The most popular poker players in Alabama

Poker in the United States is booming—again.

Last year, the World Series of Poker accepted a record 10,043 entrants, who each had to fork over $10,000 to sit at the no-limit hold ’em tournament with a $93.4 million purse, including $12.1 million for the winner.

The event, which started in 1970 with seven participants, took off in 2003 when Chris Moneymaker burst onto the scene, The Financial Times reported. The Tennessee accountant won $2.5 million after qualifying for the main event in an $86 online satellite tournament, and poker hasn’t been the same since.

The World Poker Tour, which arranges and hosts international poker tournaments, was launched the previous year. Added to that, the increased availability of broadband internet plus unregulated online poker rooms and the entertainment value of televised events helped foster a rise that lasted until the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 prevented businesses from accepting payments from people participating in illegal gambling.

Online poker took another huge hit in 2011, when the Department of Justice on what is known as Black Friday seized the domains of super sites PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker, and Ultimate Bet—and $34 million from players. It made a comeback, however, when the coronavirus pandemic led to the sprouting of new platforms, and subsequent developments and innovations made the game more attractive.

Still, it’s been a slow burn, and while poker has seen its share of ups and downs as the gambling industry ebbs and flows, more and more players are sitting down to ante up.

To see which players had the most eyes on them, Clubs Poker compiled a ranking—based on a national analysis—of the most popular poker players in Alabama using data from The Hendon Mob. Players residing in Alabama were ranked according to the unique pageviews on the website starting from Jan. 1, 2008. Data about each player’s live cash earnings were added as supplementary insights. Data is as of March 13, 2024.

 

#10. Johnny Landreth
– Total live earnings: $1,213,858
— 2,188th highest live poker earnings of all time
– Best live cash: $185,797
– Residence: Lanett, Alabama
– Unique hits: 11,313

#9. Doug Saab
– Total live earnings: $828,723
— 3,324th highest live poker earnings of all time
– Best live cash: $130,305
– Residence: Birmingham, Alabama
– Unique hits: 11,325

#8. Jonathan Taylor
– Total live earnings: $850,175
— 3,267th highest live poker earnings of all time
– Best live cash: $454,424
– Residence: Phil Campbell, Alabama
– Unique hits: 11,469

#7. Corey Harrison
– Total live earnings: $767,151
— 3,638th highest live poker earnings of all time
– Best live cash: $432,411
– Residence: Birmingham, Alabama
– Unique hits: 11,648

#6. Keith Gipson
– Total live earnings: $587,286
— 4,856th highest live poker earnings of all time
– Best live cash: $359,492
– Residence: Huntsville, Alabama
– Unique hits: 13,272

#5. Sandeep Pulusani
– Total live earnings: $1,943,003
— 1,286th highest live poker earnings of all time
– Best live cash: $592,684
– Residence: Huntsville, Alabama
– Unique hits: 17,204

#4. Steven McKoy
– Total live earnings: $1,561,777
— 1,672nd highest live poker earnings of all time
– Best live cash: $226,000
– Residence: Birmingham, Alabama
– Unique hits: 17,277

#3. Billy McBrayer
– Total live earnings: $1,532,770
— 1,709th highest live poker earnings of all time
– Best live cash: $98,874
– Residence: Duncanville, Alabama
– Unique hits: 18,332

#2. Hoyt Corkins
– Total live earnings: $6,092,620
— 274th highest live poker earnings of all time
– Best live cash: $1,089,200
– Residence: Glenwood, Alabama
– Unique hits: 54,661

#1. Shannon Shorr
– Total live earnings: $12,259,328
— 102nd highest live poker earnings of all time
– Best live cash: $960,690
– Residence: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
– Unique hits: 104,646

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Mike Taylor, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.