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John Racener
Age: 21
Resides:
Years playing: 3 years/8 months professionally
Favorite form of poker: Big buy-in NL tourneys (WPT events)
During this year’s WSOP, I was seated at a starting table with Gavin Smith when he asked me who I plan to profile. I mentioned my plans to profile John Racener, and Gavin responded something along the lines of, “Yeah, that’s a great profile. That kid is always at a final table.” As you’ll see, Gavin is right on the mark. John is an extraordinary player, with virtually no exposure. He’s perfect for a profile.
John is a completely self-taught player. Not only has John never read any books on poker, unlike most players he didn’t have any mentors or friends who influenced his play. John started playing around 3 years ago when his mom let him use her debit card to put $50 into an online poker account, and it’s been nothing but straight up since. When asked what he feels separates his game from others, he responded, “I feel I play hands differently than other people in a wide range of positions. I change it up so people have a hard time putting me on hands.”
Having turned 21 years old only last December, John already has an impressive list of results. On his 21st birthday he made a 3-way chop in the
Ray Henson
Age: 29
Resides:
Years playing: 9 years / 7 professionally
Favorite form of poker: Limit Hold’em
Take a look at a list of Ray Henson’s circle of close friends and you realize the kid can probably play. The list includes Greg “FBT” Mueller, JC Tran, Nam Le, Mike “The Grinder” Mizrachi, Chris McCormack, Robbie and Eric Mizrachi, Noah Boeken, David Baker, and me, among others. Not only is Ray a strong player, he’s also one hell of a funny guy. Easily the most entertaining summer I spent at the World Series was in 2005 when I had the chance to room with both Greg Mueller and Ray. Ray’s game has come a long way over the years. Although he prefers to play Limit Hold’em, his No Limit game is sharp and flexible. Ray has strong reads, which is what he attributes his success to in No Limit tournaments. As he put it: “In the past I knew a guy would be weak or bluffing, but I’d just give up pots to a bet… these days if I think he is weak I go with my instincts and take the pots away from him.”
Ray stood by and supported each of his close friends as they broke through to reach the greatest heights in poker. We recently had the opportunity to reciprocate that support as it became Ray’s turn in this year’s WSOP Main Event. Finishing 12th in the Main Event and cashing for $475k, Ray now holds the record amongst his friends for deepest cash in the Main Event. Ray’s also made the three final tables in the Pokerstars Sunday tourney, picked up $30k from a PartyPoker Million Guarantee final table, and most recently he won a $300 mixed game tourney at the Venetian for an additional $14k. After such a strong WSOP, Ray’s poised for a real breakout. I doubt he’ll look back.
