Jacob Fafard

Jacob Fafard, from New Ipswich, New Hampshire, turned 21 in the summer of 2011 and began playing live poker after honing his skills online. Prior to his poker career, he worked as a chef. His first recorded cash came in January 2012, shortly after he started playing live tournaments.

Fafard's most notable performance came in the 2012 Winter Poker Open at Borgata. In Event 13, a $350 + $50 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em tournament, he finished as runner-up to Steve Scales, earning $18,282. During the event, Fafard held the chip lead at various points, including heads-up play where he started with over 4 million chips against Scales' nearly 3 million. He also had a strong finish in Event 7 of the same series, placing 52nd for $740.

Tournament History

Fafard's early live poker success was marked by a deep run in the Winter Poker Open. He eliminated players like Alex 'Jedi' Nepomnyaschiy (5th place, $7,069) and James 'Suits' Salters (3rd place, $11,335) on his way to the final table. His aggressive play, including shoves with pocket 8s and A7 offsuit, helped him build a large stack. However, he ultimately fell to Scales' pocket 9s in the final hand.

Based on available hand histories, Fafard displayed an aggressive style, often shoving and calling all-ins with hands like pocket pairs and suited aces. He was able to double up multiple times and navigate the final table effectively, demonstrating solid tournament instincts for a player new to live poker.

While Jacob Fafard's recorded live tournament results are limited to the 2012 Winter Poker Open, his rapid transition from online grinder to live final table contender highlights the potential for skilled online players to succeed in live events. His story also underscores the importance of bankroll management and discipline in early tournament career.