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: 2026.01.07

Yanchao Li is a professional poker player from China who has rapidly ascended the ranks of the Asian tournament circuit. He is particularly recognized for his dominance in high-speed and short-handed formats, frequently appearing at final tables in major regional festivals across South Korea, Malaysia, and Macau.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Yanchao Li has total earnings of $120,913. His career trajectory saw a significant spike in 2025, where he secured several high-profile victories and deep runs on the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and regional series. His biggest live cash occurred during the APT Jeju in September 2025, where he outclassed the field in the APT High Roller Turbo event to take home the top prize of KRW 28,520,000 (∼$20,240).

Li has also demonstrated exceptional consistency in the Poker Dream series. In August 2025, he traveled to Malaysia for Poker Dream 18 in Kuala Lumpur, where he finished 4th in the No Limit Hold’em Monster Stack for RM 54,600 (∼$12,967). His versatility was further displayed in Macau during the Macau Poker Open (MPT), where he finished as the runner-up in a Deepstack Freezeout for HKD 158,855 (∼$20,436). Earlier in his career, he also made his mark on the World Poker Tour (WPT) circuit, finishing 2nd in the WPT MegaStack Closer in Jeju for KRW 6,190,000 (∼$4,835).

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from China, Yanchao Li has become a familiar face at the Landing Casino in Jeju and the CTP Asia Poker Arena in Taipei. He entered the professional scene as a specialist in turbo-structured tournaments, a niche where he has found immense success. Unlike many players who focus solely on Main Events, Li has built his reputation and bankroll by grinding high-stakes side events and “Monster Stack” tournaments. His dedication to the Asian circuit has seen him climb to the 725th position on the China All Time Money List, a rank that continues to rise with his heavy volume of play in 2025 and 2026.

Play Style & Strategy

Li is known for an aggressive and opportunistic play style, making him a formidable “short-stack ninja” in turbo formats. He excels at navigating the high-variance nature of APT and Poker Dream turbo events, where his understanding of shove-fold ranges and ICM pressure gives him a distinct edge over less experienced fields. His strategy often involves relentless pressure during the middle stages of a tournament, allowing him to accumulate the chips necessary to dominate final tables. Whether competing in a standard No Limit Hold’em event or a specialized variant like Dealer’s Choice, Li’s ability to adapt his ranges based on table dynamics has made him one of the most consistent trophy hunters in the region.

Recent Attendances