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: 2026.01.02

Tanapoom Viboonlarp is an American professional poker player who has recently made a significant impact on the Asian tournament circuit, specifically within the prestigious Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) in the Philippines.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Tanapoom Viboonlarp has total earnings of $25,364. His career reached a new peak in October 2025 at the APPT Manila Championship, where he secured his career-best live cash.

Competing in the PHP 25,000 No Limit Hold’em – Mystery Bounty event at Okada Manila, Viboonlarp outlasted the vast majority of the field to finish in 2nd place. This runner-up finish earned him a significant prize of PHP 1,190,000 (∼$20,384). Prior to this breakout on the Asian circuit, his results were primarily centered in the United States, including cashes at the Tri-State Poker Championship and various events in Los Angeles dating back to 2010.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Viboonlarp is a long-time veteran of the live poker scene with recorded results spanning over fifteen years. While he built his early experience in local California card rooms like The Bicycle Casino, his recent success in the Philippines marks a strategic shift toward the booming Asian market.

Viboonlarp is often associated with the Thai poker community due to his heritage, though he represents the United States on the global leaderboards. His journey from the mid-stakes games of Southern California to the final tables of the APPT reflects the path of many Western professionals who have successfully integrated into the high-action environments of Manila and Taipei.

Play Style & Strategy

Viboonlarp is known for a highly disciplined and calculated approach, particularly in the unique and high-variance format of Mystery Bounty tournaments. His ability to navigate a deep field and reach the heads-up stage against local specialists like Emmanuel Segismundo demonstrates a strong command of stack dynamics and ICM considerations.

His strategy appears rooted in the solid “old school” fundamentals developed in the competitive Los Angeles poker scene, adjusted for the modern aggressive styles found on the APPT circuit. This adaptability, maintaining composure through multi-day grinds and effectively leveraging his stack during the bounty-hunting phases, makes him a formidable opponent and a rising threat in the Southeast Asian professional community.

Recent Attendances