Poker’s hall of fame has not always laid red carpet for every one, only a few poker players have been able to achieve a tremendous glory and an ultimate exposure that have attracted the attention of masses round the world, and Johnny Chan is one of them.

He is without any doubt one of the world’s most famous professional poker player. Two World Series of Poker championship titles (1987 and 1988) have gone to his credit with a remarkable performance resulting in 10 WSOP bracelets so far. Though Chan is a poker elite by now, his career has undergone a great deal of tough times as well.

Chan was born in Canton, China, moved with his family to Phoenix in 1968 and later in 1973 to Houston. His family owned a restaurant there and he had to continue his family business but he was 16 when he went on a junket to Las Vegas and had some poker inspiration there.

According to some records, he sat with $500 one night and turned it into $20,000, but lost the same amount by the very next night. This event in fact developed his mind towards poker but he couldn’t think seriously about it by that time. Later at the age of 21 Chan decided to become a professional poker player. He then dropped out of his studies in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston.

Chan was soon noticed by the poker world, as he continued winning at a very young age and after a successful time in Houston, he realized that he can have better opportunities outside, so he explored Vegas again but with a developed interest, enthusiasm and determination.

Due to low bankroll, he had to play $3 games and sometimes even had to hock off his possessions to ensure his participation. As he kept on making progress, he’d developed a healthy lifestyle that eventually brought some very positive changes in his games. He quit smoking, started exercising and took good care of his health, which made him more mature towards games. By that time he certainly proved Doyle Brunson’s view where by he 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.”

Chan was titled as ‘The Orient Express’ in Bob Stupak’s America’s Cup Tournament whereby he knocked out 13 out of 16 players in a short span of 30 minutes. Another unique supporting factor for Chan’s fame is that he’s the first great Asian poker player. Critiques are also of the opinion that Chan’s playing style is extremely aggressive and seem more bullying on the table. But in fact this style is solely responsible for his consecutive successes in 1987 and in 1988.

Along with a successful poker career, Chan has also been well managed with his personality and style that gimmicked media’s attention at a very fast rate, making Chan’s outstanding career achievements and remarkable personality a good source for the media spotlight.

The media has maintained all the records of his victories by giving full coverage and documentation to the events in newspapers, local and international magazines, radio and television interviews, talk shows, mini-series, and even in movies. At movie level’s coverage, Chan’s 1988 WSOP victory against Erik Seidel in the movie ‘Rounders’ in 1998, starring Ed Norton and Matt Damon is a live example.

This fame and so much exposure is actually the consequence of a series of events in the past. Later the $400,000 Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament in February 2005 whereby Chan came back from $20,000 chips out of $3,200,000 in second place to Gus Hansen. He later competed in Poker Superstars II during the summer of same year and defeated some 22 of the best players to make a way to the final.

In the final he defeated Todd Brunson and won $400,000 first prize. He also participated in Poker Superstars III, made the way to the finals but got defeated by Todd Brunson after three matches. Success and fame on one hand and earnings on the other hand have left him with a good amount of money. It’s reported that until the first quarter of 2007, his total live tournament winnings exceeded $5,900,000.

After having so much success, fame and enough money what one can plan to do? Certainly something that he had not done ever before. This is what Chan is planning to do. His ultimate wish and goal is to own and manage his own casino. It suits Chan’s personality and career background as he’s had a great deal of experience in the industry.