MEMBER BIOs
Josh
Valdez
My name is Josh Valdez, I’m 30 years old. I was born in Fresno, California. I am a single father and my daughter’s name is Alexandria, she is 4 years old. I have been playing poker since I was around 15. That’s when I started to learn the game and play with friends. Around 2011, I started to think more and more about studying and taking poker seriously. In 2013 is when I began to study daily and try to better my game. I use any and all resources to better my game, I enjoy watching poker videos, talking with friends and reading books. Jamie Avila and David Alford are good friends, who also very good players, they have helped me by talking through hands and teaching me. I believe in a balanced lifestyle, not only being mentally in shape but physically. I am very into sports. My favorite teams are Manchester United, Dallas Cowboys, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Red Sox and the Dodgers.
Brandon
Boatman
Jamie
Avila
My name is Brandon Boatman, I am 30 years old and I have 4 kids. Their names are Tesla, Blake, Bryson and Benjamin. I work full time and I play pool and poker on the side. I travel for Semi profession pool tournaments in my spare time as well as Professional poker tournaments when i can. I enjoy poker and love discussing strategies on how a hand should have or could have been played. I have played poker for about 7 years now, but on a serious and competitive level for the past 4 years.
“There is never a WRONG way to play a hand, but there is a RIGHT way.”
Hello my name is Jamie Avila and i have been playing poker for 5+ years. Away from the table I can be found practicing Yoga and Stand-Up Comedy. My biggest cash came on President's Day 2011 when i won the Venetian Deep Stack Extravaganza for $20,000. I have also finished 9th place out of 11,000 players and another top finish i placed 24th out of 31,000 players. Both online. Poker has taken me all over the world, and i hope to see the rest someday.
Chris
Taylor
Hello my name is Chris Taylor. I have been married for 23 years. I have 2 kids. I work for Club One Casino as a Casino Host. I have been playing poker since 2005, but on a serious level since '09. I have about $100k in tournament winnings. My biggest cash was for $29,000 in 2009, during the WSOP i took 15th in Event #11. My second biggest cash was during the HPT at Club One Casino i took 6th place for $13,000. I could not do any of this without the love and support of my family.
Ricky
Vance
My name is Ricky Vance, I’m a single father of 3 beautiful girls. I’ve been playing poker for 10 plus years, played in many live events, from cash games to tournaments, in town to out of town. I am a cash game player and with that said I have been a prop at a local casino for over 2 years now. I used to play online a lot and during that time frame I was quite successful until black Friday. I follow many sports and am a fan of almost all games. Baseball I’m a Giants fan, Football Niners, Hockey Sharks, and Basketball Warriors fan.
“Poker is a hard way of making an easy living, it’s not for everyone.”