Kai Cocklin is a poker journalist and live reporting manager who has worked with PokerNews at major festivals including the World Series of Poker and the European Poker Tour. He has managed multiple live reporting teams at the World Series of Poker and trained individual reporters to develop their skills. He now oversees Somuchpoker’s editorial and live coverage, ensuring consistent quality and engaging content across the Asian poker scene.

Updated: 2025.12.16

Haiyang Yang is a Chinese professional poker player who is a formidable presence on both the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and Asian tournament circuits. He is currently ranked 1,220th on the Global Poker Index Ranking.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With over $450,000 in total live earnings, according to The Hendon Mob, Haiyang Yang has surpassed the $100,000 career milestone. He is ranked 188th on the China All-Time Money List.

His career-best live cash stands at $149,145, which he earned from a 4th place finish in the $1,500 No Limit Hold’em – Freezeout event at the 2024 WSOP in Las Vegas. In 2025, he achieved another major final table result, finishing 6th in the massive 2025 APT Jeju Main Event for ~$83,015 (KRW 116,220,000). His results also include two APT runner-up finishes.

Biography & Poker Background

Haiyang Yang is a Chinese national who resides in Jiao Yue Gong Guan, China. His tournament schedule demonstrates a commitment to the global circuit, with significant cashes in Las Vegas at the WSOP, as well as numerous deep runs across the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and Red Dragon Poker Tour (RDPT) in South Korea and the U Series of Poker (USOP) in Vietnam. He is a respected regular on the Asian tournament scene.

Play Style & Strategy

Yang is known for his consistency and ability to navigate massive tournament fields, a skill highlighted by his 4th place finish in a large WSOP Freezeout event. His presence at multiple major final tables, including the APT Jeju Main Event, demonstrates strong ICM awareness and tournament strategy. Although he often enters final tables as a shorter stack, he successfully ladders up, indicating patience and high-pressure resilience.

Recent Attendances