Poker Professional

Juan Juanda

Professional poker player Juan Juanda said that this is how he started playing poker for the first time, "I went to a casino to play blackjack and saw some people playing poker and decided to learn about the game and gave it a try. (I'm very glad I did)."

Juan Juanda, or "JJ" was born in Indonesia in 1971 where he was raised until he left to go to Oklahoma State University. He graduated with a double bachelor's degree in marketing and management. Later, he migrated to the west coast to the University of Seattle to follow up with his M.B.A. degree.

This poker pro has already earned himself three World Series of Poker Bracelets. The first one he started wearing after he took over the Ace to Five Triple Draw Lowball event in 2002. Then, in 2003 John Juanda carried off two more bracelets from the Pot-Limit Omaha and Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo Split events, and had an additional three final table appearances.

2001 and 2002 saw Juanda runner-up in the Card Player "Player of the Year" and 2002 "Tournament Champion of the Year." Furthermore, he is three-time winning "Best Player of the Year" awards.

In 2004 he made 15 final table appearances. More titles that are accredited to the John Juanda name are:

• 2004 World Poker Finals $2,000 Seven Card Stud
• 2004 World Poker Finals PPT No-Limit Hold'em Final Day
• 2005 Monte Carlo Millions Gold - Consolation Tournament
• 2005 Full Tilt Poker Invitational $120,000 No-Limit Hold'em runner-up
• 2006 Crown Australian Poker Championships - Speed Poker Million Dollar Challenge

John Juanda's total tournament earnings to date exceed $6,355,000.