APT JEJU CLASSIC 2026: Tony Ren Lin Experience

Tony Ren Lin

Hello from Jeju!

Its day 8 of the APT Jeju Classic 2026 and things are winding down. As usual, it's always amazing to rekindle friendships and make new ones. I'm always happy for APT because of these opportunities. One of the best things was getting to fanboy over Tony Ren Lin and grab a selfie with him. This was even before he won the APT Super High Roller and follow it up with a win in the APT Superstar Challenge.

I wanted a picture with him for the simple reason that he is a person who faced adversity, accepted the consequences with grace and professionalism, then continued to be the person that he is. Last year, Tony Ren Lin was banned from the WSOP and removed from GGPoker as its ambassador following a "cheating-scandal." Lin made an apology, accepted the consequence and moved on. The WSOP suspension would be lifted and he would cash in WSOP Paradise, and while he may have lost his GGPoker ambassador-ship, an opportunity came for him to jump in with WPT Global. Funny thing is though that when he jumped in with WPT Global, there were some poker podcast ambassadors who jumped out because they didn't want to surround themselves with a "cheater." To those "haters" - life is too short to not be forgiving. The issue is dead and everyone should move forward from that incident. I mean -one mistake should not be the defining moment of any person. That's just too short-sighted. So yeah - I'm on the side of Lin and his rise from adversity and being his true bubbly self. Cheers to you, Tony!

Also, to let you all in on an inside scoop that I reported during the APT Super High Roller between 2025 GPI Player of the Year Punnat Punsri and Tony Ren Lin...

We were uncertain of the action that led to the moment, but Tony Ren Lin was on his big blind with the all in button in front of him and Punnat Punsri made the call on the button.

When the cards were on their backs...

Tony Ren Lin: A 7

Punnat Punsri: A K

Before the dealer dealt the flop, Lin was already commenting, "How do I beat the world number one?"

Then the flop came 2 7 T to give Lin the lead. The runout of 4 T maintained for Lin to book a huge double up while hurting Punsri back to a starting stack.

While the dealer was counting the 295,000 to be paid by Punsri, Lin joked around "Last year, you're number one. This year is my year and you will be second while giving a fist bump to a smiling Punsri."

While standing, he explained the action that just transpired over to friends at other tables, then turned back to Punsri, saying "I have a last man standing bet with them"

Punsri jokingly remarked, "And then you did this?"

Lin just laughed.

Anyway, Lin went on to win the APT Super High Roller the next day. He then followed that up by winning the APT Superstar Challenge - two major APT titles in quick succession. So maybe what he told Punnat is going to manifest itself after all. And I was there to witness it. Just feels nice to be at the right place, right time.