![United States of America [USA]](/assets/images/flags/1x1/us.svg "United States of America [USA]"){kind=small}
Faraz Jaka is an American professional poker player, entrepreneur, and high-stakes coach from San Jose, California. Known for his nomadic lifestyle that earned him the nickname the “Homeless Millionaire,” Jaka has been a fixture of the global poker circuit for nearly two decades. In 2025, he continues to be a top-tier competitor, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the NAPT Las Vegas Super High Roller.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With over $9,198,692 in total live tournament earnings, according to The Hendon Mob, Faraz Jaka ranks 95th on the United States All-Time Money List. His 2025 season has been one of his most active and profitable in recent years, amassing over $1,141,000 in winnings.
His career-best live cash remains his $774,780 score for a 2nd place finish in the 2009 WPT Bellagio Cup V. Other major career highlights include:
- $755,000 – 3rd place in the 2012 PCA Main Event.
- $571,374 – 3rd place in the 2009 WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic.
- $454,496 – 2nd place in the 2018 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown.
- $202,600 – 2nd place in the $20,000 NAPT Las Vegas Super High Roller (November 2024/2025).
- $237,367 – WSOP Gold Bracelet win in the $1,500 Shootout event at the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) .
Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1985 in San Jose to a Pakistani immigrant family, Jaka began his poker journey as a student at the University of Illinois. He holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and business, often describing himself as a “businessman first and a poker player second.”
Jaka gained international fame not just for his skills, but for his lifestyle; for years, he lived out of a suitcase, staying in hotels and traveling to over 30 countries without a permanent residence. In 2020, he founded Jaka Coaching, a training platform that has grown into a major hub for tournament players.
Play Style & Strategy
Jaka’s secondary nickname, “The Toilet,” refers to his early-career reputation for playing “any two suited cards” in search of flushes. However, his modern style is highly technical and adaptive:
- Exploitative Aggression: He is known for identifying “scared players” who overvalue their tournament life and using speech play to gather information and force folds.
- ICM and Final Table Mastery: His coaching emphasizes heuristics over pure solver theory, teaching players how to adjust their ranges based on stack sizes and pressure.
- Discipline: Jaka credits his success to a rigorous prep routine, including light workouts and a healthy diet, to reach a “flow-state” during high-stakes sessions.
