John - Player Profile

Name - John C. Collins
Nickname (how'd you get it) - Jeff originally gave me "Toothpick" at the Complex (Spring season gm #1) because I was chewing a toothpick when the table was chatting about nicknames. I had to bargain with him to vary it a bit to avoid some inevitably impotent connotations.
Age - 36 (I know, I look twelve)
Location - West L.A. via Hancock Park

Favorite hand to play -
Can't say I really have one. Really depends on my mood and who is at the table. For example, if Max is in the hand, then any hand is great.

Favorite pro player -
Gus H. - just toys with people when he is on and when he is not.  Ivey is a close second. Scary dude.

How did you learn about the 4SPT -
"The Factor"

When did you join the 4SPT -
Last November at Oak Street

Best thing about winning the 4SPT -
Hopefully I get some respect from the tour....and from myself. And hopefully Max will quiet down a bit now.

Most exciting/best hand you've had on the 4SPT -
Most exciting/devastating hand was when I was about to get the t-shirt for slaying Richard in the Valentines's Day Massacre. My AK to his AQ looked great when a King came on the flop. He was done...except for the runner runner 10 J that gave him a straight and me a heart attack. I was pretty much done after that. MY best hand was no doubt the last one to win.  My A? against  K9 suited. I matched my ace on the flop (stoked). Chris got his flush on the turn (crushed).  He thought it was over (so did I and everyone else watching) and was counting his chips while the river came.  Another Ace came and I noticed that there were two 2's on the board. BOAT! I almost passed out.

4SPT player you don't want sitting next to you (why) -
The King for obvious reasons. He has this steely laser beam glare when I reraise him.  I have to work more on not getting him mad.

Where/how did you learn to play poker -
When I was about twelve or thirteen. My parents would go out of town for the weeekend and my older brother pretty much opened up casino nights at our house. Needless to say, I soon would run my own casino. Life has never been the same.

Any other interesting stories or whatever else you want people to know -
The wounds/gashes that the tour had inflicted on me are now fully healed but I still want heads up with the Slew. A sincere thanks again to Jeff and Jennifer for their spirit and dedication to the tour. Quality makes quality.