As we enter 2025, the poker scene in Asia continues to shine with remarkable talent and high-stakes action. In this report, we will specifically delve into the top 6 Asian Poker Players who have solidified their positions as the top players and are top on the Asia All-Time Money list.
These 6 players not only solidified their positions in the Asian Poker world. They have also made a significant impact on the global poker stage, amassing millions in live tournament earnings.
1 – Paul Phua – $31,004,092
Ranked as the leader on Malaysia’s All-Time Money List and Asia’s All-Time Money List, Paul Phua, a renowned poker pro and businessman from Malaysia. The poker veteran has achieved remarkable success in the world of poker. The Malaysian poker pro has amassed an impressive $31,004,092 in live tournament earnings, holding 26th on the global all-time money list.
In addition to playing poker, the Asian businessman co-founded Triton Poker Super High Roller Series, currently a leading brand in high-stakes poker action. Phua also played an important role in establishing Wynn Macau, which became the hub of high-stakes cash games. Phuha began his poker journey in his early 40s, with the help of the G.O.A.T. Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan.
Paul Phua’s career-best live cash came in 2019, finishing 2nd in Triton Poker SHRS London $100k Main Event for a staggering $3.1 million payout. Despite playing poker very late compared to his peers, Phua has solidified his position as one of the elite poker pros, with a gold bracelet to his name.
2 – Daniel Chi Tang – $29,882,111
Daniel Chi Tang aka Danny Tang, currently holds the 2nd place on the Asian all-time money list with $29,882,111 live earnings to lead Hong Kong’s all-time money list. With nearly $30 million in live earnings this Asian pro ranks 28th on the global all-time money list.
Danny Tang’s biggest career score came in May 2019, when he secured a runner-up finish in the HK$1,000,000 Triton Poker SHRS Montenegro Main Event, earning an impressive $1.79 million. Later that year, Tang achieved another milestone by winning his first WSOP bracelet in the $50,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller, taking home $1.6 million. This victory made him only the second player from Hong Kong to claim a coveted WSOP bracelet.
Of the $29 million live earnings, $18 million earnings have come from his 40 cashes in Triton Poker SHRS with 5 titles. In 2024 Tang became a Triton ambassador, and also the recipient of the Ivan Leow Player of the Year award for Triton Season 3.
3 – John Juanda – $25,919,289
John Juanda is widely regarded as one of the most successful poker players from Asia, boasting an impressive $25,919,289 in live tournament earnings. His remarkable achievements have secured him a 3rd spot in the Asian all-time money list. His live earnings also positioned him among the top 35 on the global all-time money list, while ranking 1st on Indonesia’s all-time money list.
Juanda’s poker achievements include 5 World Series of Poker gold bracelets, with one of them coming from his victory winning the 2008 WSOP Europe $10k Main Event for a whopping $1.5 million. He also has the EPT Barcelona Main Event title to his name, which he won in 2015 for a seven-figure score of $1.1 million. His career-best live cash came in 2017 when he won the Triton Poker SHRS Macau HK$1,000,000 for a whopping $2,870,092.
4 – Elton Tsang – $24,338,099
The 4th number player on this list is Hong Kong’s Elton Tsang, who has a very different story from all the other pros. While many Asian elite pros got into poker while studying in the USA or Europe, Tsang left Canada to connect to his roots in Asia, a decision that paid out handsomely. Tsang holds 4th place on the Asian all-time money list and ranks 2nd on Hong Kong’s all-time money list with $24,338,099 live earnings.
In 2016, Elton Tsang made history by winning the €1,000,000 Big One for One Drop, taking home an astounding €11,111,111 ($12.2 million). This remains one of the largest single tournament payouts in poker history and accounts for nearly half of Tsang’s total live tournament earnings. It’s also one of the biggest prizes ever awarded in the game, solidifying Tsang’s legacy in poker history.
5 – Aaron Shu Nu Zang – $21,889,249
Aaron Shu Nu Zang currently ranks 5th on the Asian all-time money list and leads China’s all-time money list with accumulated live earnings of $21,889,249. Starting his poker journey in 2007, Zang gradually made his way into the world of high-stakes tournaments in Macau, establishing himself as a prominent Chinese high-stakes player.
Zang is best known for his victory in the £1,050,000 buy-in Triton Million for Charity event held in London in August 2019. Following a deal with Bryn Kenney, he took home an impressive $16,775,820 , marking one of the most significant achievements of his career.
6 – Punnat Punsri – $20,842,273
These top 5 players are followed by none other than the Thai poker pro Punnat Punsri with $20,842,273 in live earnings who is currently leading the Thailand All-Time Money list. His career-best score came in 2023 when he finished third in the $ 250,000 + 12,500 No Limit Hold’em – Luxon Invitational (Event #9) Entry restricted Triton Poker Super High Roller Series London to claim $ 3,107,000.
Keep following PokerProNews for more such inspiring stories from the world of poker in Asia.
