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: 2026.03.21

Qiao Du is a rising Chinese professional poker player who made significant waves on the international high-stakes circuit in early 2026. Originally from China, Du has rapidly transitioned from regional Asian tours to the global stage, recently competing against the world’s most elite “end-bosses” at the Triton Poker Series. Known for his tactical aggression and composed presence in high-pressure “nosebleed” stakes, he is currently climbing the China All-Time Money List. In March 2026, he achieved international notoriety for his role in a historic Triton triple-knockout hand and solidified his status as a high-stakes regular by surpassing the $120,000 live earnings milestone.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With total live tournament earnings now exceeding $122,815 (according to The Hendon Mob), Qiao Du is a breakout talent in the 2026 season. His career reached a spectacular peak in March 2026 during the Triton One Jeju and Triton Super High Roller Series , where he recorded a 28th-place finish in the $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em Jupiter Event for a career-best $50,000. Proving his consistency at the elite level, Du also secured an 8th-place finish in the Triton One $20,000 High Roller for $40,900. His rapid ascent in the high-stakes community contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $350,000.

Major Tournament Results:

Year	Event	Prize
2026	Triton Super High Roller Series $25,000 NLHE Jupiter Event (28th)	$50,000
2026	Triton One Jeju $20,000 High Roller (8th)	$40,900
2023	APT Incheon KRW 3.5M Single Day High Roller (5th)	$21,180
2026	Triton One Jeju $3,000 Genesis (123rd)	$5,140
2024	WPT Prime Taiwan NT$ 35,000 NLHE (74th)	$3,071

Qiao Du poker — Credit: Triton Poker Series

Biography & Professional Growth

Qiao Du’s journey in poker began in the regional Asian circuits of South Korea and Taiwan, where he first gained notoriety as a “Single Day High Roller” specialist. He first caught the attention of international scouts in 2023 at the Asian Poker Tour (APT) Incheon, where he navigated a difficult final table to finish 5th. His transition to the global high-stakes stage was fully realized in March 2026 at the LES A Casino in Jeju. During the $40,000 Mystery Bounty event, Du was part of a historic moment in Triton history, being one of three players eliminated in the tour’s first-ever triple knockout hand. In 2026, he is regarded as a key figure in the “new wave” of Chinese pros who combine fearless aggression with modern solver-based theory.

Play Style & Strategy

Du is renowned for a “highly aggressive and fearless” play style. His greatest technical edge is his short-stacked navigation and high-roller final table dynamics, which allowed him to maintain a top-eight position in the elite 2026 Triton One fields. Strategically, he is a proponent of maximum pressure in the mid-to-late tournament stages, often utilizing his understanding of ICM (Independent Chip Model) to exploit passive opponents. In the 2025 and 2026 seasons, his results show a mastery of high-stakes turbo and single-day structures, making him one of the most difficult emerging Chinese professionals to out-play in current championship formats.

Follow Qiao Du as he continues his breakout 2026 run and looks toward the World Series of Poker (WSOP):