James Mackey

James Corwin Mackey was born on February 25, 1986, in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri in a pre-med program before dropping out to pursue poker professionally. In 2005, he invested $75 into an online poker account and quickly turned it into $20,000, which convinced him to go pro. He honed his skills in online low-stakes games before moving up to higher buy-in tournaments.

Mackey made his mark at the 2007 World Series of Poker by winning Event #22: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em, earning $730,740. At 21 years and 4 months, he became the third youngest player at the time to win a WSOP bracelet. The final hand famously featured a 10-2 offsuit—the same cards Doyle Brunson used to win back-to-back WSOP Main Events. In 2008, Mackey finished runner-up in the $10,000 World Championship Mixed Event for $297,792.

Overall, Mackey has 4 WSOP final tables and 41 WSOP cashes, with a best Main Event finish of 306th in 2019. His WSOP earnings total over $2 million.

Mackey's biggest live score came in Season 15 of the World Poker Tour when he won the 2016 WPT Choctaw Main Event, taking home $666,758. He also has two other WPT final table finishes: a 3rd place in the 2013-2014 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown ($441,128) and a 7th place in the 2010-2011 event ($124,704). In 2024, Mackey won the WPT Choctaw Main Event again for $361,600, bringing his total WPT earnings to over $1.9 million. This second WPT title underscores his consistent performance on the tour.

Mackey found success online as well. On September 24, 2007, playing under the screen name 'mig.com,' he won the PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) $1,050 buy-in event for $580,212.50—the third-largest prize in the site's history at the time. He is also known online as 'mynameiskarl', under which he has competed in high-stakes games and tournaments. His online prowess helped launch his live career.

As of 2025, Mackey has recorded 104 live cashes totaling $4,983,723 in career live tournament earnings. His most recent cash came on December 7, 2025, earning $2,920. He continues to play actively, with deep runs in both WSOP and WPT events. His 2024 WPT Choctaw win demonstrated that he remains a formidable competitor over a decade after his first major titles.

Known for his aggressive and analytical approach, Mackey excels at multi-tabling online and reading opponents in live play. He was part of Team Full Tilt Poker during its peak. His early transition from online to live tournaments serves as a model for many aspiring players. Mackey's ability to adapt and win across both formats has earned him a lasting place in poker history. He remains active in the poker community, consistently making deep runs in major events.

Mackey's consistent live tournament results have earned him a strong presence on the Global Poker Index (GPI) rankings. His multiple WPT final tables and WSOP cashes have contributed to a high GPI score, placing him among the top players in various years. The GPI tracks performance across all major live tournaments, and Mackey's sustained success has kept him ranked in the upper tiers during peak periods.

Mackey participated in the inaugural Epic Poker League Main Event, a high-stakes tournament series that ran in 2011–2012. The league featured a select field of elite players and offered substantial prize pools. His involvement in this exclusive event added to his reputation as a competitor willing to take on the toughest fields in poker.

Beyond his tournament results, Mackey has been involved in charity poker events and community initiatives. He has participated in benefit tournaments and contributed to the poker community through mentorship and sharing his experiences. His willingness to give back has endeared him to fans and fellow players alike, reflecting his character beyond the felt.