Kai Cocklin is a poker journalist and live reporting manager who has worked with PokerNews at major festivals including the World Series of Poker and the European Poker Tour. He has managed multiple live reporting teams at the World Series of Poker and trained individual reporters to develop their skills. He now oversees Somuchpoker’s editorial and live coverage, ensuring consistent quality and engaging content across the Asian poker scene.

Updated: 2025.12.23

Zhihua Yang is a Chinese professional poker player who has become a prominent figure on the Asian tournament circuit, particularly recognized for a breakout series of performances in 2024 and 2025.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With over $113,000 in total live tournament earnings, according to The Hendon Mob, Yang has rapidly climbed the ranks of the Chinese All-Time Money List. His career-defining moment occurred in November 2025 at the Jeju Poker Festival, where he secured a 2nd-place finish in the K Poker Cup Single Day High Roller for a career-best score of ~$28,396.

Yang’s success is characterized by consistent deep runs in high-stakes Asian festivals:

World Poker Tour (WPT) Korea (2024): Finished 2nd in the Single Day High Roller for $35,101, which remains one of his most prestigious results to date.
Jeju Poker Festival (2025): Beyond his High Roller runner-up finish, he notched a deep run in the Red Dragon Championship, finishing 139th out of a massive field.
WPC Korea (2024): Secured a 5th-place finish in the High Roller event for $19,623.

These consistent five-figure scores in high-roller formats have allowed him to surpass the $100,000 career earnings milestone, significantly contributing to his rising poker net worth.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from and currently residing in China, Yang has focused his professional career on the booming South Korean poker scene. He has become a specialist in the Jeju circuit, frequently competing in major international tours including the World Poker Tour (WPT) and the Red Dragon Poker Tour (RDPT). Since entering the live scene, Yang has demonstrated a remarkable ability to transition from regional events to elite High Roller fields, quickly establishing himself as a regular at final tables across East Asia.

Play Style & Strategy

Yang is recognized for a disciplined and highly technical play style, particularly in “Single Day” formats that require intense mental stamina and rapid tactical adjustments. His success in high-roller environments suggests a strategy deeply rooted in modern GTO principles, balanced with the aggression necessary to navigate the volatile fields of the Asian circuit.

His tactical approach features:

High-Roller Proficiency: A proven ability to perform in elite, small-field environments where technical edges are slim.
Late-Stage Aggression: Demonstrated by his multiple runner-up finishes in prestigious High Roller events, showing he is a formidable closer at final tables.
Field Adaptability: The skill to maintain consistent results across different tournament structures, from the fast-paced Single Day High Rollers to the endurance-testing Red Dragon Championship.

Recent Attendances