Jerry Yang

Jerry Yang is a Laotian-American professional poker player and author from Temecula, California, with over $8.6 million in live tournament earnings. During his career, Yang has won one bracelet at the 38th, World Series of Poker event along with $8,250,000 in prize money.

He is also the author of the book titled “All In” (2011).

Jerry Yang: Early Life

Jerry Yang, born Xao Yang, was originally from Laos. His family fled to Thailand during turbulent times and lived in a refugee camp for four years before immigrating to the United States in 1979 when Yang was 13. Reflecting on the life-changing move, Yang described it as the happiest day of his life.

Settling in California, he pursued his education, earning a Master’s degree in health psychology with honors, fulfilling his father’s dream. Before venturing into poker, Yang worked as a therapist and social worker, dedicating himself to helping others—a commitment he continues to honor even after achieving poker fame.

Jerry Yang: Live Tournament Participation

Jerry Yang’s first live cash was recorded in January 2006 at the L.A. Poker Classic. He participated in $540 No Limit Hold’em, placing 18th, and earned $2,871.

The following year, in July 2007, Yang’s most significant victory came when he won the $10,000 World Championship No Limit Hold’em main event at the 38th WSOP. This victory earned him his first and only WSOP bracelet and an impressive $8,250,000—his biggest live cash to date.

Three years later, in March 2010, Yang entered $20,000 No Limit Hold’em at the NBC National Heads-Up Championship. He took 5th place, netting $75,000.

Following this, he placed 4th in $1,070 No Limit Hold’em at the July 2010 Venetian Deep Stack Extravaganza III, cashing for $30,380.

Moving forward to January 2022, Yang played in $1,700 No Limit Hold’em Main Event (Event #10) at the WSOPC California. He ended up in 4th place and earned $57,772.

In July 2023, he took part in $777 No Limit Hold’em Lucky 7’s 7-Handed (Bracelet Event 77). It happened at the 54th WSOP, where he finished 19th and cashed for $26,500.

In May 2024, he finished 779th in $1,000 No Limit Hold’em Mystery Millions (Bracelet Event #5) at the 55th WSOP, taking home $2,170.

Yang’s Life After the WSOP Victory

Since his 2007 WSOP Main Event victory, Yang’s life has evolved significantly. In 2015, he shifted his focus from poker to entrepreneurship, opening a second restaurant, Dynamite Grill, in Las Vegas, and managing his first restaurant, Pocket 8’s Sushi and Grill, in Merced, California. Yang found great joy in the day-to-day operations of his businesses, spending long hours serving customers and helping in the kitchen. His positive outlook and dedication to his family-run establishments became a major part of his life.

However, Yang’s world was rocked when his father was diagnosed with colon cancer, leading him to step back from poker and his restaurant in Las Vegas to care for his father. Despite the personal tragedy, Yang remained focused on his family and community. He also embraced a new calling, enrolling in a two-year missionary program with plans to help those in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, inspired by his experiences growing up. Though poker is no longer his primary focus, Yang returned to the tables in 2019, earning a cash prize at the 50th WSOP.