John Hesp

Englishman John Hesp is a self-confessed ‘amateur’ poker player from Bridlington in East Yorkshire who made the final table of the WSOP Main Event in 2017, on his fourth visit to Las Vegas but his debut in the world’s biggest poker tournament.

The semi-retired businessman is the owner of a caravan vacation home rental business who has only $2207 in poker tournament winnings according to Hendon Mob.com, all his recorded cashes coming in the 2017 Napoleons Casino & Restaurant ‘Recurring Tournaments’ in Hull, the biggest a £785 ($1000) payday in the £10 Sunday re-buy.

A father of four and grandfather of seven, Hesp’s decision to play the Main Event was part of a retirement ‘bucket list’ and the Yorkshireman surprised almost everybody with his deep run, as well as his colourful attire and relaxed, friendly attitude at the table.

With over 7200 players starting the $10,000 buy-in Main Event, Hesp’s final table run has guaranteed him $1,000,000, with the chance to take down the $8,150,000 top prize. He has become something of a celebrity, sharing dinner with Phil Hellmuth, giving dozens of interviews and having his own Twitter page fan club.

WSOP.com notes that Hesp owns a Delorean, the 1980's-vintage car made famous in the ‘Back to the Future’ movies.