Zhifan Ye, often known by his nickname “Mata,” is a prominent Chinese professional poker player who has quickly risen through the ranks of the international circuit. Originally a cash game specialist, Ye made a massive splash in the tournament world starting in late 2022, earning a reputation as a “new-gen poker prodigy” for his aggressive play and consistent deep runs.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results
According to The Hendon Mob, Zhifan Ye has total live earnings of $479,304. His breakout period began on the Australian circuit before he expanded his dominance to major Asian stops in Malaysia, South Korea, and Vietnam.

Notable career highlights include:

WPT Australia Super High Roller (Sept 2023): Finished 5th in the A$20,000 No Limit Hold’em event for A$106,655 (~$68,724), which remains his largest single live cash.
WPT Australia Main Event (Sept 2023): Recorded a 19th-place finish for A$36,320 (~$23,403).
Poker Dream 15 Malaysia (Jan 2025): Delivered a powerhouse performance in Kuala Lumpur, finishing 7th in the Main Event for $21,500 and 6th in the Mystery Bounty for $6,574.
K Poker Cup Jeju (May 2025): Secured a 3rd-place podium finish in the Mega Stack Closer for $16,914.
WSOP Circuit Gold Coast (Dec 2022): Made headlines by bagging the overall chip lead in the Main Event, eventually helping him cross the $100,000 career milestone within just two years of playing the game.

Biography & Poker Background

Ye is a 27-year-old professional who primarily resides in China but spends a significant portion of the year traveling to high-stakes hubs. He emerged from a background in high-stakes cash games, a foundation that is clearly visible in his fearless approach to tournament play.

In late 2022, he was labeled a “prodigy” by regional media after dominating the WSOP Circuit and WPT events in Australia. Unlike many players who grind small-stakes events for years, Ye quickly transitioned into High Roller and Super High Roller fields, competing against some of the best players in the world. He is a frequent participant in the Asian Poker Tour (APT), World Poker Tour (WPT), and the Poker Dream series.

Play Style & Strategy

Zhifan Ye is known for a “muscular” and highly aggressive play style. Coming from a cash game background, he is particularly adept at playing deep-stacked, often using his chips to put maximum pressure on opponents during the middle and late stages of tournaments.

His strategy is characterized by:

Fearless Triple-Barreling: He is known for his willingness to run large bluffs across multiple streets if he senses weakness.
ICM Pressure: In high-stakes final tables, he often utilizes his stack to bully shorter-stacked professionals who are looking to ladder up in prize money.
Adaptability: While primarily a No Limit Hold’em specialist, his recent results in Mystery Bounty and Turbo formats show a keen ability to adjust his ranges based on varying tournament structures.

The Best of Zhifan Ye: Exclusive Poker Image Gallery