Poker continues to find an increasingly larger following across Asia
Poker’s growth across Asia is showing no signs of slowing, and a new tour aims to add even more momentum later this year. Gods of Poker (GOP), a fresh live tournament series created by longtime industry figures Lloyd Fontillas and Ray Chiu, is set to debut with an ambitious schedule and a player-focused approach.
The first official stop will be “Eden Awakens,” running December 5–14 at Landing Casino in Jeju, South Korea. That event will be followed by “The Titan Assembly” from January 8–18, 2026, at the CTP Asia Poker Arena in Taipei, Taiwan, and then “The Coiled Path” at NagaWorld in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from March 26–April 5, 2026. Backed by partners including CTP, JPPS, HKPPA, DK Poker Tour Booking, and iPoker — which is running online satellites — GOP already has a strong foundation for its launch.
Fontillas, who takes on the role of General Manager and Executive Tournament Director, and Chiu, serving as CEO, both have long histories in the Asian poker industry. Their experience leading the Asian Poker Tour gives GOP credibility from the outset. The pair emphasize that this new series will be about more than big prize pools — it will focus on fairness, community, and making the live poker experience more enjoyable.
Central to that goal is the introduction of the “Cronus Structure.” Unlike many tours with long late registration periods and short stacks for late entrants, GOP events will limit registration to just two levels while still offering playable stacks. Tournaments also begin later in the day, giving players time to enjoy local attractions before hitting the tables.
The team behind GOP says the goal is to create a welcoming environment where professionals and recreational players alike can feel part of a community. With plans to expand into more destinations across Asia and potentially online in the future, Gods of Poker looks ready to establish itself as a permanent part of the region’s poker calendar.
