JOHN 'KunkuWap' TABATABAI
SPECIALISES IN
NL Hold'em, PL Omaha
Med/High/v.high MTTs, Med/High Cash
STRENGTHS
Hand Analysis, Meta-game, Aggression, Bankroll Management
Arguably one of the most exciting additions to Shark Poker School is John ‘KunkWap’ Tabatabai. John’s rise through the ranks of young gun, to consummate professional has been as exciting as it has been mercurial.
John’s poker career began in his late teens, benefitting from extensive experience on the international chess circuit. John utilised his superior analytical and strategic skills to amass a significant bankroll, while studying for a law degree.
A combination of brazen aggression and astute hand analysis allowed John to progress from micro-stake ‘sng’s’ to high nl games on the net. John also learned that his advanced approach to the game served him well in online mtt’s winning hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process.
An ever popular figure at the tables, both off and online, John’s unique style captured the attention of leading poker professionals and sponsors. After a successful indoctrination to a career in poker, John spent time working on his game, constantly adapting to a more educated and subtle opponent.
In 2007, John successfully crushed all mid-stakes games, winning over 10,000 big blinds in 7 consecutive months before entering the WSOPE where, but for a river or two, his 1.1million dollar second place would have been a World Series bracelet.
Undeterred by this ‘near miss’ John travelled to South Africa with close friend and fellow Shark Poker School Mentor, Luke Trotman, where John won the All Africa Championship, decimating the final table by removing each and every opponent one at a time.
A performance of such note was impossible to ignore and John promptly signed a deal with Betfair, joining the most exciting young poker team in the world. Despite a solitary cash in the 5000nl hold’em event at the 2008 WSOP, John’s continued domination at the green baize culminated with a win in the Aussie Millions ‘Heads up’ event early in 2009. Despite his tournament success, John continues to work diligently on his cash game, intertwining medium and high stakes hold’em and omaha.
If it is possible, John demonstrates an even greater aptitude for teaching than playing and his diligent attitude has seen him travelling globally to work with some of the most successful players and thinkers in the game.
John currently resides in central London, is a published columnist and poker strategist and is a much loved member of both the local and international poker community. Check out his Betfair Blog.
print version