Kathy Yeung: A Driving Force in Hong Kong’s Poker Scene

In the vibrant city of Hong Kong, an incredible woman is making significant waves in the poker world. Her name is Kathy Yeung. Kathy is an active live and online poker player, frequently competing in tournaments and cash games worldwide.
But she does a lot more than just playing. Kathy Yeung isn’t just a poker player; she’s a visionary reshaping the game’s landscape.

Expanding Poker’s Reach: Women’s Empowerment 

Kathy Yeung has enriched the Hong Kong poker community for over a decade. She owns poker clubs and is a Co-Founder of the Hong Kong Poker Tour (HKPT). But Yeung’s ambitions extend beyond the table.

In 2021, Kathy took a bold step towards leveling the playing field in poker by launching the Hong Kong Women’s Poker Association (HKWPA). As Asia’s first female-focused poker organization, the HKWPA has a clear mission: to dismantle the barriers that have long kept women on the sidelines of this traditionally male-dominated arena.

Kathy Yeung’s vision was to create a supportive community where women could learn, compete, and thrive in poker, free from the stereotypes and biases that often hinder their progress. 

“Poker isn’t about gender; it’s about intellect,” she asserts.

As the organization grows, it stands as a powerful reminder that poker is not just a game of cards—it’s a game of opportunity, and everyone deserves a seat at the poker table.

Media Presence: Keep The Show Going

Kathy Yeung produced the first-ever poker show on Hong Kong’s television screens. This pioneering effort, titled “Celebrities Poker Show,” not only brought the strategic allure of poker into living rooms across Hong Kong but also marked a milestone in the mainstream acceptance of the game.

Airing on TVB J2, the biggest TV station in Hong Kong, the show captivated audiences every Saturday at 9:00 pm, becoming a staple of weekend viewing for three consecutive years.

The “Celebrity Poker Show” was more than just a television program; it was a cultural phenomenon. Over its three seasons, the show managed to blend the excitement of poker with the glamour of celebrity culture, drawing in viewers from all walks of life.

Each episode featured a mix of well-known personalities from the entertainment industry. All competing in a friendly yet competitive environment. 

This unique format not only entertained but also educated viewers about the nuances of poker, showcasing it as a game of skill and strategy rather than mere chance.

Her media presence—hosting TV shows on TVB J2 and engaging 52,000 Instagram followers—has turned poker into mainstream entertainment. 

At the same time, her role as a Natural8 Poker ambassador of Asia’s leading online poker platforms bridges online and live play across Asia.

From Smokey Casinos to Classrooms: What is Match Poker?

Patrick Nally founded Match Poker in April 2009 in Lausanne, Switzerland, home of the Olympic movement.

Match Poker is a team-based poker format that levels the playing field by dealing identical hands to players in equivalent positions across different tables. Chips reset after each hand, and points reward strategic mastery, not random draws. It removes the element of luck and allows players to showcase their strategic process, making it a compelling and fair competition.

This innovative approach, championed by the International Federation of Match Poker (IFMP), positions poker as “a mind-sport of strategic skill”, alongside chess, bridge, draughts, and Go.

In the realm of sports governance, Match Poker has achieved notable recognition. It holds observer membership in the General Assembly of International Sports Federations (GAISF), a prestigious organization that has supported and promoted international sports since 2017; Match Poker has been a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), ensuring that its athletes undergo anti-doping tests.

Beyond its competitive and regulatory achievements, Match Poker has collaborated academically and intellectually. It works closely with Harvard University’s Berkman Center as part of the Mindsport Research Network, a partnership exploring mind sports’ cognitive and strategic aspects.

The goals of IFMP are to promote the development of Match Poker worldwide and secure its recognition as a Mind Sport based on strategic skill, played without any discrimination of race, sex, or creed. IFMP also seeks to assist its national Member Federations in securing legislation that gives players the right to play poker safely and legally online and in brick-and-mortar establishments.
Learn more about Match Poker.

Kathy Yeung: Leading at the International Federation of Match Poker

IFMP officially assigned Kathy Yeung as Asia’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Kathy’s vision for the sport is inclusivity and growth, aiming to bring Match Poker to new audiences and solidify its place among the world’s recognized mind sports.

Kathy Yeung’s and Ricky Cheung’s (President of the federation) efforts in this space have helped Hong Kong debut in international Match Poker events, expanding the city’s presence in the global poker scene.

Her advocacy aims to position poker alongside other mental sports, such as chess and bridge, opening new opportunities for regional players.

Kathy Yeung: I am grateful that  IFMP trusts me for this critical role. I will do my best to continue growing IFMP in Asia.

Match Poker is a sport! 

12 Nations, One Sport: Match Poker Takes Center Stage in Hong Kong

Kathy Yeung played a big part in another important milestone for poker. She represented and played in the Hong Kong Match Poker team at the 2023 IFMP Match Poker Asian Nations Cup, which was hosted in Hong Kong and brought together 12 national teams from across Asia alongside celebrities and IFMP officials.

The tournament received strong institutional support from the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
The competition began with an opening ceremony at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University and a closing ceremony at the Hong Kong Olympic House.

This clearly demonstrates the city’s commitment to growing acceptance of Match Poker as an actual test of skill and strategy, paving the way for future international competitions for global poker and esports-like events.

This major event is a testimony to the efforts of the IFMP and its board members, such as Kathy Yeung, Ricky Cheung, and Patrick Nally, to promote poker as a respected sport.

Patrick Nally: The Visionary Behind IFMP and Sports Marketing 

Patrick Nally is known as the “Founding Father of Sports Marketing.” Nally has been instrumental in reshaping poker’s global image, emphasizing its educational, social, and competitive values.

His influence in international sports is extensive. He has been crucial in restructuring the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup’s commercial marketing rights.

Among his most notable contributions to the sports industry is his historic deal between FIFA and Coca-Cola, which has endured for nearly four decades.

FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup format aimed to increase the representation of nations. The original 16 nations planned for the 1982 World Cup in Spain were changed to 24 countries. However, FIFA needed an additional £55 million to cover all the expenses.

Patrick Nally introduced “Intersoccer 4,” a groundbreaking marketing concept combining top UEFA and FIFA events to address this financial challenge.

The first InterSoccer program, which started in 1979 and culminated in the 1982 World Cup, offered participating companies a package of 79 international soccer matches over four years. 

Each package included four stadium boards at every match and covered major finals such as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup Final, the European Cup Winners’ Cup Final, the 1980 European Championship, the 1981 Gold Cup in Uruguay, and the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

Since its inception, the concept of InterSoccer has remained unchanged, reflecting its enduring success and value in soccer marketing.

Beyond his work in sports marketing, Patrick Nally is an acclaimed lecturer and past Academic Director of the IE Business School in Madrid’s Master in Sports Management. His thought leadership in sports governance is well-documented, and he has regularly contributed to SportsPro magazine. 

For a deeper insight into his career and contributions, visit www.westnally.com.

With IFMP’s relentless pursuit of poker’s global recognition as a sport, the organization plays a crucial role in transforming the public perception, competitive structure, and legislative positioning of poker worldwide.

Education as the Ultimate Bluff

Both Kathy Yeung and Patrick Nally prioritize education.

Kathy Yeung’s Hong Kong Women’s Poker Association hosts workshops for women, while Nally lectures at institutions like IE Business School, training future sports leaders. 

“Poker teaches risk management, psychology, and resilience—skills vital beyond the table,” Yeung notes.

Global Adoption and Recognition

With her dedication to Match Poker, women’s empowerment, and media presence, Kathy Yeung stands out as a key figure in the evolution of poker. 

Her efforts are about personal success and growing the game for future generations.

As she continues to push for poker’s recognition as a mind sport and represent this beautiful game, her influence will likely shape the game’s future in Asia and worldwide. 

We can not wait to see what is yet to come!