John Juanda (JJ, Luckbox)

John Juanda is one of those poker legends whose success has spanned decades. In a career spanning almost twenty-five years, the Indonesian has racked up titles and mega winnings all over the planet to become one of the most respected players in world poker.

From Sumatra to Las Vegas

John Juanda was born in Medan, on the northern island of Sumatra, on July 8, 1971. As a youngster, he showed great aptitude for athletics, particularly running, even establishing himself as a promising prospect in the 100m and 200m. His talent won him numerous school scholarships. At 19, he entered the University of Oklahoma and went on to earn an MBA at Seattle University. It was during his graduate studies that John played his first poker games.

He practices with friends, works part-time as a stockbroker and traveling bible salesman to pay for his studies. A regular visitor to Seattle casinos, John soon realized that he wanted to become a professional poker player. He multiplied low-buy-in tournaments between Los Angeles, Inglewood and Lake Elsinor, before trying his luck in Las Vegas.

Revelation and early success

In his first WSOP appearance, John reached two small final tables, but it was in Atlantic City that Juanda really took off. Runner-up in the 2000 United States Poker Championship, the Indonesian walked away with $159,000. Enough to reload his bankroll before unwinding in the year 2001.

The year begins with a victory in the Jack Binion World Poker Open, for $283,240. At the WSOP, he followed up with two final tables, in Stud8 and Pot Limit Texas Hold'em, then continued with a series of performances at Las Vegas festivals before concluding with another 2nd place finish at the United States Poker Championship in Atlantic City, for $131,100. A series of successes, rewarded with the title of Player of the Year by Card Player Magazine.

The rush continues in 2002 with four more WSOP final tables and a first bracelet, on the Ace to Five "Triple draw", for $50,000 in winnings. In both variants and Hold'em, Juanda steals the casinos relentlessly to claim the title of Player of the Year for the second time in a row.

Serial perfumer and gentleman

This was the start of a great harvest of titles and an ascent to the game's highest limits. In 2003, he takes two more bracelets, in Seven Stud Hi-Lo and Pot Limit Omaha, for $333,000 in winnings. The Indonesian gradually moved into the $10,000 range, with some success, notably in the 2005 Main Event, where he finished 31st for $274,000.

In 2008, he won the WSOP Europe Main Event for $1,580,000, the biggest score of his career, then followed this up a week later by finishing runner-up in the London EPT High Roller for 327,000 pounds. He added an EPT title in Barcelona in 2015, and continued his stratospheric performances in 2017, culminating in his victory at the Triton Super High Roller Series for $2,870,000. Today, he has accumulated more than $25 million in tournaments, ranking in the Top 20 of the worldwide All-Time money List.

More of a low-key type, John Juanda has made a name for himself thanks to his cards-in-hand talent, gentlemanly attitude and staggering track record. Long sponsored by the FullTilt room, the Indonesian has transitioned perfectly to Online Poker, where he also raids tables in tournaments as well as Cash Games.