Top-tier professional poker players often dominate PokerNews‘ headlines, but today, it is the lesser-known Daniel Johnson who finds himself thrust into the limelight. You see, Johnson may not be an established pro, but he recently pulled off a remarkable double by capturing packages for the upcoming PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague Main Event and the inaugural Live Spin & Go Championship!
Johnson is a proud 29-year-old Scotsman living in Strathaven, just south of Glasgow. He works as a freelance poker dealer but admits, “I am playing more than I am dealing” at the moment.
The dealer-turned-player has always enjoyed card games, and like many, his poker journey began playing those games with family and friends. However, finding himself among poker players as a dealer and seeing small fortunes won on the turn of the card ignited something inside Johnson.
“I really got into poker when working at the Genting Poker room in Edinburgh. I have always played tournaments over cash games; the allure of turning a small amount of money into a comparatively large amount has always made me more interested in tournaments. I am mainly a small-stakes MTT player online , with the occasional live tournament if I am lucky enough to qualify.”
Johnson mostly played at PokerStars online, citing that “their software has always ran the smoothest and is the most aesthetically pleasing out of all the sites.” Johnson is also particularly fond of PokerStars’ commitment to customer service and game security.
As mentioned at the start of this article, Johnson recently bagged himself an EPT Prague and Live Spin & Go Championship package in quick succession.
“The EPT Prague Main Event package is my biggest win to date, so I was obviously super excited. Then the Spin & Go package win was also nice as it is a brand new live competition, and it will be interesting to take part in an unknown tournament.”
Amazingly, Johnson won the EPT Prague package from a €5.50 feeder satellite, making for an incredible ROI and an even better story.
“I usually play small stakes and those games include some live satellites. I’ve always played them and have got to the €55 satellite a few times before but never the €530; just getting to the €530 was exciting enough for me. Obviously, I ran very good because the €530 sats are usually quite tough and are filled with players far stronger than myself. When it was three-handed with one package, I really started to think I might have a chance. During heads-up, I was playing against a very good German regular, so I was fortunate to come out on top.”
PokerStars Announces Inaugural Live Spin & Go Championship
Johnson then turned his attention to the Live Spin & Go Championship promotion, despite having never played significant volume in this popular format. With the EPT Prague package under his belt, Johnson knew securing a Live Spin & Go Championship package would see him receive the cash or tournament dollars for the included three nights’ hotel accommodation, which motivated him to attempt to qualify.
The top two finishers on the leaderboard won a €2,735 package, with those finishing in third through 50th locking horns in a freeroll for another package.
“I played nonstop for three days and won 550 spins, but I found myself in third place on the morning of the fourth day, and realised I was not up for the task, and decided to take my chances in the freeroll with the other qualifiers. Luckily, only 20-odd players registered, and I got extremely lucky winning with nine-eight suited against pocket tens, hitting running clubs to win the package.”
Johnson is most looking forward to competing in the EPT Prague Main Event, which will be his first time in an EPT event. How deep does the Scotsman think he can progress?
“It’s impossible not to dream about becoming an EPT champion but I am going to take it slow and enjoy the experience the best I can. I am already happy enough just to qualify; anything else would be a bonus.”
Although the double package winner plans to hit the tables to keep his game sharp in the run-up to EPT Prague, he revealed to PokerNews that he has an ace hidden up his sleeve. Johnson counts David Docherty, the 2023 UKIPT Player of the Year and 2023 Irish Open champion, as a close friend, and will be leaning on him for advice.
“I am good friends with a far superior poker player and EPT regular David Docherty. I will be pestering him for advice on the lead-up to and during these events. I have to admit that studying has never been my strong suit, but I guess I can push through a few sessions for the sake of an EPT!”
Before returning to the grind and the pestering of Docherty, Johnson advised PokerNews readers who are on the fence about trying their luck in small-stakes satellites.
“I would say that satellites are probably slept on as there are always a few running for live events, and they are always good value, with the feeder sats having some overlay from time to time. Even if you are like me and have to start at the $1.10, $2.20, or $5.50 sats, there is always a chance you can make it.
PokerStars EPT Prague Runs December 4-15
The latest edition of the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague festival runs in the Czech Republic’s capital city from December 4-15. PokerNews‘ live reporting team will be on the ground throughout EPT Prague, bringing live updates from the biggest events. Here’s to capping off an excellent story of Johnson turning a €5.50 satellite into the title of champion.
