Richard Yong
Richard Yong’s impact on poker goes beyond his achievements as a poker player; he has shaped high stakes tournaments to meet the demands of top professionals while championing poker as a charitable endeavor. With the Triton Poker Series, Yong left an indelible mark on the world of poker by combining his entrepreneurial experience with his passion for the game. His story continues to inspire players around the world, proving that poker is not only a game of skill, but also a tool to connect and give back to communities.
Main Information
Let’s take a closer look at the professional poker player:
- Nickname: Richard Yong.
- Nationality: Malaysian.
- Residence: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Born: December 25, 1957.
- Age: 66.
- Last Results: Triton Poker 2022, Cyprus – 6th place, Triton Super High Roller Series 2019, London – 15th place.
Richard Yong Biography
Born on December 25, 1957 in Malaysia, Richard Yong built a successful career as a businessman and entrepreneur before diving into the world of poker. He started in the industries of information technology and data mining, which gave him skills that later came in handy at the poker table. Known as a prominent figure in high-stakes Asian poker, Yong became interested in playing in Macau in the early 2000s. His love for poker not only motivated him to compete against some of the world’s best players, but also inspired him to create the Triton Poker Series, a high-stakes tournament series known for its prestigious events and contributions to charity.
Despite his success in poker, Yong ran into legal trouble in 2014 when he was arrested in Las Vegas along with other players due to his alleged involvement in the illegal sports betting market. However, this incident did not deter his passion for poker and he continued to contribute to the game by promoting tournaments and participating in international events.
Poker Career
Richard Yong’s poker journey is distinguished by his dedication to high stakes tournaments and his unique position as a player and tournament organizer. First encountering Texas Hold’em in Macau, he quickly immersed himself in the game, learning from experienced players such as Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan. In these ways, they are similar to business partner Paul Phua. Yong’s strategic thinking, honed from years in the tech industry, complemented his competitive spirit.
Live Poker Achievements
Since it is real poker tournaments that are Richard’s passion, he has some significant accomplishments here:
- 2012 WSOP Big One for One Drop: 8th place, $1,237,333.
- 2012 Aspers 100K High Roller (London): second place behind Paul Phua, $924,140.
- 2012 WSOP Europe €50,000 Majestic Event: 3rd place, $521,859.
- 2015 Aussie Millions $100,000 Challenge: Winner, $1,477,560.
- 2018 Triton HKD$250,000 6-Max Event (Montenegro): winner, $3,046,000 HKD.
- 2018 Triton Jeju HK$2,000,000 Main Event: 3rd place, HKD16,720,000.
- 2017 Triton Super High Main Event Roller Series HK $1,000,000 (Montenegro): finalist with a prize pool of HKD 11,252,000.
- 2018 World Series of Poker Europe Event #9 €100,000 No-Limit Hold’em: 14th place with a prize pool of €161,587.
Online Poker Achievements
Although Yong’s achievements in poker are mostly in live tournaments, he actively promoted online poker through the platform “Paul Phua Poker”, which he founded with his business partner Paul Phua. This educational platform has become popular, offering everyday people and ordinary users ideas from professional players.
Top Five Career Cashes
| Place | Event | Date | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd place | Triton Jeju Super High Roller | 2018 | $2 130 848 |
| 1st place | Triton Montenegro Main Event | 2017 | $1 437 000 |
| 1st place | Aussie Millions $100,000 | 2015 | $1 477 560 |
| 2nd place | WSOP Big One for One Drop | 2012 | $1 237 333 |
| 7th place | Triton HKD$250,000 6-Max Event | 2018 | $388 024 |
Richard Yong Socials
It will be most convenient to follow Richard Yong’s news on social network X:
- Twitter: Richard_Yong1
FAQ
What is Richard Yong’s most significant achievement in poker?
Yong’s biggest win can be described as his third place finish at the 2018 Triton Jeju Super High Roller, where he took home his biggest cash prize of $2,130,848.
How did Richard Yong get into poker?
Yong was introduced to poker in Macau in the 2000s, where he initially played Chinese poker. His interest soon switched to Texas Hold’em after watching and playing with famous players.
What is the Triton Poker Series and what role does Yong play in it?
The Triton Poker Series is a high-stakes poker tournament series that Yong founded to cater to elite players. Its unique format features high buy-ins and fast structures, with profits going to charity.
What were the Richard Yong scandals?
In 2014, Yong was arrested in Las Vegas in connection with an illegal sports betting ring, a case that was later dropped due to insufficient evidence.
What are Richard Yong’s contributions to the poker community?
In addition to participating in high stakes tournaments, Yong has been instrumental in promoting short deck poker and high stakes events through Triton. In addition, together with business partner Paul Phua, they organized a training platform for regular online poker players.