Poker Player Known as 'Rockin Holdem' Makes 21 Final Tables in Under a Month
Table Of Contents
Jim "Rockin Holdem" Hagan has been on the poker run of a lifetime at Texas Card House in Spring, Texas, where he made 21 low-stakes final tables in under a month.
Hagan, a 59-year-old automotive designer originally from Detroit, Michigan, has played poker for decades but started taking it seriously earlier this year when his client list dried up. "I take poker very seriously now, basically playing for my life," Hagan told PokerNews.
Hagan's intensity is paying off and he has set what he believes may be a record number of live final tables in October.
Playing to Eat
Two years ago, Hagan first stepped foot in Texas Card House and immediately saw success, winning a $15,000 guaranteed event that drew 121 players.
"When I don't make money at poker, I Uber drive to make at least $40 to get into the next tournament. When I win, I pay bills."
His domination in the card room has only picked up from there. Playing $40 buy-in daily tournaments, Hagan has racked up 21 final table appearances in under a month, including one victory and two runner-up finishes. These tournaments have drawn between 50 and 110 players.
"I won anywhere from $200 to $1,100 in these fields," Hagan said.
Hagan's appreciation of poker dates back years — he says he once cracked aces against six players outside the money in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Millionaire Maker — but it's now a part of his livelihood. When he's not playing poker, Hagan is driving for Uber to support his family, which includes an 11-year-old son.
"When I don't make money at poker, I Uber drive to make at least $40 to get into the next tournament," he said. "When I win, I pay bills."
New King of the Dailies?
Hagan's domination of daily tournaments is reminiscent of Jeremy Becker, who memorably won eight Wynn tournaments in a month in 2023.
Fittingly, Hagan's favorite poker player is Daniel Negreanu, a strong supporter of Becker who has taken the young poker pro under his wing.
"I love watching his WSOP Vlogs on Youtube," Hagan said. "I loved his quote, when he was asked what makes you a great poker player? He replied, 'What makes me a great poker player is you can take a bad beat, or you can take 20 bad beats in a row. So what makes me a great poker player is sticking with it.' His grit is very inspiring to me."
