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Daniel Lowery

Charleston, Arkansas

Daniel Lowery considers playing the World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournaments at Choctaw Casinos & Resort – Durant a bit like coming home. This Arkansas native travels the nation for mid-stakes tournaments and appreciates the comfort and family-like atmosphere of Durant. Lowery picked four tournaments in January at the Choctaw Durant tournament and placed first in the $500 No-Limit Hold’em – “The Gargantuan,” winning $102,511.

What drew you to poker? I’m drawn to the competitive and social aspects of the game. I started playing poker around 2005 when I was going through a divorce, and it provided me with a new scene with new friends. I’ve met so many great people in poker.

How long have you been playing poker professionally? I own and operate a sawmill in Arkansas and consider poker my second job, as I have made good money since 2012 playing professionally. Most years, I earn more playing poker than from my full-time job but find that I am more worn out from a poker trip than from working at the sawmill.

As a professional player, what do you look for when selecting tournaments? I almost exclusively play mid-stakes tournaments, so I have many options for tournament play.

What do you like about playing at the Choctaw Casino & Resort? I always love playing at Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant because it’s a great venue with nice rooms and great food choices. The staff at Choctaw is always top-notch, and they always treat players and their families great.

I’ve grown to know so many people that play at the Choctaw Casino that it always feels like a family reunion when I walk in the door. Everyone is so friendly when I walk in the doors, and I feel so at peace there. I think that is why I’ve always been successful. I feel comfort when I see the tower on the horizon as I drive south on Hwy 69/75.

What events did you play in the January 2023 World Series of Poker Tournament at Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant? For this circuit stop at Choctaw, I played the “Gargantuan” and was fortunate enough to win it! I then played the “Monster Stack” and “6-Max” events. I hope to return for the World Poker Tournament (WPT) this spring.

What advice do you have for players who have never played a tournament but are interested in tournament play? The best advice I can give is to play where you are comfortable. As a player once you are comfortable start playing outside your comfort zone. Don’t play above your bankroll, but don’t sell yourself short by not playing a bigger buy-in if you can afford it. Just because it costs more doesn’t necessarily mean the play is tougher.

What have been some of your career achievements and wins? I have won 11 WSOP rings, two RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) rings, and numerous other trophies and awards. Nothing feels better than winning!

I, like so many others, have said that I play for the money. And this is true. But I can tell you, I’ve won $100 nightlies for $2,000, which made me feel better than getting second place for $30,000. That goes to show just how much the competition and the win means.