Nationality
American
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Born (date and place of birth)
November 14, 1984 in Humble, Texas, USA
Residence (current location)
Humble, Texas, USA
Education (institution, specialization)
Studied hotel management at Cornell University, graduated 2008
Year started playing poker
2007 (first WSOP cash recorded)
Age when started playing
Approximately 23 years old
Year turned professional
By at least 2007, playing professionally on WSOP circuit
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
2024 WSOP Main Event, $10,000,000 prize
Who introduced to poker / first mentor
Friends including Joe McKeehen (2015 Main Event champion) and strategic guidance from Dominik Nitsche during final table run
First important tournament
Early WSOP cash in 2007, notable 2nd place in 2008 $1,500 Mixed Limit/No-Limit Hold'em event
Main motivation for turning pro
Transitioned due to poker skill development and pursuit of prestige and financial success in poker
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Learned through experience, mentorship from peers like Joe McKeehen and Dominik Nitsche
Total live tournament winnings
Over $12.3 million in live tournament earnings as of 2025
Number of tournament wins
At least 5 including 2024 WSOP Main Event and 4 WSOP Circuit rings
Number of final tables
3 WSOP final tables
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
$10,000,000 at the 2024 WSOP Main Event
WSOP bracelets (number)
1 (2024 WSOP Main Event)
WSOP cashes (number)
64+ money finishes including 63 before 2024 Main Event
Best WSOP Main Event result
Winner of 2024 WSOP Main Event
Country ranking
Among top American players post-2024 Main Event win
All Time Money List position
Among top due to $12.3 million+ in earnings, WSOP Main Event winner rank high all-time
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
No-Limit Hold'em primarily
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Live tournaments mostly with some online and WSOP Circuit events
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Full ring and 6-max formats
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
No-Limit Hold’em, Mixed Limit/No-Limit Hold’em
Specialization limits
Mid to high buy-in live tournaments including $10,000 WSOP Main Event
Favorite casinos/locations
Horseshoe Las Vegas for WSOP events; local Houston cardrooms
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Strategic, resilient, with calculated aggression
Known for bluffs/traps
Known for strategic fold decisions (e.g., fold of pocket queens in 2024)
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Mix of mathematical and intuitive play, with mentorship-guided strategy
Style adaptability
Proven ability to adapt, shifting stacks from mid to leader late in 2024 Main Event
Playing strengths
Deep tournament endurance, strategic heads-up play, mental resilience
GTO strategy usage
Applies modern strategies influenced by peers and theory guidance
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
2024 WSOP Main Event final table coverage, ESPN and PokerGO
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
PokerNews "Life Outside Poker" podcast #30, ESPN coverage, PokerNews articles
Podcast appearances (podcast names, episode titles, dates, links)
Life Outside Poker podcast, episode #30 (2025)
YouTube channel (name, subscriber count, link)
PokerNews YouTube channel (interview videos)
Posting frequency in social media
Active during and after 2024 WSOP, posting tournament updates and poker insights
Type of content in social media
Tournament updates, poker strategy reflections, personal poker life insights
Poker publication articles (publication names, article titles, publication dates, links)
Featured in PokerNews, ESPN, CardPlayer, PokerListings
Poker community criticism (specific criticisms, responses)
Discussed notable fold decision during 2024 Main Event, accepted as strategic
Response to criticism (statements, actions taken)
Explained fold decision fully in interviews and podcasts with no controversy impact
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Recognized by peers including Joe McKeehen and Dominik Nitsche for skill and sportsmanship
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
First player to win 2024 WSOP Main Event from seventh chip position since 2011; four WSOP Circuit rings
Records associated with name (record descriptions, verification)
Winner of largest-ever live poker tournament prize pool $10,000,000 in 2024 WSOP Main Event
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Consistent presence in WSOP circuit; known for resilience and comeback stories; advocate for integrity in poker
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Known for perseverance at poker’s highest level and milestone 2024 Main Event victory
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Influenced WSOP rule discussions post-2024; supports integrity respecting electronic device use policies
WSOP (World Series of Poker) - all events all years
2024-07 | USA | WSOP Main Event | Horseshoe Las Vegas | $10,000 Main Event | 10000 | 1st | 10000000 | 10112 | | |||| 2009-11 | USA | WSOP Main Event | Las Vegas | $10,000 Main Event | 10000 | 21st | 352832 | | | |||| 2008-06 | USA | WSOP Event | Las Vegas | $1,500 Mixed Limit/No-Limit Hold'em | 1500 | 2nd | 140000 | | |
WSOP Circuit events
Multiple WSOP Circuit event wins including 4 rings by 2018
Commentary and interviews during WSOP events on PokerGO and ESPN platforms