John Juanda

Childhood

John Juanda was born on July 8, 1971, in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, into a Hoklo family. During his youth, he was an accomplished track athlete, excelling in races ranging from 200 meters to 5000 meters. His early exposure to competitive sports likely contributed to his disciplined approach to poker later in life. Juanda moved to the United States in 1990 to pursue higher education, enrolling at Oklahoma State University.

Career

Juanda's professional poker career began in 1996 when he started participating in tournaments. His breakthrough came in 2001 with a victory at the World Poker Open Championship. The following year, he won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in the $1,500 Triple Draw Lowball Ace to Five event. Juanda quickly established himself as a formidable player, earning the title of Card Player Magazine's Tournament Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002 after securing four WSOP titles and a World Poker Open Championship.

Juanda has won five WSOP bracelets throughout his career, including a notable victory at the 2008 World Series of Poker Europe £10,000 No Limit Hold'em Main Event, where he earned approximately $1.58 million. He has also made seven final tables at the World Poker Tour (WPT), with a runner-up finish at the 2002–03 Five Diamond World Poker Classic. His tournament successes extend globally, including winning the Professional Poker Tour event at Foxwoods Casino in 2004 and the Crown Australian Poker Championship A$100,000 speed poker event in 2006.

2015 Juanda was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding achievements and influence in the poker community. That same year, he won the European Poker Tour (EPT) Main Event in Barcelona, taking home over €1 million. His most significant tournament cash came in 2017 at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Main Event in Macau, where he earned nearly $2.9 million.

As of 2023, Juanda's total live tournament winnings exceed $25.6 million, with 72 WSOP cashes accounting for nearly $5.8 million.

Personal life

Juanda is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and English and currently resides in Tokyo, Japan. Before fully committing to poker, he earned an MBA from Seattle University and worked as a stockbroker and a door-to-door Bible salesman. He has expressed that had he not pursued poker, he might have become a doctor.

Revenue

John Juanda's career earnings from live poker tournaments exceed $25.6 million as of 2023. His five WSOP bracelets and numerous high-stakes tournament wins have contributed significantly to his financial success in the gambling industry.

Interesting facts

Juanda was a high school track star before becoming a professional poker player.

He was named Card Player Magazine's Tournament Player of the Year twice consecutively (2001 and 2002).

Juanda was a founding member of an online poker company in 2004 alongside other poker legends like Chris Ferguson and Phil Ivey.

He was formerly sponsored by Full Tilt Poker and played online exclusively on a Mac computer.

Juanda has a reputation for an aggressive and unpredictable playing style, often relying on his ability to read and predict opponents' moves.

Legacy

John Juanda is regarded as one of the most successful and respected poker players in the world. His induction into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2015 cements his status as a legend in the game. His strategic prowess, consistency, and sportsmanship have inspired many aspiring poker players globally. Juanda's success across multiple poker variants and international tournaments highlights his versatility and deep understanding of the game.