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Tennessee is all in on the latest poker resurgence in the US. The 2023 World Series of Poker saw the first three places won by the US, namely Adam Walton in the third spot with $4.000.000 in winnings, Steven Jones in second, taking home $6.500.000 and Daniel Weinman as the 2023 WSOP champion, crowning his win with the impressive and historic win with $12.100.000. These are impressive numbers, but it’s worth mentioning one poker pioneer, Chris Moneymaker, who made headlines twenty years ago in 2003 when this humble Tennessee accountant made $2.5 million in an $86 million online poker tournament.

What also made headlines was that Chris became the world champion in poker after he had qualified by playing on an online poker site. Chris was ahead of his time, but he set a clear example that it’s possible to train and win in poker by playing online. Today, online poker apps are far more impressive as the technology has advanced in leaps and bounds since 2003, but the core principle of poker has not changed much. Chris’s dedication to poker may even be controversial, as he was “just” an accountant at the time of his major win, and he decided to pursue his poker career, which led to turmoil in his private life and eventual divorce.

While Chris speaks clearly of this time at his life’s crossroads, and he did get married again, his life story shows what sacrifices some players can make when they aim for the top. Striving Tennessee poker players can hone their skills online, because practice makes perfect, before trying to win any championships or tournaments. Chris has made over $6.000.000 so far in his career, but there are more successful poker players from Tennessee, indicating a healthy poker scene. Frank Kassela is set to soon reach a total of over $3.500.000 in lifetime wins, but he is a three-time winner of the WSOP bracelet.

Frank was also named the 2010 WSOP Player of the Year, and he even tried running for Congress, to further test his luck. Tennessee poker laws are a bit strict at the moment, but players who wish to be like Chris, Frank, and others can still practice in off-shore crypto gambling sites and keep the poker tradition alive and well until Tennessee laws follow in the footsteps of states that made online poker possible. Seeing as many successful poker players come from Tennessee and the resurgence of poker throughout the US, in both online and physical form, anything can happen in Tennessee’s future.

Kyle Cartwright is another success story where he has won 9 poker gold rings in his career, and made over $3.000.000 in winnings. Kyle’s career in poker started early, and seeing his passion for poker, it’s still possible for him to get more rings than he has fingers. The Tennessee grinder Preston McEwen is not far behind with six rings and nearly $2.000.000 in winnings, as Preston had a very successful 2023 year with no signs of slowing down. Preston absolutely dominated Harrah’s Cherokee events, where he won seven tables in seven months, and Preston continues to aim to pile up win after win.