Derick Elomina discovered poker at 14, playing home games with his high school friends. What began as a pastime quickly grew into a passion that shaped his career. By 21, he entered the poker industry as a field reporter — just old enough to step foot inside the casino. Starting as a hand reporter, he steadily honed his craft, blending sharp observation with growing writing skills. Known for his dedication, he constantly roams the floor to capture the action, conduct interviews, and deliver live updates. With a strong commitment to the game and a passion for telling poker’s stories, Derick continues to build his path in the industry.

Updated: 2025.12.19

Aaron Valencia is an American professional poker player who has established himself as a prominent and high-volume competitor in the international circuit, particularly within the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and major Asian festivals.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Aaron Valencia has total live earnings of $594,122. He currently holds a distinguished position on the United States All Time Money List, ranking 2,961st overall.

His career-best live cash of $139,508 was recorded in November 2021 at the WPT Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open in Hollywood, Florida, where he secured a 6th-place finish in the Deep Stack event. Valencia has enjoyed an exceptionally active 2025 season, highlighted by his debut at the Manila Megastack 23 in the Philippines. Competing in the PHP 15,000 No Limit Hold’em – Deepstack event in December 2025, he navigated a field of 214 entries to reach the final table, finishing 7th for PHP 88,000 (∼$1,500). His international 2025 resume also includes a cash in the WPT Cambodia Championship Daily Megastack.

In the United States, Valencia is a staple of the WSOP and WSOP Circuit, with notable scores including:

WSOP 2024 Main Event: 330th place for $45,000.
WSOP 2024 Colossus: 23rd place out of 19,303 entries for $21,680.
WSOP Circuit Tulsa: 2nd place in the Ring Event for $33,865.
Seminole Hard Rock Deep Stack Series: 1st-place victory for $54,095.

Biography & Poker Background

Hailing from Peoria, Arizona, Valencia has transitioned from a local standout to a global “nomad” of the poker world. He is currently ranked 58th on the Arizona All Time Money List and has successfully reached the $500,000 career earnings milestone. While he frequently travels to Southeast Asia and Europe, he remains a consistent force in Las Vegas and Florida, where he has recorded dozens of cashes across prestigious tours like the WPT and WSOP over several years.

Play Style & Strategy

Valencia is known for his relentless and aggressive tournament strategy, particularly excelling in large-field No Limit Hold’em events. His ability to navigate through massive entry pools, evidenced by his deep runs in the WSOP Main Event and Colossus, demonstrates strong mental endurance and a disciplined approach to late-stage tournament dynamics. He is especially effective in “Deepstack” and “Ultra Stack” formats, where he leverages his technical proficiency and patient stack management to consistently reach final tables against elite international competition.

Recent Attendances