Champion of Poker

Al Krux has been a professional poker player for over 30 years. He has been a face at the tables for many years and has been a face at some of the biggest final tables in history. Before getting into poker, he was a diamond merchant. Also, at one point in his career Krux did some consulting for Indian Casinos. His main focus has been on poker.

Although having one WSOP final table under his belt, Krux did not really become recognized in the tournament world until 1990 when he made the final table of the Main Event. Berry Johnston, John Bonetti, Hans Lund, and Mansour Matlouib were all at the table. Technically, Stu Ungar made the final table, but an overdose of drugs forced him to be blinded out of the tournament. Ungar was the chip leader by such a wide margin that he still made the final table, but was out in 9th. Krux would end up finishing 6th at this final table and took home $58,450 for his finish.

Krux would again make the final table of the 1994 World Series of Poker Main Event. The final table boasted names of Russ Hamilton, Vince Burgio, and Robert “Chip Burner” Turner. Krux would finish 5th in this main event for his first 6 figure payday at $100,800. Krux would go deep in the 1995 Main Event as well but would finish in 30th place; two spots shy of the money.

1996 would be the year Al would win his first and only major poker title. He took down the $1,500 Pot Limit Holdem Event at the World Series of Poker. He took the championship gold bracelet and $156,375 in prize money.

Krux’s biggest payday and most memorable finish in the modern poker era came at the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event. Krux made the final table that included Dan Harrington, Josh Arieh, David Williams, and Greg Raymer. Krux made a miracle outdraw with pocket 10’s against pocket aces to stay alive in the event. He mixed solid play with a little luck to finish in 6th place and to take home $800,000, which was his biggest score to date.

Since his score in the 2004 Main Event, Krux has had numerous strong finishes including a win at in a preliminary event at the Empire State Holdem Championships in 2005 and two WPT cashes. He mixes solid play with his ability to read opponents to keep him ahead of the curve. To date, Krux has won over $1.37 Million in live tournament earnings. Krux has stated that he prefers to play No Limit cash games, and the higher the limits the better. He prefers to play at the Turning Stone Casino near his home in New York.

Al Krux has mixed a solid style of poker with excellent reading skills to make a living at poker. He also claims that the help of poker coaches has allowed him to stay in the game a lot longer than other players. Krux thinks that the popularity of poker will continue to grow as the players continue to get younger and younger. One word of advice for these young players would be to watch out for Al Krux. He may look old, but this old man will take your money away from you faster than you can say “all-in.”