Ming Zhong Liu

Ming Zhong Liu hails from Hong Kong and began his poker career in the local live scene before stepping onto the international stage. While comprehensive records of his early cashes are limited, he has steadily built a reputation as a formidable tournament player, particularly in high-stakes Short Deck (6+ Hold'em) events. Liu's lifetime live tournament earnings exceed $2.29 million, placing him among Hong Kong's most successful poker earners. He currently holds a Global Poker Index (GPI) world ranking of 1241.

Liu's most notable performances have come in the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series, where he has twice reached the final table of Short Deck Main Events. In May 2019, at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Montenegro, Liu finished 6th in the HKD 1,000,000 Short Deck Main Event, earning HKD 5,620,000 (approximately $716,010). The event drew 98 entrants (including 51 reentries) and was won by Rui Cao, with Paul Phua finishing runner-up. Liu was eliminated when his jack-ten failed to improve against Daniel Dvoress's ace-king.

Later that year, at the Triton London series in July 2019, Liu again made the final table of the £100,000 Short Deck Main Event, placing 7th for £482,200. The tournament featured a field of 108 entries and a total prize pool of £10,370,000. Justin Bonomo ultimately won the title after a five-hour three-handed battle against Wai Kin Yong and Liang Xu. Liu's deep run once again highlighted his proficiency in the Short Deck variant against elite competition.

These two cashes account for a significant portion of his overall earnings and demonstrate his ability to perform under pressure in the highest-stakes environments.

Liu has carved out a niche in Short Deck poker, a format that removes the 2s through 5s from the deck and adjusts hand rankings accordingly. The variant has become a staple of the Triton Poker series, attracting many of the world's best players. Liu's consistent final-table appearances in these events suggest a deep understanding of the game's unique dynamics, including the increased frequency of strong hands and the importance of positional play. While specific details of his strategy are not publicly documented, his results speak to his skill in adapting to the fast-paced, high-variance nature of Short Deck tournaments.

With over $2.29 million in live tournament earnings, Ming Zhong Liu stands as one of Hong Kong's top poker earners. His two Triton final-table finishes have cemented his status as a respected competitor in the high-roller circuit, particularly in the Short Deck discipline. Although he maintains a relatively low public profile and has not been the subject of extensive media coverage, his performances at the highest levels have earned him recognition among peers and followers of the game. As the Triton Poker series continues to grow, Liu remains a player to watch in future Short Deck events.