Hoyt Corkins

Hoyt Corkins has been given many nicknames by his fellow poker players. The basis for some — like “Cowboy” in honor of his constant wardrobe of a cowboy hat and boots—is obvious even to onlookers, while the basis for others — like “Mr. Move All-In” or “Nightmare” — comes strictly from his behavior at the table.

How does a laid back southern gentleman like Hoyt Corkins get an industry full of unflappable players to call him Nightmare? By doing the kinds of things that also earn you the nickname of Mr. Move All-In of course.

Hoyt Corkins may be soft-spoken and courteous when making vocal requests both at and off the poker tables, but what he says with his chips is nothing less than aggressive. In fact, Corkins is so into the game that he often adds a pair of ear plugs to his Western getup.

Like so many other American poker players, Corkins learned to play the game at the family table. He was profiting from his home-schooled poker skills by the time he was 19. Though the Cowboy is reluctant to reveal his actual age, what we do know is that he made his first appearance in major tournament action at the 1989 World Series of Poker tables where he placed 4th in the Pot Limit Omaha event.

He placed in the money at three more WSOP events in 1990 and 1991. In 1992, Corkins took home $96,000 and his first WSOP bracelet with a win in the Pot Limit Omaha Event. As so often happens with part-time pros, Corkins' personal life got in the way of his poker ambitions, and after his big win at the 1992 WSOP, Corkins stepped away from the poker spotlight for more than a decade. Thankfully, the Cowboy's story doesn't end there.

In 2003, Hoyt made a triumphant return to poker. That summer he eked out a few modest wins at small tournaments, and by the time the World Poker Tour's World Poker Finals rolled around he was in perfect form. Though Hoyt had primarily been known for his strong Omaha strategy, he claimed a surprise victory in the WPT No Limit Hold 'em event. With the title came a career-high win of $1,089,200.

Since Corkins' dramatic reappearance in 2003, he has been a regular at final tables in major tournaments across America. In 2007 he earned another WSOP bracelet in the No Limit Hold 'em Short-Handed event. While originally considered to be a strictly Omaha and Hold 'em player, Hoyt has also recently earned cash in Razz, Stud, and H.O.R.S.E. Events. He started 2009 in the money at two different WPT tournaments.