Jason Mercier (born November 12, 1986) is an American professional poker player from Hollywood, Florida. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful and versatile players of his generation, known for his prowess in both live and online poker tournaments, across a wide variety of poker variants. Mercier is a five-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and a two-time European Poker Tour (EPT) champion, with career live tournament earnings exceeding $20 million.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Mercier began playing poker seriously in the mid-2000s, initially focusing on online cash games and tournaments. He quickly developed a reputation as a formidable player in the online poker community before transitioning to live tournaments, where he soon found significant success.Professional Poker Career
Mercier's breakout moment came in 2008 when he won the European Poker Tour (EPT) Sanremo Main Event, earning €869,000. Later that year, he followed up with a win in the EPT London High Roller event. These early successes established him as a major force in the poker world.World Series of Poker (WSOP)
Mercier has won five World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, showcasing his mastery across different poker disciplines:- 2009: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha
- 2011: $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Six-Handed
- 2015: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em Six-Handed
- 2016: $10,000 2-7 Draw Lowball (No-Limit) Championship
- 2016: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship
His 2016 WSOP campaign was particularly notable, as he won two bracelets, reached four final tables, and made six cashes, earning him the WSOP Player of the Year title. During this series, he was also involved in several high-profile prop bets, including one with fellow pro Vanessa Selbst regarding winning three bracelets, which he narrowly missed.
European Poker Tour (EPT)
Beyond his 2008 victories, Mercier continued to be a regular presence on the EPT circuit, achieving numerous deep runs and final table appearances in high roller events.Online Poker
Mercier has also achieved significant success in online poker under the screen name "treysfull21" on PokerStars. He has won multiple Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) and World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) titles, further cementing his reputation as an elite player across all formats.Sponsorships
From 2009 to 2018, Mercier was a prominent member of Team PokerStars Pro, one of the most prestigious sponsorships in the poker world.Playing Style and Reputation
Mercier is known for his aggressive and fearless playing style, his exceptional analytical skills, and his ability to adapt to various game formats. He is particularly respected for his proficiency in mixed games, a testament to his comprehensive understanding of poker theory. He has also been involved in several high-stakes prop bets throughout his career.Personal Life
In 2016, Mercier became engaged to fellow professional poker player Natasha Barbour at the World Series of Poker. They married in 2017 and have since started a family, leading him to take a step back from the intense professional poker circuit to focus more on family life.Achievements and Awards
- 5 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Bracelets
- 2 European Poker Tour (EPT) Main Event/High Roller Titles
- Numerous online poker major titles (SCOOP, WCOOP)
- 2016 WSOP Player of the Year
- Over $20 million in live tournament earnings