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Xing Biao Zhu: Chatting with a Rising Chinese Poker Pro

Xing Biao Zhu has burst onto the Asian poker scene in some style this year, picking up a staggering 18 cashes in the first two months of 2018. He is quickly becoming an early contender for the PokerStars Asia Player of the Year title despite only being a part of the live circuit since 2016. His first year in the game was unremarkable, but 2017 gave the world a taste of what Zhu was capable of, as he racked up 43 cashes across the continent.

Xing Biao Zhu
Xing Biao Zhu

It is worth noting that Zhu is not simply min-cashing but has picked up multiple final tables and five-figure scores along the way. His latest cash was an 8th place finish at APPT Macau for HKD$16,300 (US$2,078). Zhu was kind enough to talk to Somuchpoker and answer a few questions about his rise.

SMP: When and why did you start playing poker? When did you decide to make a living from it?

Zhu: I was into e-sports at first and my friends who were also playing video games introduced me to no-limit Holdem.

I don’t think my poker level was already good enough to make a living from poker, I just simply fell in love with the game.

Poker is a very complex game from a strategic standpoint.

SMP: You are focusing your energy on live tournaments. Why did you choose this format?

Zhu: Because I love it. I have a great passion for it. I really enjoy the feeling of competing with other people’s minds.

SMP: You are currently leading the world rankings in terms of cashes (In the Money Finishes). How do you feel about that?

Zhu: Finishing in the money doesn’t mean a lot for me, as it only says I play a lot, or that I’m lucky! Lots of players play better than me, they just compete at a higher level. It’s harder to play as many tournaments at that level, so they simply don’t play as many as I did.

SMP: What are your short-term and long-term goals as a player?

Zhu: In the short-term, I think I’m going to play more small tournaments. Hopefully I can learn and gain more experience until I feel comfortable enough to move up in stakes.

SMP: Do you have any mentors or Idols?

Zhu: I have a lot of respects for the following Chinese pros:

  • Hao Su (also a former e-sports player)
  • Lin Wu (just won the APPT Macau Main Event)
  • Yifan Zheng (winner of MPC28 Main Event)

SMP: What is your biggest tournament win? And your biggest pot in cash games?

Zhu: My biggest win in a tournament was around US$40,000 (WPT Beijing Main Event 2017).

My biggest win in cash games was around US$20,000

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Louis Hartwell

Graduated in Media Communication at the University of Lausanne, Louis Hartman is a co-founder of somuchpoker.com. He began his career in Cambodia as freelance journalist. In same time he was making his living by playing poker every night at that time. Intense learner, he read dozens of poker strategy books to improve his skills during many years. With a strong interest about poker "behind the scene" in Asia and his communication skills, Louis launched Somuchpoker in 2014.

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