Nationality
Chinese-American
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Born (date and place of birth)
1957 in Guangzhou, China
Residence (current location)
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Education (institution, specialization)
Studied hotel and restaurant management at University of Houston; dropped out before completion
Year started playing poker
Early 1980s (recorded tournament activity from 1981 onwards)
Age when started playing
Around 24 years old (born 1957, started early 1980s)
Year turned professional
Early 1980s, after moving to Las Vegas post-university drop out
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
1981 American Cup poker tournament (defeated 9 players at final table)
First important tournament
1981 American Cup poker tournament, victory won within an hour in Las Vegas
Main motivation for turning pro
Passion ignited after early high-stakes cash game experience at age 16 and subsequent losses; driven by poker skill and competition
Initial bankroll
Allegedly turned $500 into $20,000 in one night at age 16 during a casino visit
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Self-taught through playing and studying opponents; no formal education courses recorded
Total live tournament winnings
Over $8,700,000 in live tournament earnings
Number of tournament wins
10 WSOP bracelets including back-to-back Main Event wins; multiple other tournament victories including America’s Cup
Number of final tables
Numerous WSOP final tables and other major tournament final tables (exact count not documented)
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
1988 WSOP Main Event ($> than typical Main Event prize; exact prize varies by year, estimated over $700,000 at that time)
WSOP bracelets (number)
10 (including 1987 and 1988 Main Event titles)
WSOP cashes (number)
54+ cashes at WSOP events
WSOP final tables
Multiple final table appearances including Main Event final tables in 1987, 1988, 1989
Best WSOP Main Event result
1st place (1987, 1988 WSOP Main Event), 2nd place (1989 WSOP Main Event)
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
No-Limit Hold'em primarily, also skilled in Omaha and Draw poker
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Primarily live tournaments, some cash games; also appeared in televised poker shows
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Prefers full ring and 6-max tournament formats
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
NLHE, Pot Limit Omaha, Draw poker
Specialization limits
Mid to high buy-in tournaments, including Main Events and high-stakes Pot Limit events
Favorite casinos/locations
Las Vegas venues including Caesars and Horseshoe; affiliated with Manila and Macau casino poker scenes
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Tight-aggressive, calculated, with strong reading ability
Known for bluffs/traps
Selective and highly effective bluffing, with ability to slow-play strong hands
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Highly mathematical and psychological with strong focus on timing and opponent reading
Style adaptability
Highly adaptive, reads opponents’ behavioral patterns closely
Playing strengths
Exceptional opponent reading, timing, head’s up play, calm demeanor under pressure
GTO strategy usage
Pre-GTO era but evolved with modern strategies, known for strategic innovations
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
Poker After Dark, NBC; cameo in film "Rounders" (1998)
Poker After Dark appearances (episodes/dates)
Multiple wins in Poker After Dark including heads-up wins against top players
Documentary films featuring (titles and links)
Featured in "Rounders" (1998 film) with cameo appearance
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
Various interviews in major poker publications over decades, including CardPlayer and PokerListings
Own business (business names, descriptions, websites)
Intentions expressed to open own casino in future, named "Big Orange Hotel and Casino" concept
Coaching services (availability, platforms used)
Mentored players including 2006 WSOP Champion Jamie Gold
Notable students (names if public, their achievements)
Jamie Gold among notable mentees
Poker industry awards (award names, years, organizations)
Inducted to Poker Hall of Fame in 2002
Hall of Fame inclusion (hall names, induction years)
Poker Hall of Fame inductee, 2002
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Recognized by peers as one of poker’s greatest and most strategic players
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
First player to win back-to-back WSOP Main Events (1987, 1988); 10 WSOP bracelets total
Records associated with name (record descriptions, verification)
Last player to win consecutive WSOP Main Events; most Poker After Dark tournament wins (4)
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Helped popularize poker globally; influential in strategic thinking and televised poker growth
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
One of poker’s all-time legends; iconic figure that helped bring poker mainstream recognition
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Influence on poker strategy, media coverage, and poker culture worldwide