Ryan Laplante

Ryan Laplante, known for his strong work ethic, excels in both professional poker and as co-founder of Learn Pro Poker. Laplante is respected in the poker community for his commitment to self-improvement and making advanced training accessible to newcomers. His crowning achievement came in 2016 when he won a WSOP bracelet in Pot-Limit Omaha. This marked the beginning of a thriving poker career, resulting in nearly $3 million in live poker earnings. His journey underscores the importance of dedication and continuous improvement in poker.

Ryan Laplante: Early Life

Laplante grew up in Brainerd, he faced challenges as an openly gay individual in Brainerd due to prevalent homophobia. He chose to come out after high school due to this atmosphere. Fortunately, his parents accepted him, and he expressed gratitude to former teachers for fostering his love of learning.

In his career as a professional poker player, Laplante has found a more open-minded and accepting community. He noted that many professional poker players don’t conform to societal norms, making them more accepting of diversity. While he has encountered instances of homophobia at some poker tables, overall, the poker community has been welcoming to him.

Laplante’s poker journey began in junior high, transitioning from competitive video gaming. Despite initial losses, he pursued poker passionately. He improved his skills through Two Plus Two—an online poker forum. Laplante eventually dropped out of college to play full-time, and faced challenges due to Black Friday’s impact on online poker. Turning 21 enabled him to play live poker and travel for events. His career choice appeals to him due to its complexity, demanding mastery of mathematics, game theory, psychology, and self-control. Over time, he has evolved into a competitive player among the world’s best.

Ryan Laplante: Poker Career

The first recorded result on his profile is from June 2011. He was seen in a $1,000 No Limit Hold’em at the 42nd World Series of Poker. Laplante cashed for $2,603. The first time he made a live score for over $100K was in June 2014. He came in 5th place at the 45th WSOP $3,000 NLH for $113,796.

In 2016, Laplante achieved a remarkable victory in the WSOP’s $565 PLO event. He emerged victorious out of a field of 2,483 players, winning his first WSOP gold bracelet and a substantial $190,328 prize.

In 2017, Laplante further demonstrated his skills in live tournaments, accumulating an impressive $564,000 in earnings. His notable achievements during the year included a close second-place finish at The Wynn Summer Classic $1,100 NLH, which earned him $161,169 in June. Additionally, he secured another runner-up position, this time to Sebastian Langrock, in the 48th WSOP’s $1,500 NLH PLO event. This added a substantial $165,983 to his earnings.

Laplante continued to persevere and improve his game. November 2019 in the $10,000 PLO tournament, the second event of the series with 62 entries, Laplante emerged as the champion and secured $186,000. As of September 2023, this victory is his second-largest career cash. Chance Kornuth finished as the runner-up, earning $124,000, while Ali Imsirovic, the 2018 Poker Masters Purple Jacket winner, took fifth place for $49,600.

Laplante’s poker skills extend beyond live tournaments to the online arena. During the July 2021 WSOP $7,777 NLH Lucky 7’s High Roller Online, he aimed to secure his second WSOP bracelet. Unfortunately, his dreams shattered when he called David Peters‘ small-blind shove with pocket kings. Despite his efforts, Laplante couldn’t overcome the odds and finished in third place, earning $120,638.

In August 2023, he emerged victorious in The Wynn Signature Series $1000 PLO, besting a field of 50 entries and securing $18,500.

Ryan Laplante’s LearnProPoker

Ryan Laplante, an accomplished poker player, established LearnProPoker to address common poker training challenges. Their “Fundamentals of No Limit Hold’em Tournaments” course provides accessible and well-structured coaching for tournament improvement. LearnProPoker’s co-founder, Kenneth Cleeton, recognized the need for resources that help players learn and memorize ranges effectively. Collaborating with app developer Matt McElligott, they created RangeTrainerPro in 2019, a valuable tool for poker players of all skill levels. Laplante’s goal was to deliver a comprehensive, user-friendly, high-quality training package, which he has largely achieved.

Conclusion

Ryan Laplante’s poker journey has been a testament to dedication and growth. Since 2011, he began with a modest WSOP cash, steadily amassing substantial earnings and achieving notable finishes in his career. Despite challenges, Laplante continues to showcase his commitment to the game. His journey exemplifies the growth and dedication required in the world of poker.