On a Hot Streak

Law grad wins big in poker

by Beth Barbee

One San Antonio lawyer has had the biggest win in his career, but it wasn’t in the courtroom; Jim Willerson (J.D. ’04) is on a hot streak at the poker tables.

So hot, he’s temporarily boarded up his law practice to try his luck in some of the world’s top poker tournaments.

This summer, Willerson won his first World Series of Poker event, beating more than 3,000 players and pocketing $700,000.

He began playing World Series of Poker tournaments in 2011, and while he had done well enough to win some money, he had not won a tournament. At last tally, his World Series of Poker lifetime winning total was more than $805,000.

What got this successful attorney playing cards for a living? Competition, of course. Willerson grew up in Alamo Heights playing tennis on the junior national circuit and at Southern Methodist University. He thrives on competition—especially when the stakes are high.

“Who wouldn’t want to make money playing a game rather than day to day at a law practice?” he asked.

Although poker has exploded in popularity over the last several years, not many know the ins and outs of complicated tournament play. Not only are they expensive to participate in (buy-ins range from $1,500 to $10,000, plus travel costs) but major tournaments can also take two to five days of grueling 14-hour poker sessions.

Willerson says that everyone wants to be a star, but it takes time and experience to learn to read hands and opponents. The secret, he said, is to trust your instincts and be willing to go down when those instincts are wrong.

One of his favorite—and most surreal—experiences so far has been seeing his name on the marquee in the sportsbook at the Rio Las Vegas Hotel and Casino with odds on his play. In the World Series of Poker tournament that he won, his odds were 11-1.

“Of course, you can’t bet on yourself.”