John Juanda

Biography

Oftentimes when big names in the poker world are tossed around amongst fans of the game, John Juanda’s name is left out. It’s not that he hasn’t had a deserving career, but rather his quiet nature that sometimes leaves people to forget about how great a player he really is.

Born in Indonesia, Juanda came to the United States in 1990 when he enrolled at Oklahoma State Univeristy. After graduating from OSU, John went on to receive an MBA from Seattle University. In order to help with the cost of school, Juanda worked various jobs on the side. One of his jobs had the high school track star selling Bibles from door to door. When not working or attending class, Juanda spent time in local casinos where he began honing his skills in poker.

It didn’t take long for Juanda to realize that poker was his calling. In 1996, John completed his MBA program and took to the West Coast felt. In order to seek out larger stakes, Juanda relocated to California. After sticking it out in cash games and smaller buy-in tournaments, Juanda set out for the WSOP in 1999 where he cashed in two events. The following year, he cashed again at the WSOP and also earned a second place finish at the United States Poker Championships.

Just a couple of years later in 2002, Juanda was able to put together a nice string of five cashes at the WSOP, one of which earned him his first bracelet. A few weeks later, he placed second in a WPT event for almost $280,000 and his largest cash to date. The next year, Juanda returned to the WSOP and landed himself two more bracelets.

If it’s consistency you want, John Juanda will deliver. Each and every year, Juanda has put up numerous cashes and deep runs along the tournament circuit. He’s even proven that he is a force in tournaments outside the U.S. His two most significant finishes outside of the States come with a first place at the 2006 Crown Australian Poker Championship for over $700,000 and a win at the 2008 WSOP Europe Main Event good for over $1.7 million.