Poker Player Bio - Johnny Chan

Johnny Chan is one of the best tournament poker players alive, without question. In fact, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss saw Chan play and was so impressed by the poker player’s skill that he promised him an NBA championship ring if Chan could break a world record and win a consecutive World Series of Poker bracelet in a row in 1989.

Chan came pretty close to collecting, in fact, he made the final table and took home the second place prize.

When Johnny Chan started out as young poker player, he was known for being emotional, if not hot headed. Chan turned it around though, and is now considered to be one of the more charismatic poker players.

The change was good for Chan who is now superstar poker player, a consistent tournament winner, and tied for the most ever won World Series of Poker Bracelets with poker greats Doyle Brunson, and Phil Helmuth, all holding 10 a record 10 World Series of Poker titles until 2008 when Phil “The ‘whiney’ Poker Brat hit pay dirt and won his 11th WSOP bracelet.

Chan who was born in Canton China in 1957, is known now for more than just his own poker playing success, but also for the success as a poker coach, and the success of his students, such as Jamie Gold. Chan can’t personally coach everyone though or maybe he can.

Johnny Chan Writes ‘Play Poker like Johnny Chan’

Poker players can learn to ‘Play Poker like Johnny Chan’ by grabbing the book at Amazon or local book sellers.

So we have here WSOP bracelets, millions of dollars, and a book, that’s all it takes to be considered a successful poker superstar, but… there’s more.

Johnny Chan the Movie Star

Johnny Chan spends about three minutes total in the hit poker movie Rounder’s, although the Poker Superstar only appears in three scenes, he plays a very important role in the movie. The main character of the movie (Mike McDermott) sits down across a poker table as Chan; he plays a hand with the star. He makes a bet, Chan reraises, Mikey pushes back firing a reraise of his own. Chan ponders for a moment and then the poker great mucks his hand.

Chan asks Mikey if he 'had it'. He didn't have 'it', but he had what it takes to re-re-raise into Johnny Chan, he had the 'nuts' to become a professional poker player.