Over the past several years, there has been a consistent rise in Asian attendance at the World Series of Poker as players from various countries across the region fervently compete for the highly sought-after bracelets. Although a number of them have triumphantly claimed the prestigious gold, it remains an elusive dream for others. Seen at today’s $10,000 No Limit Hold’em World Championship aka WSOP Main Event are four decorated Asian players hoping to finally turn that dream into a reality.

Kono Reiji

Online poker player from Japan, Kono Reiji, is back at the WSOP for a third consecutive year. He made his foray into live tournament poker at the 2021 WSOP for his inaugural live series and cashed in five times. Although his results didn’t reach remarkable heights, Kono returned in 2022, and once again achieved five cashes, this time with a more lucrative return.

Fast forward to 2023, Reiji secured his first major title at the World Poker Tour Prime Cambodia Main Event. He also earned his first six digit payout of USD 121,331. This summer, Reiji already has two WSOP cashes.

Flag: Japan
Major accomplishment: WPT Prime Cambodia Main Event
Largest live tournament cash: USD 121,331
WSOP career cashes: 12
Deepest WSOP run: 12th / 1,329 entries at 2022 WSOP $1K NLH Flip & Go

Abhishek Goindi

Unlike Kono, online player from India, Abhishek Goindi, first made his mark at the 2012 Macau Poker Cup – Red Dragon event where he placed 2nd for a USD 136K payday. It wasn’t until 2017 did he start frequenting the WSOP, returning in 2019 and every year since. He is the founder and coach of Poker Boot Camp India. In April, Goindi received the Instagram Blue Tick Meta Verified. 

Flag: India
Major accomplishment: Poker Boot Camp India
Largest live tournament cash: USD 136,245
WSOP cashes: 5 cashes
Deepest WSOP run: 47th / 9,399 entries at 2021 WSOP $400 COLOSSUS NLH

Yohwan Lim

In 2014, the poker world was thrilled at the arrival of StarCraft pro BoxeR who resumed his real name, Yohwan Lim, after retiring from gaming. His poker skills quickly advanced and in 2017 he attended the WSOP where he cashed minimally in two events. He returned in 2019 and again cashed lightly, this time in three events. In 2021, Lim’s cashes increased to four with a deep run at the $3K NLH event, finishing 18th out of 720 entries for USD 12,795.

Flag: South Korea
Major accomplishment: Back to back APT Championships victories
Largest cash: USD 88K
WSOP cashes: 15
Deepest WSOP run: 18th / 720 entries at 2021 WSOP $3K NLH

Quan Zhou

High roller Quan Zhou is one of the most highly achieved players from China and is the most decorated in this lineup. His long list of cashes and victories span all the way back to 2011 however his WSOP journey began in 2015 with just two small cashes.

Returning on 2016, Zhou picked up four cashes with a deep run at the $5K NLH (30 min. levels) for USD 27.8K. In 2019, he was on fire with 13 cashes which included a 14th place finish out of 2,477 entries  at the $1K NLH event for USD 17.5K.

Today, Zhou sits at the Main Event seeking his first bracelet. He already has 8 cashes with a deep run at Event 57: $25K PLO High Roller 8-Handed for USD 370.5K.

Flag: China
Major accomplishment: PokerStars Championship Macau
Largest cash: $469,009
WSOP cashes: 40 (mixes LV, WSOPE, and Online)
Deepest WSOP run: 6th out of 4490 entries at Event $25K PLO High Roller 8-Handed

*All photos by PokerGO (except of Quan Zhou)