For one day, at least, Jeopardy James Holzhauer is spending his time competing in the 2019 WSOP. The former online poker pro turned sports bettor turned trivia game show legend spoke with poker media to discuss his big day ahead on the felt. CardsChat was there to hear what he had to say before he took his seat at the poker table.
Holzhauer joined his first event – $1,500 Super Turbo Bounty – at the 11 am PT start time. He will also partner with Mike Sexton later today in the $1,000 Tag Team event. But his main focus is to help promote Project 150, a Las Vegas charity benefiting homeless high school students.
Jeopardy James, Soon-to-Be Poker Champion?
James Holzhauer took his seat this morning in the Brasilia room inside the Rio Convention Center. Players at his table were a bit in shock they were seated next to a non-poker celebrity.
Jeopardy James is playing in a WSOP event for the first time. Although he’s played countless hours of online poker, including on Partypoker, the poker site sponsoring him for today, he has minimal experience playing live poker. In fact, as he said during today’s press conference, he’s only logged “about 50 hours” of live play in his life.
The $1,500 Super Turbo has a fast structure – 20 minute blind levels – and will be completed by day’s end. So, once he’s out of that tournament, he’ll tap on Mike Sexton’s shoulder and hop into the $1,000 Tag Team event which starts at 2 pm.
Sexton, who joined the Jeopardy champ at the press conference, said the duo doesn’t have any strategy planned.
“We’re just here to have fun,” he said.
Holzhauer, who won 32 consecutive games on Jeopardy, has been a successful sports bettor for many years. But he hasn’t forgotten his previous life as online poker player a decade ago. After winning over $2.4 million on the hit TV game show, he isn’t too concerned with the money he could win at the WSOP. He’s more focused on just playing his game.
“It would be nice if I don’t embarrass myself,” he joked. “I’m just really hoping to have a good time and if I happen to win, then that’s gravy.”
Win One for the Kids
To Holzhauer, winning more money won’t change his lifestyle. He’s already wealthy. But if he earns some money today at the poker table, some less fortunate people will greatly benefit.
The Jeopardy crusher said he will give 50 percent of his winnings to a local charity called Project 150, which helps underprivileged high school students. Jeopardy James is passionate about philanthropy.
“As much as I know how James and his wife Melissa are very giving people, I suggested asking if he’d be willing to put up 50 percent of whatever prize money we won and donate it to charity,” Sexton told the media. “He lit up like a Christmas tree. He said yes and certainly we’re proud to represent Project 150.”
JAMES HOLZHAUER STATS
Age: 35
Jeopardy! Wins: 32
Biggest Victory: $131,127
Total Winnings: $2,462,216
Project 150 serves homeless Las Vegas-area high school students by giving them the necessary tools to continue in school and be successful in life. Holzhauer spoke glowingly about the charity during the press conference.
“I really think it’s a great charity, looking to expand it’s cause down to the southern parts of Nevada,” Holzhauer said.
Sexton, Chairman of Partypoker, said he is hopeful his poker site will grow a long-term relationship with Jeopardy James. Holzhauer played on Partypoker during the poker boom era and although he isn’t able to fully commit to poker full-time, Sexton said there is some potential for future sponsorship arrangements.
If you happen to be at the Rio today, you can stand on Holzhauer’s rail. He’s seated in the Brasilia room “Blue” section at Table 8.
