JNandez: IT Worker to Coach & Pot Limit Omaha Legend

You might know Fernando Habegger as “JNandez”, the PLO expert who turned a passion for poker into a full-blown empire. Born in St. Gallen, Switzerland, he’s gone from grinding online to building one of the game’s most trusted coaching brands. All the while, continuing to evolve as both a player and a voice in the community alongside his place as a CoinPoker ambassador.

Key details about JNandez:

• Full Name: Fernando Habegger
• CoinPoker Username: JNandez (often uses JNandez87 on other platforms)
• Net Worth: Estimated to be over $4.4M
• Live Poker Earnings: $827,762
• WSOP Bracelets: Notable deep runs, but no bracelets.
• Playing Style: Primarily a PLO specialist, known for his aggressive, theoretically sound approach.

Beyond playing, JNandez has successfully ventured into poker education. He founded PLO Mastermind, a leading platform for PLO training, sharing his extensive knowledge and refined strategies. He also authored “Mastering Small Stakes Pot-Limit Omaha.”

You can follow JNandez on Twitter @JNandezPoker and YouTube @JNandez87.

What Was JNandez Doing Before Poker?

Before becoming the renowned poker figure we know today, Fernando “JNandez” Habegger dipped his toes into a couple of different career paths. His professional path began far from the online poker tables, where he spent a year in IT support at a major pharmaceutical company in Switzerland. While he enjoyed his time in IT, it was evident that he had a natural affinity for technology. But deep down, he knew that world wasn’t his final destination.

Looking to explore something new, JNandez enrolled in economics at a university in Lucerne, Switzerland. Those early chapters gave him a solid footing in the professional world, but it wasn’t long before a passion for poker took over. From there, he set his sights on mastering Pot-Limit Omaha and never looked back. It shows that even the sharpest minds in poker sometimes have a mundane story before the cards!

How JNandez Became a Pro Player and Coach

JNandez initially jumped into poker in 2005, spending his early years dabbling in various No-Limit Hold’em formats, including cash games, tournaments, and Sit & Go tournaments. In 2011, he made a decisive switch, choosing to specialize in Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO). This wasn’t a casual choice. Fernando invested a significant portion of his $15,000 bankroll in coaching and mindset work, making it clear that he was all-in on taking his game to the next level.

Over the past few years, JNandez has solidified his reputation as a top-tier educator, guiding hundreds of students to elevate their game. His dedication culminated in the launch of PLO Mastermind, a comprehensive platform for PLO coaching, and the publication of his book, “Mastering Small Stakes Pot-Limit Omaha,” in 2020. Today, he balances creating PLO content with playing mid to high-stakes PLO cash games and tournaments. Poker has also been a constant source of personal growth, challenging Fernando to evolve, stay sharp, and share his passion with others.

Fernando’s Best Poker Moments and Biggest Wins

Fernando “JNandez” Habegger has undoubtedly made his mark in the poker world with some impressive achievements! One of his most recent highlights was a fantastic run at the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP), where he snagged a 2nd place finish in the $5,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha Mixed event, cashing in a cool $330,344.

That strong WSOP result was no fluke. JNandez has backed it up time and again with consistent performances in Pot-Limit Omaha. Also known for his successful bankroll challenge, where he famously turned $20,000 into $100,000 playing 6-max PLO cash games online in just 100 days. His dedication to the game, both as a player and a coach, has paid off, solidifying his status as a PLO specialist.

What’s JNandez’s Poker Playing Style?

The cover of his book says it best: “Fernando has spent more time engaged in a deep study of PLO than anyone on the planet, so you can be confident his recommended strategies are +EV in any game format and will remain so for many years to come.” It’s a fitting tribute to the work ethic and expertise that define his approach.

Fernando is renowned for his sharp, strategic approach, particularly in Pot-Limit Omaha, which is grounded in a deep theoretical understanding. His game is built on a solid foundation of knowledge, including equity, hand ranges, and optimal play. From meticulously categorizing hands preflop to applying a structured postflop strategy, his methodical style gives him a clear edge at the table.

At the same time, he’s not afraid to turn up the heat. Fernando often leans into an aggressive approach when he holds an equity advantage, particularly in 3-bet pots. He’s a strong advocate for using modern tools and solvers to fine-tune his strategy, making him not just a high-level player, but also someone who understands the reasoning behind every move he makes.

Joining CoinPoker and Becoming an Ambassador

Fernando’s appointment as a CoinPoker ambassador in October 2023 felt like a natural next step. Known for both his skill and forward-thinking mindset, his decision to join the platform reflected a clear vision for where the game is headed. He has said, “Worldwide access is huge. I love crypto and the underlying ideas around it. Crypto + poker is the future,” perfectly summing up his belief in the space.

This partnership speaks volumes about his standing in the poker world, beyond dominating on the felt. Fernando is deeply committed to educating the next generation of players, primarily through his PLO Mastermind platform. CoinPoker gives him the flexibility to create top-tier content and compete from anywhere in the world, reinforcing his role as a true thought leader in the evolving poker landscape.

What’s JNandez’s Plan for the Future?

As JNandez puts it, “Poker is a vehicle for personal growth,” a mindset that continues to drive him to improve both his game and himself. His future in poker is shaped by this relentless pursuit of learning, keeping him at the cutting edge of Pot-Limit Omaha strategy as the game continues to evolve.

Balancing his role as both player and teacher, Fernando splits his focus between high-stakes PLO cash games and major tournaments. All this in addition to growing his educational platform, PLO Mastermind, which regularly introduces new tools and resources. His partnership with CoinPoker reinforces his long-term belief in the future of blockchain poker. Whether through elite-level play or top-tier coaching, expect JNandez to keep raising the bar for what’s possible in the world of PLO.