Justin Young is a highly accomplished American professional poker player and a fixture of the high-stakes tournament circuit for over two decades. Known for his technical precision and deep mathematical understanding of No-Limit Hold’em, Young has successfully navigated the transition from the “poker boom” era to the modern solver-heavy landscape. A World Poker Tour (WPT) champion and a consistent performer on the PokerGO Tour (PGT), he is recognized as one of the most reliable grinders in the game today.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings surpassing $6,855,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Justin Young sits comfortably among the top 200 players on the United States All-Time Money List. His career-defining victory came in the 2016 WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic, where he defeated a field of 639 entries to claim the title and $936,760. Young has remained in peak form through 2025 and into early 2026, recently adding a 1st place finish in the WPT Venetian Spring Championship $600 NLH event for $15,882 (February 2026) and a deep run in the WSOP Circuit Las Vegas Main Event (January 2026). His immense consistency across the WSOP, WPT, and PGT platforms contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $7 million.
Major Tournament Results:
| Year | Event | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic (1st) | $936,760 |
| 2008 | WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic (2nd) | $721,170 |
| 2024 | WPT Prime Championship (9th) | $114,000 |
| 2026 | WPT Venetian Spring Championship $600 NLH (1st) | $15,882 |

Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1980 and originally from Moorhead, North Carolina, Justin Young began his poker journey in the early 2000s. He eventually relocated to Henderson, Nevada, to fully immerse himself in the Las Vegas poker scene. Young first gained national attention during the 2008 WPT Five Diamond, where he finished as the runner-up to Chino Rheem. Unlike many players who flared up during the boom and faded, Young has shown incredible longevity. He is often cited by his peers as a “player’s player”, someone who avoids the spotlight and focuses instead on technical precision and bankroll management. Today, he is a frequent face at major stops across the United States, representing a standard of professional consistency.
Play Style & Strategy
Young is renowned for a “balanced, technical, and patient” play style. He is a master of No-Limit Hold’em, leveraging a strategy that blends fundamental GTO (Game Theory Optimal) principles with a keen ability to adjust to opponent archetypes. His strategy is characterized by “pot control” and a disciplined approach to tournament variance; he is often seen making expert folds that preserve his tournament life. In recent years, Young has shown success in high-volume schedules, often competing in back-to-back series at the Venetian, Wynn, and PokerGO Studio. His approach involves a relentless focus on “EV (Expected Value)” over short-term results, a mindset that has allowed him to sustain a high-level career for over 20 years.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow Justin Young as he continues to climb the All-Time Money List? You can find his profiles and stats here:
Video Highlights:
Watch Justin Young’s technical breakdown of his major WPT runs and his consistent deep finishes on the high-stakes circuit:










