Age Is Just a Number for Alan Krockey

By Matt Clark

The World Poker Tour Lucky Hearts Poker Open is armed with professional players from different backgrounds. Alan Krockey (pictured) is a professional of another type. The regional vice president of an insurance adjuster firm lives and speaks Chicago. Krockey’s accent is unmistakable and his play this week is making opponents take notice, too.

Krockey is 68 years old and one of the most experienced players of life to reach a final table in recent seasons. His poker results have increased over time and Krockey is building off of a strong 2017.

In limited tournament appearances on the Heartland Poker Tour and WSOP Circuit, Krockey earned a respectable sum of $45,977. Krockey made two final tables last year and has already eclipsed his career earnings of $68,818 by reaching this stage.

In Krockey’s first ever World Poker Tour cash, he’s locked up at least $104,784, with eyes on the $511,604 top prize.

Business comes first for Krockey, who used a late cancellation to book a trip to come to Florida and play the event.

“I thought I was going to have to stay because I had a big appointment, but they canceled at the last minute,” Krockey said.

The fortune of being lucky enough to play the tournament in the first place is not being taken for granted. Krockey wanted to improve on his finishes from last year and used gradual momentum to build the mental belief needed to reach this stage.

“An amateur like me, you’re playing and you want to cash,” Krockey said. “You try to move up and then it hits you. As you move up you start believing you’re going to get there. I ran good and made fewer mistakes than I usually do.”

Krockey uses his advanced years to his advantage. Without revealing any specifics, Krockey let on to have pulled a few moves in spots where opponents may have given him too much credit.

“Most of the time, when someone sees somebody old, they think ‘tight,'” he said. “You set that image and once in a while, you bet three streets with zippity-do-da and get away with it. That’s one of the advantages. I’ve been playing a long time and love the game. I can think out of the box. I have pretty good reads on people. I’ve been reading people my whole life.”

Those reads will be required by Krockey to chip up when play starts. Only WPT Champions Club member Andy Frankenberger starts play with a shorter stack than Krockey.

The money at stake gives Krockey motivation to bring his best game and give himself the chance to play more poker down the line even if that means forking some over to Uncle Sam.

“The money is not going to make me retire,” Krockey said. “It allows me to play more. You’re freerolling. Last year I had to pay taxes on my win so I hope to keep doing that.”

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