Rampage: poker vlog creator making $2 million, scammed for $450k, and his $1.2M bluff

Rampage (aka Ethan Yau) has made over $2 million playing poker and making poker vlogs on KZbin. In this video, we talk about how much he's won this year, how he got scammed out of $450k by Dustin Aab, and the time he bluffed someone for $1.2 million.
Learn how to go viral like Rampage: jumpcut.com/vi...
00:00 - Rampage's poker rampage
00:40 - How much money he'll make this year
01:54 - Getting scammed for $450k (or maybe $430k)
07:32 - Why my cat looks stupid
08:28 - What Rampage does with his winnings
10:38 - The time Rampage lost $5k to me and how much he cried about it
13:34 - Rampage down $50k, and then plays blackjack...
20:19 - Kong plays heads up poker with Rampage to determine who is the superior poker player
23:53 - Rampage's $1 million bluff (biggest televised bluff at the time)
32:29 - When will Rampage go broke?
34:48 - Rampage reacts to one of his first poker vlogs, where he won $500
44:32 - How you can go viral like Rampage
45:57 - Can anyone get good at poker?
50:07 - Why Rampage doesn't enjoy winning
52:41 - Biggest tournament win, and why he refunded investors
01:01:05 - Why poker pros go broke
01:11:32 - Thoughts on Phil Hellmuth, Doug Polk, Daniel Negreanu, Dan Bilzerian, and other poker pros
01:16:51 - How poker has helped everday life
01:25:57 - Drug use in poker
01:28:49 - What's next for Rampage?

[@RampagePoker]

hi, thanks for having me on :)

[@KongPham]

Thanks for coming! Also, send me venmo $1.5M

[@edward-mh4ub]

14:36

[@GotoyourhomeBall]

Stay out of the pits brooo, you didn’t listen. 50k/hand at BJ like an absolute degen. Although that’s legendary as fk there no way you can afford that. I see Dana White sweating 20k bets and he owns the UFC. They gave you 40k back, but how much did you lose? Sounds like an investment into a whale. You won’t beat them bro. Let the fantasy die.

[@polycadence8482]

Declare the IOU as bad debt on your tax returns, against your gross income. Why spend 300K on an attorney to recover NOTHING, even with a winning judgment against someone who's broke, i don't think BK covers fraud.

[@happycamper6718]

Learn from Bernie Madoff and know if it sounds like a sweet deal it’s not, just like orange hitler is a good business man

[@hmd6202]

I really like Ethan. I saw his rise from playing at Encore BH to where he really started to gain traction playing in NH post covid. At 26 yrs old, what he has accomplished to date is nothing short of impressive. Especially considering his goal was to become a YT content creator, and poker just happened to be the hobby he decided to vlog. It was never about becoming the best at poker, it was about making the best content possible. Poker is just the appetizer in Ethan's story, we've yet to see the main entree. Regardless, I would not bet against this man. Success is earned, not given. Mad respect 🙏

[@robertedwards2734]

Thanks Ethan for showing who you are. Bol in the future journey

[@lightworktrading]

One of the most unanticipated duos lol! Kong from past days of SP and ProjectGO, Rampage from modern poker vlogging scene. What a mix! Funny stories too

[@RyhinoT]

I see lots of young poker players going broke when getting money early on. Good on you for seeing the bigger picture and investing. Sucks you got scammed but at least your on the right track. Gonna have a great career of poker ahead of you.

[@ikkyo3]

Happy to have you back Kong

[@ChessMasteryOfficial]

I just love hearing Kong's voice. I remember listening to ProjectGo podcasts and feeling so good because of these guys. Good times.

[@KongPham]

One day I'll bring back James!

[@ChessMasteryOfficial]

@@KongPham James?

[@JohannesWong]

First time watcher. Great interview. Asked some unique questions to understand how Rampage thinks about poker and his life better.

[@BlinkPls]

love both rampage and kong, was not expecting this episode!

[@doubleflushot]

Rampage is dope - been watching his vlogs for a while - love to see his come up - hate that he got scammed

[@lifficus]

I used to watch simple pick up and now my boy kong involved in the poker realms. Cool 😄

[@helloryantanaka]

Excellent interview. Fun watching you both.

[@Goneout2eat]

I haven't finished watching the whole interview and it's fking amazing. Great and entertaining interview

[@AlexXimtra]

Sick video, really cool guy and great to see you again Kong!

[@JustMe-01]

"making 2 videos every 3 years" really had me LOL. Great interview though, I enjoyed this

[@randylahey8207]

I love Rampage, been watching him since he had only a couple thousand subscribers. It's been great to see him get so much better, but let's be clear here. The best players in the world would likely devastate him over time. He's awesome for live stream, and Lord does he have a pair with some of the bluffs he's run. Those are not the world's best players he's playing against. If he sat at a table with Koon, Ike, Garrett, Limitless, Viktor, etc he would get destroyed, like just about the rest of us. And he is keenly aware of that fact, one of the things I like best about him. Humility is key...

[@ryanpham803]

This was the best interview I have ever seen, fucking love u rampage and Kong

[@zer0h0urs000]

Ethan used to live down the street from me. I saw him at the driving range all the time. He's a good dude.

[@pahtrix]

Wow I totally forgot about this channel…. Childhood memories. Simple pickup, wowwww. 2023 we back baby!

[@alanhannigan9944]

Been watching Rampage since he started, always knew he would do well,his a nice bloke but seriously needs a manager to put some discipline and money advice in his life,best of Irish luck again ☘️🇮🇪

[@DanielInskeep]

recently went back down the poker rabbit hole on yt and got this video recommended… then i saw it was kong. haha sup dude 🤘

[@KongPham]

YO!!!! Hope you are doing well my friend

[@KevinS819]

as a dealer for the last 18 years I can tell you that's normal and had you would of won they would have only payed you 10k. I regularly deal in the high limit and it happens a lot. some people do it on accident and some people do it in purpose but our sop says if the bet is anywhere close to the table max you have to break down the bet and anything over you have to give it back. it's a different story if you talk to the casino before and negotiate your own limits which is also possible but a floor supervisor usually wouldn't be able to approve that without talking to someone higher.

[@terrencelao6373]

Resort World is an honest casino and did the honest thing and gave back Ethan's 40k. What would an dishonest casino do? and who would be the wiser?

[@joeingram1]

Getting flash backs to my Simple Pickup days learning how to meet women when I was a young poker player

[@KongPham]

❤️❤️ An honor coming from you, sir.

[@RampagePoker]

Had to be on god mode for this one

[@jonphanspromotions]

one of the best Podcast I have seen. Its hilarious.

[@chrisleos1235]

I played against Ethan a few times during his early days in New Hampshire, and back then I avoided playing hands against him, he was reckless and lucky, lol, but you can't help admiring him, nothing phoney, genuinely, a good person.

[@soneares9172]

Rampage is only 26 years old. He has a bright future in the poker industry. He'll be getting sponsors easily.

[@WINALLNITE]

You’re my inspiration Ethan . Thanks for teaching me how to punt so incredibly hard and suck out by the river ❤

[@ziginkillu]

Damn haven’t seen kong since simple pickup days, crazy to see u again since i grew up from tryna pick up girls to making money and adult hobbies ahah

[@wahlmanj]

That blackjack bet was incredibly degen in so many ways. If you bet all your chips on one hand in blackjack, you can't split or double down, which makes it a sucker bet. Come on Rampage, next time it's gotta be craps or roulette! 😊

[@davidtrask151]

Outstanding Interview

[@PeteyPablo1]

the cat was very smart it came to comfort him during his reliving of the difficult story of getting scammed.

[@johncarter8539]

Cool cat!

[@canceroverride4748]

Great content!

[@canceroverride4748]

I lived in vegas and played poker for a living for 3 years... so many memories. Glad I am out of it for the past 10 years...brought so many memories from this vid.

[@jamiealexander7065]

What do you do now instead?

[@canceroverride4748]

@jamiealexander7065 I live on Oahu, and buy foreclosure properties fixand sell.

[@oopsdididothat7727]

KONG from PUA days back in Fullerton 😎 #Humble dude back then, & now ✨

[@GameBreakersCrew]

Love watching rampage poker !

[@vader6203]

Like Garrett Edelstein said about all good content makers, Ethan is just a really likeable bloke. Can’t help but root for him.

[@randybi9984]

I look up to both these guys so much

[@GrouchyTrashCan]

Kong do you think you’ll ever do one LAST simple pick up video. I’ve watched you since 2011 as a freshman in highschool I’m 27 and would love to film one with you.

[@KongPham]

Haha maybe.

[@XxOffTonexX]

Rampage gave a really common misunderstanding of GTO. It's not the optimal strategy against other optimal strategies, it is just the optimal strategy given no additional information. If you play GTO and someone else plays weird and bad, GTO doesn't lose, in fact it wins by a wider margin than if the player was playing closer to optimal. The argument is that GTO is not the HIGHEST winning strategy but it will always win in the long run regardless of the strategy it plays against. Other exploitative strategies will earn more against weak players, but these strategies lose against players that are playing closer to optimal.

[@iEkko]

what breed is that cat? so cute

[@KongPham]

Siberian :)

[@broderickhunt5388]

I got set up with a cold deck like that in a home game! They was like lets take a 15 minute break to eat. When we came back the first hand was like that! 🤔🤔🤔

[@RVRSABLE]

Rampage Reality Poker

[@PickNShip]

A friend that hooks you up with someone that scams you is no friend most likely your “friend” got a piece of the pie I hope that’s not the case but a lot of the times that’s the case, love rampage he’s a good dude!

[@MrFurley2u]

Rampage, you have a good energy, big learning lesson on the 450k. Good luck in 2024!

[@christopherton]

1. Having a million in an account is too much And you’re itching to give it away without due diligence ? 2. Friend may have been in on it 3. Sue him just in case he runs into money or has assets

[@skillfuldabest]

he said his friend is also suing the guy

[@mikewilliams3509]

Wow an honest casino.. and yes they wouldve called and asked for the money back

[@johnlaw6735]

Find one of those "italians" to do the collection

[@Miguelskytwins]

Any other poker player: with bankroll management and knowing when to go down in stakes, the chances of going broke are 0. Rampage: My money can go to two million or 0, idk.

[@CribNotes]

Forget about suing that clown to get your $450k back. Send his ass to PRISON!!

[@bbengineer39]

Love Resort world !❤

[@kaidesu5251]

On the way out of the reincarnation hall, Ethan gave Budha a quick handy for a life of good luck

[@Clappah]

this is great

[@RichardMacahilas-or4uv]

Rampage seems like a really nice guy but a little knieve i hope he gets his money back someway like on the poker tables

[@nardinit]

I bet he can spell naive though...

[@user-wq4ql2qe7h]

Make more videos Kong!

[@Cryoplasma]

Ethan needs to get a handle on his gambling addiction or no amount of success in poker will matter.

[@Pootie_Tan]

He will be fine he’s a poker god btw

[@walterbusby-po3bd]

1:13:15 for an epic Kong fart. Represent!

[@KongPham]

LOLLLLLL

[@JohnZhu1988]

clearly an incredibly smart kid

[@jamesguest4741]

Did he beat Negrensua?

[@zeekflash6924]

If u would have won , the casino would have only paid u .. the 10k max bet .. they let u bet over but , win or lose , the max bet is max wager even if u put 50k in wager spot

[@BasedUS]

Somehow some way, i know both these gentlemen

[@HustlerJerbear]

I miss the simple pick up videos. I was a subscriber in 2014 but can’t access my account anymore lol I think the whole thing got removed

[@KongPham]

Yeah, no longer up :(

[@TheFalloutShot96]

Yes rampage does have a gambling addiction but he bets on himself which is why he’s successful

[@joethekidct3927]

If you accepted a that there was a 25% chance of him defaulting on the monthly payments AND on getting your initial sum back then you had horrible implied odds!! I’m shocked that you actually gave him that money to be honest. Him paying you 20k a month on 450k comes out to a 53.3% APR. you have to have realized that it’s too good to be true. I’m sorry this happened man but I’m sure you’ll get it back plus some! GL and win some more tourneys!!

[@andyv123]

As an Asian I lost a little respect for Rampage for not being able to add 180 180 180 😂

[@KongPham]

Truly a disgrace.

[@KongPham]

Both of us tbh.

[@oopsdididothat7727]

Damn, we all know how this goes. “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it”

[@Captain_Kid]

Sounds like a set up

[@michaelarnoth5071]

had u won im guessing they mightve even argued that the entirety of the bet was null and void and claimed to be owed all of the 50,000

[@user-kp1jk5fe4v]

Basically, Rampage had a terrible year in 2022, not counting the lottery win at the end of the year. This hardly seems sustainable, but it is quite the ride! It is great to see his balls to the wall attitude, but I can't help but think he is pretty reckless and will one day find himself back to zero or below. The one thing he has going for him, outside of the money he makes at the table, is that he has an income from KZbin. At least that will help pay his mortgage and basic expenses when sh*t gets real.

[@adi96adi]

Wait wtf you guys know each other 🤣🤣

[@adi96adi]

My two worlds colliding

[@johnzuo6625]

Sue the closer.

[@DaytradingJourney]

I need go viral.

[@KongPham]

Oh yeah perhaps maybe there's a course for that... jumpcut.com/viralacademy

[@julee5071]

Why did I think Ethan was like 37 wtf

[@FrankiePacino]

Saved.

[@AlamoCityCello]

Ramps!

[@thereallifeexperience454]

WHO THE HELL SHAVES A CATS WINTER COAT OFF ROFLMAO

[@piFFD513]

22:30 - pot would be 540,000…not 560,000. Doesn’t matter but just saying lol

[@KongPham]

LOL

[@akachris]

I think The Resorts World gave back the $40K as you were noticeably intoxicated and did not have the legal capacity to make the bet.

[@EdgewoodTennis]

Ethan, just put all your money in the S&P 500.

[@terrencelao6373]

I feel bad for Ethan losing $450k on ponzi scam. Recently, I was almost a victim of " pig butchering scam" that involves bitcoin. I don't like bitcoin and 15% return in 30 seconds, did not make sense save me from investing. Overall, if it sounds too good to be true, then .......

[@Mathemagical55]

Dustin Aab's businesses may be bankrupt but he will certainly have extracted a few million. Ethan should forget the law courts and sell Dustin's debt to one of the more ... aggressive ... debt-collection agencies that I'm sure his Vegas contacts could hook him up with.

[@user-ho9rr5lv1l]

I dont see how this guy still needs to be sued. I think there are other ways to make this guy stop doing his scam.

[@RemedialRob]

Why would you be... shaving the cats... winter coat... in November...?

[@KongPham]

This is a good point.

[@RemedialRob]

@@KongPham Well... feel free to address it... ?

[@jimweb3230]

Damn, people still doing old school Ponzi Schemes. Tough break, lil homie. You'll get yo ish back, in blood if you have to.

[@pistolschlapper]

"most people's net worth" must be an Asian statement..

[@halu9997]

Doesn't matter how good of a poker player u r. U still could b stupid in investing.

[@ovadafire]

First

[@nightfalcon6006]

Bull run has started dude buy BTC!!!

[@wimsickle6173]

Like

[@shawncarey9425]

As crazy as it sounds I get quads at least once every time I play and sometimes I play 4 days straight. I got my first royal aboit 2 months ago.

[@yourealegenddave]

@rampagepoker gives me hope for the next gen. Met him at WSOP a couple years back. Glad the cards have fallen his way these past couple years.

[@sukhimunglang2084]

@RampagePoker bro you are awesome

[@ChampagneCAPO]

With Rampage’s luck he’ll recoup that money in no time. @RampagePoker I need some of your luck bro! Morongo has been bad to me lol

[@bigsmall6948]

Break is leg 🦵