From Home Games to Major Life Changes
In the beginning of the interview, Moreno admits that his poker journey started with home games with friends. The moment that truly hit him was seeing a friend accurately predict an opponent's hand before the showdown. That moment made him realize that poker is not just about the cards; it's about the mindset.
After some time, he transitioned to online poker, playing exclusively $3 heads-up Sit & Go's, learning basic principles, and gradually building a bankroll. Without solvers or training platforms — just through repetition and observing better players.
A turning point came with popular step tournaments, which allow players to climb from minimal investments to entries in major events. This was Andrew's case — starting with a small buy-in and working his way up to a $3,300 tournament, where he won approximately $16,000. It was a moment that gave him his first real bankroll.
The cherry on top was an encounter Andrew fondly recalls: “That very evening, I met my future wife. Poker practically changed my financial and personal life in one day.”
Years as a Cash Game Grinder
Although Moreno is now known primarily on the tournament circuit, he spent most of his career in live cash games. He played $1/2, $2/5, $5/10, climbing even higher over time. It wasn't until he neared thirty that he decided to take things to a professional level.
He joined a community of players, surrounded himself with better players, started working with a coach, and later contributed to building a stable of players. According to him, communication is key in staking — when a player struggles, they need more support, not less. Fortunately, he received plenty of support, allowing his career to continue its upward trajectory.
A significant turning point came after collaboration with Chris Brewer. The American pro, with nearly $30 million in live tournament winnings, became Moren's mentor and friend, helping him bring a new perspective on aggression and balance to his game. Andrew began to think more about where opponents over-fold and where there's room for exploitation, further increasing his edge.
A Life-Changing Victory
The biggest moment of Moreno's career came in June 2021 at The Wynn Millions tournament in Las Vegas. Andrew triumphed over a field of 1,328 entries, capturing approximately $1.4 million as the champion. At the time, his wife was in the advanced stages of pregnancy, and as he puts it, this win not only brought a substantial financial reward but also the much-needed mental relief.
Thanks to this victory, Moreno gained entry into the world of high stakes games, with an interest particularly in PokerGO series tournaments. “The $10k or $25k buy-ins mean several tournaments without cashing can result in losing hundreds of thousands. Reputation at the table plays a crucial role — if opponents perceive you as capable of bluffing, it creates a dynamic that can generate an additional edge.”
Today, Moreno is a father of two, and while he dedicates himself full-time to poker, his priorities lie elsewhere. Last year he played over 100 tournaments, yet he continues to find time for mentoring and coaching, and of course, for his family, which remains his number one priority. Andrew Moreno's story shows that the path to high stakes success doesn't have to be quick. It's not a tale of perfection. It's a story of adaptation, a willingness to change your mindset, and recognizing that poker is a long-term game — both on and off the table.
More from Table One Podcast
Yukon Brad Booth: Return to High Stakes Poker and the Ultimate Bluff Against Phil Ivey
Landon Tice: When Talent Outpaces Maturity and Poker Forces You to Grow Up
Jeremy Ausmus: From Dusty Poker Games in Colorado to the Pinnacle of World Poker
Cary Katz: Why High Stakes Attracts Extremely Analytical Personalities
Sources: YouTube, TheHendonMob, Flickr/WorldPokerTour
