Hoping to Hoist the Cup: Rec Player Adam Ross Reflects on His Recent Big Runs

By Sean Chaffin

Among the final players remaining in Day 3 here in Jacksonville is Adam Ross (pictured). The 53-year-old from Roswell, GA, is a recreational player, but has some nice bullet points on his poker resumé including one recent nice six-figure score.

In August, Ross took down the $1,700 WSOP Circuit Main Event in Cherokee, NC for $295,970. Now, with more than $368,000 in poker career earnings, that includes a win here at bestbet. In 2014, Ross won one of the property’s recurring $200 tournaments for $25,062. The recent success inspired him to get out to more events.

“That was kind of a game changer,” he says of the win in Cherokee. “I told my wife I was going to try another one. I’m starting to play some of the bigger ones and still carrying out my job as sales manager.”

With first-place prize money of $341,486 for a win here in Jacksonville, adding his name to the WPT Champions Cup would almost double his career earnings.

Ross started playing poker when he was a young boy and got more into the game as Texas Hold’em became more popular in the 2000s on television. As he plays bigger tournaments, he’s become more comfortable with the atmosphere and offered some insight on his play at the tables.

“I think when I first started I was a little intimidated, but now not so much anymore,” he says. “I classify every player in three ways. One is aggressive, and I try to trap them. One is scared or timid, and try to push them around. And the other is passive, and I try to be real careful.”

When not notching big cashes at the poker tables, Ross works in crane and hoist sales. The big win became a bit of a topic at his company.

“It was a good little buzz, many [coworkers] were really congratulatory,” he says. “I still do the 8-to-6, Monday through Friday thing.”

Back home, Ross is married and he and his wife have five children. When not working or playing cards, he likes spending time with family. One of his daughters is also attending the University of Georgia and he likes cheering on the Bulldogs football team.

While he may be a family man and not a full-time player, Ross is clear in his one goal here at bestbet. He says: “I’m here to win it.”

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer in Crandall, Texas. His work appears in numerous websites and publications. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions.

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