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T.J. Cloutier: The Revered Poker Veteran
The one true veteran in pro poker circuit is T.J. Cloutier with fifty years of experience in the industry. Cloutier takes pride in having the status of the largest poker earner in the world. His tournament earnings range from over $ 7 million to $ 8 million. He is the only pro who won in all three variations of Omaha at the World Series of Poker. The starting hand in Texas Hold'em which consists of Jack-9 of clubs is named after him because in one year Cloutier had flopped this hand with three flushes.
Cloutier may have the accomplishments that everybody could only dream of; however, he hasn't won any main event at the World Series of Poker. He was included in the top five four times, which include his two-time second place ranking. Cloutier also made it twice at the final table of the World Poker Tour; one at the Bicycle Casino and the other at the Reno Hilton.
Cloutier is a well-respected and influential veteran in the industry. His years of exposure and expertise in the poker industry have made him an authority. He has co-authored four books about poker and he's a regular contributor/writer of Card Player Magazine. Cloutier's sportsmanship was evident since his youth. His inclination to sports activities dates back to his college years.
He attended college at the University of California in Berkeley on basketball and football scholarship. Due to his mother's illness and financial constraints, he quit school. After a while he was drafted in to the Army and it was here where he learned poker. After his service, he didn't played poker professionally; instead he participated in the Canadian Football League. But Cloutier's football career was cut short due to a knee injury.
Cloutier went back to the U.S. and opened up a business. Unfortunately it ceased operation due to an embezzling outside partner. He then took the job as a derrick man and played poker on the side just for relaxation. Realizing that he's making more money playing poker, he quit his job in pursuit of becoming a professional poker player.
Cloutier's long-time exposure in the business made him believe that observation is the key in order to become a successful pro. Watching the opponents' moves is the one skill that tops everything off.
T.J. Cloutier has six children and he has been married for more than twenty years. He and his wife currently reside in Texas.