With a career that has seen him achieve impressive milestones and cement his status as one of Thailand's finest poker players, Phachara Wongwichit is definitely a player to look out for. His journey to success was no overnight feat, but a testament to hard work, strategic acumen, and unyielding determination.
Rise to Fame: From Chess to Poker
Before he made his mark in poker, he was already showcasing his strategic acumen and mental prowess in the game of chess. However, destiny had other plans for the young talent, leading him to pivot from chess to poker in 2011.
The decision to switch to poker proved to be a defining moment in Wongwichit's life. It wasn't long before he found himself seated at live poker tournaments, ready to take on the challenge and prove his worth on the felt.
Wongwichit's first taste of success in live poker came at the 2011 Gold Coast Championships in Australia. It was a moment that would set the stage for a series of accomplishments yet to come. Finishing an impressive 13th place in the tournament, he earned a respectable payday of $3,180. This initial success was a glimpse of the bright future that lay ahead for the rising star.
With his first payday under his belt, Wongwichit's hunger for poker glory only grew stronger. He realized that poker was not just a game of chance, but a platform where his strategic thinking and decision-making skills could shine. Every hand dealt, every bet made, and every opponent faced provided valuable insights and experience that would fuel his passion for the game.
Biggest Accolades
After a modest start, Wongwichit's big breakthrough came in January 2016, during the Aussie Millions Poker Championship in Australia. Falling just one spot short of the title, he secured an impressive second place in a No Limit Hold'em event, pocketing $118,728 – his largest cash prize at the time. Months later, he added another feather to his cap by clinching his first title at the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) in Macau, taking home $41,412.
The following year, Wongwichit's journey of success continued at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) circuit in Las Vegas, USA. He demonstrated his skill and tenacity by finishing fourth in a shootout event, claiming $84,453. Later that year, he triumphed again, this time at the Asia Championship of Poker (ACOP) in Macau, earning $14,138 and adding to his growing list of accolades.
His journey to Las Vegas later in June 2018 proved even more rewarding, finishing second in the $ 1,020 + 80 No Limit Hold'em at the Wynn Summer Classic and walking away with an impressive $204,728, his most substantial live cash to date.
His incredible success in the poker world continued to flourish in 2023 with several remarkable achievements. In March, he participated in the TRITON $25,000 No Limit Hold'em - GG Super Million$ Live (Event #1) during the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Vietnam in Hoi An, securing a commendable 12th place finish and earning $70,500. Shortly thereafter, in the same series, he competed in the TRITON $15,000 No Limit Hold'em - 7-Handed (Event #2) and finished 18th, adding $32,500 to his growing list of winnings.
Wongwichit's winning streak continued in March when he triumphed in the ₫5,000,000 + ₫500,000 No Limit Hold'em - Turbo (Event 6) at the Asian Poker Tour - APT Phu Quoc in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. Moving forward to May, Wongwichit demonstrated his prowess in Taiwan when he won the NT$ 63,000 + 7,000 No Limit Holdem - Single Day High Roller 8 Max (Event #24) at the Asian Poker Tour (APT) Taipei, claiming the top spot and NT$ 1,860,410 ($60,459) in winnings. Just days later, he continued his winning streak in Taiwan by securing the 1st place position in the NT$ 90,000 + 10,000 No Limit Hold'em - APT High Roller 8 Max (Event #43) at the same event. This remarkable achievement earned him NT$ 4,800,900 ($156,692), solidifying his reputation as a top-tier poker player.
Wongwichit rounded off his impressive year with a strong performance in the United States at the 54th World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas. He participated in the WSOP $3,000 No Limit Hold'em - Freezeout (Bracelet Event 59) and secured an admirable 12th-place finish, earning $35,681.
With an impressive tally of thirteen first-place finishes, over 140 cashes to his name, and a total live earnings of $2,343,913 (as of 4th September 2023), he’s currently ranked 3rd on Hendon Mob’s Thailand All-Time Money List.
Conclusion
Wongwichit's background in chess undoubtedly provided a solid foundation for his poker journey, enabling him to analyze situations with a unique perspective and make calculated moves at the table.
As one of Natural8's ambassadors, we are happy to see Wongwichit excel in his career, and we look forward to providing him with the support and resources needed to sharpen his skills and compete at the highest level. We eagerly anticipate witnessing Wongwichit's future achievements and look forward to seeing what he will bring to the poker world in the coming days.
Image Source: Pokernews.com
Last edited: 4th September 2023
