Want to learn more about Fausto Valdez? Learn about his poker history here:

Where is your original hometown, and where do you call home now?

Born and raised in NYC.

Where specifically are we most likely to see you playing cards these days?

Between Sands casino in PA or Borgata in Atlantic City.

When and how did you start playing poker?

It started with a few friends and my cousin being bored in the house until someone had the idea to buy a poker set and try out this game we saw on ESPN. Since then I continued to play for years until black Friday happened but was never a super serious student of the game. Then my girlfriend at the time took me to my first live casino game for my birthday and the fire instantly ignited inside me and the rest is history.

When and how did you decide to play poker professionally/seriously?

It was a correlation of having a fantastic time between my first live casino game and winning tons on a cruise game. I enjoyed and loved the game so much that I decided to dedicate as much time as needed where I could get good enough to leave my job and become my own entrepreneur trough poker.

What do you consider your proudest poker achievements?

It would have to be almost going broke ($16k down to $800) and coming back from this unfavorable situation to being able to play poker professionally.

When and how did you start coaching others (please include a specific year)?

I started early 2017 and have found very happy students who continue to use me for guidance as time passes by.

What is your coaching specialty? Do you consider yourself a ‘specialist’ in any games, and if so, please say which games and why.

I concentrate on live no limit cash games but pay special attention to deep live cash games.

What is your goal in providing coaching through Red Chip Poker? What do you hope to achieve for our members?

To help players attain a proper macro strategy by understanding the game trough theory along with some micro strategy.

Please share a coaching success story with us:

Simply helping my students who were loosing or break even players into winners.

Do you have a professional career / background outside of poker? If so, please describe in brief.

I used to be a personal banker in where I was part manager as well.

What are your favorite hobbies and pursuits outside of poker?

Sports — mainly paintball and football — and I enjoy traveling in general.

Please feel free to write anything else you’d like us to include in your biographical information:

I always have an angry face but I’m a nice guy and I’m addicted to cookies.


Rapid Fire Fun Questions:

Favorite color: black/blue and some purple
Favorite starting hand: the one that wins
Favorite poker room: Sands in PA by default
Last song you listened to: “Patty Cake” by token
Waffles or pancakes: pancakes
Favorite drink: rum
Favorite thing to cook: salmon
Do you have a lucky object?: Nope
Favorite board game: Monopoly but really none.