Johnny Chan Biography

Born in 1957 in Canton, China.

In a nutshell…

Johnny Chan will forever be linked to the World Series of Poker. Chan owns a record-tying 10 bracelets and won the main event in back-to-back years in 1987 and 1988, a feat that has only been accomplished one other time. He finished second to Phil Hellmuth in the main event in 1989. Chan, who has 28 WSOP money finishes, has earned over $3.7 million at the WSOP alone throughout his illustrious career. His poker dominance isn’t limited to poker’s most prestigious event, however. Chan, who resides in Las Vegas, won the most recent Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament in the summer of 2005. He finished second in the first installment of the Poker Superstars event earlier in the year. Chan, though, doesn’t play in a lot of tournaments these days. Instead, he prefers to spend the majority of his poker-playing hours in Bellagio’s “Big Game,” the highest limit cash game in the world. Chan, who in 2002 received poker’s highest honor and became the first Asian player to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, credits some of his early success to his heritage, saying that when he started many Americans hadn’t played against Asian players before.

Even if you aren’t a huge poker fan, you just might recognize Chan. He was prominently featured in the 1998 poker flick “Rounders.” A videotape of his 1988 WSOP heads-up match with Erik Seidel is played, and Chan also appears in a scene as himself. Chan credits the movie with not only making him more of a household name but helping poker in general.

Chan is also famously known for the orange that always accompany him to the felt. Despite what many may think, the orange is not a good-luck charm. Chan first started brining the fruit to the table with him because its pleasant aroma could combat the stench of the cigarette smoke permeating the room. Although smoking isn’t allowed in casinos anymore, you can always spot an orange at the table alongside Chan, who uses it these days to clear his mind.

Outside of the poker room, Chan owns a fast-food franchise in the Stratosphere Hotel in Vegas and works as a consultant for casinos. In 2005, he collaborated with Mark Karowe to write the instructional poker book “Play Poker Like Johnny Chan.” The pair teamed up again and released a sequel this year entitled “Million Dollar Hold ‘Em - Winning Big in Limit Cash Games.” Chan also writes articles for “CardPlayer” magazine.

Life story…

To say Chan moved around a lot growing up would be an understatement. Born in Canton, China, his family moved to Hong Kong in 1962. Chan’s family came to the United States in 1968, relocating to Phoenix, Arizona. Five years later, they moved to Houston, Texas, where they owned a restaurant.

Chan started playing poker in back-room games at his parent’s restaurant and neighboring establishments in Houston. He got his first taste of Las Vegas at the age of 16, when he traveled to Sin City on a junket. Chan took occasional trips to the City of Lights over the ensuing years, developing a passion for gambling. He initially started at the blackjack tables before finding Texas Hold ‘Em. At 21, he dropped out of the University of Houston, where he was majoring in hotel and restaurant management, to become a professional gambler.

Chan’s early professional years weren’t anything to brag about. He was even forced to take odd jobs as a chef and card dealer at times to pay his rent and bills after suffering big losses at the table. Chan, however, wasn’t deterred and his passion never wavered. He continued playing and honing his skills in anticipation of a breakthrough. That moment came in 1985, when he won the first of his WSOP bracelets. Two years later, Chan won the main event and was well on his way to establishing himself as one of the game’s best players. Today he is known for his intimidating table presence and control.

Poker achievements…

* 10 WSOP bracelets - 1985 $1,000 Limit Hold ‘Em, 1987 Main Event, 1988 Main Event, 1994 $1,500 7-card Stud, 1997 $5,000 Deuce-to-7 Draw, 2000 $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha, 2002 $2,500 No-Limit Hold ‘Em, 2003 $5,000 No-Limit Hold ‘Em, 2003 $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha, 2005 $2,500 Pot-Limit Hold ‘Em.

* 1 st place in 2000 L.A. Poker Classic.

* 1 st place in 2005 Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament II.

* Two World Poker Tour money finishes.

Did you know?

* Was given the nickname “Orient Express” by Las Vegas casino owner Bob Stupak.

* Owns a car with the license plate “JJ333,” a hand, according to Chan, that has won him a lot of money over the years.

* Married with six children.