John Soper
Grand Champion
Winter Season ’11
The Winter Season ’11 Grand Championship Tournament was held on Saturday, April 16th, at Famous Pub. There were 289 players qualified for the tournament that is the highlight of an entire APC season. Players competed for prizes including a $550 entry into a World Series of Poker or World Poker Tour Tournament in Tunica or Biloxi. John Soper emerged victorious and beat a field of 140 total players!
John Soper was born in El Paso, Texas and moved to Atlanta about 15 years ago. John has lived in many different areas of the U.S., but feels that being from Texas gives him an affinity for playing Texas Hold’em.
Who is your favorite poker player, and why?
I don’t have a clear favorite among the professional players. I like to watch them all and they all have something to bring to the game. However, if you base it on looks, then I’d have to say Jennifer Tilly.
Who has influenced your play the most?
Kerm King has influenced my play the most as he has a “no fear” factor that I wish I could adopt.
What is your advice for new players?
Learn from everyone at the table and don’t be afraid. If you’ve never played a live event before then sit and watch. If you’ve played online before, then play the same way, at least initially…then learn that live play is different.
What are your goals in the APC?
I feel that the APC is a training camp. Especially after playing at the Wooden Nickel. At the Nickel you are inundated with good and not so good players and it is a challenge. Like a poker boot camp. My goals are to take this hobby and actually go to casinos and play for real money, and I would love to represent the APC in the World Series of Poker. With the new membership opportunities coming up it looks like the APC is now promoting and recognizing that they have some really good poker players and with the membership we can take this to the top!
How did it feel to win the Grand Championship?
Numb. Numb. I knew that when I would go back to the Wooden Nickel that players would look at me differently. Many players congratulated me but I feel the need to win another one or be more consistent in my play to be acknowledged by everyone. I just started playing Texas Hold’em in February, 2010. I feel that so many people that I play against are so much better than me. I try to learn from everyone.
I would like to put this challenge out. I think that you need to play the Nickel because it is so challenging and any APC player needs to go to the Nickel and if you think you are good play there. If you can win at the Nickel you will recognize that you are good.
I walked into the Nickel on February 9, 2010 to watch the Super Bowl and all these tables were set up. I approached Maci, and she said, “It is free poker and Texas Hold’em and why don’t you play?” I played and didn’t see one minute of the Super Bowl. I think I came in 18th my first night. I want to thank all the ambassadors for the APC including the Tournament Directors and the dealers, I like the new APC approach, and the fact the APC is not sitting around thinking they have something but keep trying to improve their product and I really appreciates that.
John Soper continues to work at improving his game. John looks forward to putting his poker skills to work when he does play in a casino. John has definitely earned his place in the APC Hall of Fame!
