Article

Hoyt Corkins

This issue's cover star, Hoyt Corkins, is usually known by the nickname "Cowboy", because he always wears a cowboy hat and boots to the table. However, he has been given a few other sobriquets. Phil Hellmuth refers to him as "Mr All-In", while some other players know him as "Nightmare." Despite his many monikers, name-calling isn't a problem for Hoyt. He usually plays live poker tournaments while wearing a pair of earplugs, in order to prevent other players' chatter from affecting his game.

Born in rural Alabama, Hoyt grew up getting after-school lessons in poker from his father, who taught him his no-fear style of playing. As a teenager, sometimes Corkins the younger would get to play in the weekly cash game his father hosted. He didn't play many hands, but observed his father's plays and how other players reacted to them. Hoyt accredits much of his skill in reading players to the knowledge that he gained from his father.

Hoyt picked a World Series of Poker bracelet and $96,000 for winning the 1992 $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha tournament, and in total he has finished in the money on seven occasions. But after his early career successes, Hoyt disappeared from the game for 11 years while going through a divorce.

In 2003 he resurfaced, encouraged by his fiancée, Natalie, to return to poker, and took what was then a record-breaking first prize in the WPT 2003 World Poker Finals. He also came second to Gus Hansen in early 2004 at the PokerStars Caribbean Poker Adventure, which earned him $290,065. This was despite suffering from a nasty bout of flu during the event, though he says it didn't affect his play.

In November 2005, Hoyt came second to Mike Matusow in the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions freeroll, netting $325,000 for his finish. Then, last year, Hoyt made another World Poker Tour final table, and also went on to finish third in WPT's Legends of Poker event. Most people, however, particularly associate Hoyt with his first major TV appearance at Foxwoods Casino during WPT's second season. He was the proverbial thorn in the side of Phil Hellmuth, and quickly became a fan favorite as he beat Phil in pot after pot, maintaining a calm, almost demure table image, whether he won a monster pot or lost to a bad beat.

So what's his strength/ "Bluffing well just comes naturally to me," says Hoyt. "There's a time and a place to do it, and perhaps I pick the wrong moment every now and then, but more often than not, I read weakness properly, and can take advantage of that". That's bluffing in a nutshell – bluffs do not succeed when your opponents are strong. And Hoyt also adds the semi-bluff to his repertoire. "When you bluff, it's always good to have outs, just in case they catch your hand in the cookie jar."

Currently, Hoyt has two residences – one in Las Vegas so he can play in poker tournaments, and the other in southern Alabama, where the cowboy poker pro actually does keep 60-odd head of cattle. With his World Poker Tour moo-la (aargh - Ed), that number could soon increase.

At the table, Hoyt maintains a stoic presence. Known for his trademark black cowboy hat and boots, his aggressive play, and a poker face that is nearly impossible to read. Want to see it for yourself? Go and watch any WPT event – he'll quite likely be the guy with all the chips.