Live poker in Southeast Asia has seen a surge in popularity over the last few years. Attendance has skyrocketed post-pandemic, and while regulatory challenges remain in some countries, the overall trend is clearly on the rise.
South Korea is one of the few countries in the region where residents are only permitted to gamble in a single local casino, meaning most poker events see few Korean players unless they hold dual citizenship. For the most part, however, international events here have drawn participants from outside the country, with a significant representation from China.
Super Cup Seoul 2024: A Unique Mind Sports Festival
On November 11-17, 2024, Seoul will host the Super Cup Seoul, an exciting festival bringing together four competitive mind sports with close to $2 million in prize money at stake. This event is an exception to typical poker regulations, as it takes place in an event center rather than a casino, allowing more players to participate under specific conditions.
Super Cup Mind Games Events
The festival kicks off on November 11 with the Super Cup Chess tournament, boasting a prize pool of KRW 3.5 million. Following this, November 12-13 will feature Janggi, a traditional Korean strategy board game, with KRW 10.7 million in prizes. Baduk, also known as Go, will be held on November 14-15, offering KRW 56.4 million in prizes. Known for its origins in ancient China, Baduk has a huge fan base worldwide.
Super Cup Poker Tournaments
The highlight of the event will be the poker tournaments, held at the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center near Seoul’s popular Gangnam district. The venue’s proximity to luxury shopping and vibrant nightlife makes it a convenient spot for the global poker community. With 18 poker tournaments on the schedule, these events come with a combined guarantee of 2.7 billion Korean Won (around $1.95 million).
The Main Event, running November 11-17, will feature a substantial guarantee of 1 billion KRW (approximately $720,000). Players have four starting days to try to secure a spot among the top 15% who advance to Day 2, with the tournament culminating in a grand finale on November 17.
High-stakes players can look forward to the Super High Roller and High Roller events, with guarantees of KRW 480 million and KRW 320 million, respectively. Other highlights include the Team Event and the Isabelle Ladies Event, named after the festival’s primary sponsor, the Isabelle Group. Organizers anticipate participants from more than 30 countries, making this a global gathering of mind sports and poker enthusiasts.
About the Isabelle Group
The Isabelle Group, South Korea’s sole domestic playing card producer, is a key sponsor of the event. Known for manufacturing a range of casino products, including RFID technology for live-streamed events, the company is partnering with industry giants to promote poker as a strategic sport. Their affiliations include prestigious poker brands like the Ace Poker League (APL), Asian Poker Tour (APT), World Poker Tour (WPT), Triton Poker, and more, reflecting their commitment to growing the game in Asia and beyond.