Chaar-Lee discovered poker over 20 years ago, starting with fixed-limit games before embracing the rise of No-Limit Hold’em across cash games, STTs, and MTTs. In the early days, he and his circle sometimes played more than 40 different formats in a single night. He organized the first poker camp in his region and has contributed poker technology to several televised shows. Today, he supports the SOMUCHPOKER team from the tech side, blending two decades of poker passion with technical expertise.

Updated: 2024.10.17

Once a humble player who frequented the PokerStars LIVE Manila Super series, Filipino poker player Rick Jason Ambata became one of the highest-earning stars in the country. With over 120 tournament credits to his name, Ambata has established himself as a force to be reckoned with on Philippine soil.

After managing small win after small win early in his career, Ambata finally broke ground in 2019 when he placed second in the Main Event at PokerStars LIVE Manila Super Series 11, cashing PHP 900,000 (USD 17,610)—his most significant win to date.

While Ambata, like millions of others, had to put live tournaments on hold during the pandemic, he quickly adjusted and transitioned into online poker, where he’d initially learned to play. He swiftly returned to live poker in December 2021 with a fourth-place win in the Main Event at PokerStars LIVE Special Event.

Following four more years of poker success, Ambata debuted on U.S. soil in June 2024, with a first-place win in the No-Limit Hold’em 10 am event at the 2024 South Point Summer Dailis in Las Vegas. Ambata then went on to cash a total of USD 7,140 during his entire Las Vegas stint, bringing his grand total live earnings up to USD 130,509.

*Profile by Zoe Alcazaren

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