SPC XVI

Event Report

After a long hiatus, the Singapore Poker Championships (SPC) finally made its triumphant post-COVID return aboard the MV Aegean Paradise from March 14-16, 2025. As the poker faithful returned to the high-seas once more, we saw Peh Bing Long emerge victorious in the Mini-Roller event, claiming the first title of SPC XVI in dramatic fashion. Meanwhile the indomitable Lim Min Soon made history at the SPC once again by picking up his 2nd Main Event Title, and Mark Quek celebrated his first SPC cash in style by winning the SPC’s inaugural Mystery Bounty event.

The SPC Mini-Roller

The Mini-Roller kicked off at 9 PM on Friday, March 14, drawing a competitive field of 72 entrants. With 31 formidable players advancing to Day 2, the battle for the trophy was bound to be fierce. Notable names like Aaron Lam, Calvin Tan, and Eugene Zhou were among those vying for the title, but as always, only one would eventually sit atop the summit.

Final Table Action

The final table saw an eclectic mix of seasoned SPC exponents and fresh faces, all steely-eyed and ready for battle. Short stack Chang Huang Piao was the first to fall, shoving Q6 from the button only to run into Peh Bing Long’s 74. A 7 on the flop sealed his fate, sending him to the rail in 9th.

Jayden Lim followed shortly after, his A5 unable to overcome Poon Khai Loon’s pocket 9s. The champion of SPX XII departs in 8th place.

John Low, sensing an opportunity, made a well-timed steal attempt, only to run into a raise from Peh Bing Long and an all-in shove from Warren Tang. Peh stepped aside, leaving John’s Q6 drawing thin against Warren’s pocket kings. No miracle arrived, and John exited in 7th.

Edwin Law found himself at the mercy of the Warren Tang express when his Q9 couldn’t outrun Warren’s KJ in a preflop all-in, sending him to the cashier in 6th for $3,700.

The Warren show continued as Chris Liao fell victim to a cold deck. On a Q-T-4-Q board, both players got it in, but Chris’s pocket kings were cracked by Warren’s trip queens. Chris collected $4,900 for his deep run but had to settle for 5th place.

At this point, Warren Tang held an imposing 70% of the chips in play. However, poker can be a cruel mistress, and the momentum quickly shifted as Peh, Corine Shi, and Poon Khai Loon chipped away at the runaway leader.

Warren’s Cinderella run ultimately came to an end in 4th place when his A6 was outdrawn by Corine’s A2. A remarkable first SPC outing for Warren, who pocketed $6,100 for his efforts.

Down to three, Poon Khai Loon’s steady play was rewarded with a podium finish, but his run came to an end when Peh Bing Long’s A5 rivered a straight to send him packing in 3rd place for $7,400.

Heads-Up Duel: Peh Bing Long vs. Corine Shi

In a battle fitting of SPC’s longest-running Mini-Roller, Corine Shi and Peh Bing Long locked horns in a tense heads-up match. Onlookers were hard-pressed to say which way the contest would end. Ultimately the excellent Corinne would come up just short. The final hand saw both players commit their stacks on an A-6-7-9 board, with Corine’s AT drawing dead against Peh’s 10-8 straight. Corine’s superb showing earned her a career-best SPC score of $12,000.

For Peh Bing Long, the largest spoils: the SPC Mini-Roller trophy and $18,800 in winnings. His first undoubtedly, of many SPC trophies to come.

The Natural8 Main Event

The Natural8 Main Event returned grand fashion aboard the MV Aegean over the weekend. The SPC set new records, drawing 332 entrants across three starting flights and setting a new prize pool high. The tournament saw 79 players qualify for Day 2, including former SPC champions Jaden Lim and Lim Min Soon, as well as a battle-hardened roster of final table regulars.

For the first time in SPC history, time banks and shot clocks were introduced, expediting play and adding another layer of strategic depth. The early levels of Day 2 were a bloodbath, with players tumbling out at a breakneck pace. Hand-for-hand play lasted no more than 10 hands before the unfortunate bubble boy fell, triggering an eruption of relieved applause from the in-the-money field.

Post-bubble play was a frenzy of eliminations and desperate double-ups as players jockeyed for position. However, the customary shift to survival mode kicked in as the field inched toward the final table.

Final Table Drama

The final table bubble burst in brutal fashion with a double elimination. Kenneth Anthony and Eugene Lim hit the rail simultaneously, meaning neither would occupy the coveted ninth seat.

Once the final eight was set, the tension ratcheted up.

SPC stalwart Calvin Tan was the first casualty at the FT, his A3 dominated by Marven Sim’s AQ. He bowed out in 8th place.

Shortly after, Brian Tay made his presence felt. The Malaysian raised from UTG+2 and quickly called Sebastian Tan’s button shove. Sebastian’s KJ was racing against Brian’s pocket tens, but the Q-T-3 flop put Sebastian on life support. A brick turn and river sealed his fate, sending him home in 7th place with $6,600.

Brian wasn’t done. He added Hsu Zhong Xun’s scalp next, his A2 holding up on a T-T-4-Q-4 board against Zhong Xun’s K9. Zhong Xun exited in 6th for $8,300.

Brian then made it three eliminations in a row when his K8 went to war against Brandon Yeo’s AQ. The board ran out 4-8-Q-K-8, giving Brian the win and sending Brandon to the rail in 5th with a $10,100 payday.

With Brian running rampant, one man began to mount a response—Lim Min Soon, the only Triple Crown winner in SPC history. Min Soon methodically chipped up before ending Teo Zi Sheng’s run. Teo’s late-position shove with T8 ran into Min Soon’s K4, and a 4 on the A-4-2 flop was all it took to send Teo packing in 4th place for $12,700.

The heads-up lineup came into focus when Marven Sim bowed out in 3rd. Calling off Min Soon’s K7 shove with Q7, Marven failed to connect on an A-T-3-K board, sealing his fate. He walked away with $16,700 for a fine run.

A Fitting Champion

Min Soon entered heads-up play with a slight chip lead over Brian Tay and immediately went to work. He won a succession of small pots post-flop, applying relentless pressure.

Short-stacked and in need of a double, Brian moved all in with KQ, only for Min Soon to wake up with KT. The A-T-3 flop turned the tables, leaving Brian drawing to just three outs. The turn and river both brought kings, locking in Min Soon’s second SPC Main Event title. Brian’s tremendous first SPC showing netted him $22,000.

As the chips were stacked and the trophy presented, Lim Min Soon dedicated his victory to the late Uncle Bob—a touching tribute to one of the SPC’s most beloved figures. His latest triumph added another page to his storied SPC legacy, along with a well-earned $35,000 payday.

The first SPC of the year was a resounding success, capped off by a masterclass performance from one of its great champions.

We thank you all for taking the time to attend, and we will see you at SPC XVII on June 13-15, 2025!