T.J. Cloutier is one of the most popular poker-playing legends of all time. There is no one who serves up “old school” poker wisdom like T.J. Cloutier. He is considered one of the world's best tournament poker players and considered, by many professionals, to be one of the most gifted poker players to ever live.
The main reason for his popularity on the felt, is because he always conducts himself with class. The most memorable evidence of his character was clearly displayed at the final table of the 2000 World Series of Poker main event, when T.J. Cloutier and Chris Ferguson were ...
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T.J. Cloutier is one of the most popular poker-playing legends of all time. There is no one who serves up “old school” poker wisdom like T.J. Cloutier. He is considered one of the world's best tournament poker players and considered, by many professionals, to be one of the most gifted poker players to ever live.
The main reason for his popularity on the felt, is because he always conducts himself with class. The most memorable evidence of his character was clearly displayed at the final table of the 2000 World Series of Poker main event, when T.J. Cloutier and Chris Ferguson were heads up. During the last hand of that event, T.J. was dealt what would have been the winning hand, until Chris Ferguson spiked a dreaded nine on the river to pass the Championship title to Ferguson. Ferguson asked T.J., "Are we still friends?" and T.J. replied, "Of course. Don't feel bad, you played great." He gave Ferguson a big hug even though, at that moment, most players would have been distraught and heartbroken. T.J. handled it like a consummate professional. He coined the saying, you have to be able to “Lose like a Winner” – the wisdom and sign of a true champion.
Cloutier has six World Series of Poker bracelets, in the 1987 limit Omaha, 1994 Omaha Eight-or-better, 1994 Pot-Limit Hold'em, 1998 Pot-Limit Omaha, 2004 Seven-card Razz, and 2005 No-limit Hold'em events. He also won the 2004 Festa al Lago main event and the 2003 Bellagio Five-Star World Poker Classic. He has more than $9 million in tournament winnings, and he is a member of the Poker Hall of Fame. He has won over 50 major events with buy-ins of $500 or more. For years, he has been one of the leading top five money winners at the World Series of Poker, and the 3rd greatest money winner at $2,992,841. T.J. has also placed four times in the top five of the $10,000 WSOP main event, including two second place finishes to Chris Ferguson in 2000, and previously to Bill Smith in 1985. T.J. has also been given four Hall of Fame watches and been named tournament player of the year, in 1998 and 2002. T.J. won $10,000 in No Limit Hold'em three years running 1990-1992 and has also co-authored three poker books.
During tournaments, you will often find a crowd surrounding T.J. You can always tell where T.J. is seated because that is where all the action is happening. T.J. is one of the legendary road gamblers, and one of the group of men who travelled every Southwest town in search of the next big game. Younger players enjoy hearing T.J.'s stories of his historic poker days in the backrooms of Texas. T.J.'s memory is sharp as a tack, and he remembers every con man, crooked gambler and beautiful woman that ever crossed his path.
Away from the table, Cloutier spends time with his wife Joy, their six children and grandchildren.
T.J. is proud to be a Poker Samadhi Guru and to share his unique brand of poker and life wisdom with you!
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