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: 2025.12.23

Richard Marquez, popularly known in the poker community as “Hotsauce,” is a Filipino professional poker player and a decorated veteran of the Asian circuit. He is widely recognized as one of the most consistent and formidable “hometown favorites” in the Philippines, having amassed a legendary resume across major festivals like the APT, APPT, and WPT.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Richard Marquez has total earnings of $881,729. He currently holds the 15th position on the Philippines All Time Money List and has surpassed the significant $500,000 career milestone.

The 2024 and 2025 seasons have been particularly dominant for Marquez, highlighted by a major victory at the Manila Megastack 20 in December 2024, where he was crowned Main Event Champion for a career-best score of PHP 3,713,920 (∼$64,141). In April 2025, he continued this momentum by winning the Okada Manila Millions Warm Up for PHP 181,534 ($~3,183) and the APPT Cambodia 6-Handed event in May for $5,063. Other prestigious results include bagging the Mystery Bounty title at WPT Prime Cambodia for approximately $38,000 and a victory in the PPPoker World Championship (PPWC) Main Event.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from the Philippines and a longtime resident of Manila, Marquez has been a staple of the local and regional poker scene for over a decade. He first gained major notoriety as the 2015 RVS Cup Champion and has since transitioned from a local grinder to an international competitor. While his primary focus remains the high-stakes festivals at Resorts World Manila and Okada Manila, he frequently travels to Taiwan, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where he is respected as a veteran presence.

Play Style & Strategy

Marquez is known for a high-pressure and relentless tournament style that earned him the nickname “Hotsauce”. He is particularly dangerous when holding a chip lead, often using his massive stack to navigate the bubble and final table phases with extreme aggression. His ability to dominate diverse formats, from Mystery Bounty and Turbo events to deep-stacked Championships, demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of stack leverage and exploitative adjustments. Whether outlasting massive fields in the Manila Megastack or competing in elite WPT Prime fields, Marquez’s adaptability and veteran poise make him one of the toughest opponents on the Asian circuit.

Recent Attendances