of Mexico Jacob Montoya He is no stranger to success in poker tournaments. In 2019, the poker pro defeated the WCOOP Main Event for $688,588, setting the record for the highest online score by a Mexican poker player.
Four years later, Montoya is ready for another big success after qualifying for the World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championship. At ClubWPT. PokerNews caught up with Montoya to discuss his poker background and how he plans to prepare for the $40 million guaranteed event.
Here’s a look at some other ClubWPT qualifiers we profiled:
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Q&A with James Montoya
Can you tell us something about yourself (e.g. age, location, family, education, work, etc.)?
My name is Jacobo Montoya from Celaya, Mexico. I am 34 years old and have been playing poker professionally since around 2015 and semi-professionally since 2011. I currently live in Playa del Carmen, Mexico where I grind online.
When and how did you learn to play poker?
I started playing home games in my free time in high school. From the beginning I knew that this game was something very interesting and that I could do something really great with it. What fascinated me most about poker was the psychological part and all the strategy. This allowed me to win my home games pretty consistently, so I wanted to take the next step.
Within a few months I was introduced to online poker, a friend told me I could play from my computer and I was intrigued. I started playing freerolls and started getting more and more involved as I wanted to start taking it more seriously. I started doing some research. Then, thanks to online forums and conversations with other poker players, I discovered the strategic part of the game.
How long have you been a member of WPT Global and what inspired you to join in the first place?
I started playing at WPT Global since it opened in Mexico earlier this year and I haven’t stopped since. The WPT brand name inspired me to join. I remember just starting to play and watching all those WPT final tables on TV and always wanted to be there.
Have you had any other successes at WPT Global? If yes, when and where?
I’ve had some success on the site, winning a fall special tournament in the series earlier this year and I’ve won a few of the daily tournaments.
“My proudest achievement in poker is undoubtedly winning the 2019 WCOOP Main Event on Pokerstars for $688,000, the highest online result for Mexican poker.”
Have you ever been to a WPT event or in Las Vegas? Have you ever participated in other major poker tournaments?
I have played several live WPT events; I played at the Seminole Hard Rock in Florida where I made a deep run in the main event and finished 29th for $23,000. In the same series, I reached the final table of a tournament, finishing in sixth place for $29,000.
What is your proudest poker achievement to date?
My proudest achievement in poker is undoubtedly winning the 2019 WCOOP Main Event on Pokerstars for $688,000, the highest online win for Mexican poker.
Aside from perhaps winning, what are you most looking forward to in your upcoming WPT stop? Are there any poker pros you would like to meet? If so, why would you like to meet her?
What I’m looking forward to most about this WPT event is seeing friends I haven’t seen in a long time, and these stops allow the poker community to come together and have a great time.
Join WPT Global today
With WPT GlobalPoker players around the world now have the chance to qualify for WPT events, win prizes and enjoy exciting games on one of the world’s largest cash game poker networks. WPT Global is available in over 50 countries and territories around the world.
WPT Global offers a big deposit bonus: 100% on deposits up to $1,200 (with any payment method). New players who deposit at least $20 will automatically receive this match bonus, unlocked in increments of $5 for every $20 rake contribution (credited directly at checkout).
Both tournaments and cash games count towards bonus activation; New players have 90 days from the date of their first deposit to unlock and claim their entire bonus amount.
Find out how you can win a $12,400 WPT Passport to the WPT World Championship in December
*Image courtesy of WPT.
*Images courtesy of Jacobo Montoya.
