showdown crowns a champion.
The one-on-one duel between Xu Jieming and **Christian HarderThe match unfolded between two sides, with a chip difference of approximately 10 million, indicating their similar strength.
The match lasted for more than 4 hours, during which both sides doubled their bets multiple times, resulting in a close and evenly matched contest.
Final winning hand:
- Xu Jieming: A♣10♣
- Harder: A♦5♦
The turn card, a 10, established an advantage, and with no change on the river, Xu Jieming successfully secured the victory.
Xu Jieming wins the championship: The Red Dragon King is born.
After a long and arduous battle, Xu Jieming finally won the Red Dragon Cup PLUS Main Event, successfully becoming the "Red Dragon King." Christian Harder, on the other hand, made a stunning comeback from the shortest yard to the runner-up position.
Champion Interview: The Perfect Blend of Skill and Mentality
After the competition, Xu Jieming shared the key to his success:
Career Path
- I first encountered international poker in Jeju Island in 2019.
- Nearly $700,000 in live prize money accumulated over three years
Game Strategy
- Skilled in small pot control
- Emphasis on card reading and psychological pressure
- Emphasizing "acting skills" to influence opponents' decisions
Key to winning the championship
- Q9's key plays in the one-on-one phase turned the tide of the game.
- Maintain a stress-free mindset throughout.
Event Summary: Reaching New Heights
This year's Red Dragon Cup PLUS features a total of 67 matches:
- Number of participants: Over 6,600
- Total prize pool: Over 11.7 billion Korean won
The series has come to a successful close, and the next stop will be in Jeju Island in July to continue the legend.
Specific Scenario Retrospective: Key Decisions in Different Situations
Certain scenarios can drastically alter decision-making logic, such as tournament pressure, chip depth, positional structure, range matchups, and betting patterns.
When you enter different situations, the correct approach isn't just about looking at your hand, but about understanding the overall context. The following specific scenarios and core themes are key to influencing wins and losses and long-term profitability:
I. Special Scenarios in the Championship
[ICM Pressure] How to make decisions in the ICM tournament scenario?
[Bubble Phase] Should we be aggressive or conservative during the Bubble phase?
[Final Table] How should key moves be handled?
[Short Code Strategy] How should Short Stack be typed?
[Deep Stack Strategy] What are the differences in how Deep Stack is played?
[Blind Stealing Strategy] How to consistently steal blinds in tournaments?
【Stealing Blinds vs. Counter-Stealing Blinds】Strategies for Countering Blinds in the Bubble Phase
[Middle Chip Dilemma] Why is the middle chip the hardest to beat?
[Pressure Transfer] How to transfer ICM pressure to the opponent?
[Final Table Mindset] How to go from the final table to the championship?
[Chip Management] How to control risk and avoid collapse?
[Complete Tournament Strategy] The entire process from entry to victory
II. Core of the Underlying Strategy
[Position Advantage] How to play in different positions? A complete analysis of BTN / CO / SB / BB
[Range Thinking] Why do expert players look at the range instead of their hand?
[3-bet strategy] When should you raise your bet? How to counter your opponent's opening?
How does bet sizing affect your EV?
[Betting Line] How to design a complete Flop / Turn / River Line?
Fold Equity: How can you win without showing your cards?
III. Practical Decision-Making After the Cards Are Flipped
[C-bet Strategy] When should you continue betting?
[Turn Strategy] Should we fire the second shot?
[River Decision] Should the last street be Value or Bluff?
When should you retaliate?
[Blocker Application] What is a blocking sign? How does it influence decision-making?
[Range Shrinking] How to understand your opponent's range step by step?
IV. Advanced Competition and Professional Mindset
[Exploit Strategy] How to achieve stable profits for different player types?
[GTO vs Exploit] How to choose in actual combat?
[Result Bias] Why do I still lose even when I guess correctly?
[Decision-making process] How do experts make the right decisions quickly?
Why does overconfidence actually lead to more losses?
[Emotional Management] How to avoid Tilt?
How to establish a stable profit-making mindset for long-term EV (Electronic Vehicle) businesses?
V. Common Hand Issues and Practical Problems
[All-in Decision] When should you go all in?
[Missed Card] What should I do if I missed?
[Slow Play Judgment] When should you slow play?
Why do expert players rarely play marginal hands?
[Key Fold] When should you fold?
VI. Basics for Beginners and Traffic Sources
[Starting Hand Strategy] A Complete Guide for Beginners
Texas Hold'em Rules: Complete Gameplay Tutorial (2026 Latest Version)
[Poker Card Rankings] Card Rankings and Comparison Rules
Texas Hold'em Terminology: A Complete Guide from Beginner to Advanced Players
How to win money in Texas Hold'em? A complete analysis of the thought process.
Different scenarios require entirely different decision-making logic. From tournament pressure and chip depth to position, range, and post-flop strategy, each situation demands a different framework for thinking. When you can systematically understand these specific situations, you're no longer just playing by feel, but truly establishing a sustainable and profitable decision-making system.