Wai Leong Chan is a Malaysian professional poker player and a premier figure in the world of super-high-stakes invitationals. A specialist in both Short Deck and No-Limit Hold’em, Chan has risen through the ranks of the “Malaysian Mafia” to become one of the most consistent performers on the Triton Poker Series circuit, boasting over $16.5 million in live tournament earnings.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings surpassing $16,557,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Chan is currently ranked #6 on the Malaysia All-Time Money List. His career-best live score of $3,252,348 was achieved with a runner-up finish in the 2018 Triton Poker Series Jeju Main Event. Chan is a consistent force in “nosebleed” stakes, notably finishing 2nd in the 2024 Triton Monte Carlo Main Event for $2,970,000. Other landmark results include a 9th-place finish in the 2019 Triton Million for Charity for $1,460,938 and a victory in the 2019 partypoker MILLIONS World Bahamas Super High Roller Finale for $380,000. His dominance in elite high-roller fields contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $15 million.
Biography & Poker Background
Born in April 1986 and residing in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Wai Leong Chan belongs to the elite circle of Asian professionals who catalyzed the high-stakes boom in Macau and Southeast Asia. He first gained international attention in 2016 and 2017, quickly moving from regional Asian circuits to the most expensive tournaments on the planet. Unlike some of his peers who focus purely on business, Chan is regarded as a “pure” professional whose technical evolution has kept him competitive against the world’s best solvers. He is a fixture at the King’s Resort in Rozvadov and major stops in Jeju and Cyprus, representing the global reach of the modern Malaysian poker pro. In early 2026, he continues to be a top-100 ranked player on the Global Poker Index (GPI) All-Time Money List.
Play Style & Strategy
Chan is renowned for a “stoic, balanced, and highly technical” play style. He is widely considered one of the world’s leading specialists in Short Deck Ante-Only, a format where he leverages an elite understanding of modified equity and high-variance range construction. In No-Limit Hold’em, his strategy is characterized by a “low-noise” approach, minimizing physical tells while maintaining a mathematically sound GTO (Game Theory Optimal) baseline. He is particularly effective in high-buy-in invitationals where his ability to adjust to the specific tendencies of both elite “crushers” and wealthy businessmen gives him a distinct ROI advantage. Whether navigating a Triton Poker Series Main Event or a deep WSOP run, Chan’s strategy revolves around extreme patience and clinical execution in late-stage tournament play.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow Wai Leong Chan as he continues to add to his multi-million dollar high-stakes resume? You can track his performance through official tournament databases and social channels:
