Joseph (Joe) Tehan (born September 15 in Utica, New York) is an American professional poker player.

Tehan was introduced to poker at college where he played with his friends. He started out playing low limits, but soon began traveling to casinos to play at higher stakes. After completing his Masters in Business Administration he decided to move to Las Vegas and play poker professionally. Joe started out his poker career as a ring game player.

In June 2006, Tehan won the World Poker Tour fifth season Mandalay Bay Poker Championship, earning $1,033,440. On the final hand, Tehan's 9♣ 8♥ improved to a full house on a board of 10♠ 9♠ 9♥ A♦ 8♣ to defeat Burt Boutin's A♠ 10♣. Since his victory, Joe has switched to becoming primarily a poker tournament player.

As of 2008, his total live earnings exceed $2,100,000.

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Joe Tehan's family thought his trip out to Las Vegas would be short-lived. After all, he had a MBA and was applying for jobs. His loved ones legitimately believed he would get a job and give up the life in Vegas. What's more, he didn't even have $10,000 in his pocket. With an old Ford Taurus to get him there, Tehan moved out to Las Vegas. It didn't seem like his bankroll was big enough to forge a life in the gambling capital of the world.

Joe had different ideas, though. He started off playing small limit games and built his bankroll up. One year turned into two and then three. It slowly became clear that Joe wasn't going to be taking a job in traditional business. Now, if you want to find the MBA, look for the high-limit mixed games in Las Vegas. Over time, he's built a big enough bankroll that he doesn't have to leave Las Vegas unless he wants to.

In just one year, Joe cashed in 13 major poker tournaments and has amassed more than $1.7 million in tournament winnings to supplement his cash game wins. With appearances at two WPT final tables, including one win, Tehan is quickly becoming a familiar face in the poker world.

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Joe Tehan is something of an inspiration. He followed his passion - dumping the idea of a regular job and going with his heart to pursue a full-time career playing poker. Four years of undergraduate work focusing on economics and later earning an MBA still did not inspire Tehan to enter into a regular career. He packed up, headed for Las Vegas, made it his home, and poker became his career of choice.

Born September 15 in Utica, New York, Tehan grew up enjoying card games with his family that eventually fueled his competitive spirit. Poker became a college hobby for Tehan who sometimes ended up in all-night play for meager amounts of cash. He and his college buddies also frequented the Turning Stone Casino to play low limit Holdem. Later after making the move to Vegas he saw a lot of $30/$60 Holdem action at the Bellagio. Tehan spent a couple of years pursuing Vegas cash games and now focuses on tournament poker.

Tehan’s $1,000,000 title win at the 2006 WPT Mandalay Bay Poker Championship was an emotional victory that marked the birthday of his mother who had passed away five years prior. 21 big cashes, and lifetime earnings exceeding $1,900,000 prove Tehan’s decision to gamble on a professional poker career was a wise move.

Despite enviable success - Tehan remains grounded and approaches poker with a casual and realistic approach often citing luck as a factor in his wins. Tehan is quick to point out the mental toll that a professional poker career can evoke. He manages his stress by enjoying outside interests including golf, board games, and time with family in New York.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Tehan
http://www.worldpokertour.com/Shared/Players/Bios/J/Joseph_Tehan.aspx
http://www.launchpoker.com/players/poker_players/-joe-tehan-forget-a-real-j...


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