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: 2026.02.26

Stephen Song is an American professional poker player and one of the most prolific tournament “crushers” of the modern era. A WSOP bracelet winner and the 2022 GPI Player of the Year, Song is celebrated for his incredible volume and a major 2024 victory at the EPT Barcelona Main Event.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Stephen Song has accumulated total live earnings of $11,464,606. His career-defining victory occurred in September 2024, when he outlasted a massive field to win the EPT Barcelona Main Event for $1,425,651 (€1,290,386).

Song is a WSOP bracelet winner, capturing the $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em title in 2019 for $341,854. Other massive scores include his victory in the 2022 WPT Prime Championship for $712,650 and a recent win in the 2025 The Lord Poker Tournament (TLPT) Jeju Main Event for $750,000. His relentless consistency across the WSOP, WPT, and EPT circuits, combined with high-stakes online results, places his estimated net worth at over $12 million.

Stephen Song Poker — Credit: Katerina Lukina (PokerNews)

Biography & Poker Background

Born in New York and raised in Connecticut, Song was a childhood chess prodigy and a nationally ranked player before discovering poker. He briefly attended college but dropped out after just one semester to pursue the game professionally, famously using a $33,000 tournament win to pay back his tuition to his parents. He learned the fundamentals from his father, inspired by watching the 2005 WSOP on television. Song moved to Las Vegas at age 21 and quickly established himself as a “volume king,” often recording more than 40 cashes in a single calendar year.

Play Style & Strategy

Song’s strategy is a potent blend of high-aggression “exploitative” play and deep mathematical foundations rooted in his chess background. Known for his incredible mental stamina, he excels in large-field tournaments where he applies constant pressure during the “bubble” and mid-stages.

Unlike many “GTO-only” players, Song emphasizes adaptability, frequently adjusting his ranges based on physical tells and opponent archetypes. His ability to navigate high-variance fields and maintain focus during grueling multi-day events earned him the prestigious 2022 GPI Player of the Year and Mid-Major Player of the Year titles.

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