The legend of Johnny Chan is a story that reads like a game of poker. There are moments where the hero of the tale is almost down and out, before an epic comeback and a triumphant finish. In many way, Johnny Chan embodies the game of poker itself. But where did Johnny Chan come from to take the game by storm and what is Johnny Chan doing now?  

The Origins of The Orient Express  

The story of Johnny Chan is an amazing one, not least because it began about as far away from Las Vegas as it is possible to be. Born in Guangzhou, China, Chan’s family moved to the United States when young Johnny was just five years old, in 1962.  

It was much later, with his family owning a chain of restaurants in Texas that the young Johnny Chan learned to pay the game of poker with restaurant staff, ad when he was 21 years of age, he gave up on his University studies to focus on poker as a profession. Rumour has it at the age of just 16, Chan ran $500 up to $20,000 only to lose the lot the very next day.