World Poker Tour

Kenna James “Cowboy“

Birthplace
Chicago, IL

Birthday
December 18

Total Winnings
$787,215

Born and raised in the Midwest, Kenna James always had a knack for pursuing unconventional career paths. He studied drama in college and eventually moved to Los Angeles to become an actor. While he found some success and appeared in a number of television shows and theater productions, he continued to support himself through more traditional jobs such as being a bartender or waiter. Those traditional jobs changed when he became a poker dealer at Hollywood Park Casino.

When Kenna began dealing cards, he started acting less and started playing more. He had begun his journey in the poker world and by 1997, acting took a back seat to what was becoming a lucrative career in the poker industry. He began directing and playing tournaments all around the world including Moscow, Russia. With a number of wins in smaller local events and strong finishes internationally his motivation and ever-increasing poker skills kept him moving in the right direction to eventually leaving the steady income of tournament directing and taking on the challenges and risks of becoming a poker pro.

Kenna's first major tournament win came in 2002 and he hasn’t looked back since. In 2003, he won the $2500 Limit Hold'em event at the Bellagio Five Diamond World Poker Classic. This championship was special because he not only faced formidable opponents like Erik Seidel on the final table but had to battle back after being down to only three chips! He also finished in ninth place at the 2004 WPT Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship. In 2005, he finished second on the World Poker Tour at the Legends of Poker earning over a half million dollars. His run continued with a final table at the Monte Carlo Millions and the Aussie Millions main events. Earning over a million dollars in consecutive years in 2005-2006 established Kenna as one of the premiere poker pros on tour. His positive attitude and generous nature keep him striving for success both on and off the felt. He often contributes and supports numerous charity events around the country. In addition to teaching at the World Poker Tour Boot Camps, private coaching, commentating and living a good life, it seems that Kenna has only begun to make his mark on the poker world.

Kenna has been the TV host of previous Canadian Coast to Coast Championships, and will continue alongside host Jim Van Horne for all World Poker Tour Canada™ final tables taped for television broadcast in Canada.