Chip Jett: Professional Poker Player Profile
Chip Jett is one of the most successful poker players in the circuit. He is also one of the most well-known, thanks in part to his auspicious real name, and in part to his appearances at numerous high-profile tournaments, like the Party Poker Million and Bicycle Casino appearances on the World Poker Tour (WPT). Jett's total live tournament winnings exceed $1.5 million as of 2005.
Since 2001, Chip Jett has been reeling in titles and awards. But Jett still considers his biggest achievement to be winning the best all-around player award at the Commerce Casino at the 2001 Los Angeles Poker Classic, and subsequently being on the cover of Poker Digest. This is his first taste of stardom. He calls this his "proudest poker moment." In the subsequent years, Jett has not lost his confidence. He anticipates eventually bagging the Card Player Tournament Player of the Year Award.
In 2003 alone he had 15 final table appearances. This earned him Phil Hellmuth's Champion of the Year award, which was handed out to the player with the best record in large buy-in, high profile tournaments within a single year. Recently, in 2005, Jett had a third place finish at the $5,000 7 Card Stud event of the WSOP.
Jett was born on September 22, 1974 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He first discovered poker when he was 18 years old and working as a lifeguard at a public pool. A friend invited him to the newly-opened Fort McDowell Casino poker room in Fountain Hills. He walked away with a $40 loss, but also a newfound career direction.
He enrolled in poker dealer school. Three months later he was dealing poker and at the same time teaching at the school he had graduated from. He went on to become a floorman and shift boss at Fort McDowell Casino, before finally settling in as a proposition player. He stayed in this prestigious position for 6 years, in the meantime honing his skills and becoming known around town as the most successful player in the nightly tournaments.
He was given the title King of the Hill for being a 3-time winner. But Jett quit his job at the FMC when he discovered that he had become good enough to earn by playing in the big leagues.
Jett is married to Katrina Jett, another successful poker player, with whom he has a daughter. Chip and Katrina both made it to the same final table at the 2005 London Open event in Old Billingsgate Market. They are currently living in Las Vegas, Nevada. |