Austin Yoo

Austin Yoo, is a Korean American poker player hailing from Gardena, California, USA. With a remarkable track record in live tournaments, Yoo has accumulated $249K in earnings throughout his poker career. Recognized not only for his tournament successes but also for his skills in cash games. Austin has made appearances on poker shows like Hustler Casino Live and Big Bet Poker. However, his journey took a twist when he faced a ban on Big Bet Poker’s Episode 18.

Austin Yoo Poker Career

Yoo has a total of $249,043 in live tournament earnings, according to his Hendon page. This impressive sum was accumulated in 36 different live events over the course of 15 years.

The first recorded result on his profile is from October 2008. In that event, he came in 2nd in the Big Poker Oktober $120 No Limit Hold’em Player Appreciation Event, earning $9,675.

His best live cash came from the Main Event of the California State Poker Championship in May 2022. In that tournament, Yoo secured a 3rd place finish, resulting in a substantial $71,250 prize.

As for his most recent recorded live tournament, it was at the Main Event of the 54th World Series of Poker. Although Yoo managed to earn $32,500 in the main event.

Austin Yoo in Live Cash Games

Yoo’s first appearance in a live cash game show occurred during Episode 38 of Live At The Bike, which aired on May 19, 2021. In this debut, he managed to earn $145. Subsequently, his next appearance unfolded on Hustler Casino Live Episode 5, which was televised on August 9, 2021. This time, he found himself seated at the table with Eemaun Latifi, Ky Nguyen, Surf, and others. Unfortunately, this game resulted in a loss of $135.

Yoo’s subsequent appearances were primarily on Big Bet Poker, where he made a total of three appearances. Across these events, he accumulated earnings totaling $39,225. His final appearance transpired during BBP’s Episode 18, during which Yoo and Jason Liu engaged in a heated dispute at the table. This dispute led to Liu revealing personal struggles, and the situation escalated off-stream, reportedly resulting in a physical altercation that prompted security intervention. In the aftermath, both players received temporary bans from the show. Notably, this incident did not make it onto the stream, as the cameras stopped rolling to avoid promoting violence.

BBP expressed regret regarding the situation, highlighting their commitment to providing a secure environment for high-stakes poker. The show’s primary focus remains on preserving the spirit of the game rather than encouraging such confrontations.

Conclusion

Austin Yoo entered poker with success in live tournaments and recognition for his live cash game skills. However, his path took an unexpected turn as Big Bet Poker banned him for making a violent threat. While the incident was regrettable for Yoo, it was an essential step to maintain a safe and respectful poker environment. As a result of the ban, Yoo hasn’t made any televised poker appearances since.