Chenxu Zhang

Interview With Chenxu Zhang aka Vanessa Zhang During RDPT 2025 – Red Dragon Championship

Hi, congrats on making The Final 9 of another main event. How has the journey been in the first three days aside from the roller coaster ride in the last few minutes today.

I played three Main Event Day 1 flights. My first was in Day 1B – I registered right before late registration closed with a 20BB short stack, prepared to go all-in anytime. Surprisingly, I kept building steadily. But during the last minute of bagging, my AQ lost to 910o, wiping out much of my accumulated stack. Frustrated, I decided to re-enter in flight C.

In my first Group C attempt, I built a decent stack but got eliminated later due to weak hands. I re-enter again before Flight C registration closed and eventually advanced to Day 2.

At Day 2’s start, my stack was average, so I considered this the true critical phase. Patience became my greatest ally here, helping me grind steadily to this point.

Earlier today you had the table chip leader to your left in Wen Wen Chen, that was certainly not ideal, but you chipped up nevertheless. What was your gameplan in that situation?

With an average stack, I didn’t employ special tactics – just focused on every hand. The tournament was still young, far from FT. Everyone was observing and adjusting. I maintained my standard play style, just with heightened focus.

You ended the day 4th in chips and your seat at the final table is quite good, having position on the big stacks and some shorter stacks to your left. How will you approach the early game tomorrow?

I’ll treat every hand seriously from the start. Even at FT, I won’t fold hands I should defend. However, mid/late stages or extreme situations might require adjustments. For now, solid play while observing opponents comes first.

How do you usually prepare when you make the final table in these big fields, especially when ICM comes into play and a lot of other players might not be as experienced as you.

My main preparation was ensuring proper rest. Regarding ICM – since I’m chasing the title, it doesn’t weigh heavily. Though against ICM-sensitive opponents, I might employ aggressive exploitation strategies. Ultimately, hand-by-hand excellence remains key.

As the last woman still in the running today, and with an accomplished career in general, what would you say are the pros and cons of being a woman on the poker tables.

They are two sides of the same coin. Compared to male players, we might face perceived disadvantages in image, style, and experience. But this very stereotype lets us capitalize through bold bluffs and reverse value extraction. Opportunities and challenges coexist.

What got you into poker?

Regular gatherings with finance industry friends. They taught me rules while playing. Gradually, I became fascinated by the game’s intellectual depth – completely hooked!

Your biggest win comes from right here inside the landing casino at the One Drop in 2023. What was the reason for playing such a massive buy-in tournament and did cashing there change your life in any way?

WPT is my favorite tour – I’ve had previous successes there. That event offered rare chances to compete with world-class pros and elite players. While the prize was nice, I craved the trophy more. At three-handed, I held the chip lead but faced legends like Zhou Quan and Steve O’Dwyer. Not winning stung, but it deepened my passion for poker.

Other than the one drop, you’ve had incredible results here in Jeju what do you like about the area and the casino in particular?

Jeju’s perfect for Chinese players – proximity, visa-free access. With mainland poker environments being restrictive, gathering with enthusiasts there is pure joy. The venues offer comfortable settings with China-friendly amenities – makes tournaments feel like home.

You are already a Team Red Dragon Pro and have some huge results to your name. What are your plans for the future and what keeps you hungry?

Poker remains a lifelong passion, but I’ve got career commitments. Future focus tilts toward work, playing when possible. While not my entire life, it’s an enduring intellectual pursuit.

Us the press and most people in the industry as a whole are always looking to expand the reach of the game. Why do you think there are not more women playing and do you have any suggestions on how to draw more women into the game? (Marketing wise, at the table, etc.)

The gender gap’s real. Maybe organizers could invite more handsome male players (laughs) – might create positive momentum!

Do you have any advice for young aspiring poker players, especially girls, that might see you as an inspiration and want to get where you are now?

Play for joy – savor competitions, strategy, and life itself. Treat it as passion, not obligation. Stay grounded for longevity. Remember: cherish life, reject gambling, compete earnestly, and live fully!