Overview
Johnny Chan’s life is one of rags to riches. After moving to the United States, the Chinese boy became a professional poker player. He has won no less than ten World Series of Poker bracelets and the 1987 and 1988 main events consecutively. His nickname is “The Orient Express “, given his Chinese heritage.
Johnny Chan got his nickname while he was relatively new to the poker tournament scene. In 1978, Chan came to Las Vegas to become a professional poker player, earning his famous nickname in 1982. It was a brave move and of course prior to online casino usa and the like. Very much bricks and mortar territory.
He was born in Guangzhou, China, in 1957. He came to the USA in 1968 along with his family, who settled in Arizona before moving to Houston, Texas. His family owned restaurants there, and this is where he started playing cards. He left university when he was 21 as he wanted to become a professional poker player in Las Vegas.
Chan’s Career as a Gambler
In one night, Chan allegedly gained $20 000 from $500 in a cash game at the age of 16, his first casino experience. However, he lost all of it the next day. In addition to winning the World Series of Poker (WSOP), he was also part of the movie Rounders. Moreover, Chan appears as a cameo in the final heads up round from 1988.
In 1989, he almost won his third consecutive title. Still, instead, he finished second to Phil Hellmuth and missed out on an NBA championship ring Jerry Buss the owner of the LA Lakers, promised him if he had won three consecutive events.
He is equal with Phil Ivey and Doyle Brunson after being the first player to win ten WOSP bracelets. Perhaps nowadays he visits https://www.wolfwinner.com/en and other top casino sites. Chan also owns a fast-food franchise at the Stratosphere Hotel, located in Las Vegas. In addition to being a poker writer, he is also a consultant for casinos and game makers.