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: 2025.12.17

Yankai Zhang is a highly respected Chinese professional poker player and a seasoned veteran of the Asian tournament circuit. In 2025, he reached a significant career milestone by capturing his first-ever Asian Poker Tour (APT) title after years of deep runs and multiple runner-up finishes.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With over $726,949 in total live earnings, according to The Hendon Mob, Yankai Zhang is a member of the $500,000 career milestone club. He is currently ranked 109th on the China All-Time Money List.

His career-best live cash of ~$144,269 was achieved in April 2025 for winning the VPT Championship Main Event in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. Other major career highlights include:

~$29,074 (KRW 40,830,000) – 1st place in the Single Day High Roller at APT Jeju in September 2025 , his first APT trophy.
~$21,720 – 2nd place in a High Roller event at Poker Dream 16 in Jeju in February 2025.
$12,200 – 163rd place in the Triton One Main Event in Jeju in September 2025.
~$11,166 (₫ 294,100,000) – 2nd place in the Sunday Ultra-Stack Madness at the Grand Loyal Poker Championships (GLPC II) in Hanoi in October 2025.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from and residing in China, Yankai Zhang has been a consistent presence in high-stakes Asian poker for over a decade. He is known as a “seasoned pro” who frequently travels to major stops in South Korea, Vietnam, and Macau. Despite his long-standing success, an APT title had eluded him for years, including three previous runner-up finishes, until his breakthrough victory in Jeju in late 2025. He is often cited as a top-tier professional within the Chinese poker community, competing in elite fields such as the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series.

Play Style & Strategy

Zhang is characterized by his technical resilience and consistency in high-stakes fields. His breakthrough in the Single Day High Roller format highlights his ability to navigate fast-paced, elite fields where ICM (Independent Chip Model) awareness and aggressive late-stage play are paramount. His transition into the “Super Superstar” and Triton circles suggests a GTO-influenced strategy capable of competing against the world’s most elite professionals. He is noted for his patient approach to closing out major titles, having maintained a high level of play despite several narrow misses early in his career.

Recent Attendances