Johnny Chan

Johnny Chan is one of the legends of poker. With a track record over many years worthy of a true poker great, Chan continues to terrorize opponents at the tables to this day when not involved in his many business ventures. Joint 2nd for World Series bracelets (along with Doyle Brunson at 10 a piece), Chan’s record is only bettered by Phil Hellmuth who recently won his 11th World Series title.

The Orient Express

Chan is nicknamed the ‘Orient Express’ due to his aggressive ‘big bet’ approach. A fearsome opponent who is not afraid to move his chips in the middle, Chan ensures he is paid off on strong hands – and wins many pots uncontested with bluffs and semi-bluffs alike.

Born in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, Chan first moved to Hong Kong in 1962. Some 4 years later relocating once again to the US, first to Phoenix, Arizona then later to Houston, Texas. In a story familiar among many of today’s poker professionals Johnny Chan dropped out of college (where he was studying Hotel and Restaurant Management) to play poker full time by the age of 21.

WSOP Success

Johnny Chan’s first taste of World Series of Poker success came in 1985 where he won his first bracelet in the $1,000 Fixed-Limit Holdem event. In 1987 he went one better, winning the $10,000 No-Limit Holdem Main Event for $625,000 – a feat he was to equal the very next year with the 1988 Main Event Title.

Chan is the last player to have achieved such back-to-back success, the consensus being that the huge fields in the modern day game make it unlikely that this will be repeated. In fact Chan was only 1 place away from a historic 3rd consecutive win, coming second in the 1989 main event to a young Phil Hellmuth.

Other notable victories among Johnny Chan’s World Series record include two Pot-Limit Omaha titles in 2000 and 2003, recent victories in the 2003 No-Limit Holdem $5,000 event and the 2005 Pot-Limit Holdem $2,500 event – as well as bracelets for 7 Card Stud and Deuce to Seven Draw poker variants.

Other Tournaments

Though Chan has competed in many tournaments outside of the World Series he has yet to equal his successes on the World Poker Tour and other events. Several cashes and wins including Poker After Dark’s inaugural ‘World Series Of Poker Champions’ event have contributed to lifetime tournament earnings in excess of $5.9 million. Chan is also a consummate cash game player – often found playing a variety of games against the best in the world.

Johnny Chan has many business interests, these include several books and regular magazine columns. Chan also owns an online poker room, Chan Poker, which is part of the wider ‘Ongame’ network. In addition he has interests in Las Vegas restaurants and has been quoted as showing an interest in opening his own casino at some point in the future. 

LAST: Allen Cunningham | NEXT: Gus Hansen