Train Driver to Poker Pro: James Akenhead Talks About His Road to Fame

Full Tilt Pro, Hitsquad member and 2009 WSOP November Niner, James Akenhead has come a long way from working as a train driver. In our interview, this British pro talks about his biggest regrets and successes in his poker career.

PokerStrategy.com: How did you first get into poker?

James Akenhead: I used to play a lot of pool and snooker. At the club where I played there was a group of guys, mostly Chinese, that ran a game in their restaurant after hours on Saturday nights.

They invited me down one night and I was instantly hooked. I was always a gambler but this was something different, a gambling game where skill is involved to the extent that you could make a living out of it? My heart was set.

PokerStrategy.com: When did you first realise you could make a living out of the game?

James Akenhead: I continued to play as much as I could, mostly live at the old Gutshot Club in London and occasionally online. I had just started a job as a train driver, so it was hard to play around that, but all my spare time went into it. At work I would always have a poker book in my bag to read at lunch time or at any opportunity and found my results at poker improving.

I started winning tournaments, rather than just making the final. In 2005 I won the £250 event at Gutshot two weeks after winning the weekly £100 event and found myself with a little bankroll. A lot of people win a few tournaments and think they have cracked it and can make a living from it but then later realise it's harder than they think... I was one of those guys.

PokerStrategy.com: What is your favourite form of the game to play?

James Akenhead: I hear people all the time saying that No Limit Hold'em is boring to play, but this usually comes from guys that have discovered Pot Limit Omaha. PLO is pure action, as it's a game played mostly post-flop, not many people fold pre-flop and there is a lot of gamble involved.

I do love playing PLO, although it's not where I make my living and is more of a gamble. I disagree with the guys that say NLH is boring, I love it and think it's an amazing, complex game and not sure I'll ever get bored of it.

PokerStrategy.com: What is your favourite hand you have played in your career and why?

James Akenhead: My favourite hand, of course, is the KQ on the final of the 2009 WSOP main event final table. I was down to 10 big blinds and open-shoved, only for Steve Begleiter to call and then Eric Buchman to re-raise. I knew I was in trouble!

Steve eventually passed and I was all-in for my tournament with KQ vs. AK. I had all my crowd there, 60-70 fans, cheering for a Q. Things didn't look too great on the J-3-2 flop, the turn came a king and I remember Eric celebrating like that sealed it, but in reality that card changed nothing, ha.

Now my crowd was louder than ever, one card to come...Queen of Spades on the river - what a feeling! My rail erupted. It might actually be the greatest moment of my life.

PokerStrategy.com: Which opponents would you least like to see sit down at your table?

James Akenhead: I'm not scared of anyone when I play. I have respect for a lot of players and actually enjoy playing with them rather than fearing them. I think Phil Ivey is the best player in the world, we have played together loads and I've enjoyed it everytime.

PokerStrategy.com: Where is your favourite place to play poker?

James Akenhead: I've been around the world playing tournaments in four different continents, but you just can't beat the atmosphere you get in Vegas, especially in the Rio during World Series time. We go for two months every summer and yeah, the heat can get a little much, but I always look forward to going back.

PokerStrategy.com: What are your rules for bankroll management?

James Akenhead: Bankroll management is the most important factor to be a successful professional. You could be the best player in the world and it wouldn't matter if your BRM was bad.

You should never have more than 5% of your BR invested in any kind of game and less is even better. Once you practice BRM properly you will appreciate winning more. My BRM was very bad when I started as a pro and I regret that so much.

PokerStrategy.com: Which players are you closest to in the game? And do you enjoy playing against them?

James Akenhead: I am close to a lot of the top UK players. We travel around together, have a laugh and enjoy each others company.

Obviously I would rather not sit at the same table as them, but there is the advantage of being able to talk through hands better at the break or at the end of the day.

PokerStrategy.com: And finally, what is the most important advice you would give to someone thinking of turning pro?

James Akenhead: My best advice to someone who has the game to quit their job and turn pro is to get your bankroll management structure ready. It's easier to do if you are an online player, but even for a live pro it is very important to record everything, whether it's cash or tourney.

I only started recording my own data and results 2 years ago and it's made a huge difference. Now, with graphs I can see where I'm winning/losing the most, how much volume I'm putting in, and my profits and losses for each day/week/month/year. Huge recommendation.