Blog · Jayser's story
Nice to meet you.
By Sergii (Jayser1337) May 15, 2026 4 min read
ello, I'm Sergii, better known as Jayser1337 on PokerStars. My journey in the world of poker has been an exciting one, filled with tough high stakes games, intense study, and a transition from player to coach that has been both challenging and rewarding.
The years that built the game
I started playing poker in 2011, and by 2014, I started playing NL5K games. It took me about five shots to become an NL5K winner (no, not the shots you do in a bar, if you're wondering). From 2015, I selectively played up to NL5-10K games, and since 2019, I've been focusing on high-stakes games up to NL40K. Upon reaching the milestone of earning my first million before my 25th birthday, I decided to step away from poker for a brief three-month period.
This break only fueled my passion further, prompting me to return to the game with even greater determination. And many things I've tried: working with the mnemonics coach, taking self-development courses, reading books on brain productivity, and studying top athletes from different sports trying to figure out what does it take to become the best.
From player to coach
My poker journey hasn't been solely about playing and studying. I've been coaching since 2015, with the last few years primarily focused on coaching small groups of players for profit percentage. Initially, 95% of my students were Russian-speaking players, but lately I've extended my services to the English-speaking audience as well. You can check out the feedback on the home page.
At some point, I became obsessed with finding the best algorithm to study the game, dedicating a significant amount of time to poker theory. My findings became the basis on which I remastered the latest version of the JPS Cash course. It also gave me a huge boost in understanding the game and the confidence to reg-war at NL5-10K tables battling the strongest players.
"My most productive year theory-wise followed, where I dedicated about 400 hours to solver study during the summer alone."
Why I stepped back
Due to some serious health concerns, I've made the decision to step back from my role as an active high-stakes player in the coming months. In 2023 I spent around 3 months playing high-stakes app games, but I don't see myself as an active grinder anymore. Instead, I've chosen to fully commit my time and energy to coaching: a path that enables me to indulge in my passion for continuous learning and strategic mastery.
This role lets me assist my students, celebrate their growth, and avoid the stress and frequent burnouts I had when playing regularly.
The proof
The career graph, walked through:
Outside the tables
Outside of poker, I have a variety of interests. I love reading, particularly books on personal growth, philosophy, psychology, and investments. I'm also an avid traveller, rock climber, and I enjoy hiking and spending time with friends and family.
Originally from Ukraine, 32 years old. I've lived in around ten different countries in the last decade. The place I've spent the most time was Phuket, Thailand, where I lived for almost seven years. It's where I met many great poker players: LuckyCPS, Stefan11122, GiveMeUp, Inferno_K, and many others who became my teachers, close friends, or colleagues.
My journey in poker has been filled with highs and lows. Through it all, I've stayed committed to the game and to helping others improve their skills. I look forward to sharing what I've learned with you.