Where Are They Now - Johnny Chan
|
Contributed by: Billy Monroe Updated: 2008/05/12 02:00 Views: 149 Comments: 0 |
|
Imagine that you are sitting across the felt from easily one of the best poker players to ever belly up
to a poker table. Each of you has thousands of dollars worth of chips on the table with the sole purpose of cleaning out the other. After a little bit of playing, the chip count has remained around even when all of a sudden you look down on a monster hand. Sensing the champion is bluffing, you go over the top, taking a huge hand from the champion. That could happen, right? Only if your name is Matt Damon and you are starring in the movie Rounders. Johnny Chan may have played the role of loser in that film, but if you were actually able to take a large amount of money from him that would surely be Hollywood material - or a dream.
Chan was born in 1957 in Canton, China. His parents moved to Hong Kong when he was six and later to America when he was around nine years old. After arriving in Phoenix, Arizona, they shortly moved to Houston, Texas where they would stay. His parents opened a series of Chinese restaurants in the area that immediately gave the family some financial freedom. Chan’s father was starting to get older, and he thought, without saying, Chan would take over the restaurant business once he got too old to do the day-to-day tasks.
This thought was said to have scared Johnny very much. While he respected his parents and understood that Asian tradition generally says that kids will keep up the family traditions, in this case the restaurant, Chan had very little desire to follow in his father’s footsteps. Chan wasn’t sure what he wanted to do, but the idea of spending the rest of his days cooking in restaurants in Houston didn’t appeal to him one bit. Chan had already developed these feelings as an early teen, and they continued to hover in his mind as he crept towards adult hood.
Taking over the restaurant operation might not have even been the worst of his problems. Despite being in America for a few years, he had still not learned the English language because his family only spoke Chinese at home. Because of this, Chan was usually quiet, and in return, was labeled an outcast by his fellow students. Chan has said he would remain stoic when he was sure kids were making fun of him, but wasn’t sure because he couldn’t understand them. Despite these issues, Chan was still eventually able to learn enough to get accepted into the University of Houston. However, a trip two years before his college acceptance helped shape the Chan we know today.
At the age of 16, Chan boarded a tiny plane that was heading to Las Vegas. In 1970’s Vegas they didn’t check identification the same way they do today, so Chan was able to walk in and try his luck at anything he wanted without even a sideway glance from a pit boss. Chan first tried some slot machines, but they were unable to hold his attention very long. Chan then tried the poker table, and despite being cleaned out by some locals, he fell in love with the game. When Chan returned to Houston he could only think about returning to Vegas one day and trying his luck again at the poker table. Two years later though, he went to college, where his father thought Johnny would get a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
With his heart not in his schooling, he played poker whenever he could. After a year of going through the motions at the University of Houston he returned home and told his parents that he wouldn’t be returning to school, and instead would be going to Las Vegas to become a full-time poker player. As you can imagine his parents didn’t take that news well, especially his father. It was a good thing that Chan had plans, because his parents all but disowned them, telling Chan that he had let his family down and it would be a long time until this could all be forgiven.
When Chan arrived in Vegas things didn’t automatically get better for him. Chan had almost a fatalist mentality when he first started playing poker in Las Vegas. Despite showing immediate signs of being a good player, Chan would refuse to leave a poker table until every dollar was gone from in front of him. Chan knew that if he would ever become a winning poker player, he would have to get over this major flaw in his game sooner than later. Many would be poker players, and even some well known players, have either had or still have this problem, but Chan, after a few years of changing his mindset, was able to totally eliminate this flaw from his game.
After Chan became a “new player,” he quickly realized that players seemed to treat him differently than other players at the table. Strictly a cash game player at this time, he felt that he had an advantage because he was one of the few Asian players, and many people had never played poker against an Asian before. Chan has said that he felt that American players weren’t able to read his face the way they could do against their fellow countrymen. Chan used this to his advantage, and continued to build his bankroll throughout the early 80’s before trying his luck on the tournament circuit.
Chan first found success in the 1985 World Series of Poker where he won the $1,000 No Limit Hold’em, his first of 10 bracelets, which is tied with second for all-time with Doyle Brunson. While this victory was special to Chan, and gave his career choice a sense of justification, he knew he would still need to win the “Main Event” to be considered among the best ever.
After the 1986 WSOP season didn’t bring Chan a bracelet, he entered the 1987 WSOP hungry. The long wait from a 16 year old on a rundown plane to being known as “World Champion” came to an end as Chan was able to take down the Main Event. Chan would prove that this was hardly a fluke, and the following year saw him win his second consecutive Main Event when his flopped straight beat Erik Seidel’s pair of queens, which will also always be chronicled in the movie Rounders.
In 1988 Chan became only the third player ever with the chance to three-peat in the Main Event. Then owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, and friend of Chan, Dr. Jerry Buss told Chan that if he could win a third consecutive title he would give him one of his NBA Championship rings. Chan almost made Dr. Buss put his money where his mouth is, but luckily for Jerry a young upstart by the name of Phil Hellmuth Jr., the only other person with more bracelets than Chan, was able to win the title. Nevertheless, Chan’s three year run in the Main Events is typically regarded as the best run of its kind. Between his first bracelet in ‘84 and his second place finish in the Main Event in 1989, Chan made over 1.7 million dollars, certainly much more than he would have ever made had he stayed in the family business.
Chan has gone on to win over four million dollars in tournament play. He is also a player in some of the biggest cash games poker has to offer, where he is also a winner. His customary orange that he has with him at the table nearly all the time has been said is an Asian superstition but Chan has simply said that he prefers the smell of a fresh orange to that of cigarette smoke, which up until recently had always been a problem for non-smokers since almost the beginning of poker. Not only does Chan not smoke, but he is also a non-drinker as well.
Chan is generally considered quiet at the table, which is believed to have stemmed from his quiet childhood. He believes that his family life should be kept private, and is very hesitant to honor an interview request. With that, when he is in the mood, he has been known to tell great stories from his past, and along the way has made many friends in the poker community, while helping other poker players who have been down on their luck, as he was so many years ago.
While players always treat players with a level of respect, there are many poker dealers that have a different view of Johnny Chan than the rest of the world has. Johnny has been less than kind more than once and the majority of dealers that have been on the circuit for any length of time would rather not deal to him.
Chan was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2002, but his work is hardly over. Most recently he finished in first place in the NBC series “Poker After Dark.” As mentioned, he is second to Hellmuth in bracelet wins, but at just 50 years old Chan has plenty of time to try to take the lead.
Major Tournament Results
25-Feb-08 $ 20,000 Week 6 - "International"
Poker After Dark III, Las Vegas 1st $ 120,000
11-Feb-08 $ 20,000 Week 4 - "World Champions"
Poker After Dark III, Las Vegas 1st $ 120,000
14-Jun-07 $ 1,500 Pot Limit Omaha
38th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2007, Las Vegas 20th $ 5,504
06-Jun-07 $ 5,000 World Championship Seven Card Stud
38th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2007, Las Vegas 18th $ 8,460
01-Jun-07 $ 5,000 World Championship Mixed Hold'em (Limit/No-Limit)
38th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2007, Las Vegas 31st $ 13,778
Jun-07 $ 20,000 Week 11 - WSOP Champions II
Poker After Dark II, Las Vegas 2nd
28-Apr-07 No Limit Hold'em
WPT Poker by the Book: Chapter 2, Las Vegas 6th
08-Mar-07 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
The Wynn Classic, Las Vegas 8th $ 38,412
04-Feb-07 Poker Superstars III Championship
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 5th
15-Jan-07 $ 20,000 Week 3
Poker After Dark, Las Vegas 1st $ 120,000
29-Oct-06 Semi-Final - Group B
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 2nd $ 30,000
01-Oct-06 Quarter Finals - Group A - Match 2
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 1st $ 30,000
24-Sep-06 Quarter Finals - Group A - Match 1
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 2nd $ 15,000
13-Aug-06 Final 16 - Group B - Match 1
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 1st $ 15,000
05-Jul-06 $ 1,500 7 Card Stud
37th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2006, Las Vegas 7th $ 22,836
02-Jul-06 Heat 17
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 5th
01-Jul-06 Round 2 - Group B
Intercontinental Poker Championship, Las Vegas 4th
01-Jul-06 $ 2,000 No Limit Hold'em
37th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2006, Las Vegas 84th $ 5,239
25-Jun-06 Heat 16
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 3rd
24-Jun-06 Round 1 - Group B
Intercontinental Poker Championship, Las Vegas 3rd
07-May-06 Heat 9
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 1st $ 10,000
23-Apr-06 Heat 7
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 3rd
18-Apr-06 $ 25,000 WPT Championship - No Limit Hold'em
Fourth Annual Five-Star World Poker Classic, Las Vegas 34th $ 73,230
26-Mar-06 Heat 3
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 6th
05-Feb-06 Quarter Finalists Invitational Freeroll
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 8th
13-Nov-05 Grand Final
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 1st $ 400,000
06-Nov-05 Tournament of Champions - No Limit Hold'em
2005 WSOP Tournament of Champions, Las Vegas 13th
06-Nov-05 Semi Final 1
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 1st $ 50,000
30-Oct-05 Quarter Final 2
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 1st $ 30,000
18-Oct-05 $ 10,000 2nd Annual Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship - No Limit Hold'em
Bellagio Festa Al Lago IV, Las Vegas 58th $ 12,000
16-Oct-05 Final 16 - Group D - Match 2
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 2nd
09-Oct-05 Final 16 - Group D - Match 1
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 1st $ 15,000
21-Aug-05 Heat 24
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 5th
24-Jul-05 Heat 20
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 2nd
26-Jun-05 Heat 16
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 1st $ 10,000
25-Jun-05 $ 2,500 Pot Limit Hold'em
36th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2005, Las Vegas 1st $ 303,025
29-May-05 Heat 12
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 1st $ 10,000
17-Apr-05 Heat 6
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 4th
13-Mar-05 Heat 1
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 2nd
Feb-05 $ 400,000 Grand Final
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament, Unknown 2nd
14-Dec-04 $ 15,000 World Poker Tour Championship - No Limit Hold'em
Five-Diamond World Poker Classic, Las Vegas 8th $ 87,125
01-Sep-04 No Limit Hold'em - Tournament of Champions
World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions, Las Vegas 4th
18-May-04 $ 3,000 No-Limit Hold'em
35th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2004, Las Vegas 29th $ 6,280
13-May-03 $ 3,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
34th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2003, Las Vegas 19th $ 3,640
08-May-03 $ 5,000 Pot Limit Omaha
34th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2003, Las Vegas 1st $ 158,100
29-Apr-03 $ 5,000 No Limit Hold'em
34th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2003, Las Vegas 1st $ 224,400
07-Apr-03 $ 1,500 No Limit Hold'em
2003 Bellagio Five-Star World Poker Classic WPT Championship, Las Vegas 8th $ 6,740
16-May-02 $ 3,000 No Limit Hold'em
33rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2002, Las Vegas 3rd $ 94,300
13-May-02 $ 5,000 Pot Limit Omaha
33rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2002, Las Vegas 8th $ 10,060
06-May-02 $ 1,500 No Limit Hold'em
33rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2002, Las Vegas 2nd $ 137,720
28-Apr-02 $ 2,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
33rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2002, Las Vegas 5th $ 18,280
26-Apr-02 $ 2,500 No Limit Hold'em - Gold Bracelet Match Play
33rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2002, Las Vegas 1st $ 34,000
20-Sep-01 $ 100 No Limit Hold'em
2001 National Championship of Poker, Inglewood 6th $ 935
10-May-01 $ 3,000 Texas Hold'em (no limit)
32nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2001, Las Vegas 2nd $ 211,210
27-Apr-01 $ 1,500 Omaha (pot limit)
32nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2001, Las Vegas 14th $ 4,595
24-Jan-01 $ 1,000 Limit Hold'em
1st Annual World Poker Challenge, Reno 2nd $ 30,652
22-Jan-01 $ 1,000 No Limit Hold'em
1st Annual World Poker Challenge, Reno 2nd $ 30,652
30-Sep-00 $ 100 No Limit Hold'em
2000 Tom McEvoy Poker Spectacular, Inglewood 5th $ 1,760
24-Sep-00 $ 100 Limit Hold'em
2000 National Championship of Poker, Inglewood 2nd $ 12,750
11-May-00 $ 3,000 No Limit Hold'em
31st World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2000, Las Vegas 11th $ 10,835
28-Apr-00 $ 1,500 Pot Limit Omaha
31st World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2000, Las Vegas 1st $ 179,400
26-Feb-00 $ 2,500 No Limit Hold'em Championship
2000 L.A. Poker Classic, Los Angeles 1st
10-Dec-99 $ 1,000 No Limit Hold'em
1999 United States Poker Championship, Atlantic City 2nd $ 21,850
20-Sep-99 $ 200 Limit Hold'em
1999 National Championship of Poker, Inglewood 6th $ 1,060
29-Aug-99 $ 2,000 Championship Event - No Limit Hold'em
1999 Legends of Poker, Los Angeles 3rd $ 22,990
25-Apr-98 $ 1,500 Omaha Pot Limit
29th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1998, Las Vegas 2nd $ 77,400
22-Jan-98 $ 5,000 Championship Event - No Limit Hold'em
Carnivale of Poker, Las Vegas 9th $ 11,475
19-Jan-98 $ 1,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
Carnivale of Poker, Las Vegas 8th $ 3,540
18-Jan-98 $ 1,000 No Limit Hold'em
Carnivale of Poker, Las Vegas 4th $ 17,550
17-Jan-98 $ 1,500 Limit Hold'em
Carnivale of Poker, Las Vegas 2nd $ 39,000
07-May-97 $ 5,000 No Limit Deuce to Seven Draw
28th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1997, Las Vegas 1st $ 164,250
28-Apr-97 $ 2,000 No Limit Hold'em
28th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1997, Las Vegas 20th $ 4,260
26-Apr-97 $ 1,500 Omaha Pot Limit
28th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1997, Las Vegas 9th $ 6,345
19-Aug-96 $ 300 No Limit Hold'em
1996 Legends of Poker, Los Angeles 7th $ 2,460
11-May-96 $ 5,000 Limit Hold'em
27th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1996, Las Vegas 4th $ 41,300
10-Feb-96 Tournament of Champions
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl of Poker, Los Angeles 1st $ 27,600
15-May-95 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
26th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1995, Las Vegas 44th
04-May-95 $ 5,000 Deuce to Seven Draw
26th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1995, Las Vegas 2nd $ 56,250
01-May-95 $ 1,500 No Limit Hold'em
26th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1995, Las Vegas 23rd $ 2,745
27-Apr-94 $ 1,500 Pot Limit Hold'em
25th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1994, Las Vegas 9th $ 5,557
21-Apr-94 $ 1,500 Limit Omaha
25th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1994, Las Vegas 17th $ 1,668
20-Apr-94 $ 1,500 Seven-Card Stud
25th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1994, Las Vegas 1st $ 135,600
02-Mar-94 $ 1,000 Pot Limit Omaha
LA Poker Classic III, Los Angeles 4th $ 9,500
01-Mar-94 $ 1,000 No Limit Deuce To 7 Lowball
LA Poker Classic III, Los Angeles 1st $ 39,050
19-Jan-94 $ 1,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
Queens Poker Classic IV, Las Vegas 1st $ 50,400
29-Aug-93 $ 1,000 No Limit Hold'em
Jim Brady Month, Los Angeles 4th $ 16,080
17-Jan-93 $ 500 No Limit Hold'em
Queens Poker Classic III, Las Vegas 4th $ 11,700
11-May-92 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
23rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1992, Las Vegas 7th $ 25,250
23-Apr-92 $ 1,500 Hold'em Pot Limit
23rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1992, Las Vegas 6th $ 10,133
02-Nov-91 $ 2,500 Limit Hold'em
Hall Of Fame Poker Classic 1991, Las Vegas 10th $ 3,210
01-Nov-91 $ 1,500 No Limit Hold'em
Hall Of Fame Poker Classic 1991, Las Vegas 5th $ 14,250
May-91 $ 1,500 No Limit Hold'em
22nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1991, Las Vegas 18th $ 3,336
06-Feb-90 $ 200 Pot Limit Omaha
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 4th $ 10,824
22-Dec-89 $ 5,000 Championship Event - No Limit Hold'em
Hall of Fame Poker Classic 1989, Las Vegas 1st $ 232,000
27-Aug-89 $ 1,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
5th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 4th $ 16,220
25-Aug-89 $ 1,000 Limit Hold'em
5th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 4th $ 21,680
24-Aug-89 $ 1,000 Hold'em
5th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 5th $ 2,370
21-Aug-89 $ 1,500 7 Card Stud
5th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 3rd $ 18,790
05-Aug-89 $ 300 Lowball
5th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 2nd $ 52,380
15-May-89 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
20th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1989, Las Vegas 2nd $ 302,000
20-Dec-88 $ 5,000 Championship Event - No Limit Hold'em
Hall of Fame Poker Classic 1988, Las Vegas 1st $ 194,000
May-88 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
19th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1988, Las Vegas 1st $ 700,000
Aug-87 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
3rd Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 1st
11-May-87 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
18th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1987, Las Vegas 1st $ 625,000
May-87 $ 5,000 Deuce to Seven Draw
18th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1987, Las Vegas 3rd $ 51,000
Feb-87 $ 200 No Limit Hold'em
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 2nd $ 38,400
Feb-87 $ 200 Pot Limit Omaha
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 1st $ 60,795
Jan-87 $ 1,500 Pot Limit Omaha
America's Cup Of Poker 1987, Las Vegas 10th $ 1,969
Jan-87 $ 2,500 Limit Hold'em
Grand Prix of Poker 1987, Las Vegas 3rd $ 24,250
Jan-87 $ 1,500 Limit Seven Card Stud
Grand Prix of Poker 1987, Las Vegas 2nd $ 67,500
Feb-86 Deuce-to-Seven Lowball
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 3rd $ 7,250
Jan-86 $ 2,500 Pot Limit Omaha
Grand Prix of Poker 1986, Las Vegas 5th $ 13,475
May-85 $ 1,000 Limit Hold'em
16th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1985, Las Vegas 1st $ 171,000
Feb-85 $ 1,000 Omaha
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 1st $ 77,000
Jan-85 $ 500 Razz
1985 Stairway to the Stars, Las Vegas 4th $ 2,790
Jan-85 $ 500 Stud/Hold'em
1985 Stairway to the Stars, Las Vegas 4th $ 1,650
Jan-85 $ 500 Limit Seven Card Stud
1985 Stairway to the Stars, Las Vegas 2nd $ 8,900
Nov-84 $ 5,000 Pot Limit Omaha
1984 Grand Prix of Poker, Las Vegas 3rd $ 22,000
Mar-84 $ 2,500 No Limit Hold'em
1st Annual Poker Week, Las Vegas 1st $ 38,750
Mar-84 $ 500 Limit Omaha
Celebrity Poker Classic, Las Vegas 1st $ 10,500
May-83 $ 2,500 Match Play
14th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1983, Las Vegas 4th $ 8,000
Jan-83 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
America's Cup Of Poker 1983, Las Vegas 1st $ 130,000
Jan-83 $ 5,000 No Limit Hold'em
1983 Stairway to the stars, Las Vegas 1st
Feb-82 $ 500 Limit Hold'em
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 3rd $ 9,950
Jan-82 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
America's Cup Of Poker 1982, Las Vegas 1st
to a poker table. Each of you has thousands of dollars worth of chips on the table with the sole purpose of cleaning out the other. After a little bit of playing, the chip count has remained around even when all of a sudden you look down on a monster hand. Sensing the champion is bluffing, you go over the top, taking a huge hand from the champion. That could happen, right? Only if your name is Matt Damon and you are starring in the movie Rounders. Johnny Chan may have played the role of loser in that film, but if you were actually able to take a large amount of money from him that would surely be Hollywood material - or a dream.Chan was born in 1957 in Canton, China. His parents moved to Hong Kong when he was six and later to America when he was around nine years old. After arriving in Phoenix, Arizona, they shortly moved to Houston, Texas where they would stay. His parents opened a series of Chinese restaurants in the area that immediately gave the family some financial freedom. Chan’s father was starting to get older, and he thought, without saying, Chan would take over the restaurant business once he got too old to do the day-to-day tasks.
This thought was said to have scared Johnny very much. While he respected his parents and understood that Asian tradition generally says that kids will keep up the family traditions, in this case the restaurant, Chan had very little desire to follow in his father’s footsteps. Chan wasn’t sure what he wanted to do, but the idea of spending the rest of his days cooking in restaurants in Houston didn’t appeal to him one bit. Chan had already developed these feelings as an early teen, and they continued to hover in his mind as he crept towards adult hood.
Taking over the restaurant operation might not have even been the worst of his problems. Despite being in America for a few years, he had still not learned the English language because his family only spoke Chinese at home. Because of this, Chan was usually quiet, and in return, was labeled an outcast by his fellow students. Chan has said he would remain stoic when he was sure kids were making fun of him, but wasn’t sure because he couldn’t understand them. Despite these issues, Chan was still eventually able to learn enough to get accepted into the University of Houston. However, a trip two years before his college acceptance helped shape the Chan we know today.
At the age of 16, Chan boarded a tiny plane that was heading to Las Vegas. In 1970’s Vegas they didn’t check identification the same way they do today, so Chan was able to walk in and try his luck at anything he wanted without even a sideway glance from a pit boss. Chan first tried some slot machines, but they were unable to hold his attention very long. Chan then tried the poker table, and despite being cleaned out by some locals, he fell in love with the game. When Chan returned to Houston he could only think about returning to Vegas one day and trying his luck again at the poker table. Two years later though, he went to college, where his father thought Johnny would get a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
With his heart not in his schooling, he played poker whenever he could. After a year of going through the motions at the University of Houston he returned home and told his parents that he wouldn’t be returning to school, and instead would be going to Las Vegas to become a full-time poker player. As you can imagine his parents didn’t take that news well, especially his father. It was a good thing that Chan had plans, because his parents all but disowned them, telling Chan that he had let his family down and it would be a long time until this could all be forgiven.
When Chan arrived in Vegas things didn’t automatically get better for him. Chan had almost a fatalist mentality when he first started playing poker in Las Vegas. Despite showing immediate signs of being a good player, Chan would refuse to leave a poker table until every dollar was gone from in front of him. Chan knew that if he would ever become a winning poker player, he would have to get over this major flaw in his game sooner than later. Many would be poker players, and even some well known players, have either had or still have this problem, but Chan, after a few years of changing his mindset, was able to totally eliminate this flaw from his game.
After Chan became a “new player,” he quickly realized that players seemed to treat him differently than other players at the table. Strictly a cash game player at this time, he felt that he had an advantage because he was one of the few Asian players, and many people had never played poker against an Asian before. Chan has said that he felt that American players weren’t able to read his face the way they could do against their fellow countrymen. Chan used this to his advantage, and continued to build his bankroll throughout the early 80’s before trying his luck on the tournament circuit.
Chan first found success in the 1985 World Series of Poker where he won the $1,000 No Limit Hold’em, his first of 10 bracelets, which is tied with second for all-time with Doyle Brunson. While this victory was special to Chan, and gave his career choice a sense of justification, he knew he would still need to win the “Main Event” to be considered among the best ever.
After the 1986 WSOP season didn’t bring Chan a bracelet, he entered the 1987 WSOP hungry. The long wait from a 16 year old on a rundown plane to being known as “World Champion” came to an end as Chan was able to take down the Main Event. Chan would prove that this was hardly a fluke, and the following year saw him win his second consecutive Main Event when his flopped straight beat Erik Seidel’s pair of queens, which will also always be chronicled in the movie Rounders.
In 1988 Chan became only the third player ever with the chance to three-peat in the Main Event. Then owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, and friend of Chan, Dr. Jerry Buss told Chan that if he could win a third consecutive title he would give him one of his NBA Championship rings. Chan almost made Dr. Buss put his money where his mouth is, but luckily for Jerry a young upstart by the name of Phil Hellmuth Jr., the only other person with more bracelets than Chan, was able to win the title. Nevertheless, Chan’s three year run in the Main Events is typically regarded as the best run of its kind. Between his first bracelet in ‘84 and his second place finish in the Main Event in 1989, Chan made over 1.7 million dollars, certainly much more than he would have ever made had he stayed in the family business.
Chan has gone on to win over four million dollars in tournament play. He is also a player in some of the biggest cash games poker has to offer, where he is also a winner. His customary orange that he has with him at the table nearly all the time has been said is an Asian superstition but Chan has simply said that he prefers the smell of a fresh orange to that of cigarette smoke, which up until recently had always been a problem for non-smokers since almost the beginning of poker. Not only does Chan not smoke, but he is also a non-drinker as well.
Chan is generally considered quiet at the table, which is believed to have stemmed from his quiet childhood. He believes that his family life should be kept private, and is very hesitant to honor an interview request. With that, when he is in the mood, he has been known to tell great stories from his past, and along the way has made many friends in the poker community, while helping other poker players who have been down on their luck, as he was so many years ago.
While players always treat players with a level of respect, there are many poker dealers that have a different view of Johnny Chan than the rest of the world has. Johnny has been less than kind more than once and the majority of dealers that have been on the circuit for any length of time would rather not deal to him.
Chan was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2002, but his work is hardly over. Most recently he finished in first place in the NBC series “Poker After Dark.” As mentioned, he is second to Hellmuth in bracelet wins, but at just 50 years old Chan has plenty of time to try to take the lead.
Major Tournament Results
25-Feb-08 $ 20,000 Week 6 - "International"
Poker After Dark III, Las Vegas 1st $ 120,000
11-Feb-08 $ 20,000 Week 4 - "World Champions"
Poker After Dark III, Las Vegas 1st $ 120,000
14-Jun-07 $ 1,500 Pot Limit Omaha
38th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2007, Las Vegas 20th $ 5,504
06-Jun-07 $ 5,000 World Championship Seven Card Stud
38th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2007, Las Vegas 18th $ 8,460
01-Jun-07 $ 5,000 World Championship Mixed Hold'em (Limit/No-Limit)
38th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2007, Las Vegas 31st $ 13,778
Jun-07 $ 20,000 Week 11 - WSOP Champions II
Poker After Dark II, Las Vegas 2nd
28-Apr-07 No Limit Hold'em
WPT Poker by the Book: Chapter 2, Las Vegas 6th
08-Mar-07 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
The Wynn Classic, Las Vegas 8th $ 38,412
04-Feb-07 Poker Superstars III Championship
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 5th
15-Jan-07 $ 20,000 Week 3
Poker After Dark, Las Vegas 1st $ 120,000
29-Oct-06 Semi-Final - Group B
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 2nd $ 30,000
01-Oct-06 Quarter Finals - Group A - Match 2
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 1st $ 30,000
24-Sep-06 Quarter Finals - Group A - Match 1
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 2nd $ 15,000
13-Aug-06 Final 16 - Group B - Match 1
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 1st $ 15,000
05-Jul-06 $ 1,500 7 Card Stud
37th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2006, Las Vegas 7th $ 22,836
02-Jul-06 Heat 17
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 5th
01-Jul-06 Round 2 - Group B
Intercontinental Poker Championship, Las Vegas 4th
01-Jul-06 $ 2,000 No Limit Hold'em
37th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2006, Las Vegas 84th $ 5,239
25-Jun-06 Heat 16
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 3rd
24-Jun-06 Round 1 - Group B
Intercontinental Poker Championship, Las Vegas 3rd
07-May-06 Heat 9
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 1st $ 10,000
23-Apr-06 Heat 7
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 3rd
18-Apr-06 $ 25,000 WPT Championship - No Limit Hold'em
Fourth Annual Five-Star World Poker Classic, Las Vegas 34th $ 73,230
26-Mar-06 Heat 3
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 3, Las Vegas 6th
05-Feb-06 Quarter Finalists Invitational Freeroll
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 8th
13-Nov-05 Grand Final
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 1st $ 400,000
06-Nov-05 Tournament of Champions - No Limit Hold'em
2005 WSOP Tournament of Champions, Las Vegas 13th
06-Nov-05 Semi Final 1
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 1st $ 50,000
30-Oct-05 Quarter Final 2
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 1st $ 30,000
18-Oct-05 $ 10,000 2nd Annual Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship - No Limit Hold'em
Bellagio Festa Al Lago IV, Las Vegas 58th $ 12,000
16-Oct-05 Final 16 - Group D - Match 2
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 2nd
09-Oct-05 Final 16 - Group D - Match 1
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 1st $ 15,000
21-Aug-05 Heat 24
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 5th
24-Jul-05 Heat 20
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 2nd
26-Jun-05 Heat 16
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 1st $ 10,000
25-Jun-05 $ 2,500 Pot Limit Hold'em
36th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2005, Las Vegas 1st $ 303,025
29-May-05 Heat 12
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 1st $ 10,000
17-Apr-05 Heat 6
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 4th
13-Mar-05 Heat 1
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament Season 2, Cabazon 2nd
Feb-05 $ 400,000 Grand Final
Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament, Unknown 2nd
14-Dec-04 $ 15,000 World Poker Tour Championship - No Limit Hold'em
Five-Diamond World Poker Classic, Las Vegas 8th $ 87,125
01-Sep-04 No Limit Hold'em - Tournament of Champions
World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions, Las Vegas 4th
18-May-04 $ 3,000 No-Limit Hold'em
35th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2004, Las Vegas 29th $ 6,280
13-May-03 $ 3,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
34th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2003, Las Vegas 19th $ 3,640
08-May-03 $ 5,000 Pot Limit Omaha
34th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2003, Las Vegas 1st $ 158,100
29-Apr-03 $ 5,000 No Limit Hold'em
34th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2003, Las Vegas 1st $ 224,400
07-Apr-03 $ 1,500 No Limit Hold'em
2003 Bellagio Five-Star World Poker Classic WPT Championship, Las Vegas 8th $ 6,740
16-May-02 $ 3,000 No Limit Hold'em
33rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2002, Las Vegas 3rd $ 94,300
13-May-02 $ 5,000 Pot Limit Omaha
33rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2002, Las Vegas 8th $ 10,060
06-May-02 $ 1,500 No Limit Hold'em
33rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2002, Las Vegas 2nd $ 137,720
28-Apr-02 $ 2,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
33rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2002, Las Vegas 5th $ 18,280
26-Apr-02 $ 2,500 No Limit Hold'em - Gold Bracelet Match Play
33rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2002, Las Vegas 1st $ 34,000
20-Sep-01 $ 100 No Limit Hold'em
2001 National Championship of Poker, Inglewood 6th $ 935
10-May-01 $ 3,000 Texas Hold'em (no limit)
32nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2001, Las Vegas 2nd $ 211,210
27-Apr-01 $ 1,500 Omaha (pot limit)
32nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2001, Las Vegas 14th $ 4,595
24-Jan-01 $ 1,000 Limit Hold'em
1st Annual World Poker Challenge, Reno 2nd $ 30,652
22-Jan-01 $ 1,000 No Limit Hold'em
1st Annual World Poker Challenge, Reno 2nd $ 30,652
30-Sep-00 $ 100 No Limit Hold'em
2000 Tom McEvoy Poker Spectacular, Inglewood 5th $ 1,760
24-Sep-00 $ 100 Limit Hold'em
2000 National Championship of Poker, Inglewood 2nd $ 12,750
11-May-00 $ 3,000 No Limit Hold'em
31st World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2000, Las Vegas 11th $ 10,835
28-Apr-00 $ 1,500 Pot Limit Omaha
31st World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2000, Las Vegas 1st $ 179,400
26-Feb-00 $ 2,500 No Limit Hold'em Championship
2000 L.A. Poker Classic, Los Angeles 1st
10-Dec-99 $ 1,000 No Limit Hold'em
1999 United States Poker Championship, Atlantic City 2nd $ 21,850
20-Sep-99 $ 200 Limit Hold'em
1999 National Championship of Poker, Inglewood 6th $ 1,060
29-Aug-99 $ 2,000 Championship Event - No Limit Hold'em
1999 Legends of Poker, Los Angeles 3rd $ 22,990
25-Apr-98 $ 1,500 Omaha Pot Limit
29th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1998, Las Vegas 2nd $ 77,400
22-Jan-98 $ 5,000 Championship Event - No Limit Hold'em
Carnivale of Poker, Las Vegas 9th $ 11,475
19-Jan-98 $ 1,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
Carnivale of Poker, Las Vegas 8th $ 3,540
18-Jan-98 $ 1,000 No Limit Hold'em
Carnivale of Poker, Las Vegas 4th $ 17,550
17-Jan-98 $ 1,500 Limit Hold'em
Carnivale of Poker, Las Vegas 2nd $ 39,000
07-May-97 $ 5,000 No Limit Deuce to Seven Draw
28th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1997, Las Vegas 1st $ 164,250
28-Apr-97 $ 2,000 No Limit Hold'em
28th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1997, Las Vegas 20th $ 4,260
26-Apr-97 $ 1,500 Omaha Pot Limit
28th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1997, Las Vegas 9th $ 6,345
19-Aug-96 $ 300 No Limit Hold'em
1996 Legends of Poker, Los Angeles 7th $ 2,460
11-May-96 $ 5,000 Limit Hold'em
27th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1996, Las Vegas 4th $ 41,300
10-Feb-96 Tournament of Champions
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl of Poker, Los Angeles 1st $ 27,600
15-May-95 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
26th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1995, Las Vegas 44th
04-May-95 $ 5,000 Deuce to Seven Draw
26th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1995, Las Vegas 2nd $ 56,250
01-May-95 $ 1,500 No Limit Hold'em
26th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1995, Las Vegas 23rd $ 2,745
27-Apr-94 $ 1,500 Pot Limit Hold'em
25th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1994, Las Vegas 9th $ 5,557
21-Apr-94 $ 1,500 Limit Omaha
25th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1994, Las Vegas 17th $ 1,668
20-Apr-94 $ 1,500 Seven-Card Stud
25th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1994, Las Vegas 1st $ 135,600
02-Mar-94 $ 1,000 Pot Limit Omaha
LA Poker Classic III, Los Angeles 4th $ 9,500
01-Mar-94 $ 1,000 No Limit Deuce To 7 Lowball
LA Poker Classic III, Los Angeles 1st $ 39,050
19-Jan-94 $ 1,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
Queens Poker Classic IV, Las Vegas 1st $ 50,400
29-Aug-93 $ 1,000 No Limit Hold'em
Jim Brady Month, Los Angeles 4th $ 16,080
17-Jan-93 $ 500 No Limit Hold'em
Queens Poker Classic III, Las Vegas 4th $ 11,700
11-May-92 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
23rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1992, Las Vegas 7th $ 25,250
23-Apr-92 $ 1,500 Hold'em Pot Limit
23rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1992, Las Vegas 6th $ 10,133
02-Nov-91 $ 2,500 Limit Hold'em
Hall Of Fame Poker Classic 1991, Las Vegas 10th $ 3,210
01-Nov-91 $ 1,500 No Limit Hold'em
Hall Of Fame Poker Classic 1991, Las Vegas 5th $ 14,250
May-91 $ 1,500 No Limit Hold'em
22nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1991, Las Vegas 18th $ 3,336
06-Feb-90 $ 200 Pot Limit Omaha
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 4th $ 10,824
22-Dec-89 $ 5,000 Championship Event - No Limit Hold'em
Hall of Fame Poker Classic 1989, Las Vegas 1st $ 232,000
27-Aug-89 $ 1,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
5th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 4th $ 16,220
25-Aug-89 $ 1,000 Limit Hold'em
5th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 4th $ 21,680
24-Aug-89 $ 1,000 Hold'em
5th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 5th $ 2,370
21-Aug-89 $ 1,500 7 Card Stud
5th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 3rd $ 18,790
05-Aug-89 $ 300 Lowball
5th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 2nd $ 52,380
15-May-89 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
20th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1989, Las Vegas 2nd $ 302,000
20-Dec-88 $ 5,000 Championship Event - No Limit Hold'em
Hall of Fame Poker Classic 1988, Las Vegas 1st $ 194,000
May-88 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
19th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1988, Las Vegas 1st $ 700,000
Aug-87 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
3rd Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 1st
11-May-87 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
18th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1987, Las Vegas 1st $ 625,000
May-87 $ 5,000 Deuce to Seven Draw
18th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1987, Las Vegas 3rd $ 51,000
Feb-87 $ 200 No Limit Hold'em
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 2nd $ 38,400
Feb-87 $ 200 Pot Limit Omaha
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 1st $ 60,795
Jan-87 $ 1,500 Pot Limit Omaha
America's Cup Of Poker 1987, Las Vegas 10th $ 1,969
Jan-87 $ 2,500 Limit Hold'em
Grand Prix of Poker 1987, Las Vegas 3rd $ 24,250
Jan-87 $ 1,500 Limit Seven Card Stud
Grand Prix of Poker 1987, Las Vegas 2nd $ 67,500
Feb-86 Deuce-to-Seven Lowball
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 3rd $ 7,250
Jan-86 $ 2,500 Pot Limit Omaha
Grand Prix of Poker 1986, Las Vegas 5th $ 13,475
May-85 $ 1,000 Limit Hold'em
16th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1985, Las Vegas 1st $ 171,000
Feb-85 $ 1,000 Omaha
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 1st $ 77,000
Jan-85 $ 500 Razz
1985 Stairway to the Stars, Las Vegas 4th $ 2,790
Jan-85 $ 500 Stud/Hold'em
1985 Stairway to the Stars, Las Vegas 4th $ 1,650
Jan-85 $ 500 Limit Seven Card Stud
1985 Stairway to the Stars, Las Vegas 2nd $ 8,900
Nov-84 $ 5,000 Pot Limit Omaha
1984 Grand Prix of Poker, Las Vegas 3rd $ 22,000
Mar-84 $ 2,500 No Limit Hold'em
1st Annual Poker Week, Las Vegas 1st $ 38,750
Mar-84 $ 500 Limit Omaha
Celebrity Poker Classic, Las Vegas 1st $ 10,500
May-83 $ 2,500 Match Play
14th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1983, Las Vegas 4th $ 8,000
Jan-83 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
America's Cup Of Poker 1983, Las Vegas 1st $ 130,000
Jan-83 $ 5,000 No Limit Hold'em
1983 Stairway to the stars, Las Vegas 1st
Feb-82 $ 500 Limit Hold'em
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 3rd $ 9,950
Jan-82 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
America's Cup Of Poker 1982, Las Vegas 1st
Related articles
Where are they now - Tom McEvoyA lot of poker players generally take the game up early on in their lives, but it would be hard to imagine anyone taking to the game at a younger age than Tom McEvoy. Just five years after his November 14, 1944 birth in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he was already beginning to learn the game. Shortly... 16 Apr, 2008
Where Are They Now: Brian “Sailor” RobertsOften times, the past of a professional gambler is hard to uncover, and that curiosity starts as early as his birth in the case of the 1975 World Series of Poker champion Brian “Sailor” Roberts. Roberts is believed to be born sometime in the early 1930’s in the small dusty... 30 Jan, 2008
Where are they now - “Gentleman” Jack KellerJack Keller jumped into the public’s eye in 1984 when he won the 1984 World Series of Poker Main Event, but he was a well respected player among his peers long before that. Keller would leave the world much too early, but in his time here he surely made the most of it.Jack Keller was born... 15 Apr, 2008
