# Faraz Jaka

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American poker player and businessman (born 1985)

Faraz Jaka Jaka in 2019 Nickname "The Toilet" Born September 9, 1985 (1985-09-09) (age 40) San Jose, California, U.S. World Series of Poker Bracelet 1 Final tables 9 Money finishes 65 Highest WSOP Main Event finish 219th, 2023 World Poker Tour Title 1 Final table 7 Money finishes 18 Information last updated on December 2024.

**Faraz Jaka** (born September 9, 1985, in [San Jose, California](/source/San_Jose%2C_California)) is an American professional [poker](/source/Poker) player and businessman who was [World Poker Tour](/source/World_Poker_Tour) (WPT) [Player of the Year](/source/World_Poker_Tour#Player_of_the_Year) for [Season VIII](/source/World_Poker_Tour_season_8_results) (2009–2010).[1] He has reached two WPT final tables, six WSOP final tables and his lifetime tournament winnings exceed $10 million.[2]

In 2023, Jaka won his first WSOP bracelet in the $1,500 Shootout No-Limit Hold'em event, marking a significant milestone in his poker career.

Jaka is also the founder of **JAKA Coaching**, a poker training site launched in 2021.[3] The platform has gained significant traction, with numerous students achieving deep runs in major tournaments worldwide, further solidifying his influence in the poker community.[4][5]

Previously, Jaka was involved in the creation of Checkraise, a poker site aimed at the Brazilian market, live between 2017 and 2019.[6][7]

## Early life

Jaka is from [San Jose, California](/source/San_Jose%2C_California) and is of Pakistani descent.[8] He attended [Piedmont Hills High School](/source/Piedmont_Hills_High_School), and during this time, Jaka ran track, breaking 2:00 in the half mile and 4:30 in the mile. He also played for the basketball team, wrote poetry and became an avid hip-hop fan.[9][10][11] Jaka often says it was during this time that he developed the competitive spirit and mental fortitude that would help him in his poker career.[11]

## Poker

### Early career

Jaka began his poker career playing online and in small live games during his freshman year at the [University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign](/source/University_of_Illinois_at_Urbana%E2%80%93Champaign).[12] Early on, with little knowledge of the game, Jaka had a habit of playing any two suited hole cards with the intent to draw to a [flush](/source/Flush_(poker)#Flush). His frequent use of this play quickly earned him the nickname "The Toilet". Jaka embraced the tag, adopting it as his online alias, and the moniker has stuck ever since.[13]

Jaka found early success in high-stake online cash games, soon building his bankroll to more than $170,000 during his sophomore year in college. But as he began playing beyond his means, he was challenging the odds, and probability caught up with him.

“I lost it all,” said Jaka. “It was bound to happen, playing those stakes. At the same time, it was a good life lesson. It made me a lot stronger. A lot of people may have given up at that point, but I reviewed what I’d done wrong and learned from my mistakes.”[14]

After some soul searching, Jaka bounced back, switching up his approach and opting to play low buy-in tournaments and sit-and-gos rather than cash games. Today, Jaka credits his decision to focus on studying tournament strategy as essential to his success.[13]

### World Poker Tour

Jaka has thirteen cashes at the [World Poker Tour](/source/World_Poker_Tour) (WPT), including five final tables. In 2024, he demonstrated his short-handed skillset by winning the WPT Rock 'N' Roll Poker Open $10,000 Deep Stack for $313,495 after a grueling heads-up battle against Phillip Krnyaich that lasted several hours.[15]

His first final table appearance came at the WPT Bellagio Cup V, where he finished runner-up to [Alexandre Gomes](/source/Alexandre_Gomes), earning $774,780. Other final table professionals included: [Justin Smith](/source/Justin_Smith_(poker_player)) (3rd), [Alec Torelli](/source/Alec_Torelli) (4th) and [Erik Seidel](/source/Erik_Seidel) (6th).[16] In the same season, Jaka made another final table at the WPT [Doyle Brunson](/source/Doyle_Brunson) Five Diamond World Poker Classic, finishing third for $571,374, behind the winner [Daniel Alaei](/source/Daniel_Alaei) and runner-up [Josh Arieh](/source/Josh_Arieh). This final table also featured [Shawn Buchanan](/source/Shawn_Buchanan)(4th) and [Scotty Nguyen](/source/Scotty_Nguyen) (5th).[17] He also made a deep run in the $25,000 WPT Championship event where he finished in 14th place earning $51,736.[18]

### World Series of Poker

At the [World Series of Poker](/source/World_Series_of_Poker) (WSOP), Jaka achieved a major career milestone in 2023 by winning his first gold bracelet in the $1,500 Shootout event at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. He conquered a field of 987 players to claim victory and earned $237,367.[19]

Jaka has sixty five cashes,[20] including nine final tables,[21] one where he finished in third place behind the winner [Matt Hawrilenko](/source/Matt_Hawrilenko) and runner-up Josh Brikis at the [2008 World Series of Poker](/source/2008_World_Series_of_Poker) in the $5,000 No Limit Hold'em – Six Handed event and received $400,525.[22] Later at the [2010 World Series of Poker](/source/2010_World_Series_of_Poker), he made it to the quarterfinal round of 256 entries in the $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship earning $94,956.[23] In 2017, Jaka made other two final tables ($10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Championship[24] and the $2,620 No-Limit Hold'em The Marathon), cashing a total of five events this summer, which totaled over $272,000 in winnings.[25]

### World Series of Poker bracelets

Year Tournament Prize (US$) 2023 $1,500 Shootout No-Limit Hold'em $237,367

### Other poker events

Jaka won the $1,000 No Limit Hold'em event at the 2008 L.A. Poker Classic, earning $104,900 the event was held at the [Commerce Casino](/source/Commerce_Casino) in [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles).[26] At the [North American Poker Tour](/source/North_American_Poker_Tour) (NAPT) in 2010 in the $25,000 Invitational High Roller Bounty Shootout, Jaka came in fifth winning $95,000 which includes the bounties that were won.[27] In 2012 at the Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure, he finished third for $755,000.[28] He led the tournament on day 2 and at the beginning of the final table.[29]

As of 2024, his total live tournament winnings exceed $7,300,000.[25]

## Entrepreneurship

Faraz Jaka received bachelor degrees in economics and business from the [University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign](/source/University_of_Illinois_at_Urbana%E2%80%93Champaign) and has often been quoted as saying he considers himself "a businessman first and a poker player second."[11][30] As he has experienced increased success in the poker world, Jaka has made good on this statement, investing his earnings in real estate and startups.[31]

Between 2017 and 2019, Jaka launched a poker site called Checkraise in the Brazilian market.[6] He declared in an interview that he worked over 50 hours per week on this project, dedicating less time to playing poker.[32]

Since 2021, Jaka has operated JAKA Coaching, a poker training website that offers weekly live lessons and a library of training videos.] Students of the program have achieved tournament wins in various international events.[4][5]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Nemeth, BJ (April 26, 2010). ["Faraz Jaka Survives A Record Number of Challengers to Win WPT Player of the Year WPT World Championship Level 31: 120,000-240,000"](http://www.worldpokertour.com/live_update/faraz-jaka-survives-a-record-number-of-challengers-to-win-wpt-player-of-the-year-wpt-world-championship-level-31-120000-240000/). *World Poker Tour*. Retrieved July 18, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["5 People Who Make a Fortune Traveling"](http://www.yahoo.com/style/5-people-who-make-a-fortune-traveling-073829222.html). *Yahoo!*. December 10, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_3-0)** Robinson, Peter (June 6, 2024). ["Jaka Coaching Review - Is it Worth It?"](https://www.pokernews.com/poker-coaching/jaka-coaching.htm). *[PokerNews](/source/PokerNews)*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_4-1) Holloway, Chad (September 4, 2024). ["Angela Jordison Earns Career-High Score After Taking Down MPST East Chicago"](https://www.pokernews.com/news/2024/09/angela-jordison-wins-mpst-east-chicago-46885.htm). *[PokerNews](/source/PokerNews)*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_5-1) Hansen, Matt (September 2, 2022). ["Angela Jordison Earns Career-High Score After Taking Down MPST East Chicago"](https://www.pokernews.com/news/2022/09/angela-jordison-talks-about-her-red-hot-run-at-wpt-legends-o-41981.htm). *[PokerNews](/source/PokerNews)*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_6-1) ["Faraz Jaka: New Face of Brazilian Poker?"](https://www.pokernews.com/video/faraz-jaka-new-face-of-brazilian-poker-11015.htm). *PokerNews* (video). June 18, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Checkraise Poker | Campeonato Brasileiro de Home Games | » Checkraise Launches Home Games Championship in Brazil"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171020034033/https://cbhg.checkraise.com.br/en/checkraise-launches-home-games-championship-in-brazil/). *cbhg.checkraise.com.br*. Archived from [the original](https://cbhg.checkraise.com.br/en/checkraise-launches-home-games-championship-in-brazil/) on October 20, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["World Team Poker - England. Pakistan and other team updates and news"](http://www.thehendonmob.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36808). *thehendonmob.com*. September 7, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] [http://www.gostanford.com/sports/c-track/stats/032903aaa.html](http://www.gostanford.com/sports/c-track/stats/032903aaa.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120318031600/http://www.gostanford.com/sports/c-track/stats/032903aaa.html) March 18, 2012, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Stanford Track & Field Invitational Accepted High School Entries. *gostanford.com*. March 21, 2002.](https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gostanford.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/032102aaa.html) at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) (archive index)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cardplayer.com_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cardplayer.com_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-cardplayer.com_11-2) Tapscott, Craig (October 1, 2010). ["Faraz Jaka — Poker Anarchist"](https://www.cardplayer.com/cardplayer-poker-magazines/65797-faraz-jaka-23-19/articles/19547-faraz-jaka-poker-anarchist). *CardPlayer.com*. Retrieved April 14, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-start_12-0)** ["Faraz Jaka – internet poker pro"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121006131021/http://www.zimbio.com/Poker/articles/I6mu2XTkO1z/Faraz+Jaka+internet+poker+pro). *www.zimbio.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.zimbio.com/Poker/articles/I6mu2XTkO1z/Faraz+Jaka+internet+poker+pro) on October 6, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Tapscott,_Craig_2009_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Tapscott,_Craig_2009_13-1) Tapscott, Craig. ["Generation Next -- Faraz Jaka: Flushed with Success"](http://www.cardplayer.com/cardplayer-magazines/65743-bertrand-grospellier-22-8/articles/18339-generation-next-faraz-jaka), *www.cardplayer.com*, May 14, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Tapscott, Craig (September 22, 2010). ["Poker Anarchist - World Poker Tour Player of the Year Revels in the Art of Rebellion"](https://www.cardplayer.com/cardplayer-poker-magazines/65797-faraz-jaka-23-19/articles/19547-faraz-jaka-poker-anarchist). *Card Player*. Retrieved May 16, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Richards, Connor (December 2, 2024). ["Poker Coach & Former WPT POY Wins RRPO $10,000 Deep Stack for $313,495"](https://www.pokernews.com/news/2024/12/faraz-jaka-wins-rrpo-deep-stack-47495.htm). *[PokerNews](/source/PokerNews)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Bellagio Cup V, No Limit Hold'em - Championship Event"](https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=36994). *[The Hendon Mob Poker Database](/source/The_Hendon_Mob_Poker_Database)*. Retrieved April 14, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["2009 Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic, No Limit Hold'em - Main Event"](https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=39167). *[The Hendon Mob Poker Database](/source/The_Hendon_Mob_Poker_Database)*. Retrieved April 14, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Eighth Annual Five Star World Poker Classic, No Limit Hold'em - Championship Event"](https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=40434). *[The Hendon Mob Poker Database](/source/The_Hendon_Mob_Poker_Database)*. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Geist, Jeremy (July 15, 2023). ["Prominent Poker Coach Faraz Jaka Leads By Example and Wins First Bracelet in Event #85: $1,500 Shootout"](https://www.pokernews.com/news/2023/07/faraz-jaka-wins-2023-wsop-event-85-shootout-first-bracelet-44119.htm). *[PokerNews](/source/PokerNews)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["All Time WSOP Cashes, Top 5000, Page 2: Hendon Mob Poker Database"](https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/ranking/144/2#1383). *[The Hendon Mob Poker Database](/source/The_Hendon_Mob_Poker_Database)*. Retrieved December 10, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Faraz Jaka's profile on The Hendon Mob"](https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=85636&sort=place&dir=asc). *[The Hendon Mob Poker Database](/source/The_Hendon_Mob_Poker_Database) Poker Database*. Retrieved December 10, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["40th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2009, No Limit Hold'em - Six Handed"](https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=35107). *[The Hendon Mob Poker Database](/source/The_Hendon_Mob_Poker_Database)*. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["41st World Series of Poker - WSOP 2010, No Limit Hold'em - Heads Up Championship"](https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=40122). *[The Hendon Mob Poker Database](/source/The_Hendon_Mob_Poker_Database)*. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Cross, Valerie (June 19, 2017). ["Faraz Jaka Day 1 Chip Leader in Event #36: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed"](https://www.pokernews.com/tours/wsop/wsop-2017/event-36-no-limit-holdem-6-handed/post.255224.htm). *PokerNews.com*. Retrieved July 18, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-stats_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-stats_25-1) ["Faraz Jaka's profile on The Hendon Mob"](https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=85636). *[The Hendon Mob Poker Database](/source/The_Hendon_Mob_Poker_Database)*. Retrieved March 25, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["2008 L.A. Poker Classic, No Limit Hold'em"](https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=29308). *[The Hendon Mob Poker Database](/source/The_Hendon_Mob_Poker_Database)*. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["2010 Deep Stack Extravaganza, Invitational High Roller Bounty Shootout"](https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=42868). *[The Hendon Mob Poker Database](/source/The_Hendon_Mob_Poker_Database)*. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["PokerStars Caribbean Adventure - PCA 2012, No Limit Hold'em - Main Event"](https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=60116). *[The Hendon Mob Poker Database](/source/The_Hendon_Mob_Poker_Database)*. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["2012 PCA: Faraz Jaka flush going into Day 3"](http://www.pokerstarsblog.com/pca/2012/2012-pca-jaka-khan-headed-to-day-3-089903.html). *pokerstarsblog.com*. January 9, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** [PocketFiver Faraz Jaka wins over $100,000 at the Los Angeles Poker Classic. *free-press-release.com*. February 29, 2008.](https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200802/1204303042.html) at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) (archive index)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-axiscasterboarding.com_31-0)** ["安全检测 - 认证线路"](http://www.axiscasterboarding.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=17).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Jaudon, Gaelle (May 16, 2018). ["Faraz Jaka: An interview with one of the most colorful characters in the live tournament scene - Somuchpoker"](http://somuchpoker.com/faraz-jaka-an-interview-with-one-of-the-most-colorful-characters-in-the-live-tournament-scene/). *Somuchpoker*. Retrieved July 5, 2018.

## External links

- [Tournament Trail Q and A -- Faraz Jaka](http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/7286-tournament-trail-q-and-a-faraz-jaka)

- [ESPN – 2010 Players to Watch](https://www.espn.com/espn/poker/features/pokerCards/_/playerId/19)

- [Faraz Jaka – Poker Player Profile](http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/faraz-jaka-internet-poker-pro-10260/)

- [Card Player profile](https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-players/66564-faraz-jaka)

- [Hendon Mob profile](http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=85636)

- [PokerNews profile](https://www.pokernews.com/poker-players/faraz-jaka/)

- [WPT profile](https://www.worldpokertour.com/player/faraz-jaka/)

- [WSOP profile](https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=32592)

v t e Winners of the World Poker Tour Player of the Year Award 1. Howard Lederer 2. Erick Lindgren 3. Daniel Negreanu 4. Gavin Smith 5. J. C. Tran 6. Jonathan Little 7. Bertrand Grospellier 8. Faraz Jaka 9. Andy Frankenberger 10. Joe Serock 11. Matt Salsberg 12. Mukul Pahuja 13. Anthony Zinno 14. Mike Shariati 15. Benjamin Zamani 16. Artur Papazyan 17. Erkut Yilmaz 18. Brian Altman

v t e 2020s WSOP bracelet winners 2020/ 2020 O Kristen Bicknell Tony Dunst Daniel Dvoress Michael Gathy Alan Goehring Juha Helppi Fedor Holz Joe McKeehen David Peters Roberto Romanello Brad Ruben Damian Salas 2021/ 2021 O/ 2021 E Michael Addamo (2) Koray Aldemir Josh Arieh (2) Jeremy Ausmus (2) Mikita Badziakouski David "Bakes" Baker Farzad Bonyadi Yuval Bronshtein Daniel Cates Shaun Deeb Adam Friedman Benny Glaser Brian Hastings Phil Hellmuth Jason Koon Chance Kornuth Leo Margets Adrián Mateos John Monnette Chris Moorman David Peters Bryan Piccioli Shankar Pillai Brian Rast Brad Ruben (2) Ole Schemion Erik Seidel Brian Yoon Ben Yu Anthony Zinno (2) 2022/ 2022 O/ 2022 E Steve Albini Brian Altman Jeremy Ausmus (2) Pedro Bromfman Daniel Cates Eli Elezra Ali Eslami Amnon Filippi Alex Foxen Adam Friedman Brian Hastings Hong Jin-ho Phil Hui Espen Jørstad (2) Alex Livingston David Peters Brad Ruben Jake Schindler Scott Seiver Dan Smith Michael Wang Daniel Weinman Daniel Zack (2) 2023/ 2023 O/ 2023 E/ 2023 P Josh Arieh (2) Jeremy Ausmus David "ODB" Baker Chris Brewer Shaun Deeb Daniel Dvoress Yuri Dzivielevski (2) Kristen Foxen Benny Glaser Mike Gorodinsky Isaac Haxton Phil Hellmuth Ryan Hughes Faraz Jaka Alex Keating Ben Lamb Toby Lewis Tom Marchese Ian Matakis Jason Mercier John Monnette Brian Rast Nick Schulman Erik Seidel Shannon Shorr (2) Daniel Weinman Brian Yoon 2024/ 2024 O/ 2024 E/ 2024 P Calvin Anderson Richard Ashby Tony Dunst Yuri Dzivielevski John Hennigan Phil Hui Phil Ivey Bryn Kenney Maria Konnikova Chance Kornuth Alex Livingston Michael Mizrachi Robert Mizrachi Daniel Negreanu James Obst John Racener Dario Sammartino Nick Schulman Scott Seiver (3) Jonathan Tamayo Mike Watson 2025 David "ODB" Baker Michael Banducci Shaun Deeb (2) Darren Elias Benny Glaser (3) Mike Gorodinsky Dan Heimiller Ian Johns Cary Katz Rainer Kempe Jason Koon Jonathan Little Adrián Mateos Michael Mizrachi (2) John Racener Brian Rast Brad Ruben Nick Schulman Michael Wang Daniel Zack 2026 Calvin Anderson (2) Scott Clements Shaun Deeb Yuri Dzivielevski Alex Foxen Kristen Foxen Benny Glaser Marco Johnson Jeff Madsen Adrián Mateos Michael Mizrachi Daniel Negreanu Nick Schulman 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Faraz Jaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraz_Jaka) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraz_Jaka?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.