Originally from the Lake District, UK, I’ve spent the last few years living and breathing the Southeast Asian poker circuit. Since 2025, I’ve been a fixture on the floor at the APT, PokerStars, and WSOP events, serving as a lead reporter and media specialist for Somuchpoker. My work is about more than just recording action; I manage the social media and digital content that brings action rail to the fans. By combining a business education and creative background, I aim to look past the technical hand histories to capture the actual human grit and drama that happens during a deep run.

Updated: 2026.02.27

Rui Cao is a world-class French professional poker player renowned for his fearless aggression and technical mastery in high-stakes cash games and major tournament series. A dominant force in the high-roller circuit for over a decade, Cao has established himself as one of the world’s premier Short Deck specialists and a consistent threat at the highest levels of professional poker.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With total live tournament earnings of $9,328,985 (according to The Hendon Mob), Cao is a fixture on the international high-roller scene. He achieved his career-best live score in 2019 by winning the Triton Poker Series Montenegro Short Deck Main Event for a staggering $3,351,130. His career is highlighted by numerous major victories across the globe, including a win in the 2022 Triton Poker Series Madrid €25,000 Short Deck event for $521,850 and a 5th-place finish in the 2019 Triton Poker Series London £100,000 Short Deck Main Event for $1,006,530 (£783,000). His consistent high-stakes performance has solidified his status among France’s top all-time earners.

Biography & Poker Background

Born in China and raised in France, Cao discovered his aptitude for competitive games early on through video gaming, which provided the foundation for his analytical and fast-paced decision-making style. He transitioned to poker in 2006 and quickly ascended the stakes, eventually joining the elite “Team Limpers” group of French professionals. While he began his journey as a No Limit Hold’em player, he gained massive notoriety in the online streets as a Pot-Limit Omaha specialist under the pseudonym “PepperoniF.” Now based in France, Cao maintains a global lifestyle, traveling extensively to compete in the most prestigious high-stakes cash games and tournaments available worldwide.

Play Style & Strategy

Cao is widely regarded as an “ultra-aggressive” strategist who thrives in high-variance formats. He is frequently cited by his peers as one of the best Short Deck (6+ Hold’em) players in the world, a game that demands high-level intuition and extreme bravery—qualities that perfectly align with his natural play style. He prefers deep-stacked environments where he can exert maximum pressure on opponents, often utilizing unconventional, exploitative lines that force difficult decisions. His approach is highly data-driven, yet he maintains a distinct “feel” for the game that allows him to remain unpredictable, making him an incredibly difficult opponent to play against in any setting.

Follow Rui Cao’s journey as he continues to compete in the world’s biggest high-roller events: