Born in Kuching, Malaysia, Victor Chong is a prominent figure in the Asian poker scene. With a poker career spanning more than a decade now, this Malaysian poker pro has been instrumental to the growth of the game in the Asian region, both as a player and as the Special Advisor of Asian Poker Tour (APT). With a deep understanding of the evolving dynamics of poker in Asia, Victor has been actively involved in shaping the APT’s strategic direction, ensuring its continued success in the region.
Victor’s achievements as a player are as impressive as his contributions behind the scenes. He has amassed more than $1.9 million in live tournament cashes. He has won an impressive nine live poker titles, with his biggest score of $184,000 coming from a third-place finish in the $10,000 + $10,000 No Limit Hold’em – 8-Handed Mystery Bounty at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Vietnam in 2023. His ability to compete at the highest levels can be gauged by his performances in prestigious events, including the World Series of Poker (WSOP), where he has accumulated $81,321 in cashes.
Victor’s first major breakthrough came in October 2018 when he won the CoinPoker Super High Rollers at the APT Vietnam. Since then, he has scored many victories across Asia, including his most recent win in 2023 at the Super High Roller event during the WPT Vietnam – Passport to the World Championship in Hanoi, which added $67,743 to his live earnings. His journey from a passionate poker enthusiast to a highly regarded player and APT advisor makes him a significant influence in the Asian poker scene.
Victor’s background in property management and entrepreneurship has equipped him with a unique perspective on the business side of the poker industry. His varied professional experiences—ranging from being a Property Valuer, eBay Gold Powerseller to being the Media Marketing Consultant for Suited Ace Poker in Kuala Lumpur —have armoured him with skills that truly transcend the poker table. As a Special Advisor at APT, Victor brings this diverse expertise to the table, blending his business acumen with his deep passion for poker.
His journey displays both resilience and adaptability, making him a key figure in the poker ecosystem and a vital voice in the evolution of the game in the Asia region. Victor recently played a key role in the record-breaking APT Taipei Poker Classic 2024, which attracted a remarkable 16,787 entries and awarded over $12.18 million in prizes during its 11-day run, making it the largest and most lucrative poker series ever held in Taiwan. Victor’s efforts behind the scenes were instrumental in promoting and ensuring the success of this historic event. A few days ago, we got in touch with Mr. Victor to discuss his journey, the live poker scene in Asia, his role as the APT advisor, APT’s recent success, his career highlights and a lot more. Here are the excerpts of our insightful conversation with him:
PokerProNews: You’ve been playing poker for more than a decade, with your first notable cash back in 2010. Could you share with us how and when you got into poker, and what initially hooked you to the game?
Victor: During a summer holiday back home, my buddy from the UK taught us this new game limit holdem. I was immediately intrigued and started playing home games at university before playing 1 session in Christchurch Casino where I won a big pot with KK. From that moment, I was hooked!
After university, Ben Loo and I moved to Kuala Lumpur for work. We played home games several times a week for about over a year, making good money. Not long after that, we travelled together to play cash games in Macau (I still remember 20-30 hour sessions hahaha).
Introduction to MTTs: During one of our trips to Macau, the Red Dragon was running, so I decided to just try MTTs for the first time. I cashed 2 out of 3 side events and thought this was pretty easy – little did I know about the variance of MTTs (haha)
Then, the second time I ever played MTTs, I finished as the runner-up in the main event, winning over $100,000. From that moment on, I was hooked for life.
PokerProNews: As a key figure in Malaysian poker, what is your assessment of the current poker scene in Malaysia? Are there areas where you see room for improvement to further grow the poker market in Malaysia?
Victor: Poker is truly well and alive in Malaysia, with a myriad of live poker brands starting or owned by my country, including Triton Poker, Asian Poker Tour, USOP, and Poker Dream among others
We’re on a promising path for poker, with live events at Resorts World Genting and plenty of cash game action.
PokerProNews: Having seen the growth of live poker in Asia, especially through APT events, how do you think the live poker scene has evolved over the years? What changes or improvements have stood out to you the most?
Victor: I believe that poker is a truly great game, which is why it has stood the test of time. In Asia, with numerous live events catering to different communities, these stewards have significantly boosted its popularity. The biggest change was COVID-19 and online poker, which brought a lot of new players into the game.
PokerProNews: APT has grown tremendously over the years, becoming a cornerstone of the Asian poker circuit. Looking back at the recent APT Taipei Poker Classic, what do you think contributed to its massive success, and what were the key highlights of this series?
Victor: I just think that the APT consistently tries to deliver the best possible live series every single time and its growth reflects on how well this resonates with players. There’s something for every player from the average Joe to Isaac Haxton.
Key highlights can be found in this article, which sums it up best: apt-taipei-poker-classic-is-the-largest-and-richest-poker-series-in-taiwanese-poker-history-breaking-multiple-tour-records
PokerProNews: With the APT Taipei Poker Classic now wrapped up, what do you believe were the standout features that made this series special for players and fans alike?
Victor: One key factor is that we maintained the big guarantee in the main event, and reduced the buy-in by 40% compared to the last APT Taipei.
PokerProNews: How did the player turnout, competition level, and prize pools of the APT Taipei Poker Classic compare to your initial expectations? Did the APT team achieve the goals set for this series, and what lessons were learned for future events?
Victor: We knew it was going to break previous records, but the scale at which we achieved this was somewhat surprising. Key lesson – find a bigger venue! Hahaha!
PokerProNews: Indian players have been making waves on the Asian poker circuit. They also made their mark at APT Taipei Poker Classic, racking up over 18 final table appearances, a title win, and five runner-up finishes. What does their performance indicate about the future of Indian players in Asian events?
Victor: I have always believed that Indian players are the Euro regs of Asia, and we should expect a lot more at future APTs. I know that food/visa issues are a challenge but my advice to them is to come once and check it out – you’ll be hooked!
PokerProNews: As a special advisor for the Asian Poker Tour, how do you contribute to shaping APT’s direction and events? What vision do you have for the future of APT, particularly in enhancing the player experience?
Victor: Having a background as a pro player, my advice to the APT is always to enhance player experience and make this into the best tour the world has seen.
PokerProNews: Besides poker, you’ve had quite the entrepreneurial journey. How do you manage to balance your poker career with your entrepreneurial ventures, and how has your business experience influenced your approach to poker?
Victor: It’s easy- work on the go! Haha!
PokerProNews: With several APT titles to your name, is there one victory that stands out as the most special or memorable? What made that particular win so significant or special for you?
Victor: The last trophy I won at APT Manila was the most memorable, as I stopped myself from participating in APT events after that.
PokerProNews: Looking ahead, what are your personal and professional goals in poker?
Victor: Personally, I want to win a WSOP bracelet. As for the APT, I aim for every stop to be as big as EPT Barcelona.
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