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From Poker Pro to Esports Entrepreneur: Rui Cao's Remarkable Journey
StrategySeptember 27, 2026·1 min read

From Poker Pro to Esports Entrepreneur: Rui Cao's Remarkable Journey


Rui Cao's journey from online poker to founding his own esports team is nothing short of remarkable. He started playing online poker in 2006-2007 and made his first deposit of $50 using his mother's credit card. His bankroll fluctuated between $10k and $100k while transitioning from NL1k to NL5k. Despite the challenges, Rui's bankroll grew to $1 million within a year after focusing on HU PLO.

In 2008, Rui moved to Macau with two friends, Romen and Cyril, to play poker. He invested his poker winnings primarily in IT companies, including Nvidia stocks. During the pandemic, Rui ended his poker career and started his own esports team.

Rui Cao's story is a testament to his resilience and strategic thinking, showcasing how he turned his poker skills into a successful esports venture.

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Argus Riven

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Argus Riven

I've spent years at the tables — cash and tournaments — and just as long shaping poker copy behind the scenes: room reviews, bonus fine print, tournament notes. At PokerInsider I write the way I wish more sites would: clear structure, honest trade-offs, no hype. Whether you're new or already grinding, I care about what the offer actually costs you — rake, variance, and the fine print — and I treat responsible play as part of the job, not a footnote.

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