Charles Kassin Talks LAPC, Return to the Felt, and Table Fashion Sense

By Sean Chaffin

For more than a decade, playing poker has been the only way Charles Kassin has made a living. He actually dropped out of high school to begin his online career. But after years of battling it out online and in casinos, he took a break for about three years and focused on stock trading. He was treading water and needed a fresh start. In 2019 Kassin returned to the tables looking for some big scores and feeling revived.

“I kind of fried my brain from playing so many tables online at one time,” says the 32-year-old, who is now among the Day 1 field at WPT Rolling Thunder. “I was 30- and 40-tabling and not even trying to get better. I was just trying to make this much money and pay my bills. I was just stagnant for a couple years and complacent. I don’t like that so I took a break for a few years. Now I’m back and ready to go all the way.”

In February, Kassin scored a 10th-place finish in the $10,300 partypoker MILLIONS event in Uruguay for $60,000. Just days ago, he barely missed making a WPT televised final table at hyperX Esports Arena in Las Vegas. At the L.A. Poker Classic he finished ninth for $90,010.

“It was a little bittersweet, especially because it was my second [close call] in a couple weeks,” he says. “But it’s almost like it happened for [other players]. Now they know they better be careful, seeing me going consistently back to back almost final tabling. I like that aspect of it. It puts me on the map and these guys know they better be careful.”

Friends and family were following his progress in Los Angeles with many sending texts to get updates. This player originally from New Jersey feels his love of poker has returned and he’s determined to put together some big finishes.

“People are excited, they’re watching, trying to see updates,” he says. “I took a break for three years from poker and now I’m back, so people can cheer me on.”

When back in the northeast, Kassin plays at the Borgata and at a few properties in Pennsylvania. He’s now looking for bigger events like the LAPC and Rolling Thunder. Kassin seems to be getting back in the groove since returning to the felt, and hoping to grow his $210,000 in live tournament winnings. Dedicating himself to hitting the road for more action in bigger tournaments is a big part of the plan.

“At this point, I’m a homeless poker player ready to travel the world,” he says.

At the LAPC, players may have noticed his unique sense of fashion with a sharp blazer complemented with shorts, muscle shirt, and flip-flops.

“It’s just whatever’s available,” he says. “You might even see me wearing $10 sweatpants with a $150 sports coat. I don’t even really care. I like this sports coat specifically. I envision myself winning many millions of dollars in this one – but really more the black one. This blue one came a little small, I ordered it online. The other is a more proper fit, I’m going to win millions in that one.”

If he can make a final table, will his wardrobe be a jacket and shorts? Or will pants make an appearance? He adds laughing: “I’m going with the black pants for the final table.”

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer in Crandall, Texas, and his work appears in numerous websites and publications. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions.