Allen Cunningham: The Down-to-Earth WPT Pro
Allen Cunningham hails from Riverside, California and he was born in 1977. He tried to pursue an engineering degree in UCLA but he was also persistent in playing poker. He's been winning games at local Native American casinos and it made him decide to pursue a career in playing poker. He quit college and joined the pro-poker circuit when he was 21.
It was tough at first, but Cunningham finally got his first break when he was 22. He became Legend of Poker's 'Best All-around Player' which was held at the Bicycle Casino. Cunningham seems to break out from his shell every year which made him triumph the most prestigious of tournaments there is. He won the 2005 World Series of Poker championship of 2005, where he played No Limit Hold'em with an entry fee amounting $ 1500.
So far, Allen Cunningham took home 3 World Series of Poker bracelets; aside from having the opportunity to play at the final table of the World Series of Poker. The first two were during the 2001 7-card Stud event and the 2002 Deuce-7 No Limit events. He triumphed the $ 5000 No Limit Hold'em event at the Bellagio 5-Star World Poker Championship of 2004.
There are only a few pro-poker players that are really good natured and liked, and Allen Cunningham is one pro that even his colleagues admire and liked. He was voted 'Best Player under 25' by his pro poker friends, including John Juanda and Daniel Negreanu.
Believed to be a low-profiled pro player, Cunningham declined an invitation from Toyota to appear in the ESPN 2005 Toyota WSOP's Player of the year. He simply enjoys his career at the pro poker circuit without having to be on the spotlight; he's just a quiet and subdued player that's why many of his pro friends admire him, his feet firmly on the ground.
Playing for more than 10 years, Allen Cunningham has established a prominent name for himself in the pro poker circuit. His style of play is sort of engineered, that is calculated and controlled. He is very analytical in his approach which makes him a threat to his opponents. His principle in playing is control and it is crucial to focus on every game play.
When he's not playing in poker tournaments, Cunningham enjoys playing cash games. His favorite card games are No Limit Hold'em, Pot Limit Omaha and $ 300- $ 600 Mixed Games. He also plays online at the Full Tilt Poker site and he is listed as a 'Friend of FTP'.