Paul Phua
| Paul Phua | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | MalACEsia |
| Born | Phua Wei Seng 29 April 1964 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet | 1 |
Wei Seng "Paul" Phua (born 29 April 1964) is a Malaysian Chinese businessman and professional poker player. He is a co-founder of the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series, one WSOP bracelet winner, and ranks first on the all-time Malaysian tournament money list.[1][2]
Phua built his fortune primarily through casino VIP junket operations and sports investments across Asia. In 2014, he was arrested by the FBI at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on charges related to an alleged illegal sports-betting operation; the case was dismissed the following year after a court ruled that agents had entered his villa without a valid warrant, violating the Fourth Amendment.[3][4]
Early life
[edit]Phua was born on 29 April 1964 in Miri, a coastal city in Sarawak, East Malaysia.[5] At 15 he was sent to Singapore to attend school, where he took up bowling before becoming involved in the gambling trade.[5]
Business career
[edit]Phua's business career centers on VIP junket operations in Macau, where he recruits high-net-worth gamblers and arranges casino credit for the region's largest gaming floors. His interests also span sports investments and hospitality ventures across the Asia-Pacific region.[6] In 2006, he worked with Steve Wynn as the Wynn Macau resort opened and expanded its junket operations.[5]
Estimates of Phua's net worth have ranged widely across secondary sources; no primary source has publicly confirmed a specific figure.[6]
Poker career
[edit]Cash games in Macau
[edit]Phua did not begin playing poker seriously until his mid-40s.[3] Around 2010, as high-stakes cash games began moving from Las Vegas to Macau, he was a regular participant in nosebleed-stakes sessions alongside Tom Dwan, Phil Ivey, Chau Giang, Patrik Antonius, John Juanda and others.[7][8] In September 2018, Phua was involved in one of the largest televised cash-game pots in poker at the time, a hand against Tom Dwan valued at approximately $2.35 million.[9]
Tournament results
[edit]Phua's first documented major tournament appearance was at the 2012 World Series of Poker Big One for One Drop, the inaugural $1,000,000 buy-in event.[8] Later that year he won the £100,000 Aspers High Roller in London, defeating Richard Yong heads-up.[10]
In 2016, he won the €100,000 Super High Roller at the One Drop Extravaganza, defeating Mikita Badziakouski heads-up.[10] His largest career score came in March 2026, when he won the $150,000 buy-in Triton Jeju 10th Anniversary Special for $3,226,000, ten years to the month after Triton's inaugural event.[2]
As of July 2026, Phua's tracked live tournament earnings exceed $38.9 million across more than 80 cashes, placing him 26th on the all-time money list and first among Malaysian players.[2]
Co-founding Triton Poker
[edit]In 2016, Phua co-founded the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series alongside fellow Malaysian businessman Richard Yong.[4] The invitation-only tour launched in Manila with buy-ins starting at $25,000 and has since travelled to destinations across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The series is credited with helping bring Short Deck Hold'em to the global tournament stage, and has raised significant funds for charitable causes through dedicated fundraising events at its stops.
Phua has remained an active competitor on his own tour rather than a ceremonial figurehead, posting numerous deep runs in both No-Limit Hold'em and Short Deck events. In August 2019, he finished second in the £100,000 Triton London Main Event for £2,558,000 (approximately $3.1 million).[11]
WSOP bracelet
[edit]Phua won his first World Series of Poker bracelet at the 2022 World Series of Poker Europe in the €25,000 Platinum High Roller, held at King's Resort in Rozvadov, Czech Republic. He earned €482,433 (approximately $481,500) and defeated a final table that included Shaun Deeb in third place and Daniel Negreanu in fourth.[1]
Paul Phua Poker
[edit]In 2016, Phua launched Paul Phua Poker, an educational YouTube channel and website featuring interviews with high-stakes professionals including Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, Timofey Kuznetsov, Dan Colman, Daniel Cates, and Sam Trickett, with a particular focus on Short Deck Hold'em.[12]
Legal cases
[edit]2014 FBI case
[edit]On 9 July 2014, Phua was arrested at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The FBI alleged he was the ringleader of an illegal sports betting operation being run from a villa at the property, and eight people were arrested in total, including his son Darren Wai Kit Phua (then 22) and Richard Yong.[3] Six co-defendants ultimately pleaded guilty; Phua and his son continued to contest the charges. Bail totalling approximately $4.5 million was posted, with an estimated $2 million contributed by two U.S. poker professionals; Phil Ivey, Andrew Robl and Daniel Cates were among those who contributed.[4]
In 2015, U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon dismissed the case after adopting a recommendation by Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen that the government's evidence be suppressed. The court found that FBI agents had posed as internet repair technicians to enter Phua's villa without a warrant, violating the Fourth Amendment.[3][4] Phua's passport, private jet and bail were subsequently returned.
During the case, the United States Department of Justice alleged links between Phua and the 14K Triad organisation. Phua denied the allegation. No Triad-related charges were brought at trial.[3]
2019 Macau case
[edit]In 2019, Phua was charged with 14 others in Macau in connection with alleged illegal gambling activity linked to Wynn Macau. He was acquitted of all charges.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Phua's son, Phua Wai Kit Darren, also plays poker. Phua is a resident of Malaysia and maintains a business presence in Macau.[3]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Paul Phua Wins Maiden Gold WSOP Europe Bracelet in Platinum High Roller". World Series of Poker. November 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Paul Phua's profile on The Hendon Mob". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Forrest, Brett (12 November 2015). "From The Mag: How the world's biggest bookie was snared at last year's WSOP – and walked a free man". ESPN. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "High roller Paul Phua walks free as US court gambling case collapses". South China Morning Post. 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 Sim, Johannan (1 September 2015). "Meet Malaysia's 'God of Gambler', Paul Phua". CILISOS.my. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- 1 2 "Malaysian believed to have made millions from high-stake poker games". The Star Online. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- ↑ Holloway, Chad (5 December 2011). "Big Game in Macau: Antonius Welcome, Hall Speaks, & Trickett Up $1.8 Million". PokerNews. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- 1 2 Holloway, Chad (25 October 2012). "Deconstructing the Macau High-Stakes Cash Games". PokerNews. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- 1 2 "Paul Phua's Life: Biggest Profits, Losses and Net Worth". SomuchPoker. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- 1 2 Fast, Erik (17 October 2016). "Paul Phua Wins 2016 One Drop Extravaganza €100,000 Super High Roller". Card Player. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- ↑ "Triton Poker Super High Roller Series London, No Limit Hold'em – Triton London Main Event". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ↑ "Phil Ivey In Conversation With Paul Phua". HighstakesDB. 26 April 2017. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.