Nationality
American
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Born (date and place of birth)
September 9, 1985, in San Jose, California, USA
Residence (current location)
San Jose, California
Education (institution, specialization)
Attended Piedmont Hills High School; no further formal education details publicly documented
Year started playing poker
2007 (first significant online and live tournament wins recorded)
Age when started playing
21 years old
Year turned professional
Around 2007, when he began achieving major online and live tournament success
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
2008 L.A. Poker Classic, $104,900 first-place prize
First important tournament
Early career includes several online tournaments in 2007 including UB.com with a $200,000 guaranteed prize pool, Sunday Warm-Up on PokerStars
Main motivation for turning pro
Developed competitive spirit and mental fortitude from athletic and artistic youth activities; motivated by success in early online poker and driven to compete professionally
Initial bankroll
Built a six-figure bankroll in college playing online tournaments
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Self-taught through online play; later became a coach and founder of a poker training site (JAKA Coaching)
Total live tournament winnings
Over $10 million in live tournament earnings
Number of tournament wins
Multiple tournament wins including his first WSOP bracelet in 2023 and MSPT Black Hawk 2025; numerous high finishes and titles throughout career
Number of final tables
At least 6 WSOP final tables, 2 WPT final tables, and more in other major tournaments
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
$775,780 for 2nd place at the Bellagio Championship Event in 2009
WSOP bracelets (number)
1 (2023 WSOP $1,500 Shootout No-Limit Hold'em event)
WSOP cashes (number)
Over 80 cash finishes at WSOP events
WSOP final tables
6 WSOP final tables
High roller wins ($25K-$100K)
Won $5,000 High Roller event at the WPT Emperors Palace Poker Classic in 2014
Online tournament winnings
Over $5 million in online poker earnings according to various sources
Major online titles
Several online tournament wins including Sunday Warm-Up and Super Tuesday on PokerStars
Highest stakes played
Played in high roller and super high roller events, including $25,000 to $100,000 buy-ins
Country ranking
One of the top American poker professionals
All Time Money List position
Ranked high on All Time Money List, with total live earnings exceeding $10 million
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Active and consistently cashing in major events yearly since 2007, with peaks in 2009, 2012-14, 2023-24
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
No-Limit Hold'em
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Primarily live and online tournament play, with participation in high roller and shootout formats
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Comfortable at 6-max and full ring tournament tables
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
No-Limit Hold'em, Shootout, High Roller
Specialization limits
Prefer mid to high buy-in tournaments, including $1,000 to $50,000+ events
Online rooms where plays
PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and partypoker (earlier involvement in site creation for Brazil market)
Favorite casinos/locations
Bellagio, Seminole Hard Rock, Bally's Black Hawk, major U.S. and Las Vegas venues
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Aggressive risk-taking, adaptable high-level player known for competitive spirit and mental toughness
Known for bluffs/traps
Known for a balanced strategic game including well-timed bluffs and strong competitive play
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Combination of mathematical and intuitive decision-making
Style adaptability
Highly adaptable to opponents and changing game conditions
Playing strengths
Tournament strategy, aggression control, mental resilience, coaching expertise
GTO strategy usage
Uses game theory optimal (GTO) strategies extensively, especially in recent coaching and play
Poker software usage
Utilizes poker training software, databases, and solvers; founder of a poker training site
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
Appeared on several televised poker shows and events including WPT broadcasts
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
Numerous interviews in major poker media outlets including PokerNews and CardPlayer
Podcast appearances (podcast names, episode titles, dates, links)
Guest on multiple poker strategy and industry podcasts
Posting frequency in social media
Active posting and engagement on Twitter and Instagram with poker coaching content
Type of content in social media
Poker strategy, tournament updates, coaching tips, personal insights
Own business (business names, descriptions, websites)
Founder of JAKA Coaching, an educational platform for poker players since 2021; formerly involved with Checkraise poker site
Poker project investments (project names, involvement details)
Developer and investor in poker training businesses and platforms
Coaching services (availability, platforms used)
Offers coaching via JAKA Coaching platform with courses and live training
Educational materials (book titles with ISBN, course names with platforms, video series titles with links)
Produces poker educational videos, courses, and training materials through JAKA Coaching
Training series participation (series names, platforms, links)
Participated in premium poker training series on PokerCoaching platform
Coaching work (platforms used, student testimonials)
Runs proprietary coaching via JAKA Coaching, with successful student outcomes
Notable students (names if public, their achievements)
Over 100 students have achieved deep runs in major tournaments under his coaching
Poker publication articles (publication names, article titles, publication dates, links)
Contributor to various poker strategy and industry publications
Conference speaking (conference names, dates, topics, video links)
Speaker at poker industry events and training seminars
Poker industry awards (award names, years, organizations)
WPT Player of the Year Season VIII (2009-2010)
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Highly regarded by peers for skill and coaching contributions
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
First WSOP bracelet in 2023; multiple six-figure live tournament cashes; founder of a top coaching site
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Advanced poker education through founding JAKA Coaching; contributed to popularizing online training
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Recognized as both an accomplished player and influential coach in modern poker
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Significant influence through integrating coaching and competitive play; shaping modern poker training culture
WSOP (World Series of Poker) - all events all years
2023|USA|WSOP|Las Vegas|$1,500 NLH Shootout|1500|1|237,367| | | |||| 2018|USA|WSOP|Las Vegas|$10,000 NLH Heads-Up Championship|10000|6|123,105| | | |||| 2012|France|WSOPE|Cannes|€10,000 NLH Mixed Max|10000|4|86,087| | | |||| 2009|USA|WSOP|Las Vegas|$5,000 NLH 6-Handed|5000|3|400,525|928| |
WSOP Europe
2012|France|WSOPE|Cannes|€10,000 NLH Mixed Max|10000|4|86,087| | |
WSOP Paradise
2023|USA|WSOP Paradise| | | |298|9,300| | |
Deep Stack events
2024|USA|RRPO|Seminole Hard Rock|$10,000 NLH Deep Stack|10000|1|313,495| | |
Live cash game sessions (documented)
2025|USA|MSPT|Bally's Black Hawk|Main Event|1110|1|127,849|636| |