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: 2026.02.18

Kurtis Ruhl is a Canadian professional poker player from Fergus, Ontario, who has established himself as a versatile and consistent force on the North American and European circuits. Known for his deep runs in both No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha, he is a regular fixture at major venues like the Playground Poker Club and Deerfoot Inn & Casino.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Kurtis Ruhl has accumulated total live earnings of $181,101. His career-best score of $38,434 was achieved at the 2022 WSOP Circuit Calgary, where he finished 6th in the C$1,700 Main Event. Ruhl is particularly known for his proficiency in Omaha variants; in 2025, he secured a significant deep run at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, finishing 15th in the $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha 6-Max for $16,093.

Ruhl has exploded onto the Asian scene in 2026, recording a series of impressive results during the World Poker Tour (WPT) Cambodia 2026 festival. He secured a victory in the 5 Card PLO event for $9,301 and followed it with a runner-up finish in the PLO Double Board Bomb Pot for $3,094. His dominance in Cambodia also included a 5th-place finish in the Big O for $1,106 and a deep run in the WPT Prime Cambodia Main Event, placing 60th for $3,500. Kurtis Ruhl

Kurtis Ruhl

Biography & Poker Background

Hailing from Fergus, Canada, Ruhl has been a staple of the live tournament scene for over a decade, with his earliest recorded cashes dating back to 2016. While he built his foundation in local Ontario and Alberta rooms, frequently appearing on the all-time money lists for Casino Yellowhead and Deerfoot Inn, he has since evolved into a global “nomad” of the circuit. Whether he is competing for rings in Calgary or battling elite international fields in Las Vegas and Dublin, Ruhl is recognized for his focus and dedication to the professional lifestyle.

Play Style & Strategy

Ruhl is known for a highly analytical and resilient play style, with a particular edge in non-Hold’em variants. His strategy relies on deep technical knowledge of Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) and Hi-Lo variants, where he excels at navigating multi-way pots and late-stage ICM pressure. In No Limit Hold’em, he is recognized as a disciplined tournament grinder who focuses on patient accumulation and positional awareness. His ability to maintain a high cash rate across diverse formats and buy-in levels, from regional MegaStack events to WSOP championships, makes him one of Canada’s most adaptable mid-stakes professionals.

Recent Attendances