Chase Cokaliong: The Businessman Crushing High-Stakes Poker

Legends of Poker
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Beus Zsoldos
My journey in the world of poker (and later casino, sportsbetting) started more than 20 years ago, when I first attended a low-stakes live tournament. I’ve never looked back since, and have been active in several fields, including being a poker player, a live tournament director, writing online and offline articles about poker, and managing the localization of one of the world's largest online poker rooms. Poker is my home ground, I could never imagine doing a job that is not a part of it. I hope someday I’ll have more time to play live; that's something I've missed in the past few years. A game where luck meets skill - what would be more interesting?
Chase Cokaliong: The Filipino Poker Player & Business Tycoon
Chase Cokaliong: The Filipino Poker Player & Business Tycoon

If you follow the Asian poker scene, you have probably noticed a new, powerful presence making waves at the final tables. We are talking about Chase Cokaliong. For many in the Philippines, the Cokaliong name is synonymous with massive maritime transport operations and unquestionable business dominance. But over the last few years, Chase has carved out an entirely different reputation for himself on the green felt.

Today, we are taking a deep dive into the life of this fascinating Filipino poker player. Whether you are curious about his high-stakes poker tournament results, his transition from the boardroom to the casino, or the intriguing details of his private life and massive social media giveaways, we have got you covered. Let’s explore the story of how Cokaliong has become one of the most recognizable Filipino businessmen on the Asian high-stakes circuit over the past two years.

Who Is Chase Cokaliong? Quick Facts

DetailInfo
Full nameChase Cokaliong
NationalityFilipino
HometownCebu, Philippines
Born1989
Social media followersInstagram: 205K | Facebook: 266K | YouTube: 145K
BusinessesCokaliong Shipping Lines (CSL): Executive Vice President for Operations
(family-owned, founded by his father, Chester Cokaliong)
Live tournament earnings$379,305 (The Hendon Mob, 2026)
Best live cash~$114,805 – 3rd place – ₱ 80,000 No Limit Hold’em APPT Manila Main Event, 2025
Estimated net worthAs his family business is a private company, it is hard to make any estimations. His personal portfolio is heavily diversified across maritime logistics, commercial real estate (storage), fitness, and hospitality. Analysts’ conservative estimation for his personal net worth is ~$5M

The Origins: Growing Up in a Business Empire

To truly understand Chase Cokaliong, you first have to understand where he comes from. Born and raised in Cebu, Philippines, Chase is part of a prominent business family. His father, Chester Cokaliong, is the legendary founder of Cokaliong Shipping Lines, a titan of the Philippine shipping and maritime industry. Growing up in this environment, business acumen was essentially woven into Chase’s DNA.

However, living in the shadow of a highly successful parent can be tough. Chase has always been very open about his respect for his father’s achievements. He once shared in an interview,

“I know what my dad built here. I know that no matter how successful this company becomes, it will always be Chester Cokaliong’s company.”

Instead of simply coasting on the family name, Chase made a conscious decision: he wanted to build his own legacy. He wanted to be known for his own ventures, risks, and successes.

This drive led him to expand his horizons far beyond the shipping docks. Over the years, he has invested in various local businesses, traded high-value assets such as diamonds, and built a personal brand that resonates with hundreds of thousands of people.

When people search for Chase Cokaliong net worth, they are often met with the reality that he is part of a multi-billionaire family in Philippine Pesos, but his independent wealth is also incredibly robust thanks to his diversified business portfolio. His financial stability means that when he sits down to play poker, he isn’t playing with “scared money“, which is a crucial advantage in high-stakes games.

Transitioning to the Felt: A Filipino Poker Player is Born

Poker has always been more than just a casual weekend pastime for Chase. Initially, he was known primarily as a cash game player on the local Philippine circuit. Cash games require a deep understanding of psychology , patience, and bankroll management. As a businessman, Chase naturally possessed these traits. He saw poker as the perfect blend of skill, strategy, psychology, and risk assessment – all the same elements required to run a successful business.

But tournament poker is an entirely different beast. In a tournament, the blinds continually increase, prompting players to make aggressive moves and calculate complex probabilities on the fly. Realizing that he needed to adapt his strategy to succeed on the big stage, Chase did what any smart CEO would do: he consulted an expert.

Chad Cokaliong - turning from cash games to high roller tournaments
As a successful businessman, he turned from cash games to high roller tournaments for bragging rights

He hired a professional poker coach to help him iron out the mathematical leaks in his game and refine his tournament strategy. This commitment to honing his craft paid off spectacularly. He didn’t just want to be a rich guy playing poker for fun; he wanted to compete with the best and win.

Building “Team Chase Your Dream”

Chase’s love for the game extends beyond his own personal success. He is also incredibly passionate about elevating the Philippine poker community as a whole. To this end, he founded Team #ChaseYourDream, a stable of talented, hand-picked poker players whom he mentors and supports, along with high profile pro players such as David “Spade” Erquiaga and Marc Rivera .

The team has become a powerhouse in the Asian poker landscape. For example, local Cebu player John Matsuda , known for his fearless and unconventional style, joined the team after a brief hiatus from the game. With Chase’s backing and the team’s shared knowledge, Matsuda went on to secure a massive 2nd-place finish at the APPT Manila Main Event. Another legendary team member, Vamerdino Magsakay , continues to take down high-roller events across Asia under the team’s banner. Chase has managed to turn individual victories into a collective triumph, proving that poker doesn’t always have to be a solitary journey.

Major Poker Tournament Results

Chase Cokaliong’s dedication to the game has translated into highly impressive poker tournament results. As of mid-2026, his total live earnings on the Hendon Mob database are approaching $400,000, placing him comfortably among the top-ranked players on the Philippines All-Time Money List.

While he still loves playing cash games, his tournament resume is growing rapidly. He has become a familiar face at major stops like the Asian Poker Tour (APT), the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT), and even the ultra-exclusive Triton Poker Super High Roller Series . You can watch him play in the invitational event in Montenegro on the 19th of May, 2026, with a $200,000 buy-in and a player pool just as stunning as the venue .

Let’s take a look at some of his most significant cashes to date.

Notable Live Tournament Cashes

Below is a snapshot of some of Chase Cokaliong’s most impressive runs on the live poker circuit:

DateTournament / EventLocationPlacementPrize (USD)
Jul 2025₱80,000 No Limit Hold’em – APPT Main EventManila, Philippines3rd$114,805
Sep 2025$25,000 WPT Global Slam – Triton Poker SeriesJeju, South Korea14th$103,500
Nov 2025NT$466,000 High Roller Championship – APTTaipei, Taiwan8th$70,437
May 2024₱18,800 No Limit Hold’em – Chase Cup Main EventMandaue City, Philippines1st$19,768
Aug 2025₱200,000 Single Day High Roller – APPTManila, Philippines6th$8,594
Feb 2025₱25,000 Hyper Turbo High Roller – APTManila, Philippines1st$5,450
Apr 2026NT$80,000 High Roller Mystery Bounty – APTTaipei, Taiwan4th$5,111

*Note: Prize amounts are approximate conversions to USD based on the exchange rates at the time of the events.*

Chase Cokaliong's poker tournament results
Chase Cokaliong’s poker tournament results show dedication and commitment

His biggest score to date came in July 2025 at the APPT Manila Main Event , where he navigated a massive field to finish 3rd, taking home a staggering $114,805. Shortly after, he proved he could hang with the absolute best in the world by cashing for over $100,000 at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in Jeju, South Korea, a tour known for attracting the most elite professionals and wealthiest businessmen on the planet.

Private Life: Family First

Despite his chaotic schedule balancing a multi-billion dollar shipping legacy, independent business ventures, and grueling multi-day poker tournaments, Chase is, above all else, a family man.

He is happily married to his wife, Tritzie, whom he often credits for being incredibly understanding and supportive of his fast-paced lifestyle.

“I would not have married her if she wasn’t”

– he once joked in an interview, acknowledging the demands of his career.

Together, they have two adorable children: an older daughter named Cali and a younger son named Cade.

If you watch his YouTube vlogs or follow him on social media, you will immediately notice that his family is the center of his universe. When asked how he wants to be remembered, Chase bypassed all the business accolades and poker trophies, simply stating that he wants to be remembered as a good father. His ultimate motivation for success in business and poker is to provide a wonderful life for his family and to have the resources to help others in need.

The Social Media Sensation

Speaking of social media, Chase Cokaliong is a bona fide internet celebrity in the Philippines. But he didn’t build his following by posting standard luxury flexes. He built it through extreme generosity and a desire to connect with people.

During the global pandemic lockdowns, Chase found himself bored at home. As someone who deals in diamonds, he decided to run a “social experiment” to help people in a fun, engaging way. He took a brilliant 1.2-carat diamond ring that was just sitting in his vault and decided to give it away on Instagram.

The internet went wild. Almost overnight, his Instagram following skyrocketed from a modest 4,000 to over 35,000, easily surpassing his initial goal of 10,000. Today, he boasts over 124,000 followers on Instagram and has a thriving YouTube channel with more than 145,000 subscribers.

His YouTube channel offers a highly entertaining mix of content. You will find everything from high-stakes poker vlogs and family travel diaries (like their luxurious $50,000 trip to Singapore) to insane giveaways. He regularly hosts challenges, such as the famous “1-Minute All-You-Can-Shop at Metro Supermarket” and massive cash giveaways for his birthday. His content is universally loved because it shows a lighter, incredibly generous side to a man who works in high-pressure industries.

Fun Facts & Notable Details

Want to know a little more about what makes this poker-playing businessman tick? Here are some fun facts and lesser-known details about Chase Cokaliong:

  • The Power of Trust: Chase is incredibly protective of his inner circle. He believes in doing business with friends, stating, “You can’t do business with people you don’t trust, same with you can’t be friends with people you don’t trust”.
  • The Smartest Guy in the Room: Chase actively avoids ego in his professional life. One of his favorite guiding philosophies is: “If you are the smartest one in the room, you are in the wrong room.” He constantly surrounds himself with successful mentors to ensure he is always learning.
  • Time Management Guru: Chase is a master of efficiency. Whether he is running board meetings, reviewing poker hand histories, or spending time with Cali and Cade, he plans his days meticulously to ensure no time is wasted.
  • Philanthropy Over Profits: The massive social media giveaways aren’t just for clout. Chase uses his vast platform to promote local Cebuano businesses in need of a marketing boost, ensuring his digital footprint delivers real-world value to his community.
  • A Taste for High Rollers: While he enjoys standard Main Events, Chase thrives in “High Roller” and “Super High Roller” formats. These events have significantly higher entry fees (often $10,000 to $25,000+), which naturally filter out amateur players and leave only top-tier professionals and wealthy VIPs. Chase’s ability to remain calm in these intense, high-pressure environments speaks volumes about his psychological fortitude.

Conclusion

Chase Cokaliong is the definition of a modern-day renaissance man. He has successfully navigated the immense pressure of being born into a prominent business family to create his own unique identity. As a Filipino poker player, he has proven that with the right mindset, coaching, and dedication, a cash game regular can transform into a tournament terror on the Asian Poker Tour and beyond.

From his impressive poker tournament results to his thriving family life and philanthropic social media presence, Chase leads a life that is as inspiring as it is entertaining. Whether he is bluffing world-class professionals out of massive pots in Jeju or giving away diamond rings to lucky fans online, Chase Cokaliong always goes all-in. We can’t wait to see what he does next, both in the business world and on the green felt!

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