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: 2026.01.08

Zhiyuan Xu is a high-profile Chinese professional poker player who has rapidly ascended to the elite tiers of the international circuit. Renowned for his aggressive tournament strategy and massive volume, Xu is currently ranked among the top 100 players in China and has become a dominant force in high-stakes festivals across Asia and the United States.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Zhiyuan Xu has total live earnings of $561,474. His career trajectory shifted into high gear in 2024 and 2025, during which he crossed the half-million-dollar milestone through consistent deep runs in major “Main Event” and “High Roller” structures.

Notable career highlights include:

Super Cup Incheon (Oct 2025): 1st Place in the KRW 1,200,000 No Limit Hold’em – Main Event. Outlasting a field of 1,055 entries, Xu secured the championship trophy and a payout of KRW 181,820,000 (~$135,000), his largest single live cash to date.
APT Jeju (April 2024): Won the KRW 1,100,000 Mystery Bounty Hunter, capturing the title and KRW 42,355,000 (~$30,750) plus significant bounty prizes.
WSOP Las Vegas (June 2024): Recorded a deep run in the $25,000 High Roller (Event #26), finishing 40th for $50,637, proving his ability to compete against the world’s absolute best.
VPT Championship Phu Quoc (Nov 2025): Finished 2nd in the Charity High Roller for $22,000 and took 11th in the VPT Championship for $9,000.
Super Cup Incheon (Oct 2025): Secured a 2nd-place finish in the Mini High Roller for $7,400 just days after his Main Event victory.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from China and residing in Tian Tan, Xu belongs to the “elite wave” of Chinese professionals who maintain a heavy international travel schedule. He is a fixture at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, where he has recorded dozens of cashes, and is equally prominent in the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and Poker Dream series.

His breakthrough in 2024–2025 was marked by an extraordinary “In The Money” (ITM) frequency. Within a single year, he transitioned from a respected regional player to a global GPI-ranked professional. He is currently ranked #88 in China and holds a top 1,500 Global Poker Index rank, reflecting his status as one of the most active and successful mid-to-high stakes grinders in the world today.

Play Style & Strategy

Xu is recognized for a high-pressure, mathematically driven play style. He is particularly effective in Mystery Bounty and High Roller formats, where he utilizes an aggressive stack-building strategy in the early levels to dominate the bubble and final table phases.

His strategy is characterized by:

Large-Field Navigation: His victory in the 1,000+ runner Super Cup Main Event showcases a rare ability to maintain focus and technical soundness over multi-day, high-volume marathons.
Versatility: While a No Limit Hold’em specialist, he has also recorded cashes in Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) at the WSOP, indicating a broad tactical understanding.
Aggressive ICM Pressure: Xu is known for using his chips as a weapon on final tables, often forcing opponents into difficult decisions for their entire tournament life.

Recent Attendances