Johnny "The Orient Express" Chan

Johnny "Orient Express" Chan, who was born in 1957 in Guangzhou, China. Chan moved with his family in 1962 from Guangzhou to Hong Kong, then to Phoenix, Arizona in 1968 and later in 1973 to Houston, Texas where his family owned restaurants.

Johnny is arguably one of the world’s most famous professional poker players. He has two World Series of Poker championship titles (1987 and 1988) and 10 WSOP bracelets. The bracelets are from the 1985 $1,000 Limit Hold'em, 1987 $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship, 1988 $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship, 1994 $1,500 Seven Card Stud, 1997 $5,000 Deuce to Seven Draw, 2000 $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha, 2002 $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Gold Bracelet Match Play, 2003 $5,000 No Limit Hold'em, 2003 $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha, and the 2005 $2,500 Pot Limit Hold'em.

Johnny Chan’s 1988 WSOP victory against Erik Seidel (SEE VIDEO BELOW) was immortalized in the 1998 film, Rounders, starring Ed Norton and Matt Damon. Not only did the Orient Express have a cameo appearance in the movie, he practiced poker with the actors and offered bluffing tips in between takes.

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss was so impressed with Chan’s history-making performances in 87-88 that he promised that if Chan had a three-peat he would reward him with an NBA championship ring and Johnny almost did just that. In 1989, Chan went face-to-face at the final table with the relatively unknown Phil Helmuth, who ended up winning the tournament that year.

Johnny’s playing style is extremely aggressive and he has even been called a bully at the table more than once. Doyle Brunson also once said, Johnny was a hot-headed kid with some talent, but he didn’t know when to keep his temper under control or know when to quit playing.

Johnny's goal is to one day own and manage his own casino, which naturally suits Chan’s career background and industry experience. Given Chan’s track record in the poker business, this future venture is bound to be a success.

Fun Facts:

• Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2002.
• Sits with a "lucky orange".
• Wears a diamond rattlesnake ring.
• Married with six children and six houses.