Beyond Vegas, Paradise or Prague – Jeju Emerges as December’s APAC Poker Alternative
There is no shortage of poker series in December, with Las Vegas, The Bahamas and Prague, Czech Republic among the most popular choices. Jeju, South Korea now joins this list of premier poker destinations with the launch of the Gods of Poker Series. Jeju is a natural choice for players in Asia thanks to its visa-free entry for many nationalities, direct flights from major cities, and its growing importance in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) poker market.
Gods of Poker: Eden Awakens
The Gods of Poker is a new live series founded by Lloyd Fontillas and his experienced team, focused on delivering premium mid- to high-stakes tournaments. The debut festival, “Eden Awakens,” runs from December 5–14, 2025, at Les A Casino (formerly Landing Casino) inside the Jeju Shinhwa World integrated resort. The schedule features around 80 tournaments with a total guaranteed prize pool of approximately 2 billion Korean won (about 1.5 million USD). The Main Event alone carries a 1 billion won guarantee (roughly 725,000 USD) with a 2 million won buy-in (approximately 1,480 USD).
Tournament formats and buy-ins
The series offers a wide variety of formats, including single-day High Rollers, Mystery Bounties, PLO, Big O, Limit Triple Draw, PLO with double-board bomb pots and 8-Game mixed events. Aphrodite’s Events—women-only tournaments—run almost daily, giving female players dedicated opportunities to compete. Low, mid and high buy-ins are all available, with low buy-ins ranging from ₩450,000–₩900,000, mid-stakes up to ₩2,000,000 and high rollers up to ₩10,000,000.
APAC focus and 2026 schedule
Eden Awakens is the opening chapter of the Gods of Poker narrative and is set to become a compelling APAC option thanks to player-friendly structures, a strong community focus and a premium resort setting in Jeju. The festival offers players across Asia—and international travelers—a chance to experience a world-class poker environment without leaving the region.
Confirmed 2026 chapters include:
The Titan Assembly – January 8–18, 2026 – CTP Asia Poker Arena, Taipei, Taiwan
The Coiled Path – March 26–April 5, 2026 – NagaWorld, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The Prophecy Unfolds – May 15–24, 2026 – Paradise City, Incheon, South Korea
The Trial of Wisdom – September 18–27, 2026 – CTP Asia Poker Arena, Taipei, Taiwan
The Labyrinth Trail – October 30–November 8, 2026 – Paradise City, Incheon, South Korea
The Olympus Return – December 14–23, 2026 – Les A Casino, Jeju, South Korea
FAQ
Where is Jeju and how do I get there?
Jeju is a volcanic island in the East China Sea, off the southern coast of South Korea, known for its dramatic landscapes, waterfalls and unique flora and fauna. The island is served by Jeju International Airport, which offers both domestic and international flights from major Asian hubs.
I have never been to Jeju for poker – what can I expect?
The Gods of Poker team has prepared a detailed player guide covering travel, the resort, the casino and practical tips for first-time visitors to Jeju. You can read the guide here.
I still have questions – who can I contact?
The Gods of Poker team is available to assist with any remaining questions.
This article was written by the Globetrotting Poker team with support from AI content tools and Human editors.