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Marco Johnson
Marco Johnson is an American professional poker player who is widely considered one of the most talented mixed-game specialists in the world. Growing up in Walnut Creek, California, as a neighbor to the legendary David Reese , Johnson was inspired early on to pursue a life at the high-stakes tables. He has since built a career defined by incredible consistency across a wide variety of poker formats, earning him two World Series of Poker bracelets and a spot among the top 40 on California’s all-time money list.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings of over $5.4 million (according to The Hendon Mob), Johnson is a constant threat in any event he enters. His biggest live payday actually came early in his career in 2008, when he finished as the runner-up in a $2,000 No Limit Hold’em event at the WSOP for $491,273.
While he has many huge scores in Hold’em, Johnson is most famous for his mastery of “mixed” formats. He won his first gold bracelet in 2013 in the $2,500 Six-Handed Limit Hold’em event for $206,796. He followed that up in 2016 by winning the $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. title for $259,730. His 2025 campaign was equally impressive, highlighted by a 3rd-place finish in the $10,000 Big O Championship for $360,711 and a 2nd-place finish in the $2,500 Mixed Big Bet event for $134,345.
Biography & Poker Background
Originally from Walnut Creek, California, Marco Johnson’s journey into poker started when he was just 14 years old. He had the unique experience of growing up near poker hall-of-famer Chip Reese, whose success showed Marco that being a professional player was a legitimate and rewarding path. Before he was even old enough to play legally, he was already honing his skills in local card rooms under a fake ID. After a brief time studying construction management in college, he dropped out to pursue poker full-time in Las Vegas. Since then, he has excelled in both live arenas and the online world, where he is a World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) winner.
Play Style & Strategy
Johnson is highly respected for his extreme versatility and deep understanding of mixed games. While many pros specialize in one game, Marco is an expert in almost everything, including H.O.R.S.E., 8-Game, and Big O. He is often described as a disciplined and technical player who stays calm regardless of the stakes. He credits much of his success to the lessons he learned from watching Chip Reese, specifically the importance of staying happy and composed at the table. This “pure” approach to the game has allowed him to remain a top-tier competitor for over 15 years.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow Marco “CrazyMarco” Johnson as he continues his 2026 run in the WSOP and mixed-game circuits? You can track his latest stats and updates here:
Video Highlights:
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.
