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: 2026.03.21

Zhihao Zhang (often indexed as Zhi Hao Zhang) is a decorated Chinese professional poker player and a premier name on the Asian tournament circuit. Originally from Yang Pu, China, Zhang has built a reputation for elite consistency, transitioning from a regional champion to a global high-stakes threat. He famously achieved stardom in 2019 by winning the PokerStars LIVE Asia Red Dragon Main Event in Jeju, South Korea. In March 2026, he solidified his status among the world’s elite by securing a historic runner-up finish in the first-ever Pot-Limit Omaha event at a Triton One festival. He is currently ranked within the Top 200 on the China All-Time Money List.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With total live tournament earnings now exceeding $463,311 (according to The Hendon Mob), Zhihao Zhang is a dominant force in the high-stakes community. His career reached a historic peak on March 10, 2026, during the Triton One Jeju series, where he finished 2nd in the $6,000 PLO 6-Handed event for $91,000. This followed his legendary 2019 victory in the Jeju Red Dragon Main Event, where he outlasted 869 entries to earn $298,221 and a luxury Rolex watch. His sustained success across major Asian festivals contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $1.2 million.

Major Tournament Results:

Year	Event	Prize
2019	Jeju Red Dragon KRW 2.5M Main Event (1st)	$298,221
2026	Triton One Jeju $6,000 PLO 6-Handed (2nd)	$91,000
2025	Poker Dream 16 Jeju KRW 5M PLO (3rd)	$10,627
2025	APT Jeju KRW 3M 9-Game High Roller (2nd)	$9,815
2021	Dolphin Poker Cup Xiamen ¥2,200 Main Event (5th)	$8,812

Zhihao Zhang poker — Credit: Triton Poker Series

Biography & Professional Growth

Zhihao Zhang’s journey in professional poker is a testament to the growth of elite talent in mainland China . He first gained regional notoriety in 2014 during the APPT Beijing Millions, but it was his 2019 “Red Dragon” victory in Jeju, the biggest live poker event in South Korean history at the time, that established him as a national star. Known as a “mixed-game specialist,” Zhang has demonstrated a rare ability to excel across No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and mixed variants like 9-Game and Triple Draw. In 2026, he is recognized as a de facto ambassador for the modern Chinese poker movement, often cited for his disciplined bankroll management and his status as a perennial contender in the Triton Poker Series and Asian Poker Tour (APT).

Play Style & Strategy

Zhang is renowned for a “highly clinical, patient, and multi-format” play style. His greatest technical edge is his mastery of Pot-Limit Omaha and Mixed Games; his 2nd-place finish in the 2026 Triton PLO event and 2nd-place in the 2025 APT 9-Game High Roller highlight a technical depth that many NLHE-only professionals lack. Strategically, he is a proponent of range accuracy and post-flop equity realization. In the 2025 and 2026 seasons, his results show a profound ability to adjust his tactics between massive field sizes and elite, short-handed high-roller fields. His approach emphasizes mental endurance, making him one of the most difficult Chinese veterans to out-play in complex, multi-day championship structures.

Follow Zhihao Zhang as he continues his historic 2026 run and looks toward the World Series of Poker (WSOP):