Craig Marquis

Craig Marquis

  • Name: Craig Marquis
  • Nickname: craigmarq
  • Current Residence: Arlington, Texas

Concentrating mostly on his online game, Craig Marquis wasn't too into tournament play when he snagged a spot as one of the November Nine in the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event.

But, on those occasions Craig did enter tournaments they were usually World Series events. And it's a policy that has served him well: He's cashed in the top 35 in four WSOP events since 2007, including his prestigious Main Event finish.

Well-spoken and energetic, the young gun launched his poker career in January 2007 after watching his friend make money online.

"A friend of mine named Dave played," he told PokerListings.com during the Main Event, "and I was like, ‘He's no smarter than me, I can do this.' [laughs] Anyways he helped me out a bit and I got into it."

Since he first deposited money Craig has steadily improved, and has gone from playing $2/$4 games to $200/$400 games. He's developed a talent for Texas Hold'em and prefers cash games to tournament play, unless it's a World Series event, of course.

In 2008, Craig entered 19 WSOP tournaments and had cashed in just one prior to his Main Event finish. But, despite the teasing from his WSOP roommates Joe Commisso and David Benefield - successful players who cashed in several events each at the 2008 WSOP - Craig maintained his down-to-earth outlook, even after he made it deep in the Main Event.

"I would honestly be happy with just making the final table," he confessed. "That's already like winning the lottery. I would be thrilled with that."

Modest and outgoing, Craig overcame a massive field of players to become the sole Internet pro at the 2008 Main Event final table. No small feat in a poker world dominated by young online players gunning for gold. And no surprise, either.

With his World Series track record and plethora of online wins, Craig already boasted an impressive poker resume pre-Main Event. The only question is: How many more WSOP events will he have to cash in before he decides to take on the rest of the tournament world?

Trivia

  • Mainly an online player
  • Focuses on cash games
  • Prefers Texas Hold'em
  • Played 19 events at the 2008 WSOP
  • Plans to buy his family a swimming pool with his WSOP earnings

Notable Tournament Cashes

Tournament Place Winnings
2008 WSOP, Event 54, Main Event No-Limit Hold'em 9th $900,670
2008 WSOP, Event 17, No-Limit Hold'em Shootout 18th $5,596
2007 WSOP, Event 52, No-Limit Hold'em w/re-buys 30th $16,133
2007 WSOP, Event 13, World Championship Pot-Limit Hold'em 34th $14,030

Craig Marquis Photos

(Listing 9 of 9 photos)

Craig Marquis

Craig Marquis

Craig Marquis

David Rheem, Kelly Kim, Craig Marquis

Darus Suharto, Ivan Demidov, Craig Marquis, David Rheem

Craig Marquis, David Rheem

Craig Marquis

Craig Marquis

Craig Marquis