Yankai Zhang is a highly respected Chinese professional poker player and a seasoned veteran of the Asian tournament circuit. In 2025, he reached a significant career milestone by capturing his first-ever Asian Poker Tour (APT) title after years of deep runs and multiple runner-up finishes.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With over $726,949 in total live earnings, according to The Hendon Mob, Yankai Zhang is a member of the $500,000 career milestone club. He is currently ranked 109th on the China All-Time Money List.

His career-best live cash of ~$144,269 was achieved in April 2025 for winning the VPT Championship Main Event in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. Other major career highlights include:

~$29,074 (KRW 40,830,000) – 1st place in the Single Day High Roller at APT Jeju in September 2025, his first APT trophy.
~$21,720 – 2nd place in a High Roller event at Poker Dream 16 in Jeju in February 2025.
$12,200 – 163rd place in the Triton One Main Event in Jeju in September 2025.
~$11,166 (₫ 294,100,000) – 2nd place in the Sunday Ultra-Stack Madness at the Grand Loyal Poker Championships (GLPC II) in Hanoi in October 2025.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from and residing in China, Yankai Zhang has been a consistent presence in high-stakes Asian poker for over a decade. He is known as a “seasoned pro” who frequently travels to major stops in South Korea, Vietnam, and Macau. Despite his long-standing success, an APT title had eluded him for years, including three previous runner-up finishes, until his breakthrough victory in Jeju in late 2025. He is often cited as a top-tier professional within the Chinese poker community, competing in elite fields such as the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series.

Play Style & Strategy

Zhang is characterized by his technical resilience and consistency in high-stakes fields. His breakthrough in the Single Day High Roller format highlights his ability to navigate fast-paced, elite fields where ICM (Independent Chip Model) awareness and aggressive late-stage play are paramount. His transition into the “Super Superstar” and Triton circles suggests a GTO-influenced strategy capable of competing against the world’s most elite professionals. He is noted for his patient approach to closing out major titles, having maintained a high level of play despite several narrow misses early in his career.

The Best of Yankai Zhang: Exclusive Poker Image Gallery