![Philippines [PHL]](/assets/images/flags/1x1/ph.svg "Philippines [PHL]"){kind=small}
David Erquiaga, widely known by his moniker “Dave Spade,” is a Filipino professional poker player and coach who has established himself as one of the most prolific figures in the Asian poker circuit. As the founder of the Action PH team, he has become a central figure in the Philippine poker community, balancing his elite tournament play with vlogging and coaching the next generation of players.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
According to The Hendon Mob, David Erquiaga has total earnings of $2,301,078. Currently ranked 6th on the Philippines All Time Money List, he crossed the prestigious $2,000,000 career milestone in 2024 following a relentless schedule across major international festivals. His career-best score to date is $137,008, which he earned by winning the 2022 WPT Prime Cambodia Main Event.
Erquiaga is a serial champion on the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) . In 2022, he delivered one of the most dominant performances in tour history by winning the APT Philippines Championship Event and securing the Player of the Series title. His success has continued into 2025, where he recorded over $320,000 in live cashes, including a victory in the APPT Manila Championship SuperStack for PHP 403,048 (∼$7,000) and a runner-up finish in the APT Phu Quoc Main Event for VND 2,900,000,000 (∼$114,000).
Biography & Poker Background
Originally from the Philippines and currently residing in Cambodia, Erquiaga transitioned from a local tournament regular to a global high-stakes professional. He began recording major live results as early as 2015, winning a PokerStars Live Manila P1 Million Guaranteed title for PHP 247,400.
Through his Action PH platform, which boasts over 90,000 followers, Erquiaga has standardized staking and training for Filipino players, effectively turning a solitary grind into a community-driven movement. He is a frequent traveler to major stops in Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea, often grinding 100 or more tournaments per year to maintain his standing as one of the most active professionals in the region.
Play Style & Strategy
Erquiaga is known for a highly aggressive and high-volume play style, often competing in nearly every event during a series to pursue Player of the Series accolades. His technical foundation is rooted in deep-stack mastery and a sophisticated understanding of final table dynamics, which has allowed him to accumulate over 30 live career titles.
Beyond his own play, his strategy involves a deep commitment to study and coaching. He emphasizes the use of free training content for beginners while providing structured academy coaching for those looking to transition to the professional ranks. This analytical approach, combined with a “fearless” tournament mentality, makes him a formidable opponent in the high-variance fields of the Asian circuit.
