Updated: 2026.03.08

James Obst is an Australian professional poker player from Adelaide who is widely considered one of the most talented all-around players in the history of the game. Known for his incredible start as an online prodigy under the name “Andy McLEOD,” Obst has successfully moved from the virtual tables to becoming a major force on the live circuit. After a brief break to pursue a professional tennis career, he returned to the game and immediately proved he is still one of the best mixed game specialists in the world.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, James Obst has won over $5.1 million in live tournament earnings. His most significant victories have come at the World Series of Poker , where he has mastered some of the most difficult non-Hold’em formats in the world.

Obst is a two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet winner. He won his first bracelet in 2017 in the $10,000 Razz Championship for $265,138. After returning from his break, he secured his second piece of gold in 2024 by winning the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship for $260,658. His largest career cash came from a deep run in the 2016 WSOP Main Event Championship, where he finished 13th for $427,930. He is also a World Poker Tour (WPT) champion, winning the WPT Australia Championship in 2024 for $398,512. Most recently, in early 2026, he has continued to build his resume with scores at the European Poker Tour (EPT) Paris.

James Obst poker — James Obst (photo credit: PokerNews photographer Rachel Kay Winter)

Biography & Poker Background

Born in 1990, James Obst was a strategy prodigy long before he found poker, representing Australia in the World Junior Chess Championship three times. He started playing poker at just 14 years old and became a legend of the online game before he was even old enough to enter a casino. Under his famous screen name “Andy McLEOD,” he won over $1.5 million online before the age of 19, including multiple SCOOP and WCOOP titles. In 2018, at the age of 28, Obst shocked the community by stepping away from poker to follow a lifelong dream of becoming a professional tennis player. After several years of training and competing in the tennis world, he returned to professional poker in 2023 with a fresh look and renewed focus.

Play Style & Strategy

Obst is known for a highly analytical and creative approach to the game. His background in chess gives him a deep understanding of complex strategy, which is why he excels in Mixed Games like Razz, Stud, and the $50,000 Poker Players Championship. He is a very disciplined player who values health and mental clarity, often attributing his success to his ability to stay balanced during the long hours of a series. While many players rely purely on math, Obst is famous for his ability to make incredible “hero folds” and deep reads on his opponents. His transition from an online phenom to a live championship winner is a testament to his ability to adapt his technical skills to the human element of live play.

Want to follow James Obst as he continues his 2026 run in the WSOP, WPT, and PGT events? You can track his latest stats and tournament cashes here: