Poker Pro, Claudia Crawford won the first tournament down on the Coast at the IP Poker Classic in May 2008. There were 117 people in the tournament. She lives in Long Beach Mississippi, and the Mississippi Coast Casinos are her local stomping grounds.

We expect Claudia to break out again in the near future.  She specializes in Pot-Limit Omaha, but also enjoys some high No-Limit Hold-em Cash games.   2008 was Claudia's big year where she won her 5 career cashes. 

Matt "Cub" Culberson

Hot off the heels of his 1st place finish at the World Poker Open in Tunica for over $70,000, Matt "Cub" Culberson was "Smoking Hot" in Biloxi at the Beau Rivage. He cashed in 3 of the preliminary events and capped it off with a 1st place in the $500.00 buy-in Sunday for over $12,000. Several sites have him listed at living in different cities in the South, but it is safe to say that he will be roaming the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Hattiesburg giving them hell at the tables.  He also took down another 2nd at a recent Bayou Classic at Harrahs.

Read Goondingy (Big Smooth) testament to Cub here: Cub Wins, Cub Wins

Brian Heptinstall

Heptinstall is truly the man behind the scenes. This Gadsden, Alabama native has traveled the country for poker, but not usually sitting at the felt. Brian has spent many hours covering the biggest games in the poker world from California to Connecticut.

 He’s even been known to cover a few of the Biloxi and New Orleans events even when he wasn’t getting paid. Brian also takes the yearly trip to Las Vegas for the WSOP and hopes to break through very soon. Look for him to be staring you down with a camera, or an all-in.

McBrayer is a noted player on and off the coast.  He has almost 200k in tournament winnings.  He has a steady history of cashing in tournaments the last four years. 

His biggest score was second place for 96k at the World Poker Open in 08.  He followed that up with a second place at the IP Classic Main Event for 22k.  He has two first place finishes and is one of Alabama's most feared players.

Jeremy Gaubert has booked a win close to $250,000 on Pokerstars and went deep in the 2008 WSOP Main Event taking 58th place.  The Chemist lived in Thibodaux and grew up in Lockport. He is now living in River Ridge. We hope to sit down and chat with him soon.  We here at GCP just cannot help but celebrate when a local player makes it happen!!!  He's also involved in the MTTBacking site linked on our front page.  Check it out.

Gulf Coast Poker.NET's Da Rock has been money in the bank at the IPs series of tournaments for the last two years.  Darrell made a stellar run thru the IP Poker Classic November 2007. He cashed in 3 of the preliminary tournaments including a 2nd place finish for $4100.00. In the main event he cashed again taking down 12th for $3600. Most of you will recognize him as a dealer at Harrah's and from dealing TV final tables.  In 2008, at the IP he final tabled the main event to go with a second place finish the day before.  Check out his blog Da Rock of Aces to get some of the IP's King's insight. 

The "Poker Monkey"  Will Souther

With winnings over $270,000 Will has cashed an impressive 51 times according to Poker Pages.  As strong a year as 2008 was where he booked 13 cashes, 2009 probably was even better.  After four second places and being on the cusp of a major breakthrough, Will got his first first place finish late in 08.  In 09, he's followed that up with 15 cashes and won player of the tournament in the Venetian Deep Stack tournament.  His table patter makes him one of the most recognizable figures on the scene.  Read all about his exploits in his blog here:

THE POKER MONKEY

Fred Berger

Six first place finishes, 32 cashes, and 3/4 of a million in winnings.  What's there to say about Slidell's Fred Berger that the stats don't tell you?   He's known as a gentleman on and off the felt.  Berger's hobby (his real job is owner of a Mardi Gras company), has an earned him a lot of respect on the tournament circuit and one WSOP bracelet.  He's as cool as the other side of the pillow and he's most comfortable once the announcement has been made, "Congratulations you are all in the money."  

Jena Delk

Jena has won over $100,000 in tournaments around the country. Her resume includes a first place at the 08 WSOP New Orleans Ladies Event, 13th place at the 08’ WSOP Ladies World Championship Event, and numerous cashes.  Recently, she went deep at the Beau's WPT event.   Jena is a class act on and off the felt and an up and comer sure to go far.   She will be in an upcoming documentary film titled “Heart Felt," so you can add movie star to one of the Gulf Coast's most accomplished player's resume.  Born in Indiana, this former Hoosier has spent most of her adult life in Florida.

Noah Schwartz

The Bay Harbor Island, FL native has 19 cashes to his name including a second place in a recent Aussie Millions tournament. 

Noah's biggest win was $311,958 at the Borgata Winter Open in January 2008.  Lots of people say he looks like McLovin from the movie Superbad, and lots of people would be right.  The baby faced killer would love to get those people on the felt.  Noah recently final tabled the 40k 40th anniversary event at the WSOP and now has over 1 million in live tournament winnings. 

Derek is a local pool and poker player who plays mostly MTTs online and is as adept at stick as he is at poker.  Derek is a featured blogger on GCP.Net.  A family man who's making it happen on the grind, we think he'll bring another interesting viewpoint to the site. 

Here's a link to his own introduction POOL AND POKER PLAYER.

Albertville Alabama's Gabe Costner continued his hot run with 4th place at the Bayou Classic Main Event to go with his recent first place in the IP Classic 2008 Main Event.  Gabe finished 5th recently at a WPT final table that included Hoyt Corkins and Freddie Deeb for his biggest cash but topping the IP's field is his first main event first place finish--which I guess we should of said first.

Gabe's live tournament earnings are now over a 1/4 of a million.

Matt Graham

Former New Orleans native, Matt won his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2008 in  six handed Limit Hold 'Em.  He has over 1.5 million in tournament winnings and three first place finishes.  He also repeated his 2008 feat by following it up with a 2009 bracelet for over 600k in Pot Limit Hold 'Em. 

 He goes by the online moniker of mattg1983.  Currently, Graham is probably the most accomplished Gulf Coast Player... happens when you win bracelets in back to back years in the most revered tournament series in the world.

Clint Schafer

The building supply manager from Baton Rouge has been on a bit of a roll.  With earnings over $600,000, Schafer went to the 2008 world series main event with a belief he could replicate his previous successes, including a sixth place at the Bayou Classic, and he almost did. He outlasted all the Gulf Coast players just missing the cut off for the final 27.  Clint has a ton of respect in the tournament poker world and is destined for big things.  In 2009, Schafer continued his stellar play by winning an event at the Southern Poker Championship. 

Jason Gladden

Local Poker pro Jason Gladden won the PLO tourney at the Harrah's New Orleans Bayou Poker Challenge. Jason is a former student at Southern Miss and has lived in many places on the Gulf Coast.

He is a great guy, and a world class poker player. He has cashed in several big tournaments as is known on the coast as a tough ...High Limit Cash Game player.  It doesn't really matter the game, if Gladden's in it, you don't want to tussle with him.

Dr. Dell Walker

To get his first win, the Good Doctor, nipped Matt "Cub" Culberson by spiking a miracle 9 on the turn on the final hand of the first event of the 2008 Bayou Classic, Dell turned his pocket 9s into a set and prevailed over the top pair of queens for Cub. 

Dr. Dell is an orthopedic surgeon who practices in Houma, Louisiana.  It is the first tournament win and cash for the Harrahs regular.

Tim "TK" Miles

Finished 2nd at the 2008 Bayou Classic.  This guy is a machine and tearing up the local big buy-in tournaments.  Laid back and in the zone, he'll attack you like that's no tomorrow when he knows he's got an edge.  The most decorated and accomplished tournament player in 2008 on the Gulf Coast, TK has shifted his focus to tearing up the online tournaments and making his living on Sundays.  TK's stellar 2008 was recognized with a Rounder of the Year award last year.  Say hello when he sits down but say good bye to your chips, especially the big ones.  Read Gene D's analysis of the 2008 Bayou Classic final table here

Ray "Big Smoove" or "Goondingy" Belvin

In semi-retirement, as a proud new father and husband, Big Smoove is known for mixing it up in the cash games in New Orleans.  A first-class tournament player who is not only an up and comer, he's overdue for his big hit.  We know when the domestic life allows for a little more poker he'll make his mark again.  His aggression is relentless but you better have a hand when you make your stand as he always seems to have the nuts..  Ray mostly just teaches poker now, and though his client list includes famous professional athletes, he assures us he'll be back on the felt running through players like he used to do as a D-1 tight end.  Read his blog here:

Charles Chan

Charles is a former dealer at the Grand and now hails from Panama City Florida.  He is an accomplished player on the coast.  He has four first place finishes and over 90k in lifetime earnings. 

 His biggest win was for over 22k at the L.A. Poker classic.  Charles has six cashes in 2008, including two first places in the IP's spring classic.  With the four first place finishes it's clear Chan's end game is strong.  He is bold  player with an ability to get his opponents to make bad calls for big pots.

Little has a modest career earnings totaling over three million dollars.  A Pensacola native and one of the most successful "internet" players who has transitioned to live tournaments Little has two WPT titles. 

He is a member and founder of the Ship It Holla Ballers, who believe in shipping it, hollering, and balling.  He's a pretty good player you might have heard of.  He also teaches on an online training site.  Not sure if he'll give you tips on being a balla, but he might if you ask nicely.   Can you tell we a being a little tongue in cheek?  Probably one of the top players on the coast period.

Tyler Smith

Man is this boy good.  His most recent score is his 2nd biggest, coming in second in the Gulf Coast Poker Classic for 124k.  He also  final tabled the Southern Poker Championship for 134k.  Prior to that Smith won a first place ring at the Bayou Poker Challenge in 08.  He knocked off WIll Souther in heads up action.  Smith is regarded by his peers and his opponents as one of the top young players in the game today.   "He'll steal from you from any position," and "He's always one move ahead," are just two of the quotes we've heard from some solid players that have sparred with Smith on the cash tables and in the tournaments.  Tyler also had the prestigious honor of being the cover boy on the first edition of Gulf Coast Magazine.

Mark Wilds

Wilds, a Biloxi native, has two first place finishes and over $800,000 in winnings.  All he does is cash. 68 in the money finishes in the last 5 years is testament to his tournament chops.  As one player said about him, "There's not too many rooms Mark Wilds walks into where he's not the best player in the room." 

He had four cashes at the 2009 World Series of Poker, which would be tops for the Gulf Coast if not for Darryll Fish's 7.  Wilds also went deep in last year's WSOP Main Event winning 77k for his effort.  This year he repeated his Main Event cash for a little over 23k.

Mark Eddleman

Mark or E-Money has been on fire since November 08.   He's amassed four final tables, already got one victory at the 2009 Classic, and is killing it all over the coast with cashes at the WSOP Circuit in New Orleans, the Beau Rivage WPT (Jan 09), Tunica WSOP (Feb 09), Council bluffs, and the Cherokee Casino.  Mark is breaking out in a big way.

Eddleman won Event 14 at the Spring Break Poker Classic for 32k.  His second biggest cash was for 30k coming in 4th at an event at the Southern Poker Championship.  E-Money is finding the money to be easy so far.

Formerly Dan "The Man from Amsterdam" (as dubbed by GeneD) is better known as Thunder Dan,  Actually, he's only known as Thunder Dan by everyone else.   When he lowers the boom you better click the fold button.  With 7 cashes to his name, all in 2009, Dan has been enjoying a bit of heater this year.  He has won over 77k.  His biggest score was coming in 5th at the 2009 WSOP Circuit Event Main Event at Harrahs New Orleans for almost 50k. 

His biggest cash before that was for almost 15k at the Spring Break Poker Classic when he came in 7th.  Dan is from Powder Springs.  Also a world class scuba diver, (but don't call him Scuba Dan... he's Thunder Dan), Dan is equally adept dodging real sharks as he is avoiding card sharks.  Thunder Dan even if he doesn't want  to admit it... is the Man!

Tex is knocking on the door.  Tex pulled out a win in one of the Mega's to secure his seat at this years Bayou Classic Main Event. Tex has several cashes in big tournaments and a couple of final tables to his name. His first main event was in Tunica several years ago when it was actually $10,000 to get in the main event.  He is a savage on the "internets", and though he doesn't give out his handle he is constantly "ker-rushing lunchboxes" live and online.  The Tiltin Texan is now blogging at:  The Tiltin' Texan

Matt Bryant

Louisiana's own, local dealer and Houma legend made a 4 way deal at the Final Table in the 2nd Chance Tourney at the Gold Strike for $4,500.  It is one of his many recent cashes for Matt. Each player got a bigger chunk than the payout called for and  then they played for the rest.

 Matt is a terror on the felt who consistently books winners and boldly takes on any cash game.  Like his idol Stu Unger Matt will fire one, two, and three bullets without a second thought.   Read his blog at: Pobody's Nerfect and avoid him on the virtual felt.  The kid has a heart bigger than his headphones.

Shannon Shorr

This kid knows how to win.  Tuscaloosa, Alabama's pride is just as successful online as he is in live tournament play.  We look for a lot from Shannon in the future and he is truly one of the Gulf Coast's brightest stars.  41 cashes to the tune of 2.5 million plus and only 23! He just missed winning a bracelet at the 2008 World Series but we expect him to have multiple ones before his career is over. 

"Captain" Tom Franklin

Gulfport, MS's Tom Franklin is most recognizable by his signature cap.  You'll also find him on final tables.  He's gotten over 94 cashes to his name and a little over 2.5 million in tournament winnings. 

Captain Tom has a bracelet and five first places finishes.  He's the proud parent of five children, and recently took first place at the IP Classic. 

Reid Gilbert

One of the GCP.Net's best bloggers Reid G, has quickly established himself as a heady cash game player and a solid tournament junkie.  His first main event cash was at the IP Classic where Reid outlasted a large field.

A Mobile, Alabama native Reid is a rising star on the Coast and sure to break out nationally soon.  You can read Reid's blog here:  If You're Too Careful. . .

"Brandon Jarrett

One of the hottest players in 2008.  Even if it was an abbreviated year, starting in August Jarrett cashed 5 times and won two tournaments.  His biggest successes have come in Biloxi starting off his tournament career with a win at the Gulf Coast Poker Championship at the Beau, and then winning the Main Event at the IP. 

Jarrett already had over 100k in earnings in his first four months alone.  He plays a steady and disciplined game with a keen insight for when he holds an edge.  Read BRANDON'S BLOG.

"Rodney Shows AKA "Coach"

A former division one football and basketball referee, with 22 years experience in Conference USA and other leagues, Coach now focus on poker and his successful real estate company in Hattiesburg, MS.  As a poker player he's won over 100k in the last year and half, with multiple top five finishes. 

With results at the Beau and New Orleans, Coach has made a name for himself locally and is one player you don't want sitting across from you.   Rodney Shows nothing and is a steely eyed competitor on the local circuit as he is as capable of spotting a bluff as he was an offside call in his old career.

"Hoyt "The Alabama Cowboy" Corkins

GCP.Net's second favorite pro from Alabama behind the kid Shannon Shorr, Hoyt has done it all.  He's had several notable clashes with the poker brat on TV and won a paltry 3.8 million.  He had five cashes at this years World Series including a 4th place finish for 80 large. 

Hoyt doesn't stray too far Vegas these days, though he did recently and got robbed, but is still a Gulf Coast icon on the poker scene.  He's one of a small handful of players with a WPT title and a WSOP bracelet. 

"Danny Dorcey

Dorcey from Chalmette, LA is getting back into the poker game after a bit of a hiatus.  He has five cashes to his name and winnings totaling over 42k.   The 26 year old has given the rest of us a breather as he was recentlya new father but he's back.  Predominantly an online player he has over 100k in winnings on stars under the name whizkid10.  Look for him to return to the winner's circle at Harrahs this December.

Darryll Fish

Fish a recent cover boy on Gulf Coast Magazine feels like he's on a boat (see his T-shirt).  He crushed the World Series in 2009 with 7 cashes the most of any competitor.   Fish is a predator who has made the Gulf Coast his personal aquarium.  The youngster has nothing but a bright future ahead of him and a poker resume most veterans would kill for.  He won the Pot Limit Omaha tournament at the Binions Classic for his only win, but his 10 cashes in '09 imply the next victory will be sooner rather than later

""Action Austin" Martin Tyson

The former owner and operator of an international poker and gambling website Action Austin Martin has several final tables to his name.  His reputation for successfully playing cash games in Austin and live tournaments on the Gulf Coast precedes him.  He is tough as nails on the felt and has been known to look so deeply into his opponents that he can tell them what they had for lunch.  Austin Martin's blog returns the favor and gives you a window into his soul and just maybe he'll tell you what he ate for lunch too. 

Tim "Ragin Cajun" Hebert

Lafayette Poker pro Tim "Ragin Cajun" Hebert follows up his 1st place finish in last years 2007 Circuit Event at Harrah's in New Orleans with a 1st place in the Spring Break Poker Classic that concluded at the Beau Rivage.

Tim is a dangerous player with a deadly sense of timing and phenomenal reading skills.