One of the more easily recognisable professionals of the game, Chris ‘Jesus’ Ferguson is one of the best poker players around. Famous for his cowboy hat, long hair and beard, he has been on the poker circuit, in one way or another, for most of his life.

Pinpointing the exact moment that Ferguson’s poker career began is tricky. Even in his childhood he was playing the game, losing thirty five cents in a 4th grade showdown.

From there he developed his game and continued playing through high school where he would play with friends every weekend. He steadily progressed and soon his first journey to Vegas beckoned, where he managed to only suffer two losses in 22 visits.

By 1994, Ferguson decided to really focus on the game and apply all that he had learned by concentrating on poker tournaments, starting off in small time LA based tournies. 1996 saw him win a buy-in to the World Series of Poker and he has played every year since.

From 1996 to 1999 Ferguson had 12 money finishes and though he never won a series, he did end up at the final table seven times, that is, until 2000 when he became the World Champion of Poker.

To date Chris Fergus has won five WSOP series events, taken over $2,858,000 in earnings and continues to be one of the most skilled poker players in the world.

And his number one tip for all budding poker players?
Pump it or Dump it- if your hand isn’t strong enough for a raise it’s too weak for a call!