Berry Johnston

Berry Johnston is an American professional poker player from Bethany, Oklahoma, with over $3.5 million in live tournament earnings. During his poker career, he has won five bracelets, with his largest live cash of $570,000 coming when he clinched his second bracelet at the 17th WSOP in May 1986.

In 2004, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. In addition, he was sponsored by the now-defunct Full Tilt Poker and became an ambassador for the Oklahoma-based Cherokee Casino chain.

Berry Johnston: Early Life

Berry was born on September 25, 1935, in Oklahoma. He joined poker relatively late in life, unlike many other players. Berry only started focusing on the game seriously at the age of 35. In those early years, he competed in some of the highest-stakes games against legendary players like Doyle Brunson and Chip Reese. It took a decade before he debuted in a live tournament. He finished 3rd at the 13th WSOP in May 1982. The next year, he won his first bracelet at the 14th WSOP in May 1983.

Berry Johnston: Live Tournament Participation

Berry Johnston’s first recorded live cash occurred in May 1982 at the 13th World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. He finished in 3rd place in a $10,000 No Limit Hold’em World Championship, cashing $104,000.

Three years later, in May 1985, Berry played in a $10,000 No Limit Hold’em World Championship at the 16th WSOP. He finished in 3rd place and earned $140,000.

In May 1986, he clinched his second bracelet at the 17th WSOP. He participated in the $10,000 No Limit Hold’em World Championship Main Event, he won $570k alongside the bracelet.

His winning streak continued at the 21st WSOP in May 1990. Berry joined in a $2,500 Limit Hold’em and won a cash prize of $254,000.

Fast forward to January 1997. At the Four Queens Poker Classic in Las Vegas, he took home $100,000. In this event, Berry engaged in a $5,000 + 85 No Limit Hold’em and finished in 2nd place.

In a recent appearance in June 2016, Berry competed in a $1,000 No Limit Hold’em Seniors Championship Event #27 at the 47th WSOP. He ended up in 641st place, earning $1,500.

Berry Johnston’s Other WSOP Bracelets

• May 1983: $2,500 Match Play at the 14th WSOP ($40,000)
• April 1995: $1,500 Omaha Limit at the 26th WSOP ($91,200)
• May 2001: $1,500 + 90 Razz at the 32nd WSOP (83,810)