Robert Yong, also known as Rob Yong, is a popular poker player and owner of the UK’s prestigious Dusk Till Dawn Poker Room. In this article, we will delve into Yong’s early life, poker career, the creation of Dusk Till Dawn Casino, and his net worth.
Early Life and Introduction to Poker
Rob Yong doesn’t come from a wealthy family. In an interview with PokerStartegy, Yong revealed that his family was not well-off, so he had to generate income himself. “I used to sell bric-a-brac under a subway with Nick Whiten when I was 10,” Yong said. Even after so many years, Nick Whiten and Rob are still good friends and have a deep respect for each other.
Like many other businessmen, Rob did not finish his college and instead left school to work for an agency when he was over 21 years old. Over a year later, he opened his own agency. That, we believe, built a great sense of business for him to venture into other business, although he had a business sense right from very young age.
Young took to poker around 2004 after the Chris Moneymaker boom. His introduction to poker happened by accident. While visiting a local casino, he mistakenly walked into the poker room. He decided to give the game a try and was hooked. “I saw some guys I knew, sat down, and played. It was a £5 rebuy. I really liked it, and I was hooked from there,” Yong shared.
Poker Career Earnings and Highlights
Yong’s first recorded live cash came in 2004 when he finished 6th at the European Poker Championship £500 PLO Event, earning $5,260. Shortly after, he secured a runner-up finish at the CelebPoker UK Challenge £100 PLO event, collecting $6,619. Later that year, Yong claimed $29,488 for a runner-up finish at the Five-Diamond World Poker Classic $1k NLH.
The following year, Yong earned over $30,000 through three final table finishes, including a 2nd place at the Springfest Luton £525 NLH Double Chance Event for $24,324. His first recorded six-figure score came in 2006 when he finished at the final table of the EPT Dublin Main Event, earning $111,518.
After 2006, Yong reduced his participation in live tournaments, opting to play selectively. However, in 2019, he made a significant comeback, finishing 6th in the €25,500 NL Short Deck Hold’em at the WSOP Europe for $135,160.
In 2022, Yong started competing in high rollers, with standout performances at the Triton Poker Series Madrid, where he earned over $290,000 through two final table finishes. These included a 6th-place finish in Event #1: €20k NLH for $112,275 and a 3rd-place finish in Event #3: €20k NLH Short Deck for $180,697. He later won his first live poker title at the Luxon Pay Mediterranean Poker Party (MPP) $11,111 NLH One Drop, earning $87,000.
His most recent live tournament cash came in May 2023, when he finished 8th at the Triton Poker Vietnam Event #7: $75k NLH for a career-high payday of $239,000. Rob Yong currently boasts $1,084,481 in live poker earnings.
Rob Young’s Key Career Milestones
2007: He founded the Dusk Till Dawn Cardroom in Nottingham.
2008: He won the 2008 Poker Innovation or Initiative of the Year Award for creating Dusk Till Dawn
2014: He joined forces with partypoker as a key partner and consultant.
2019: He finishes 6th in the € 25,500 NL High Roller event at the WSOP Europe for €120,946.
2023: He finishes 8th at the Triton Poker Vietnam Event #7: $75k NLH for a career-high $239,000
Founding Dusk Till Dawn Poker Room
In addition to playing poker, Yong is also the co-founder of the prestigious Dusk Till Dawn Poker Room. The story behind its creation is legendary in the poker community. Yong and his business partner, Nick Whiten, were once denied entry into a poker tournament because they arrived one minute late. Frustrated, Whiten remarked, “Why don’t we open our own poker room?”
As a result, Dusk Till Dawn was founded in 2007, which became the first UK venue to focus primarily on recreational and low-stakes players. “When I first came into poker, you’d be stuck in the back room, with one valet for 100 customers. There was a lot I felt I could change in poker. That’s what I tend to do in business—I look at industries where I can improve customer service,” Yong explained.
Rob put his heart and soul to make his room successful. For his efforts, Yong won the 2008 Poker Innovation or Initiative of the Year Award for creating Dusk Till Dawn.
Rob Yong’s Net Worth 2024
While there are no concrete reports on Yong’s exact net worth, it is estimated to be in the millions. In addition to his live tournament earnings, Yong is an avid cash game player, with recorded winnings exceeding $2.3 million according to High Roller Poker Tracker.
Yong remains active in the poker scene, regularly competing in cash games, including at Hustler Casino Live. As per his X (formerly Twitter) account, he is currently in Bahamas to participate in the Triton Poker Million, which is starting today and will see big name players from across the world including Daniel Negreanu, Fedor Holz, Adrian Mateos, Patrik Antonius, Nick Petrangelo, Jason Koon, Justin Bonomo, Phil Ivey, Sean Winter, Chance Kornuth, Stephen Chidwick and many more in the competition.
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