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: 2025.12.22

Yuanning Wu is a professional poker player from China who has emerged as a premier force on the Asian circuit, most notably for his historic victory at the 2023 APPT Manila Main Event. He is currently ranked 204th on the China All Time Money List and is a recurring high-stakes regular at major festivals in the Philippines, Cambodia, and Malaysia.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Yuanning Wu has total earnings of $422,559. His career reached a defining peak in August 2023 at the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Manila, where he outlasted a record-breaking field of 1,354 entries to win the Main Event. Following a heads-up deal, he claimed a career-best score of PHP 11,519,730 (∼$207,959).

Wu has maintained a high-intensity schedule throughout the 2025 season, recording significant cashes across the region. In May 2025, he secured a 5th place finish in the APPT Cambodia Main Event for $50,480. His dominance at Okada Manila continued later in the year during the APPT Manila Championship, where he finished 15th in the APPT Main Event for PHP 730,000 (∼$12,698) and 16th in the PokerStars Red Dragon for PHP 252,000 (∼$4,420). Other notable results include a 4th place finish in the WPT Cambodia Mini Championship for $12,807 and a 9th place finish in the Poker Dream 10 Vietnam Main Event for VND 300,800,000 (∼$11,872).

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from China, where he currently resides, Wu has transitioned from regional Chinese tournaments to becoming one of the most successful international exports of the Chinese poker community. He first appeared on the professional radar in 2015 and steadily built his bankroll through events in Macau and Sanya before expanding to the wider Southeast Asian market.

His victory in the 2023 APPT Manila Main Event was particularly poignant, as he had previously reached the final table of the same event in 2019, finishing 7th. Wu is also an active online competitor, having recorded cashes in both the 2020 and 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Online series on GGPoker, including a deep run in the $500 Mini Main Event where he finished 67th out of over 18,000 entries.

Play Style & Strategy

Wu is known for a resilient and tactical play style that excels in large-field championship structures. During his 2023 APPT victory, he demonstrated elite mental stamina and the ability to navigate a final table momentum shift, notably winning a crucial flip with pocket tens against ace-king to catapult himself into a commanding lead.

His strategy relies on technical precision and a sophisticated understanding of final table dynamics. He is particularly effective in high-pressure heads-up scenarios; during his battle with Christopher Mateo, he utilized a rivered straight to secure the win within less than an hour of deal-making. While primarily a No Limit Hold’em specialist, Wu also displays versatility in other formats, having recorded recent podium finishes in Omaha 8 or Better and Pot Limit Omaha events across Macau and the Philippines.

Recent Attendances