John Cynn biography
John Cynn was born on December 24, 1984, and lives in Northbrook, Illinois. He studied finance and supply chain management at Indiana University Bloomington and worked as an IT consultant in California before turning to poker full-time.
He first came close to the World Series of Poker Main Event title in 2016, finishing 11th for $650,000. Two years later, in a field of 7,874 players, he reached the final table alongside 2009 champion Joe Cada and beat Tony Miles heads-up to win $8,800,000. The heads-up match lasted 199 hands, at the time the longest in Main Event history.
Cynn has more than $9.7 million in live tournament earnings, most of it from the World Series of Poker.
Career summary
The 2018 WSOP Main Event champion, John Cynn won $8,800,000 after a record-long heads-up match with Tony Miles.
John Cynn poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | WSOP Main Event | 1st | $8,800,000 |
| 2017 | WPT L.A. Poker Classic | 10th | Undisclosed |
| 2016 | WSOP Main Event | 11th | $650,000 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $9,700,000+, plus 1 WSOP bracelet.
John Cynn playing style
Cynn is a patient, methodical player who wins long, grinding battles through discipline rather than flash.
Business & sponsorships
Former IT consultant.
Why John matters
John Cynn finished 11th in the 2016 Main Event and won it two years later after the longest heads-up battle in the tournament's history at the time.
FAQ about John Cynn
Who did John Cynn beat to win the 2018 Main Event?
Tony Miles, after 199 hands of heads-up play.
How much did John Cynn win in the Main Event?
$8,800,000.
How many WSOP bracelets does John Cynn have?
John Cynn has won 1 WSOP bracelet.
