The value in backing new players has always been there in poker. With a packed summer of World Series of Poker events coming up, we spoke to a player more used to playing online than live who is maximising his value this summer. From buying action in others to selling pieces of himself in Las Vegas and at the WSOP Circuit events he crushes, Jason Brauda is looking to win big at the WSOP this summer.

The Online Origin Story

While Jason has been cashing in live events around the United States for many years, he grew up playing the game seriously online. How he started playing poker, however, was with friends, where bragging rights were way more important than the money changing hands.

“I started playing poker in High School for fun and quickly got drawn to the game more seriously through some guys that were slightly older than me,” Jason tells us. “They had started a point-based multi-week Sit N Go that ran usually once a month. There would be a prize-pool for the night along with a separate pool that would crown the winner with the most points at the end of 10-12 games.”

Jason continued to drive back to his hometown from college every week in what his friends Gus christened the ‘GPT’. After succeeding in the SNGs, Jason looked for guidance on how to improve at the game online and his journey truly began.

“I found ways to get better, online games to play and forums to discuss with people just as passionate as me,” he says. “Pocket Fives – which is now PokerStake became my home to discuss hands, argue with strangers about poker related things and have a sense of community.”

Jason started playing poker on now defunct sites such as Racebook.com and Paradise Poker. Soon, though, he found PokerStars and Full Tilt where he could play more, and he naturally improved at the game.

“I became a low-mid stake grinder until Black Friday, not putting nearly enough volume in and instead partying with friends and enjoying a good balance off the felt.”

Keeping the Game Stateside

In a post-Black Friday era where many Americans have been forced to travel to keep their poker dream alive, Jason has found creative ways to keep playing while in his home country. All of his many cashes on The Hendon Mob have come in the United States and he’s a proud American.

“I prioritize playing online above all else,” says Jason. “I’d say 80-90% of my volume has always been online and a place I’ve felt more comfortable. I’m a social person but not somebody who wants to be sitting in a casino for weeks and months. Most of my live play will be closer to home in Charlotte or traveling to Cherokee, the newly opened Danville and direct flights to Pennsylvania or Atlantic City.”

While these local events are the ones Jason leaves his laptop for, one tournament series more than any other will always draw him out – the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

“It’s the only time I truly get the itch to go to the desert.” Jason says. “Chasing a bracelet still means a little something to me even though the allure of a bracelet has changed for me and others the last few decades with WSOP making more events and online bracelets.”

Jason’s results in WSOP events have been very strong. He’s reached the money in massive events such as the Millionaire Maker and then come close to a WSOP Circuit ring with some very deep finishes in Cherokee.

“I prefer playing big field WSOP events over anything else. As I mentioned before, it is the time of year I get excited about most. The WSOP Circuit has too many unlimited re-entry, smaller stake, high rake formats that don’t appeal to me.”

Taking Titles in Cherokee

“They run a flawless series and the fields are always huge no matter the stakes.”

Jason has always been successful in Cherokee, where he has won big, and after repeating the trick in Pennsylvania, won two ranking events in those locations. Both the sovereign state of Cherokee and The Keystone State are by no means the biggest areas in the U.S. in terms of poker population but are filled with passionate players.

“Cherokee is one of the best stops in the U.S.,” says Jason. “They run a flawless series and the fields are always huge no matter the stakes. I’m very lucky for it to be a few hours from home.”

When he has to go further afield, he’ll often pick Pennsylvania because they now have online poker back in the state.

“I’ve traveled to Pennsylvania and New Jersey a bunch to play regulated online poker and have a few friends that live in the area, so it’s always been a place I love to attend. I can visit them and compete in some fun poker tournaments along the way.”

Buying and Selling on PokerStake

“I try to price my markup based on my perceived edge in the field for a backer or investor to profit while making it worthwhile for the player.”

Selling action on PokerStake is something Jason has recently added to his game. We asked him what attracted him to the site and how he’s found the process since signing up.

“PokerStake is a great site,” he says. “I’ve always not only been a player but a small-mid average buy-in backer and piece buyer. The site not only allows me to sell good sweats to people but also allows me to get percentages of great players as well.”

Jason is playing the upcoming WSOP Circuit series in Cherokee, and of course is selling action on PokerStake. Pricing his action at a markup of 1.17 or 1.18, he’s selling between 20-25% of his action.

“Markup has always been the ultimate debate in poker and especially the online forums and X or Twitter,’ Jason explains. “I try to price my markup based on my perceived edge in the field and the max attainable return on investment (ROI). I try to leave enough room for a backer or investor to profit while making it worthwhile for the player – both should benefit.”

Pricing up different events accordingly is what makes it so easy for buyers to identify value on PokerStake and Jason is a big fan of the facility to do so.

“A Millionaire Maker, Monster Stack or Main Event size field with seven figures to the winner will be slightly more markup than a smaller field circuit event or one or two day tournament.”

What’s Next for Poker’s Humble Hero?

With the 57^th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) just three weeks away, Jason is selling action to the biggest tournament festival in the world. He has already planned how he intends to attack the 2026 WSOP and win gold.

“⁠I have action up for the WSOP right now and my plan is to play most $1,500-$1,700 events and maybe get in a few higher ones that have limited re-entries or are freezeouts.”

Now over $623,000 in lifetime winnings on The Hendon Mob, Jason plans to push forward in his poker career over the short term, medium term and long into the future. How soon can we expect to see him cross the ‘million’ mark in live tournament earnings?

“My short term goals are to win a WSOP bracelet and expand my investing stable getting action of great players whether that be through connections or PokerStake!” says Jason. “I love a good sweat. My long term goals are to get better at cash games, mainly PLO and also take my MTT game past No Limit Hold’em into PLO, PLO8, and even 2-7.”

With that, Jason is off, heading for Harrah’s in Cherokee to compete in his latest WSOP Circuit crusade. Want to back him at the felt? You could be investing in one of poker’s quiet risers in the game who is loving life at the felt whether he’s at home or on the road. Head to the WSOP Circuit Cherokee PokerStake page right here.