Johnny Chan “Orient Express“

Hometown
Las Vegas, NV

Total Winnings
$275,644

It's hard to imagine how many poker players have been inspired by Johnny Chan, but it's been a lot. This larger than life legend came to America from China as a youth, going to school in Houston and working in the family restaurant business. He liked to go bowling with his buddies until he realized there was money to be made playing poker with his dad's friends in an illicit weekly game. His play turned to passion and he became a poker devotee who was dislodged by the regular players who were tired of losing to this young star. He went to Las Vegas at sixteen and played illegally with a $500 bankroll. During that trip, where he turned that $500 into $20,000 and lost it all the next night, he embodied what Doyle Brunson later said about him. "Johnny was a hot-headed kid with some talent. But he didn't know when to keep his temper under control or know when to quit playing."

But Johnny grew out of it. He underwent a startling metamorphosis. He started exercising and eating right and quit a four pack a day cigarette habit that was deteriorating his health. He started bringing an orange to the table because he preferred the scent of it to that of smoke. Now that lucky orange is a Johnny Chan hallmark. All these changes seemed to improve Johnny's game. As a young player entering Bob Stupak's America's Cup Tournament, Johnny eliminated 13 of 16 opponents in just about 30 minutes. He was instantly dubbed "The Orient Express." A hard working, aggressive player, Chan blazed the trail for many Asian poker players who view him as a role model and mentor. He has also appeared in the poker movies Rounders and Lucky You, becoming an international Texas Hold'em diplomat.

Johnny Chan is one of three players to have back to back (1987 and 1988) WSOP Championship wins and Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss made the unique offer of a NBA Championship ring if he was able to pull off a three-peat. He nearly did, coming in second in 1989. Only two other players share the distinction of owning ten of the coveted WSOP bracelets and Johnny may be a few card games away from number eleven. This 2002 Poker Hall of Famer regularly finishes in the money at World Poker Tour events and dreams of owning and operating his own casino.