button in SafariHow a Polish Grinder Used Emails and Math to Win the WPT Asia Leaderboard
Polish grinder "ChingWangLao" sent over a dozen emails to WPT Global to fully understand the leaderboard rules and scoring system of the WPT® Asia Series Leaderboard 2026. It's fair to say it's prep work that paid off.
That's because "ChingWangLao" won the recently concluded WPT Asia Series Leaderboard, beating over 1.5 million entrants from 94 countries to bank the ¥1 million first-place prize, after what he described as a carefully engineered month-long grind.
According to the Polish player, his preparation started long before the first hand was dealt after he exchanged more than a dozen emails with customer support to ascertain the scoring system, then built an entire strategy around maximizing point efficiency.
In an interview, he gave the WPT a look behind the curtain:
The Champ Opens Up
“I think the key to success was thoroughly analyzing the series rules, developing an appropriate strategy, and planning out the entire month,” said "ChingWangLao". “There were many aspects to consider.”
That planning even extended to intentionally skipping some of the biggest weekend events on the schedule. While larger guarantees may appear attractive on paper, "ChingWangLao" believed the tougher fields and longer sessions reduced his chances of consistently earning leaderboard points. Instead, he focused on playing four days a week and targeting events he felt offered the best balance between volume and scoring potential.
He also admitted the grind was physically demanding, particularly late in the series when he was forced to abandon his preferred schedule and play six straight sessions, with some days stretching to 16 or 17 hours.
“Maintaining focus was difficult,” he told WPT. “I think the most important factor was avoiding external distractions. Complete silence and having no obligations during the series were very important.”
“I think the scoring system was perfectly designed; anyone could participate.”
Part of his edge, he explained, came from his ability to adapt quickly after a difficult start. The opening sessions left him unsure which tournaments best suited his approach, but by the third session, he felt he had cracked the formula.“That’s when the real battle began,” he said.
The Polish grinder praised WPT Global’s overall ecosystem and described the leaderboard format as one that gave everyday players a genuine shot at competing for major prizes without needing massive buy-ins, adding, “I think the scoring system was perfectly designed; anyone could participate.”
As for the seven-figure payday, "ChingWangLao" said most of the money will go toward bankroll growth and long-term financial security, though he admitted at least a small portion has already been earmarked for a celebration with friends.
