Maxwell Young is a professional poker player from the United States who has built a reputation as one of the most consistent and hardworking grinders on the tournament circuit. Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and later becoming a standout name in the Oregon poker community, he is often praised for his technical skill and “never quit” attitude. Before he was a six-time WSOP Circuit ring winner, Young worked in the restaurant and construction industries while building his bankroll from the ground up in small-stakes games. His journey from $40 buy-in tournaments to competing for six-figure prizes on the global stage is a true success story for the modern American pro.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Maxwell Young has total live earnings of over $3.8 million. He currently holds a top spot on the Oregon All Time Money List. His career reached a major milestone in late 2018 when he won the WSOP Circuit Choctaw Main Event for a career-best score of $263,815.

Young is a prolific winner with six WSOP Circuit rings to his name. His major titles include a 2017 victory in the WSOP Circuit Lake Tahoe Main Event for $147,699 and a 2020 win at the Winter Poker Open Main Event in Tampa for $226,510. He has remained incredibly active in 2026, recently finishing as the runner-up in a $600 Deep Stack event at the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open for a massive $231,552. He also picked up a 5th place finish in a $2,200 High Roller at the WSOP Circuit Cherokee series in February 2026 for $24,571.

Maxwell Young poker — Maxwell Young (credit: PokerNews photographer Austin Currington)

Biography & Poker Background

Born in South Carolina, Maxwell Young discovered poker while attending college in California. After earning his degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz, he decided to skip the traditional office path and move to Oregon to take a shot at professional play. He started with literally $0, playing the smallest games possible in local cardrooms while working side jobs in construction and restaurants. He eventually found his stride in the tournament world around 2017, fueled by the inspiration of his mother, who supported his career throughout her life. Known as “The Surfer” for his love of the ocean, Young often travels with his wife and son, balancing the high pressure of the poker road with his passions for surfing, snowboarding, and the outdoors.

Play Style & Strategy

Young is best known for his disciplined and methodical approach to the game. Having worked his way up from the bottom, he is extremely careful with his bankroll and rarely plays outside of his comfort zone. He describes his early years as being a “SNG grinder,” which helped him develop a very strong understanding of short-stack strategy and final table dynamics. To keep up with the modern game, he has worked with top coaches like Joe McKeehen to refine his fundamentals and move away from purely “exploitative” play. At the table, he is a composed and focused presence, relying on his ability to out-grind his opponents over long sessions. This patient, blue-collar work ethic has made him a permanent fixture at final tables across the United States.

Social Media & Online Presence

Want to keep up with Maxwell Young as he hunts for more WSOP rings and his first bracelet in 2026? You can follow his career and see his latest results through these links:

Video Highlights:

The Best of Maxwell Young: Exclusive Poker Image Gallery