Jim “Rockin Holdem” Hagan has been on the poker run of a lifetime at Texas Card Home in Spring, Texas, the place he made 21 low-stakes ultimate tables in underneath a month.
Hagan, a 59-year-old automotive designer initially from Detroit, Michigan, has performed poker for many years however began taking it critically earlier this 12 months when his shopper checklist dried up. “I take poker very critically now, mainly enjoying for my life,” Hagan advised PokerNews.
Hagan’s depth is paying off and he has set what he believes could also be a document variety of reside ultimate tables in October.
Enjoying to Eat
Two years in the past, Hagan first stepped foot in Texas Card Home and instantly noticed success, successful a $15,000 assured occasion that drew 121 gamers.
“Once I do not make cash at poker, I Uber drive to make not less than $40 to get into the subsequent event. Once I win, I pay payments.”
His domination within the card room has solely picked up from there. Enjoying $40 buy-in day by day tournaments, Hagan has racked up 21 ultimate desk appearances in underneath a month, together with one victory and two runner-up finishes. These tournaments have drawn between 50 and 110 gamers.
“I received wherever from $200 to $1,100 in these fields,” Hagan stated.
Hagan’s appreciation of poker dates again years — he says he as soon as cracked aces towards six gamers outdoors the cash within the World Sequence of Poker (WSOP) Millionaire Maker — but it surely’s now part of his livelihood. When he isn’t enjoying poker, Hagan is driving for Uber to help his household, which incorporates an 11-year-old son.
“Once I do not make cash at poker, I Uber drive to make not less than $40 to get into the subsequent event,” he stated. “Once I win, I pay payments.”
New King of the Dailies?
Whereas not all of his day by day outcomes have made it to The Hendon Mob, he does present $74,112 in reside earnings, together with a Fifteenth-place end in $1,500 Omaha Hello-Lo on the 2017 WSOP for $10,276.
“I’d like to play greater tournaments, and I do know I can win, however I’ve zero bankroll,” he stated.
Hagan’s domination of day by day tournaments is harking back to Jeremy Becker, who memorably received eight Wynn tournaments in a month in 2023.
Fittingly, Hagan’s favourite poker participant is Daniel Negreanu, a powerful supporter of Becker who has taken the younger poker professional underneath his wing.
“I really like watching his WSOP Vlogs on Youtube,” Hagan stated. “I cherished his quote, when he was requested what makes you an excellent poker participant? He replied, ‘What makes me an excellent poker participant is you may take a nasty beat, or you may take 20 dangerous beats in a row. So what makes me an excellent poker participant is sticking with it.’ His grit may be very inspiring to me.”
Connor Richards
Senior Editor U.S.
