Jans Arends

Jans Arends, widely recognized by his online moniker “Graftekkel,” is a Dutch professional poker player with a focus on multi-table tournaments. His poker journey has been punctuated by significant achievements, including two coveted WSOP bracelets. Over the years, Arends has amassed an impressive total of $5.2 million in live tournament earnings. Remarkably, he enriches the poker community as a coach at CNC Poker, sharing his expertise and knowledge with aspiring players.

Jans Arends on Live Poker Tournaments

Jans Arends started his live poker journey during the Main Event of the Utrecht Poker Series in January 2015. His dedication to live tournaments paid off, steadily accumulating $308K in earnings until August 2019. A significant milestone arrived in December 2019 when he earned his first six-figure cash. He claimed fourth place in the European Poker Tour Prague’s €25,000 No Limit Hold’em Event, earning $181,573.

Over the years, Arends’ venture into live tournaments has been fruitful. In March 2023, during the Triton Poker high-stakes festival in Vietnam, Arends achieved two large scores. He claimed second place in a $15,000 7-Handed event, earning $406,000. Subsequently, he secured victory in a $30,000 7-Handed event, pocketing a whopping $921,178. This exceptional performance in Vietnam significantly boosted Arends’ career earnings that pushed to the $2.3 million mark.

Furthermore, Arends’ pinnacle of his career came at the 2023 WSOP, where he won the $100,000 NLH event. He secured a career-best payday of $2,576,729 and his second WSOP gold bracelet. Arends, however, remains humble about the bracelet hunt, emphasizing his preference for trophies over legacies. The event boasted a strong field with notable players like Justin Bonomo. Arends dominated the final table and ultimately defeated Cary Katz to secure the victory.

Arends’ Passion for Poker and Coaching

Money isn’t Arends’ primary motivation; his love for the game propels him. The challenge, competition, and self-improvement ignite his passion. Despite winning his first WSOP bracelet in the $600 Double Chance event with 1,777 entries in September 2022, securing a $129,745 prize, he recognizes the distinctiveness of the live experience. It’s characterized by heightened pressure from cameras, live-streamed final tables, and an intensified atmosphere, making it all the more cherished to him.

Beyond his accomplishments on the felt, Arends has expanded his influence as a High Stakes MTT Coach at CNC Poker. His coaching strengths shine in areas such as leakfinding, crafting fundamentally solid yet simplified strategies, and demonstrating remarkable reads within the mid/high stakes player pool.

Conclusion

Jans Arends, known as “Graftekkel,” is a poker pro with two WSOP bracelets and $5.2 million in live earnings. His passion for the game, coaching role at CNC Poker, and recent live successes reflect his dedication to poker excellence. Expect more accomplishments from him in the coming years.