Born in Canton, China, Johnny Chan became a professional gambler at the age of 21. In 1987, Chan won the championship event of the WSOP which he successfully defended the following year. He almost made it three in a row in 1989 finishing second to Phil Helmuth. Chan won his tenth WSOP title in 2005 to tie with Doyle Brunson for the record of 10 WSOP bracelets.

He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2002. Chan is very good at reading people while being very good at concealing his own strength or weakness in a hand. These two qualities combine to make a very formidable player who still turns out great results among today's top players.