Paul Phua is a world-renowned businessman and professional poker player from Malaysia. He currently sits atop the Malaysian all-time money list with over $32 million in live earnings. This includes a WSOP bracelet he won at King's Resort, Rozvadov in 2022. He took down the €25,000 Platinum High Roller for $481,509.
Phua is also the co-founder of the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series, one of the most prestigious tournament circuits in the world, and regularly plays at stops around the world.
Paul Phua Poker Career
Paul Phua’s journey into poker began in the early 2010s. He started playing recreationally during a golden era when iconic players like Tom Dwan, Phil Ivey, Chau Giang, Gus Hansen, and Patrik Antonius were drawn to Macau’s high-stakes poker scene.
In 2012, secured the biggest victory of his fledgling career, with a victory at the Aspers 100K High Rollers event in London, earning him $1.6 million after defeating Richard Yong heads-up.
Phua added cashes at the WSOP Asia-Pacific and Asian Poker Tour in 2013, as well as the European Poker Tour in 2014. In 2016, Phua’s profile rose significantly after he won The Monte Carlo One Drop Extravaganza, claiming over $800,000 in prize money.
In the same year, Phua co-founded the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series with Richard Yong, aiming to create a world-class tournament circuit for high-stakes players and to generate quality poker content.
Phua became a regular on the Triton circuit, with 2019 a standout year as he final-tabled several Triton events around the world.
He finished second to Jason Koon in a Triton Poker Super High Roller Short Deck event in Jeju, for over $2 million, before another runner-up finish in Montenegro, this time Rui Cao, saw him add another $2.1 million.
However, his best result came in London, finishing second in the £100,000 Triton London Main Event for over $3.1 million.
Phua secured a maiden Triton title in 2022, winning a €30,000 No-Limit Hold'em event for €740,400 ($769,000) and won a WSOP bracelet later that year in Rozvadov, winning the €25,000 Platinum High Roller for €482,000 ($481,000).
Since 2022, Phua has played almost exclusively on the Triton Poker Series.
Is Paul Phua Good at Poker?
Phua didn't take up Texas Hold'em until he was in his 40s. He considers himself an amateur poker despite amassing eight figures in live poker tournament winnings. He has improved his poker skills by playing with and against some of the best poker players in the world. For that reason, it's easier to say that Phua is definitely more skilled than the average poker player.
Paul Phua's Five Biggest Live Poker Results
| Date | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2019 | £100,000 Triton London Main Event | 2nd | £2,558,305 ($3,113,429) |
| May 2019 | HK$1,000,000 Triton Montenegro Short Deck | 2nd | HK$17,100,000 ($2,178,871) |
| April 2022 | $250,000 Super High Roller Bowl Europe | 2nd | $2,080,000 |
| March 2019 | HK$1,000,000 Triton Jeju Short Deck | 2/81 | HK$15,900,000 |
| September 2012 | £100,000 High Roller | 1st | £1,000,000 ($1,621,297) |
What is Paul Phua's Net Worth?
Phua is widely acknowledged as one of the richest poker players in the world, due to his prominent position in the Macau casino junket industry and his history of playing in nosebleed cash games around the world.
Paul Phua Controversies
By 2014, Phua was well-known in the poker world. He was arrested as part of a raid at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for allegedly operating an illegal betting operation involving the 2014 FIFA World Cup with his son Darren Phua, fellow businessman Richard Yong, and five others.
Many involved in high-stakes poker games with Phua immediately came to his aid including Andrew Robl and Phil Ivey who posted his bail and Tom Dwan who was with Phua when he was arrested. A year later, the case was dismissed against Phua despite six others involved pleading guilty.
In 2019, Phua was acquitted along with 14 others on charges of running an illegal gambling ring from rooms at Wynn Macau.
Paul Phua FAQs
What is Paul Phua's primary role in the Triton Poker Series?
Paul Phua is the co-founder of the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series, alongside Richard Yong. He helped create the circuit to showcase high-stakes tournament poker globally.
What is Paul Phua's biggest live tournament cash?
His career-best cash is $3,113,429, which he won for finishing runner-up in the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series London £100,000 Main Event in 2019.
Did Paul Phua win a WSOP bracelet?
Yes, Paul Phua won his first WSOP bracelet in 2022 at the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE), taking down the €25,000 Platinum High Roller for a prize of $481,509.
When did Paul Phua start playing poker professionally?
Phua started playing Texas Hold'em relatively late in life (in his 40s) in the early 2010s after observing the highest stakes cash games in Macau. His first major score of $1,621,297 came in 2012.
