Jessica Bian Hong Yang Wins WPT Korea

It took 15 WPT seasons before Ema Zajmovic became the first woman to win a WPT Main Event on the Main Tour back in February this year. Fortunately, women have been more successful on the felt of the WPT National Main Events with three winners so far: Natalia Nikitina (2011), Mette-Louise Christiansen (2014), and Irina Nikolaidi (2015). This weekend a 4th name joined the winner’s circle, when Canadian poker pro Jessica Bian Hong Yang won WPT Korea Main Event.

Bian Hong Yang outlasted a 174-player field to take home the title, the trophy and the KRW 56.992,000 ($50,256) up top. Bian Hong Yang finished Day 1B as the chip leader, and even though she entered the final table fourth in chips and relatively short stacked, she was able to seal the deal, beating poker pro Iori Yogo from Japan heads up.

In what became the final hand of the night, Bian Hong Yang raised all in over an open from Yogo, who found himself way behind with deuces versus Bian Hong Yang’s pocket eights. The board did not change anything, and Bian Hong Yang was crowned WPT champion.

This is only the fourth cash of Bian Hong Yang’s career according to the Hendon Mob. Prior to winning WPT Korea her best result was a 7th place finish in an Asian Poker King Tournament in 2011.

Congrats to Jessica Bian Hong Yang on an impressive performance.