From Jail to the Poker Table: Joshua Adcock’s Journey of Second Chances
Joshua Adcock once sat in a jail cell, facing a 10-year prison sentence. His life was full of drug use and bad choices — and he knew he had hit a dead end. But then, something changed. “What really woke me up was realizing if I got in any more trouble, I was going to have to do 10 years.”
Between 2003 and 2017, Joshua had collected enough felony charges to be labeled a persistent felon in Kentucky. When he was offered a spot in the Substance Abuse Program (SAP), a six-month rehab program for people facing drug-related charges, he decided to take a different path. After finishing the program and serving his time, he was released on probation and ready for a new beginning.
That decision changed his life.
Not long after, Joshua found something surprising that helped him stay sober: poker. He had played poker since he was a kid at his grandfather’s pool hall, but now he began to take the game seriously. “I feel like poker saved my life because you get the same adrenaline rush off it. You get a type of high off of it,” he said.
Through years of practice, focus, and staying clean, Joshua became a professional poker player. He didn’t just play for fun—he competed in big tournaments all over the country.
In 2022, he made a big breakthrough at the Hard Rock Casino in Florida, finishing first in a major tournament. “Victory gives you such a feeling of accomplishment. It’s very important to validate yourself as a professional in this world,” he explained.
In 2023, Joshua placed 6th out of more than 8,300 players in a big tournament at the World Series of Poker. He also continued to do well in other competitions, proving to himself—and the world—that he belonged at the top.
Today, Joshua lives with his wife in Kentucky and continues to play poker professionally. But more importantly, he shares his story to inspire others. “Get clean and pursue your dreams,” he said. “Never let anyone tell you that you can’t accomplish your goals or live your dream life.”
Joshua’s story shows that even when life feels hopeless, it’s never too late to change. His success wasn’t overnight. He made a hard choice to get clean, work hard, and stay committed to something positive. Middle schoolers can learn from his journey — not because he plays poker, but because he didn’t let his past define his future. Whether your dream is art, sports, science, or anything else, your choices today can shape the life you’ll live tomorrow.
Source:
- https://youtube.com/shorts/3ZZDc4wm7RY?si=2PGri4JOIWca00l6
- https://hoptownchronicle.org/professional-poker-player-from-hopkinsville-banks-big-earnings-on-sobriety/
- https://app.pictory.ai/
- https://chatgpt.com/
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