Johnny Chan – How "The Orient Express" Won 10 WSOP Bracelets

Author: Tadas Peckaitis

In the high-stakes world of poker, few names command as much respect as Johnny Chan. His remarkable journey from restaurant worker to poker royalty exemplifies the American dream, captivating fans worldwide with his strategic brilliance and composed demeanor at the felt.

Known as "The Orient Express", Chan's crowning achievement came in 1987 and 1988 when he accomplished what no player has managed since – winning back-to-back World Series of Poker Main Events. This historic feat cemented his place among poker's elite.

His collection of 10 WSOP bracelets ties him with legends Doyle Brunson, Erik Seidel, and Phil Ivey for the second-most all-time. Only Phil Hellmuth, with 17 bracelets, has claimed more.

Full Name

Johnny Chan

Net Worth

$10 million

Source of Wealth

Professional poker player

Famous for

10 World Series of Poker Bracelets, the оnly player to win back-to-back WSOP Main Event

Born

1957, Guangzhou, China

Johny Chan Highlights

Highlights

• The only poker player ever to win back-to-back WSOP Main Events (1987 & 1988)
• First player to win 10 WSOP Bracelets (2005)
• Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2002
• Wrote "Play Poker Like Johnny Chan" and "Million Dollar Hold'em: Winning Big in Limit Cash Games”
• Portrayed himself in the iconic poker movie “Rounders”
• Earned the nickname "Orient Express" in 1981 after eliminating 13 of 16 players in just 30 minutes at The America's Cup of Poker
• Won a record four victories in six appearances on NBC's "Poker After Dark" against elite competition.

Johnny Chan Childhood and Early Years

Johnny Chan poker journey to stardom began far from the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Growing up between worlds, Johnny's early life was marked by multiple relocations as his family sought better opportunities. After moving from Hong Kong to Phoenix in 1968, the Chan family finally settled in Houston, Texas, in 1973, where they opened a restaurant called Hoe Sai Gai (meaning "Great Whirl").

While his parents envisioned the restaurant business as Johnny Chan's future, fate had different plans for the talented young man.

Behind his father's restaurant and local gas stations, Johnny discovered the game that would change his life forever. Even as a teenager balancing school and helping with the family business, he was developing the sharp mind and competitive spirit that would serve his poker career so well.

His natural aptitude for strategy games was evident early on – he excelled at chess and bowling, often playing for small stakes of $5 or $10.

At just 16 years old, during a Las Vegas visit, Chan's gambling instincts were already apparent when he managed to join a casino cash game and reportedly turned $500 into $20,000 in a single night (before losing it all the next day).

Despite enrolling at the University of Houston to study hotel and restaurant management, the call of cards proved too strong, and at 21, Chan dropped out to pursue his true passion – earning a living playing poker.

The Birth of “The Orient Express”

Johnny Chan's legendary "Orient Express" nickname emerged during a pivotal period of transformation in his life and career.

After arriving in Las Vegas in 1978 to pursue professional poker, Chan spent his early years struggling with the volatility that would define many young players. Despite his natural talent, poker legend Doyle Brunson observed that young Chan was hindered by his hot temper and lack of emotional control. These early years were marked by dramatic financial swings – winning big one day and losing everything the next, sometimes forcing him to take jobs as a chef, dealer, or pit boss just to rebuild his bankroll.

By 1982, however, Jonny Chan experienced a profound personal transformation.

At 25, the future Johnny Chan poker player legend quit his four-pack-a-day smoking habit, improved his diet, began exercising regularly, and cut back on alcohol – changes that seemed to sharpen his already formidable poker skills. The defining moment came in January 1982 at Bob Stupak's America's Cup Tournament at Vegas World, a prestigious $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em event. There, Chan demonstrated extraordinary skill by eliminating 13 of the final 16 players in just over 30 minutes, a display of poker dominance so impressive that host Bob Stupak immediately dubbed him "The Orient Express."

This nickname wasn't merely celebrating a one-time victory.

Chan proved his consistency by also winning the mixed Hold'em/Stud Championship at the Golden Nugget that same year, signaling the beginning of a career that would redefine poker excellence.

The "Orient Express" had begun its historic journey, powered by Chan's exceptional ability to read opponents, unwavering self-confidence, and tactical brilliance – skills that would soon lead him to achieve poker greatness in the following years.

WSOP Achievements

Johnny Chan's World Series of Poker achievements stand as one of poker's greatest legacies.

After transforming his lifestyle in 1982, his poker career skyrocketed. Johnny Chan WSOP dominance began in 1985 with his first bracelet in Limit Hold'em, but it was his consecutive Main Event victories in 1987 and 1988 that cemented his legendary status.

These historic back-to-back wins were immortalized in the film "Rounders," introducing Chan to a new generation of players.

He nearly completed an unprecedented three-peat in 1989, finishing runner-up to Phil Hellmuth in a match that would spark a legendary rivalry. Chan continued his bracelet collection with impressive consistency, adding victories in 1994, 1997, 2000, and 2002.

The poker world witnessed history in 2005 when Chan became the first player ever to win ten WSOP bracelets, defeating Phil Laak in a $2,500 Pot Limit Texas Hold'em event.

Throughout his illustrious career, Chan's trademark orange, initially brought to the table as a natural air freshener when smoking was permitted in land based casinos, became an iconic lucky charm that symbolized his extraordinary success.

"Every time you walk away a winner, you feel better and you sleep better. You have a feeling of winning."

Johnny Chan

"Poker After Dark" Domination

Johny Chan established himself as the most successful player in NBC's popular late-night show "Poker After Dark" history.

In this prestigious $20,000 buy-in, winner-takes-all format featuring six elite players, Chan achieved an unmatched record of four victories in just six appearances – a remarkable 67% win rate against the world's best players.

His notable wins included triumphs over Chris Moneymaker, Phil Hellmuth, Patrik Antonius, and Jennifer Tilly in heads-up battles.

Even in the two episodes where he didn't win, Chan still finished second and fifth, demonstrating his consistent excellence. His dominance on this high-stakes televised platform cemented his reputation as not just a tournament specialist but also a formidable player in the more intimate six-max format against poker's elite talent.

Johnny Chan in “Rounders”

Johnny Chan's cameo in the 1998 film "Rounders" cemented his legendary status beyond the poker world.

The movie featured actual footage from Chan's historic 1988 WSOP Main Event victory over Erik Seidel – a brilliant strategic play where Chan checked his straight to trap Seidel's top pair. In his memorable cameo scene, Chan plays himself at a poker table against Matt Damon's character Mike McDermott, showcasing a chip trick that poker enthusiasts have studied frame-by-frame to replicate.

Chan later revealed it was his teenage daughter who suggested he ask for an on-screen role after filmmakers requested to use his WSOP footage; she wanted to meet Matt Damon. The scene has since become iconic, and the phrase "Johnny Chan Rounders" is now synonymous with one of the most memorable moments in poker cinema.

The film's impact on poker's popularity was significant, with Chan noting in a Bluff Magazine interview that after "Rounders," people recognized him more frequently and his merchandise sales increased substantially. Widely considered a catalyst for poker's early 2000s boom, this cult classic introduced Chan's masterful play to a new generation.

Johnny Chan Net Worth

The net worth of Johnny Chan extends far beyond his impressive tournament winnings.

While his $8.7 million in tournament earnings establishes him among poker's elite, Chan's financial empire encompasses much more than poker victories alone. His business ventures include owning a fast-food franchise in the Las Vegas Stratosphere Hotel and serving as a consultant for major casinos and game manufacturers, leveraging his poker expertise into lucrative advisory roles. The poker legend has diversified his income through multiple revenue streams, including authoring instructional poker books like "Play Poker Like Johnny Chan" (2005) and "Million Dollar Hold'em: Winning Big in Limit Cash Games" (2006), which continue to sell to aspiring players.

His writing career extended to Card Player magazine, where his expert insights provided additional income.

Chan's media appearances on popular shows like "High Stakes Poker" and his memorable cameo in "Rounders" further boosted his financial portfolio, as did his brief venture into online poker with ChanPokerOnline.com in 2007-2008. Considering his five decades in the poker industry and diverse business interests, Johnny Chan's net worth is estimated to be approximately $10 million.

Where Is Johnny Chan Today?

Despite stepping back from the spotlight after poker's golden age, "The Orient Express" hasn't fully departed from the felt. Unlike many contemporaries who embraced the digital revolution, Johnny Chan has maintained his distance from online poker, even during the 2020 WSOP when the pandemic forced events online.

This decision reflects Chan's old-school approach and preference for traditional face-to-face play.

While some might suggest he's not keeping pace with evolving trends, his selective tournament appearances align perfectly with his understated demeanor. His most recent notable cash came in 2019 with a respectable 560th place finish in the WSOP Main Event, and he made brief appearances at the 2024 WSOP, playing select events, including a 133rd place finish in the $10,000 Mystery Bounty event for a $13,605 cash.

Though less visible in major televised events compared to his heyday, Chan occasionally returns to programs like the revamped Poker After Dark on PokerGO, offering glimpses of the legend at work.

Today, the poker legend seems content living life on his terms, managing his business interests and playing poker selectively without the constant pressure of public scrutiny. Away from the cameras, Chan embodies the calm, focused demeanor that made him a ten-time bracelet winner, enjoying the fruits of a risk that transformed a university dropout into one of poker's immortal figures.