James Akenhead

James Akenhead was born on June 6, 1983 in London. He was a train engineer and snooker player before entering the poker world by joining the London poker group "The Hitsquad" and becoming a sponsored player for Genting Poker. His poker nicknames include "Moka", "Sickdog", and "Reader".

Akenhead achieved a series of impressive results at the WSOP. In 2008 WSOP Event #2 ($1,500 No-Limit Hold'em), he finished as runner-up, losing to Grant Hinkle, earning approximately $520,000. In the 2009 WSOP Main Event, he was the only British player to reach the "November Nine" final table, starting with the shortest stack and ultimately finishing in 9th place after being eliminated by Kevin Schaffel, winning $1,263,602. That same year, he also finished 9th in the WSOP Europe Main Event (£10,000 No-Limit Hold'em), earning £66,533 (approximately $109,687).

In December 2009, Akenhead won the televised Poker Million VIII tournament in London, taking home $500,000. On January 22, 2012, playing under the username "Asprin1", he won the PokerStars Sunday Million for $213,750 (7,125 entrants). He is also a regular on the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour and finished 4th in the 2008 888.com British Open.

Akenhead is known for his tight-aggressive (TAG) style, excelling at value betting and blind stealing in deep stack phases while maintaining emotional stability under pressure. He focuses on position and hand selection, avoiding unnecessary risks, and is particularly skilled at making sound decisions at final tables and during the bubble.

Akenhead's final table performances garnered widespread attention in the British poker community. In interviews, he has stated that he loved poker from a young age and that his dream was to reach the WSOP Main Event final table. He has also participated in poker instructional videos, sharing deep stack strategies. His total career earnings exceed $3.6 million, primarily accumulated from the WSOP Main Event and major tournaments.