Paul Jackson

Paul Jackson is an English professional poker player from Birmingham. Before turning to poker full-time, he worked as a tax manager for a Chartered Accountant. His introduction to gambling came through playing brag, a British card game, and later blackjack and roulette in casinos. It was in a casino that he first observed poker being played and decided to take up the game in 1985. He adopted the nickname 'ActionJack', inspired by the Carl Weathers film Action Jackson.

Jackson's poker career spans both live and online arenas. He is particularly known for his online prowess, having won two large online poker tournaments in the same night. His online success translated into live tournament opportunities. In 2005, he intended to play in the London Open but had a prior holiday commitment. Instead, he bought a third of Iwan Jones's action (along with Nick Gibson) in the event. Jones went on to win the $750,000 first prize, earning Jackson $250,000 while he was in a caravan in Dorchester.

Jackson's most notable live result came in the 2005 Monte Carlo Millions, where he finished as runner-up to Phil Ivey, earning $600,000. The heads-up battle between Jackson and Ivey was memorable, featuring a hand where both players bluffed continuously, with Ivey holding Q♥ 8♥ and Jackson holding 6♠ 5♦. Jackson noted that Ivey stared him down for seven minutes during the hand, a moment edited out of the televised broadcast. In the final hand, Jackson moved all-in with Q♥ J♥, and Ivey called with K♣ Q♦. The board of T♥ 6♣ 9♣ 2♠ 5♠ failed to improve either hand, eliminating Jackson in second place.

Jackson also excelled in the World Heads-Up Poker Championship, finishing in the money in 2005 (final 16) and as runner-up in 2006. During the 2006 event, he eliminated Juan Carlos Mortensen in the quarter-final and Markus Golser in the semi-final before falling in the final.

In addition, Jackson cashed in the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing 183rd, and also cashed in the European Poker Tour (EPT) Season 2 Grand Final. His total live tournament winnings exceed $1,900,000 as of 2023.

Jackson has participated in multiple WSOP events, including the 2007 WSOP. In his diary entry for The Hendon Mob, he detailed his experience in the Omaha event. Starting Day 2 with around 65,000 chips (below the average of 110,000), he built his stack to 120,000. A pivotal hand saw him hold AAK3 with a flush draw. Facing a re-raise all-in, he contemplated folding, reasoning that his primary goal was to reach the money (guaranteeing $22,137) and that risking half his stack was not worth the potential gain. Despite his better judgment, he called and lost to a hand of AKJJ when his opponent hit a straight. He then survived to the last 36 players, securing the cash, but was eliminated the very next hand when Scotty Nguyen hit a straight against Jackson's set. Jackson reflected on the difference in Omaha skill between European and American players, noting that Europeans generally had a better grasp of the game.

Jackson is known for his thoughtful, risk-averse approach, particularly in tournament settings. His WSOP diary reveals a player who prioritizes survival and cash preservation over marginal gambles, even when holding strong hands. He emphasizes the importance of considering the tournament situation and the value of one's chip stack, rather than merely the strength of one's cards. This disciplined mindset has contributed to his consistent results over the years.

Beyond tournament play, Jackson has appeared in the Poker Godfather series, traveling around Britain to offer advice to aspiring poker players. He is also referenced in Des Wilson's book Swimming with the Devilfish, which chronicles the world of professional poker.

Paul Jackson's career is marked by high finishes in prestigious events and a reputation as a skilled and thoughtful player. His runner-up finish to Phil Ivey in the Monte Carlo Millions remains one of the most talked-about hands in televised poker history. With over $1.9 million in live earnings and a strong online presence, Jackson has solidified his place in the British poker scene and beyond.