Tyler Warken: From PokerNews Reporter to Rising Poker Pro

Tyler Warken is carving out his own path in the poker world.

Live reporting on the bustling floors of poker tournaments is often a thankless occupation. Unlike players who have the chance to take a seat at the table, reporters are bound to the tournament clock from the moment they arrive until the last hand is dealt. They endure long hours with few breaks, arriving earlier and leaving later than those they cover. However, many pursue this path out of pure passion for the game, accepting that they might prefer to be competing rather than reporting due to the prohibitive costs associated with tournament buy-ins.

One individual who has successfully transitioned from a poker reporter to a seasoned poker player is Tyler Warken, a 29-year-old Canadian who is making waves in the poker community. Warken, previously a renowned PokerNews reporter, is now one of the promising participants in the World Poker Tour (WPT) Playground Championship, a prestigious event boasting a CAD $3,500 buy-in and a guaranteed prize pool of CAD $1.5 million.

Early Life and Introduction to Poker

Tyler’s poker journey began in his hometown of Medicine Hat, Alberta, before moving to Calgary at the age of 19—a city where he spent the next seven years. Warken recalls his first encounter with poker fondly, sharing that family gatherings such as Christmas introduced him to the game.

“We played a bunch of card games,” he explained in an interview with PokerNews. “I think we first played poker when I was like 10 or something. I signed up for a bunch of free money sites when I was 10 years old, and I just did play money until I was 18 and then played for real money online.” This early love for poker set the stage for his eventual career in the industry.

Transitioning to Reporting

Tyler’s firsthand experience and knowledge of poker led him to apply for a live reporting position with PokerNews during the summer of 2019, a role he secured for the World Series of Poker (WSOP). “That was my first event reporting. I did that for about a year and then COVID happened,” Warken elaborated. This global disruption redirected him towards competitive play, and as live events resumed, he found himself stepping away from reporting altogether.

With nearly $275,000 in tournament earnings according to the Hendon Mob database, Warken’s competitive career showcases his skill. He achieved a career-best payout of $33,705 for a sixth-place finish at the 2018 DSPT Championship in Calgary and more recently earned $21,654 for a third-place finish in the 2024 Aria Poker Classic’s $1,100 Mystery Bounty event.

A Life of Travel and Poker

At the start of 2023, Warken made the spontaneous decision to travel, much like many others in their twenties. “I toured Asia all over Cambodia,” he shared. During this time, he met fellow Canadian travelers and navigated the poker landscape across the continent. “It’s quite difficult to find good cash games, but the tournament scene really seems to be popping off over there.”

His travels bore fruit as he cashed in several tournaments, including events at the WPT Prime Cambodia and a string of cashes in Vietnam during the Asia Poker Tour and U Series of Poker tournaments. After a whirlwind tour across Asia, Warken returned to Canada, but this time to a new city—Montreal.

Finding a New Home

Settling into a more stable lifestyle after years on the road, Warken shared, “I kind of put a halt to traveling for the time being… I haven’t really had a home in three years. So, I’ve been living in Montreal for two months now. I’ll probably stay four or five months before I head back to the road.”

With Playground Poker Club now as his local poker venue, he’s fully embraced the opportunity to play regularly. “I’ve been playing maybe six days a week here,” he said, expressing his enthusiasm for participating in the biggest tournament of the year in his own backyard.

A Poker Pro in Action

The WPT Playground Championship represents a significant milestone for Warken, combining his reporter skills and player instincts. As Tyler competes in this esteemed event, he embraces the role of player fully. To follow Tyler’s progress in the WPT Playground Championship, you can view live updates here.

With a determined spirit and a background rich in both reporting and playing, Tyler Warken is not just another player at the tables; he embodies the journey from the sidelines to the main stage of poker. As he continues to refine his game and make his mark in the competitive poker landscape, one thing remains clear: Tyler Warken is not just writing about poker; he is living it.

Photos courtesy of World Poker Tour (WPT) / Alicia Skillman.

Written by Chad Holloway, PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host, and 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.