Poker pro Chris Karagulleyan has faced many challenges in life (well beyond the ones he sees at the no limit holdem table). The first obstacle this poker player probably stared down was the daunting task of learning how to spell his name. Then there was that whole bit where he was born in war torn Lebanon in the mid-eighties when things were really hot over there. When you have lived in s a place where it is smart to be aware of landmines before playing a game of tag, high stakes no limit holdem is less daunting by comparison. This may explain his devil may care, aggressive approach to his gaming.
The general public became aware of Cris Karaguelleyan during a 2002 WPT “Legends of Poker” event. He played in the $5000, no limit holdem poker tournament and beat such notable poker pros as Hon Le and Kathy Liebert. He followed up this WPT triumph with a very good 2003. That year he won an L.A. Poker Classic event, came in second at another, and was victorious at the $300 Limit Hold'em Shootout Larry Flynt's Poker Challenge Cup. He put his skills as a poker player on display for all to see but has often shown flaws as a gambler overall. The aggression that has served his poker game so well, has cost him in other places. After winning $62,700 playing at a particular event, he made tracks for the Blackjack table, and put every sent on one hand. He lost of course.
Chris Karagulleyan has the skill to be anything he wants. There is every possibility he become the sort of poker pro who retires fat and happy on a huge bank account, or Nick “The Greek” type who lost just about every dollar they won.
