
HALL OF FAMER T.J. Cloutier is one of the true icons of poker. In his career he has amassed an incredible 60 major tournament wins in his 250-plus cashes for an astounding $9,200,000 !!!!!
Cloutier got his start at poker while in the Army. After the Army he played professional football for the Montreal Allouettes, but a knee injury forced him to leave the team. T.J. owned a wholesale food business with his family, but when it folded in 1976 Cloutier made his way to Texas and started working on an oil rig. Still playing cards, however, he eventually started making more money at poker than he did at his "square" job. That's when he started playing poker full-time.
Although Cloutier has six WSOP bracelets to his credit, he has yet to win the Main Event. He came close on a few occasions, placing in the top 5 four times (two of those in second place), but has never taken home first.
T.J. Cloutier lives with his wife, Joy, in Richardson, Texas. Numerous books on the game of poker can be found to his credit, written with Tom McEvoy.