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: 2026.03.08

Edwards Lawford, often referred to in the poker world as Edwards Lawford or Stephen Lawford, is a seasoned Australian professional poker player with a significant presence on the Asia-Pacific circuit. Known for his tactical flexibility and deep runs in high-volume fields, Lawford has transitioned from a local mainstay in Mackay, Queensland, to a respected international competitor. With nearly 15 years of recorded cashes across Australia, Vietnam , the United States, and the Philippines , he has become a fixture in the mid-to-high stakes scene, particularly within the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) and World Poker Tour (WPT) networks.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With total live tournament earnings now exceeding $89,370 (according to The Hendon Mob), Edwards Lawford has built a career defined by consistent profitability and a high ITM (In The Money) percentage. His career reached a major peak in July 2025 during the APPT Manila, where he finished 2nd in the Mini High Roller for a career-best $12,083. Lawford has remained highly active into the early 2026 season, continuing to compete in major festivals throughout Southeast Asia. His ability to navigate massive, diverse fields contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $250,000.

Major Tournament Results:

Year	Event	Prize
2025	APPT Manila PHP 80,000 Mini High Roller (2nd)	$12,083
2011	Star Poker Summer Series Main Event (18th)	$13,338
2023	WPT Vietnam Survivor Bounty 8-Max (6th)	$7,057
2023	WSOP International Circuit High Roller – Gold Coast (9th)	$4,935

Biography & Poker Background

Hailing from Mackay, Australia , Edwards Lawford represents the gritty, high-volume grinders who have helped expand the Australian poker footprint globally. His first recorded cashes date back to 2009 at the Melbourne Crown Casino , marking the beginning of a journey that would take him to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas and major Asian hubs. Lawford is a “passport-heavy” player, frequently earning “FlagHunter” status by cashing in different countries within a single season. After years of grinding the Australian domestic circuit, his move into the Filipino and Vietnamese markets in 2023-2025 has led to his most lucrative period to date. In 2026, he is recognized as a veteran presence on the circuit, often serving as a bridge for other Australian players looking to enter the Asian poker scene.

Play Style & Strategy

Lawford is renowned for an “exploitative, survival-oriented, and patient” play style. During his recent high-stakes run in Manila, he demonstrated an elite ability to navigate “bounty” and “survivor” structures, where bankroll management and technical patience are paramount. Strategically, he is a proponent of game-flow awareness, often adjusting his opening ranges to capitalize on the hyper-aggressive tendencies found in Asian fields. He is particularly effective in short-handed (6-max and 8-max) formats, where his ability to hand-read and isolate weaker opponents gives him a distinct ROI advantage. His 2026 approach remains focused on finding “thin value” in mid-major championships and high-roller satellites.

Want to follow Lawford as he continues to climb the Australian All-Time Money List and chases his next High Roller trophy in 2026? You can find his profiles and stats here:

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