Michigan Poker ‘Pimp’ Scores Huge Week in August for Three WSOP.com Circuit Rings
When Michigan launched legal online poker in 2021, 31-year-old Justin Pimpedly took on a new profession. After working non-stop during a pandemic, he decided to move into poker full time. Previously a concrete batchman, but took on a new career choice in the virtual poker world recently.
“During the pandemic I was working 60 to 75 hours a week, often home around 7:30 to late register the online nightlies,” Pimpedly says. “I would have to be back around 4:30 am, so most nights I got two or three hours of sleep.”
Those long hours and strong work ethic have converted over to life at the tables. In August Pimpedly went on a run and scored three World Series of Poker Online Circuit rings. He spoke with USPoker this week about his poker life and recent success.
Three online championship rings in a week
The resident of Taylor, Michigan, goes by a few names online including “FourGrams” (WSOP.com), “PimpmyBalance” (PokerStars), and “Nekatsim” (BetMGM). It was FourGrams that finally cashed in on long hours at the virtual tables in August. He scored two Online Circuit wins and found a third final table as well.
“I have final tabled a lot of these and just have been so close many times already,” he says. “So to bang out three in a week is something I know I was capable of accomplishing. I just knew I had to put myself in a solid position at the bubble and final table each time”
In 2022, Pimpedly chalked up final table appearances in nine Online Circuit events. In August alone, he scooped winnings of $31,693. Here’s a look at some of his recent online scores:
- $525 WSOPC Online Main Event (May 22) – fourth, $9,481
- $1,000 WSOPC High Roller (May 24) – second, $11,272
- $500 WSOPC (Aug. 16) – first, $10,592
- $215 WSOPC PKO (Aug. 18) – third, $2,797
- $215 WSOPC Double Stack (Aug. 19) – first, $7,589
- $1,000 WSOPC High Roller (Aug. 23) – first, $17,763
Gaming from the get-go
Pimpedly thanks his background in gaming for allowing him to thrive as a poker player. The world of video games introduced him to poker as a teenager.
“I grew up a big PC gamer around the age 16 and I fell in love with a game called CounterStrike 1.6,” he says. “I played a lot for fun but got pretty good at the game and started playing some competitive leagues with teammates. One of my teammates and good friends to this day, ‘Phyzer’ was a poker player and he got me into the game.”
His competitive gaming nature helped make Pimpedly a force in the Michigan market. Even though he takes a night off occasionally, he still grinds about five nights a week. He also works on his game by reviewing hands with friends.
He adds: “I’m very fortunate to be a part of a great Skype/Discord group that posts a lot of hands and will run ICM (independent chip model) spots and such.”
Eyes on the prize
The Wolverine State resident has big plans for 2023. Even though Pimpedly considers himself mostly an online player, he’s focused on getting back into the WSOP Main Event next summer. He’s played in the Main Event twice but is hoping the third time’s the charm for a deep run.
“WSOP.com coming to Michigan and running satellites was very helpful,” he says. “I got heads up for one satellite where I got second place and got nothing. That was a heartbreaker. However, the following week I found myself heads-up again for the Main Event seat and found a way to win.”
With a seat locked up in the $1 million Tournament of Champions, Pimpedly is hoping to score another Main Event seat as well. To prepare for the TOC, he plans to travel locally for some upcoming Michigan tournaments. As he prepares to tackle some live events, don’t rule out a few more online wins for this Michigan crusher.