John 'Large' Kabbaj

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The British Hendon Mob poker team considers John 'Large' Kabbaj its unofficial fifth Mobster. John says his nickname was received as a gift from the Mob after he helped them with their nickname in the early days of his poker career.

John, 31, a brilliant and versatile poker tournament pro, won the 2004 Paris Open and came in 2nd at the $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Event at the 2004 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

John learned to play poker 10 years ago in London's Victoria Casino, and he's been playing professionally ever since. How did John become such a good player? "I've been very observant," he replies.

John's biggest poker moment was at the 2004 WSOP, when he came very close to his dream of winning a WSOP bracelet. Winning that elusive bracelet is one John's goals as he pursues his poker career.

John advises novice poker players: "Be observant and look to learn something new every time you play." John's advice to experienced players: "Don't steam."

John began playing online poker four years ago, and says there's just no comparison with playing poker with real cards. "It's just two different things," he says.

The advantage to playing poker online is that you can do it in the nice cozy environment of your own home, John says. But the main disadvantage, he adds, is that you can't pick up any tells from your opponents. "You just can't see them!"

When John is not playing poker, he's busy at his hobby of watching sports on television. John lives with his beautiful wife and his 10-year-old son in the north of London.