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John Andress is an American professional poker player, high-stakes tournament specialist, and a prominent figure in the field of game integrity. Hailing from Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Andress has successfully bridged the gap between elite professional play and industry leadership. Currently ranking 19th on Pennsylvania’s all-time money list, he is recognized for his technical discipline, high-roller success, and his role as the head of game integrity at A5 Labs, which oversees security for major platforms like WPT Global.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings surpassing $3,024,255 (according to The Hendon Mob), Andress is a multi-million dollar winner with a reputation for excelling in high-buy-in environments. His career-best live score of $801,450 was achieved in 2017 when he won the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open $25,500 High Roller, defeating Mike Leah heads-up.
Andress has remained a consistent force on the high-roller circuit through early 2026. His recent highlights include:
- January 31, 2026: 8th place in the PGT Kickoff $10,500 NLH for $41,200.
- June 2025: 16th place in the WSOP Online $500 Mystery Bounty for $105,420.
- September 2025: 3rd place in the PGT Bounty Blitz $5,300 NLH for $25,300.
- July 2024: 287th place in the WSOP Main Event for $50,000.
- December 2011: 1st place in the EPT Prague €10,000 High Roller for $236,186 (Early Career Peak).
His sustained success in both live and online bracelet events contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $4 million.
Biography & Poker Background
Born and raised outside Philadelphia, Andress was an athlete who played lacrosse at Penn State University before discovering poker in 2009. What started as “beer money” during a college trip to Puerto Rico quickly turned into a high-stakes obsession; by his senior year, he had amassed over $150,000 in his online accounts. Following Black Friday, he moved to Toronto to continue his professional grind, focusing on high-stakes cash games and international tournaments.
In a unique career pivot, Andress has become one of the industry’s leading voices on Game Integrity. He currently runs A5 Labs, a specialized tech team that utilizes AI and machine learning to detect bots, collusion, and real-time assistance (RTA) in online poker. His dual perspective as a world-class player and a security expert has made him a vital partner for WPT Global. Now a resident of Doylestown, he balances a high-stakes tournament schedule with his responsibilities as a tech executive and family man.
Play Style & Strategy
Andress is renowned for a “highly analytical, theory-based, and composed” play style. His strategy is rooted in a deep understanding of modern game theory, but he is equally respected for his ability to make precise adjustments based on live population tendencies. He is a master of Short-Handed and High Roller formats, where his clinical approach to ranges and polarized bet-sizing gives him an edge over less technically disciplined opponents.
His strategy revolves around:
- Data-Driven Technicality: Utilizing his background in game integrity and AI to maintain a technical floor that is among the highest in the professional community.
- Big Blind/Small Blind Dynamics: An elite understanding of shallow-stacked blind battles, a skill famously showcased during his SHRPO High Roller victory.
- Professional Stamina: A disciplined, athletic-minded approach to the mental grind of long tournament structures, allowing him to maintain peak focus during the late stages of major championships.
Social Media & Online Presence
Follow the Pennsylvanian “Cheater Beater” as he continues to add to his legacy and hunt for his first WSOP gold bracelet:
