John Paul Kelly
United Kingdom
British professional poker player JP Kelly, WSOP bracelet winner, WPT champion, successful both online and live, total earnings over $2.8 million. Known for his aggressive and fierce playing style, one of the early online poker stars.
Player Overview
John Paul Kelly (commonly known as J.P. Kelly), born in 1986 in Aylesbury, England, is a professional poker player. As of 2023, his live tournament earnings total approximately $2.87 million (per Hendon Mob data), with 2 WSOP gold bracelets. He was formerly a member of Team PokerStars Pro and plays online under the screen name "jp Kelly".
WSOP Achievements
Kelly won his first gold bracelet at the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP): the $1,500 Pot Limit Hold'em event for $194,434. Later that year, he took down another title at the WSOP Europe (WSOPE) in London, the £1,000 No Limit Hold'em event for £136,803 (approx. $225,535), becoming a double champion that year. He also finished 26th in the 2011 WSOP Main Event ($302,005), his best result in that tournament. His total WSOP earnings exceed $1.1 million, with 24 cashes and 5 final tables.
Note: "E" denotes WSOP Europe events
Other Live Results
Beyond the WSOP, Kelly has cashed in numerous major events such as the European Poker Tour (EPT). For instance:
- 2010 WSOPE £1,075 No Limit Hold'em runner-up (£82,854)
- 2012 EPT Berlin Main Event 70th place (€11,000)
- 2014 EPT Deauville Main Event 10th place (€41,200)
- 2017 GUKPT London Main Event 39th place (£1,000)
His largest single cash came from the 2011 WSOP Main Event ($302,005). As of 2023, his highest recorded live cash is $587,754 (source: Hendon Mob).
Online Poker Career
Kelly played under the screen name "jp Kelly" on platforms like PokerStars and was an early online poker star. He represented Team PokerStars Pro before ending the partnership. His online results are not separately tracked, but his live success partially stems from experience gained online.
Personal Anecdotes & Legacy
- Kelly is respected by peers for his humble nature, remaining low-key even after his double bracelet win.
- He has a congenital heart condition that has occasionally affected his play, but he persevered as a professional.
- His runner-up finish in the 2010 WSOPE Main Event marked a key point in his career, showcasing consistent competitiveness.
- As a two-time WSOP bracelet winner, Kelly holds a place in British poker history.
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