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: 2025.12.18

Yen Fen Lai is a Taiwanese professional poker player who has quickly emerged as a consistent competitor on the Asian poker circuit, recognized for her success in diverse tournament formats across Taiwan and the Philippines.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Yen Fen Lai has total live earnings of $5,789. While she is in the early stages of her international career, she has already secured multiple high-impact finishes in 2025. Her career-best result and biggest cash came in July 2025 at the 18th Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) in Taipei City, where she finished as the runner-up in the No Limit Hold’em – Head Hunter for NTD 39,800 (~$1,400).

In late 2025, she demonstrated her ability to compete in premier international festivals at the Manila Megastack 23 held at PokerStars LIVE Manila . She secured a 6th-place finish in the No Limit Hold’em – SuperStack Turbo, earning PHP 98,500 (~$1,670). Additionally, she showcased her versatility by finishing 8th in the Pot Limit Omaha during the TMT Taipei series for NTD 16,500 (~$500).

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from Taiwan, Lai has become a regular fixture at the Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Club (CTP) in Taipei and has begun expanding her presence to major regional hubs like Manila. Her rise in 2025 is marked by deep runs in competitive fields, including a 59th-place finish out of 543 entries in the Asia Poker Championship (APC) Taiwan Main Event. She is part of a growing wave of Taiwanese players who are increasingly influential in the Asian-Pacific tournament landscape.

Play Style & Strategy

Lai is recognized for a resilient and tactical play style, showing a particular proficiency in bounty and turbo formats. Her runner-up finish in the Head Hunter event highlights a strategy that effectively balances aggressive bounty hunting with sound tournament survival. Her success in both the high-pressure Manila Megastack SuperStack Turbo and the technical APC Main Event suggests strong fundamental awareness and an adaptable approach to varied field sizes and blind structures.

Recent Attendances