Michigan’s Mark Johnson Jr. is $5,000 richer!

In 2015 during the World Series of Poker Circuit stop at Horseshoe Southern Indiana, Johnson and his friend, inaugural MSPT Michigan State Poker champ Ryan Dykhouse, made a bet – that Johnson, who at the time came in a 6’2” and 280 lbs., would lose 52 lbs. in a year while also quitting chewing tobacco and allowing his facial hair to grow out.

It wasn’t so much a bet as Johnson had nothing to lose. That’s because Dykhouse offered him a $5,000 freeroll.

“I said I wanted to get in shape and needed some more motivation,” said Johnson. “It was discussed on the way to Louisville actually. Then on the way back I decided I wanted to do it and we finalized it.”

Johnson wasn’t allowed to shave or trim other than his mustache to prevent it from growing past his upper lip. The first month with no tobacco proved the toughest part of the bet, but a year later he’s done it. What’s more, he’ll collect his prize during this weekend’s event.

To lose the weight, Johnson focused on drinking lots of water, weight training, and varying the types of cardio he did.

“It worked wonders and allowed me to maintain most of my strength and a good chunk of muscle I already had,” he said. “Now that I've gotten rid of some of the fat covering it, I actually look like I have more muscle when in fact I don't. It's just much more noticeable.”

He also got into a calorie deficit, ate clean, and used the popular MyFitnessPal app.

“Right now I'm extremely motivated to keep pursing a more fit lifestyle,” said Johnson. “I truly enjoy the gym, playing basketball, and I will continue to do so now. I'm not exactly sure what I'm training for, but when I know, I'll be ready."

Johnson continued: “Being in shape has a huge impact on how I think. Training and eating healthy is definitely helping my poker game. I've been more motivated to study poker away from the table as well.”

On Sunday, Dykhouse will bring a scale to the MSPT FireKeepers for an official weigh-in (he’ll also shave his infamous beard, which is reminiscent of the Amish), but it’s apparent Johnson has won the bet.

“I wasn't a lock a couple months ago, and from the outside it may have looked like I was cutting it close since I could have finished much earlier,” explained Johnson. “I definitely procrastinated a little bit. But I knew I could get it done last minute if needed.