Johnny Chan is one of the most iconic figures in poker history. Known as “The Orient Express,” he has left an indelible mark on the world of professional poker. With 10 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and two consecutive Main Event victories (1987 and 1988), his legacy has transcended several decades. His strategic skill, ability to read his opponents, and impressive winning record have made him a benchmark for players of all generations.
Childhood and first steps in poker
Born in Guangzhou, China, in 1957, Johnny Chan emigrated with his family to Hong Kong in 1962 (when he was just 5 years old). His family then moved to the United States in 1968, where they settled in Houston, Texas. His family opened a restaurant, and it was there that Chan discovered poker, playing informal games with employees and customers, quickly developing an innate talent for the game.
At 16, during a visit to Las Vegas, he turned $500 into $20,000 in a single night, only to lose everything the next day. This experience left its mark on him, but it also sparked his passion for professional gambling. He later dropped out of the University of Houston, where he was studying hotel and restaurant management, and moved to Las Vegas to pursue his dream of becoming a professional gambler.
His rise in the world of poker
In 1985, Johnny won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in a Limit Hold’em event, becoming the first foreigner to win the main event. His biggest achievement came in 1987 and 1988 when he won back-to-back WSOP Main Events, becoming only the second player to do so since Doyle Brunson, an achievement that catapulted him to worldwide fame. In 1989, he came close to winning for a third consecutive time, but was defeated by Phil Hellmuth.
Awards and recognitions
Throughout his career, Johnny Chan has amassed 10 WSOP bracelets, a feat that only a few players have managed to match. His wins span various forms of poker, including Seven Card Stud, Pot Limit Omaha, and No Limit Hold’em. In 2002, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in history in 2002, in addition to having a WSOP event named in his honor: the “Johnny Chan Classic.” Although he no longer competes as frequently, in 2019, he finished 560th in the WSOP Main Event, proving that he still has flashes of greatness.
In addition to his tournament achievements, Johnny Chan has accumulated earnings exceeding $8.7 million in live tournaments. His influence on televised poker and his appearance in the 1998 film Rounders, which depicts him defeating Erik Seidel in an iconic hand for $700,000, have contributed to his celebrity status.
Play style and strategy
Johnny Chan is known for his aggressive and calculating play, as well as his ability to read his opponents. One of his most famous habits is carrying an orange to poker tournaments, a tradition he began in the 1980s when he had trouble breathing due to tobacco smoke in casinos. His strategic approach is based on patience and observation, waiting for the right moment to strike. His ability to adapt to different poker variants has made him a versatile and difficult player to beat.
Some of his most notable strategies include patience, as he knows how to wait for the right moment to act, detect “tells” (signals) in his opponents, and make calculated bluffs, as his bluff against Seidel in 1988 was one of the most famous in history.
Beyond poker
Johnny Chan has explored diverse areas outside of poker, including business and education. He is the owner of Johnny Chan’s Asian Bistro at the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas. He has written books on poker strategy, including Play Poker Like Johnny Chan and Million Dollar Hold’em, and has appeared on poker-related television shows such as Poker After Dark, where he won four times in the winner-takes-all format. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of players seeking success in the world of professional poker.
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