John Juanda
John Juanda, also known as JJ or Luckbox, was born in Indonesia in 1971. His father gave him some sage advice: "No gambling."
John paid no attention. He played his first game of poker on the flight from Indonesia to the USA, where he was going to start his studies in Oklahoma. His first hand happened to be a Royal Flush. Although the hand was unknowingly dealt to him by a friend, John was captivated by the game from that moment on.
University or poker?
Juanda didn't immediately consider poker as a career opportunity. After completing university, he held several jobs. Among them, he worked as a marketing specialist, a stock trader, and even sold Bibles by going door-to-door. However, the allure of poker remained strong. In 1997, he participated in 13 tournaments, reaching the final table in all of them, and concluded the year with victories in two first-place finishes and five second-place finishes.
| Land | Professional since | Favorite games | Bracelets | Highest profit | total profits | List of Top Earners of All Time (2023) | Global Poker Index (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 1997 | Texas Hold'em | 5 | 1.645.756 $ | 20.775.090 $ | 9 | 278 |
| Hometown: | Marina del Rey, California |
| Interesting facts: | John immigrated to the USA in 1990 and completed his MBA degree at Seattle University. He was a running ace in school. For a while, he made a living by going door-to-door and selling Bibles. |
| Key moments in poker: | Juanda was declared Player of the Year by Cardplayer Magazine in 2001 and 2002, having won four WSP titles and one WPO championship. |
| Number of WSOP bracelets: | 5 |
| WPT/EPT Winnings: | No |
| Total tournament winnings: | $ 20.775.090 (Stand 2017) |
John is calm and relaxed off the poker table. He enjoys outdoor activities, reading, watching movies, and traveling. He has a touch of pacifism in him. He believes that global conflicts should be resolved by the world's leaders meeting in a boxing ring and settling their differences there.
Juanda's greatest achievements
Juanda achieved his greatest poker success in 2005, emerging victorious in the Monte Carlo Millions Consolation Tournament and walking away with a hefty half a million dollars. Following this triumph, he showcased his skills in the prestigious Monte Carlo Millions Main Event, securing an impressive 6th place finish. Concurrently, he also participated in the FullTiltPoker.Net Invitational, where he demonstrated his prowess and clinched the second position on the leaderboard.
In 2008, John emerged as the victor of the World Series of Poker Europe in the thrilling game of "No Limit Hold'Em," earning himself a remarkable $1,580,096. This epic battle lasted a record-breaking 24 hours, making it the longest final in WSOP history. Throughout an endlessly fluctuating rollercoaster ride of wins and losses, John ultimately triumphed over his formidable opponent, the Russian player Stanislaw Alekin.
Despite winning 4 bracelets, John has never managed to secure a WPT title. Nevertheless, he accumulated a total of over $10,000,000 in earnings by 2010.
Despite John's undoubted success at the poker table, he still harbors the ambition to pursue a doctorate in medicine and return to his homeland of Indonesia to practice as a physician. While his poker prowess may have garnered him fame and fortune, his true passion lies in the healing arts, fueling his desire to further his education and contribute to the medical field in his native country.
