In a game of characters, Minneapolis Jim Meehan is one of the most colorful figures in poker. He has been described as both charming and opinionated. He is inscrutable to some and a wise man to others. But Jim Meehan's baroque style of play makes it impossible for opponents to "read" him, giving Minneapolis Jim the edge in most heads-up situations.

This former lawyer enjoys sitting at a poker table, drinking a Heineken and perhaps a shot of whiskey, engaging his opponents with a steady barrage of banter. Jim Meehan likes the talk lively and the action even livelier. No wonder Activision added Jim to its roster of poker stars for its latest World Series of Poker video game.

AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL

The enigmatic Jim Meehan has a long history in the game. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in the 1950's. By the time Jim was in grade school, he was playing poker for fun. He went to law school and was a successful lawyer for twenty years. In the 1990's, Minneapolis Jim went into a semi-retirement to become a professional card player. 1997 was his first World Series of Poker. He has been mystifying players at poker's premeir event since that time.

Despite describing himself as "semi-retired", Jim Meehan plays in a host of tournaments around the country every year. He also plays in online tourneys. Meehan plays at PokerStars under the name "Actiondonkey". His Party Poker nickname is "Actionmonkey". One gets the ideas these names are meant to draw unsuspecting rivals into making loose calls.

WE'RE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN

But one can't know the full experience of playing poker with Jim Meehan except in a casino. Chewing on a smoke and wearing a signature cowboy hat, Minneapolis Jim Meehan becomes the voice of the table. He is prone to comment on his opponents' playing, which is funny for a man with such an unconventional game. Lest the talk get too heated, Jim is famous for adding as a rejoinder, "But we're all God's children."

But don't get me wrong. Jim Meehan has an impressive profile of finishes, including a World Series of Poker bracelet. This came at the end of the most entertaining final table at the 2003 WSOP. It was also the longest final day, though the crowd seemed energized. Jim Meehan put on a masterful performance even to stay in the match, since he had been short-stacked from mid-tournament on. By the final table, Meehan had dodged a hail of poker bullets.

The final pair came down to a three hour showdown marathon. Meehan survived two all-in calls, eventually collecting his first bracelet. The win symbolizes the poker career of Minneapolis Jim. As the man has said himself, "I'm no good as a player. I've just been on a forty year lucky streak."

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

♠ 1st Place at 2003 World Series of Poker $2,000 No Limit Holdem event.
♠ 6th Place at a 2005 World Series of Poker $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo event.
♠ 2nd Place at a 1997 World Series of Poker $3,000 No Limit Hold 'Em event.
♠ 3rd Place at a 1999 World Series of Poker $2,500 Limit Omaha event.
♠ 195th Place at the 2005 WSOP $10,000 Main Event (out of 5,619 players).
♠ 3rd Place for Season 1 Ultimate Poker Challenge.
♠ 1st Place at the 2004 Tof Player's Championship of Poker No Limit Holdem event.
♠ 2nd Place at 2004 No Limit Holdem Shootout WPPA Championship of Poker event.
♠ Nearly $1.2 million in career tournament earnings.

This page was last updated on June 5th, 2006.