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: 2025.12.30

Van Xuan Nguyen is a Vietnamese professional poker player who has established himself as a prominent and rising competitor in the Southeast Asian circuit. He is widely recognized for his high-volume performance across major regional festivals, particularly in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Van Xuan Nguyen has total live earnings of $65,093. He has demonstrated exceptional consistency throughout 2024 and 2025, recording numerous deep runs in competitive mid-stakes fields. His career-best live cash of $10,185 was achieved in May 2025 at the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Cambodia in Phnom Penh, where he secured a 3rd-place finish in the $500 Nagaworld Kickoff.

His 2025 campaign has been defined by multiple final table appearances across different tours. In February 2025, he claimed a victory at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Cambodia Championship, winning the $265 Micro Championship Freezeout for $6,962. He followed this success with a series of deep runs at APPT Cambodia in May, finishing 4th in the $500 Megastack for $4,268 and 5th in the $250 6-Handed Turbo for $1,614. His regional consistency is further evidenced by a 10th-place finish at the VPG Ho Chi Minh Monster Stack for ₫33,600,000 (∼$1,331) in late 2024.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from Vietnam, where he currently resides, Nguyen has spent several years honing his craft within the booming domestic poker markets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. While he maintains a strong presence in local events such as the Vietnam Poker Guide (VPG) and Dragon Poker Grand Opening, he has successfully transitioned into a frequent regional traveler.

He is recognized as one of the active members of the Vietnamese contingent that travels extensively to compete in major hubs like Phnom Penh. His professional trajectory shows a player dedicated to the regional grind, having climbed the national rankings to reach the top 255 on the Vietnam All Time Money List.

Play Style & Strategy

Nguyen is recognized for a disciplined and resilient tournament strategy, often excelling in fast-paced “Turbo” and “Freezeout” structures. His victory in the WPT Cambodia Micro Championship and his podium finish in the APPT Nagaworld Kickoff suggest a strong command of short-stack dynamics and the ability to navigate through hundreds of entrants in large-field events.

His strategy appears well-suited for the evolving dynamics of the Southeast Asian market, where he balances technically sound play with the situational awareness needed to exploit diverse regional fields. Whether he is grinding a multi-day “Super Stack” in Hanoi or competing for a high-stakes title in Cambodia, Nguyen’s approach relies on tactical precision and a relentless pursuit of final tables, making him a formidable regular on the modern Asian circuit.

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