Interview with Triton Poker COO Cathy Zhao: A Decade in Poker from WPT to Super High Roller Events
As Triton Poker celebrates its 10th anniversary, Chief Operating Officer Cathy Zhao sits down for an exclusive interview, sharing her career transition from WPT to Triton, her passion for the poker industry, and efforts to promote female participation.
From WPT to Triton: A New Journey
I first met Cathy Zhao when she was still at WPT, navigating effortlessly through a sea of thousands of players. Now, as COO of Triton Poker, she maintains that same calm composure and humility.
Zhao joined the Triton Poker family in January 2025, after nearly a decade at WPT. “This is a major career shift for me, but also an incredibly exciting new chapter,” she says.
Triton, led by CEO Andy Wong, is renowned for its high-stakes super high roller series, defined by steep buy-ins and luxurious experiences. The series takes place only a few times per year, with buy-ins starting at $15,000.
“Working with Andy Wong, the entire team, and production partner Sharehand has deepened my understanding of crafting premium experiences and global brand expansion.” Sharehand specializes in live and post-production content for television and other channels.
How She Entered the Poker Industry
Zhao first entered the poker industry indirectly. During her master’s degree, she interned at one of the largest gaming companies in China at the time. “I was initially hired to assist with an international bridge festival, but by the end of the event, I was essentially running it.”
She handled everything from press conference translation to logistics, operations, press releases, hotel coordination, and procurement. “Looking back, it reflects my early mindset: if I commit to something, I go all in and do it well.” That “all-in mentality” resonates with the spirit of poker players.
Before she even graduated, the company offered her a full-time position, which became her gateway into poker. WPT had licensed its brand to that company at the time. She helped organize one of Asia’s largest poker festivals while also assisting in developing and promoting an English-language poker app. “These experiences gave me exposure to operations, technology, international events, and the global gaming industry simultaneously.”
She is particularly proud of helping an online poker platform obtain some of the earliest Random Number Generator (RNG) certifications, which later became industry-standard requirements. RNG ensures fairness and integrity in the game.
A Decade at WPT
As regulatory policies shifted for online and offline poker in China and Asia, Zhao moved to WPT. She spent more time in Europe supporting WPT events while also assisting the U.S. team in managing events across the Americas. “That period broadened my horizons and made me realize just how global the poker industry is.” She once considered whether to stay in poker, but ultimately understood that she truly loved this industry—the international environment, fast pace, creativity, and the fact that the work changes every day.
Starting as a tournament manager, she rose over ten years to Senior Director of Global Tour Management. She says she was very fortunate to learn from excellent mentors in the industry, including WPT’s Adam Pliska, who had a huge impact on her professional growth.
Zhao’s husband is a professional poker player, and during the pandemic they moved from Orange County to Las Vegas. “Marrying a poker player deepened my connection to the poker world. He still teaches me about the player perspective and the psychology of the game.”
Triton’s 10th Anniversary Celebration
As COO of Triton, Zhao’s daily work is ever-changing: “With headquarters in Asia and a team spread across the globe, my schedule often spans multiple time zones. Once a tournament starts, everything becomes incredibly busy. Sometimes I describe it as building a temporary city at each stop.”
Triton’s 10th anniversary celebration spans the entire year, with multiple events and activities unfolding. A particularly meaningful moment was when founding player Paul Phua won the first special event of the 10th anniversary. “That was highly symbolic and added the perfect touch to the celebration.” She marvels at how Triton has grown from a niche super high roller series into a truly global brand, while also looking forward to the next chapter for the company and the industry.
Interacting with the Poker Community
Zhao has great respect for the poker community: “I really enjoy the global nature and passion of the poker community. Feedback is immediate, people deeply love the game, and this ongoing conversation drives the industry forward.” She also deeply admires the professional players: “Most people probably underestimate the variance, travel, pressure, and emotional swings in poker.” She considers herself lucky to learn from the best organizations and individuals in the industry.
When asked about her favorite poker moment, she replies: “It’s the trophy ceremony at the final table of every stop. You can feel the excitement and emotion of the players, while at the same time the operations team can finally breathe after weeks of nonstop execution.”
Women in Poker
Zhao hopes to see the industry become more inclusive for women: “Not only as players, but also as professionals. I hope I can make a small contribution to creating an environment where more women feel respected and comfortable pursuing opportunities.”
Work-Life Balance
She places great importance on family. Balancing motherhood with a fast-paced global industry is the most challenging but also the most rewarding part of her journey. “Because I travel so much, I truly treasure the time I have with my family.”