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James Akenhead is a world-class professional poker player from London who rose to global fame as one of the most exciting young talents in British poker history. Before he was competing for millions in Las Vegas, Akenhead worked as a railroad conductor, a job he eventually left to pursue his passion for cards full-time. He became a national hero in the UK when he made the historic 2009 “November Nine” final table, proving that he could hold his own against the very best in the world. Known for his sharp reading skills and competitive drive, he has been a mainstay of the British “Hitsquad” and a respected figure on the international circuit for nearly two decades.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With over $3.7 million in total live earnings (The Hendon Mob), James Akenhead ranks 37th on the England All Time Money List. His career-best live cash of $1,263,602 came from his 9th-place finish in the 2009 WSOP Main Event.
In the same historic year, Akenhead achieved the rare feat of reaching the final table of both the WSOP and the WSOPE Main Event, finishing 9th in both. Other major highlights include:
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Poker Million 8 (2009): 1st place for $500,000.
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2008 WSOP $1,500 NLHE: 2nd place for $520,000.
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Sunday Million (2012): Won the online flagship tournament as “Asprin1” for $213,750.
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WPT Vienna Warm-Up (2016): 1st place for €65,000.
Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1983 in London, James Akenhead didn’t start his professional life at the poker table. He was actually a railroad conductor first, a job he worked for several years while playing poker as a hobby. He says that the transition from driving trains to playing cards was natural because both required a lot of focus and the ability to handle long shifts under pressure. He first got serious about poker around 2005 and quickly became part of a famous group of London players known as “The Hitsquad.” After his massive 2009 run, he briefly took a break from the game to open his own restaurant, The Reach Bar and Grill in London, but his love for the felt eventually brought him back to the professional circuit in 2015.
Play Style & Strategy
Akenhead is best known for his fearless and observant style of play. Because he has a background in the highly competitive London games, he is very comfortable with the technical side of strategy and isn’t afraid to make big bluffs to build a chip lead. In his 2009 WSOP run, observers noted that he used his “Reader” nickname to full effect, making several tough folds and incredible calls based on physical tells. While he can be very aggressive, he is also a very humble and polite person at the table. He prefers to let his playing do the talking and rarely gets caught up in trash talk or emotional outbursts. This “silent but deadly” approach makes him one of the most dangerous players to sit across from in any tournament.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to keep up with James Akenhead as he competes in the biggest events across Europe and Las Vegas in 2026? You can follow his career and see his latest results through these links:
