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Craig Cooper is a professional poker player from the United Kingdom who has built a reputation as a highly versatile mixed-game specialist. He is a prominent figure on the Asian tournament circuit, particularly known for his consistent podium finishes in technical variants across major festivals like the Asian Poker Tour (APT).
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
According to The Hendon Mob, Craig Cooper has accumulated over $147,900 in total live tournament earnings. His career-best live cash of $33,996 was achieved in 2021. He currently holds a respectable position on the England All Time Money List, ranking 1,140th overall.
The 2025 season has been a breakout year for Cooper, characterized by an exceptional volume of final table appearances and titles in mixed-game formats. In April 2025, he claimed back-to-back victories at APT Taipei , winning both the Limit Triple Draw Lowball Mix (Event #59) for $3,589 and the Limit Quadruple Super Stud (Event #71) for $3,637. He continued this dominance throughout the year, securing multiple titles at ASPT Korea in May, including wins in the Mixed Games: 7-Game Limit Mix, Limit RAZZ, and Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better.
Biography & Poker Background
Originally from England, Craig Cooper has transitioned into a “nomad” circuit professional, focusing heavily on the rapidly growing poker hubs of Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines. While he is a capable competitor in No Limit Hold’em, he has distinguished himself by mastering a wide array of niche variants, including Big O, Badugi, and Triple Draw. His status as a regular at the Asian Poker Tour highlights his commitment to the regional grind, where he is frequently cited as a top contender in the “Player of the Series” rankings.
Play Style & Strategy
Craig Cooper is known for a technical and highly analytical play style, excelling in variants that require complex equity calculations and multi-street discipline. His ability to navigate diverse fields in Mixed Game and Draw formats demonstrates advanced game theory knowledge and strong ICM awareness during high-pressure final table scenarios. By effectively leveraging his proficiency across up to 24 different poker variants, Cooper often holds a significant skill advantage over specialists in standard formats, making him a dangerous opponent in any championship series.
My relationship with cards started thanks to my father. I was still in elementary school when he first taught me how to play Rummy, and I still remember the long evenings spent playing cards with my family. During the poker boom, I was still underage, but the televised tournaments immediately captured my attention. I became fascinated with the game and started learning different poker formats whenever I had the chance. Later in life, as an adult, I was fortunate enough to spend four years playing poker professionally. During that time, I mainly focused on Heads-Up Sit and Go games, where I found the format that suited me best. Even though my professional career was relatively short, poker remains something I’m grateful to have experienced as a major part of my life. Today, I play mostly as a hobby, while writing has become my main focus. That said, my enthusiasm for writing about poker is just as strong as my passion for playing the game once was.
