"Prince of Billiards" Ko Ping-Chung Dejected After Missing 10 Million Yuan Prize on One Mistake

The "Prince of Billiards," Ko Ping-Chung, experienced a devastating loss in the 2026 Duya Legends Chinese 9-ball Global Finals, missing out on a potential 10 million yuan (approximately $1.37 million USD) prize due to a critical error. The Taiwanese player was in a strong position during his quarterfinal match against China's Chu Bingjie, trailing 60-65 with a chance to win.

Ko had possession and the opportunity to clear the table for a significant comeback. However, he missed a shot on the 7-ball, a mistake that proved costly. Chu Bingjie then stepped in, secured the win, and advanced, leaving Ko to contemplate the immense financial loss. He later shared a self-deprecating post on social media, noting that the single missed shot cost him an estimated tens of millions of yuan, especially when factoring in potential sponsor bonuses.

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Unlocked a new life achievement, one ball conservatively estimated to be worth over 10 million.

The tournament itself offered a record-breaking prize pool, doubling the previous championship bonus to 10 million yuan, which attracted top players globally. Taiwan sent a large contingent, including the Ko brothers, but Ko Ping-Chung was the last Taiwanese player remaining in the quarterfinals. His defeat meant the substantial prize money would remain with the Chinese players, as the final four included Wu Jiaqing, Chu Bingjie, Zhou Long, and Zheng Xiaohuai.

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Big brother hasn't spoken all night.