Poker Fair US

Johnny Chan: Living the American Dream

Pro poker circuit's "Genghis Chan" is Johnny Chan. He has earned several nicknames because of his poker prowess and outstanding performance in the circuit. Chan has also been called the "Orient Express" by the founder of Vegas World, Bob Stupak. Chan is a source of inspiration for many aspiring Asian players who dreams of making it big in the poker industry.

From 1987-1978, Johnny Chan has held on his winning streak continuously. However, this has not made him reach the top. He has won against Erik Seidel twice in a row, and everyone agrees that these events were just spectacular. He lost a $ 1.2 million pot but managed to emerge triumphantly with more than $ 700,000 in return. Chan says that being a poker star is not too easy, but he does enjoy the profits he has earned in the process. From the World Series of Poker, Chan earned almost $ 2 million; there are five major tourneys every year held in Las Vegas and Southern California and this is just one of them.

Prior to his poker success, Chan used to help his folks run their restaurant during the 70's. But poker seems to call him because there are poker games just nearby his parents' business establishment. Chan used to believe that there is no money in playing poker, so played chess instead. He thought that poker is just like playing pool, once everyone sees you are good at it, they won't play with you anymore. Chan is a big spender because he believes that life is too short, so why waste it. He does earn big so he spends it all the same.

Chan is quite confident with a touch of arrogance. However, his attitude and presence is definitely backed-up by his hardships while growing up and enduring the trials during his early years as a pro. When Chan arrived in the United States, he knows no English and has put up with a lot of debt in order to live by. But all his hard work has paved way and got him the life he had only hoped for. Chan enjoys a lavish lifestyle and he said that he is trying to save money to build his own casino.

Chan's character was immortalized in the movie "Rounders". He was also part of the cast as himself, and the movie starred Edward Norton and Matt Damon. The movie also includes the actual footage of Chan's remarkable match with Seidel.