To the poker world Johnny Chan has been a well-known force since the 1980’s. To the rest of the world, he became known after appearing in the cult film Rounders alongside Matt Damon and Ed Norton in 1998. Today, Chan is known as one of the best poker players in the world, having won the World Series of Poker main event twice and winning a record 10 WSOP bracelets.

Born in China in 1957, Chan moved to America with his family in 1968 and they eventually settled in Houston five years later. When Chan first arrived in America he didn’t speak a word of English. Chan’s journey into the world of poker began at the age of 21 when he dropped out of the University of Houston and moved to Las Vegas to become a professional poker player.

At the time Asian poker players were nowhere near as common as they are today, and Chan was able to use this to his advantage as he was often underestimated by other players at the table. At first Chan was too impulsive at the tables and often ended up on the losing end of games, but as he got better he learned to control the game and started a lifetime of winning.

Chan proved he belonged alongside the best players in the world in 1987 when he won his first WSOP main event title. Chan proved that was no fluke the next year by winning the main event again. He holds the record for most WSOP bracelets won at 10, along with poker legends Doyle Brunson and Phil Hellmuth.

Nicked named “The Orient Express,” Chan was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2002 for his numerous poker accomplishments and his work as a pioneer for Asian players in the world of professional poker.