Park Yu Cheung

Park Yu Cheung, better known internationally as "Sparrow" Cheung, is a professional poker player from Hong Kong who has spent more than a decade at the center of Asia's poker boom. He began his professional career during the rapid expansion of poker in the region, transforming from a casual player into a high-volume tournament grinder. His nickname "Sparrow" reflects the never-give-up mentality he brings to every event, and his work ethic quickly made him one of Hong Kong's most successful players. Cheung is also a leader in the poker community. He is a co-founder and chairman of the Hong Kong Poker Players Association (HKPPA), where he has worked to promote poker as a game of skill across Asia. He represents Natural8 as a prominent member of Team Hot, serving as an ambassador for Asian poker on the global stage. Known for his friendly and professional demeanor, he has earned respect from players worldwide.

Cheung's most famous achievement came in 2017, when he posted an extraordinary 68 live tournament cashes in a single calendar year. This set a new world record for the most live cashes in one year, breaking the previous mark and demonstrating an unmatched level of volume and consistency. The season also produced one of his biggest career paydays: a runner-up finish in the Suncity Cup in Macau, worth $185,051 – his best live cash to date.

That record-breaking campaign carried him past the $2,000,000 milestone in live earnings. His recorded tournament winnings exceed $2.9 million, and some later estimates place his total above $3.2 million. He has reached 8th place on the Hong Kong All Time Money List and is currently ranked 868th on the global All Time Money List.

Cheung has won at the highest levels of Asian poker. In May 2018, he captured the APT Championships Macau, a HK$20,000 + 2,000 No Limit Hold'em event held at Babylon Casino in Macau during the Asian Poker Tour Macau Championships. The tournament drew 108 entries and generated a prize pool of HK$2,095,200 (about $266,937). Cheung took first place and collected HK$428,000, roughly $54,529, defeating Malaysian player Victor Chong heads-up.

He has also made deep runs in other Macau showcases. At the 2018 Poker King Cup Macau Main Event, a 518-entry tournament, Cheung finished 46th for HK$33,200. That event's final table became an all-China affair, but Cheung's cash added to his reputation as a consistent presence in the region's major series.

Cheung remains active in Asia's biggest high-roller events. At APT Taipei's High Roller – Single Day @RED on April 24, 2026, he placed 9th out of 111 entries in a 60,000 TWD buy-in event, earning $4,800. At the Triton One 2026 Main Event, held March 10–15, 2026 with an $8,000 buy-in, he finished 102nd out of 1,230 entries for $16,200. Earlier that year, at the APT Jeju Classic 2026, he reached the Super High Roller final table, taking 15th out of 115 entries for $18,100 after a KRW 15,000,000 buy-in.

These results align with his high-volume approach. His SMP Poker Index has registered scores of 415.95 for the APT Taipei event and 672.81 for the Triton One Main Event, and his 2026 SMP Index stands at 7,098, ranking him 231st in that global system.

Cheung is known for a high-volume, highly adaptable style. Because he plays so many tournaments, he has developed a sharp ability to read different opponent types and adjust his strategy on the fly. He is considered a master of the grind, displaying remarkable mental stamina during long festival series where he often enters multiple events per day.

His approach is built on calculated aggression and extreme consistency. Cheung frequently gets involved in many pots, relying on his extensive experience to outplay opponents after the flop. Although No Limit Hold'em is his specialty, his record shows versatility across formats and buy-in levels. That flexibility was the engine behind his world-record cash run, making him equally dangerous in small local events and massive international main events.

Beyond his own results, Cheung has invested heavily in the growth of the game. As co-founder and chairman of the HKPPA, he has advocated for poker to be recognized as a game of skill and has supported players across Hong Kong and Asia. His role with Natural8's Team Hot gives him an international platform to represent the Asian poker community.

His legacy is defined by relentless volume, a disciplined approach, and an infectious passion for poker. Regarded as one of the most respected and approachable figures in the Hong Kong scene, Cheung continues to inspire younger players with his "never give up" attitude. He remains active in the community, sharing his tournaments and results with fans through social media and poker platforms.