Chris Karagulleyan

Chris Karagulleyan was born in 1968 in Beirut, Lebanon and survived the tragedy of the civil war and made his way to the United States in 1984. Chris is now living in Glendale, California. Prior to becoming a professional gambler, Chris worked as a taxi driver and as a baker.

Chris didn't waste any time hitting up the casinos to play some poker. "I started playing at Commerce, El Dorado and Normandy." Chris said, "I didn't waste my time playing my friends in home games. I went straight to the casinos, and I made money there. Everybody knew me at those places, and no one cared that I was under 21."

Karagulleyan won the $258,000 first prize at the World Poker Tour $5,000 No Limit Hold-Em tournament at the 2002 Legends of Poker. Chris also won the $62,700 first prize in the $1,500 Pot Limit Hold-Em tournament at the 2003 LA Poker Classic.

Pocket Queens helped Chris start and finish in style at the 2002 Legends of Poker World Poker Tour final table, as Karagulleyan won both his first pot and last pot while holding the ladies. Chris knocked out both Kathy Liebert and later on, Hon Le to win the tournament. Karagulleyan eliminated Liebert from the final table on only the second hand which at the time was the fastest elimination at a final table on the World Poker Tour. Tied later that same season at the Reno Hilton's World Poker Challenge when T.J. Cloutier's pocket sevens were defeated by Ron Rose's pocket Aces. Also on the second hand of the final table.



Fun Facts:

• Has two major first-place finishes.
• Wears a suit and tie at final tables.
• Graduate of Hollywood High School.