Elton Tsang
| Elton Tsang | |
|---|---|
 Elton Tsang | |
| Residence | Hong Kong |
| Born | Elton Tsang Ka Wai 1980 (age 43–44) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Money finish(es) | 1 |
| European Poker Tour | |
| Money finish(es) | 1 |
Elton Tsang Ka-wai (born 1980) is a Chinese Canadian poker player currently residing in Hong Kong who won the fifth largest single payout in poker tournament history.[1] He is an entrepreneur with investments in IT, travel agencies, and internet firms.[2] Jason Koon believed Tsang to be one of the biggest winners in Macau cash games with estimated winnings of over $120 million.[3] Tsang is involved in charity.[4]
Poker
Tsang's first live tournament cash was in 2006 where he finished 4th in the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em event at the PanAsia Poker Tour.
In April 2010, Tsang was the champion of the Asian Poker King Tournament winning his first tournament and earning HK$553,600 (USD $71,307) in the process.[5]
In October 2016, Tsang was invited by Guy Laliberté, the founder of Cirque du Soleil, to participate in the €1,000,000 Monte-Carlo One Drop Extravaganza, an exclusive poker tournament. He defeated 25 other players to win the tournament and received a €11,111,111 ($12,248,912) payout for first, the third largest single payout in poker history.[6][7] Tsang was coached by professional poker player, Mustapha Kanit.[8]
In the same year, an anonymous story emerged alleging that while playing in a private game hosted at Casino Barcelona, Leon Tsoukernik had lost over €3,000,000 dollars to Tsang. Tsoukernik paid €1,200,000, but refused to pay the remaining €2,000,000. When Tsang requested that the debt be paid in full Tsoukernik refused claiming the game was "strange",[9] elaborating that "...some people take advantage of knowing me and target me when I play poker cash games. I have thus experienced a variety of practices in the game, which corrupt the sport of the game. For example, poker collusion, marked cards, and hired professionals. I have many stories to tell, but I prefer to fight it my own way with the support of the courts of justice and other poker entrepreneurs instead of fighting rumours and lies over the internet."[10] Tsang confirmed this allegation in 2017 which Tsoukernik vehemently denies.[10][11]
As of 2017 Tsang's live tournament winnings exceed $12,700,000.
Tournament results
| Date | Country | Event | Place | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-Oct-2016 | Monaco | € 888,889 + 111,111 No Limit Hold'em Monte-Carlo One Drop Extravaganza
The Monte-Carlo One Drop Extravaganza, Monte Carlo |
1st | $ 12,248,912 |
| 13-Apr-2013 | Australia | A$ 50,000 No Limit Hold'em - High Roller Rebuy
World Series of Poker Asia-Pacific (WSOP APAC), Melbourne |
5th | $ 162,212 |
| 08-Mar-2012 | South Korea | KRW 1,000,000 + 240,000 No Limit Hold'em - Main Event
APPT - Seoul, Seoul |
14th | $ 8,023 |
| 22-Jan-2012 | Australia | A$ 10,000 + 600 No Limit Hold'em - Main Event
2012 Aussie Millions Poker Championship, Melbourne |
21st | $ 46,326 |
| 12-Oct-2011 | Macau | HK$ 20,000 No Limit Hold'em - Main Event
Macau Poker Cup - October Special, Macau |
22nd | $ 5,704 |
| 30-Mar-2011 | Philippines | $ 2,500 + 200 No Limit Hold'em - Main Event
APT - Philippines, Manila |
2nd | $ 95,230 |
| 07-Nov-2010 | Macau | HK$ 32,500 + 2,500 No Limit Hold'em - Main Event
Asian Poker Tour - Macau, Macau |
7th | $ 26,059 |
| 18-May-2010 | Macau | HK$ 40,000 No Limit Hold'em - Main Event
APPT - Macau, Macau |
33rd | $ 8,203 |
| 23-Apr-2010 | Macau | HK$ 7,500 + 500 No Limit Hold'em - Main Event
Asian Poker King Tournament, Macau |
1st | $ 71,307 |
| 20-Mar-2010 | Philippines | $ 2,500 + 200 No Limit Hold'em - Main Event
APPT - Manila, Manila |
29th | $ 5,200 |
| 11-Nov-2009 | Philippines | ₱ 94,000 + 6,000 No Limit Hold'em - Main Event
Filipino Poker Tour 11 / APPT - Philippines, Cebu |
31st | $ 3,720 |
| 13-Aug-2009 | Macau | HK$ 1,000 + 150 No Limit Hold'em
2009 Asian Poker Tour - Macau, Macau |
2nd | $ 2,580 |
| 10-Jul-2009 | Macau | HK$ 49,000 + 1,000 No Limit Hold'em - High Roller Event
PokerStars Macau Poker Cup, Macau |
2nd | $ 19,351 |
| 15-Nov-2008 | Philippines | ₱ 40,000 No Limit Hold'em - Seven Handed
Filipino Poker Tour 8 / APPT - Manila, Manila |
4th | $ 1,072 |
| 25-Oct-2008 | Macau | HK$ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em - Red Dragon Event
Macau Poker Cup, Taipa |
4th | $ 4,581 |
| 01-Sep-2008 | Macau | HK$ 25,000 No Limit Hold'em - Main Event
APPT - Macau, Taipa |
52nd | $ 4,858 |
| 05-Jan-2008 | Bahamas | $ 7,800 + 200 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure
PCA - 2008, Paradise Island |
37th | $ 32,000 |
| 04-Nov-2006 | Philippines | $ 2,500 No Limit Hold'em
PanAsia Poker Tour, Paranaque City |
4th | $ 7,650 |
Charity
Tsang is involved in charity. He has donated to Mother's Choice, sponsoring children at a local orphanage Po Leung Kok, and Lord Grace Home for the Aged. He credits Sheen Hok Charitable Foundation founder, Alice Chiu, as being an inspiration saying "my passion for charitable work originates from Alice Chiu ... I was deeply touched by her efforts to help the needy in the society. Earlier, I visited children with amblyopia in Handan, China. The experience taught me to be grateful for all I have, and do my best to help those in need."[12]
References
- ^ Kirschen, Robert (16 October 2016). "WSOP NEWS: ELTON TSANG WINS 2016 BIG ONE FOR ONE DROP". WSOP.com. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
- ^ "Elton Tsang Wins €1m One Drop for $12.2m". HighstakesDB. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
- ^ Wesker (2018-06-02). "Jason Koon – "Elton Tsang may be the biggest winner as far as cash games go"". PokerGround.com. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- ^ "Elton Tsang and Mustapha Kanit Reflect on €11,111,111-One Drop Extravaganza Win". www.pokernews.com. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- ^ "Elton Tsang Wins the Asian Poker King Tournament". Asian Poker Tour. 2010-04-27. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
- ^ Fast, Erik (2016-10-16). "Elton Tsang Wins €1 Million Big One Invitational For €11,111,111". CardPlayer.com. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
- ^ Wright, Nick (2016-10-16). "Elton Tsang Wins the Big One For One Drop Extravaganza for €11,111,111!". PokerNews. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
- ^ Op de Woerd, Frank (2016-10-19). "Elton Tsang and Mustapha Kanit Reflect on €11,111,111-One Drop Extravaganza Win". PokerNews. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
- ^ Burnett, Andrew (19 August 2016). "The Three Million Euro Welcher?". PokerTube. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
- ^ a b Davy, Lee (2017-08-15). "Winning and losing millions playing poker with Elton Tsang (part 2)". CalvinAyre.com. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
- ^ Pete (19 August 2017). "Elton Tsang: "Leon Tsoukernik owes me €2,000,000"". HighstakesDB. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
- ^ Lai, Elly (January 2017). "Finding an International Foothold". Precious. 60: 90–93.