Jan Skampa plays online at Full Tilt Poker

When he started playing poker for fun while studying Economics at Charles University in Prague, Jan couldn’t have envisaged that his rise through the poker ranks would be so swift.

Jan developed his skill and built his bankroll through online play, earning hundreds of dollars from freerolls alone. In late-2006, during a semester in London, he decided to get serious about poker and adopted a methodical approach.

Poker became his obsession. Jan spent over 50 hours per week playing or studying the game. He began grinding his way through online tournaments, starting with small buy-in Sit & Gos before graduating to games with higher buy-ins and larger prize pools.

After hitting the tournament scene in 2009, Jan achieved an amazing feat, finishing at the final table at back-to-back EPT events. At EPT Vilamoure in November, he finished fourth in the €5,000 No-Limit Hold ‘em – Main Event, walking away with an impressive €117,000 ($175K).

He followed this up in stunning fashion by winning the €5,000 No-Limit Hold ‘em – Main Event at EPT Prague. This win, in his hometown, earned Jan €682,000 ($1,022,000) and cemented his place as one of the best new players in poker.

Jan continues to play online ring games and tournaments for the flexibility they offer with buy-ins and time, and he enjoys live tournaments for the excitement, bigger prize pools and slower play structures.

Away from the tables, he hangs out with his girlfriend and likes to play sports, travel, watch movies and read.

Look for Jan Skampa at Full Tilt Poker.