James Akenhead

James Akenhead known as Sickdog, based in London, England, has accumulated a total of $3,687,081 in live poker earnings. His most significant achievement was during the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, where he finished 9th in the prestigious $10,000 World Championship No Limit Hold’em event, earning $1,263,602.

James Akenhead: Early Life

He used to play a lot of pool and snooker. One night, he was invited down by some Chinese guys, and he was instantly hooked. Always a gambler, he found the game intriguing—a gambling game where skill mattered enough to potentially make a living from it? His heart was set.

He continued to play as much as possible, mainly at the old Gutshot Club in London and occasionally online. Juggling this with a new job as a train driver was challenging, but he devoted all his spare time to poker. At work, he always kept a poker book in his bag to read during lunch breaks or any other opportunity and noticed his poker results improving steadily.

Return to Poker: From Gastro-pub Owner to Rediscovering Success

After struggling with robotic gameplay and leaving poker, Akenhead, at 30, opened ‘The Reach Bar,’ a gastro-pub. Working 90-100 hours weekly without a partner strained him. Though well-reviewed, he sold it after two years. Considering a normal job, he tried online poker again at a friend’s suggestion and quickly scored big.

James Akenhead: Poker Career

Akenhead made his debut on November 16th, 2005, at the Aviation Club de France Hold’em Series 2005 in Paris, France, finishing 12th in the €30 No Limit Progressive Hold’em event, earning $393.

He won the Bellagio Cup III in Las Vegas, United States, on July 1st, 2007, claiming 1st place in the $1,080 Nightly No Limit Hold’em event and winning $41,355.

During the 39th World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas on May 31st, 2008, James Akenhead finished 2nd in the $1,500 No Limit Hold’em event, taking home a prize of $520,219.

On December 4th, 2009, in England, during the Full Tilt Poker Million VIII tournament televised on Sky Sports, Akenhead emerged victorious in the $20,000 Final Entry restricted event, earning $500,000.

He continued to showcase his skill by placing 2nd in the $10,300 Pot Limit Omaha – 6 Max event (Poker Masters #02) during the April 2020 Poker Masters Online series, adding $123,750 to his total winnings.

Most recently, James Akenhead participated in the European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona event on August 21st, 2023, finishing 59th in the €1,100 No Limit Hold’em – ESPT Main Event (Event #1), earning $12,835.