Josh "Crippled Action" Cranfill

The name’s Josh Cranfill, from Burlington, NC, but I am known as “Crippled-Action” on the felt. I have been playing poker for approximately 10 years, seeing both live and on-line action. I am not your average looking poker player however. I was born with Muscular Dystrophy, which is a muscle disease that limits the use of my limbs, and requires me to be in an electric wheelchair. This only adds a wrinkle to my game. When I go play poker, I have a card assistant, who shows me my cards and tosses in my chips – as I verbalize all of my action.

When people see me at their table, they have their doubts – hence, the name “Crippled-Action”. For my 21st birthday, my parents took me to Atlantic City to do some gambling. It was my first time being in a casino and playing live poker. I took my first seat at a $3/$6 table and was greeted by an old drunk lady that started heckling me about being in a wheelchair and being "different''. It got pretty vulgar to the point that my mom was being refrained by the floor staff. The lady made the statement, "I am not going to give that crippled kid any action." Then the name Crippled-Action was born and for the next 2 hours, the other people at the table (who were all disgusted with the lady), moved out of the way and let me run her into the ground until she went broke! I took about $300 off of her. The rest is history…

Texas Hold ‘Em is my game of choice, however, I like playing the different styles of Stud and Omaha as well. Hold ‘Em tournaments are what I play most, focusing on MTT’s. I consider myself a relatively tight player, but depending on the players at my table, it dictates my style. I think a poker player should always be a student of the game. As it is said, poker is an easy game to learn, but a hard game to master. With that said, I think poker players should also have realistic goals. This year, I want to take my game to the next level. I want to make my game more well-rounded.

I also have succeeded away from the felt. I graduated with honors from Elon University in 2007, where I earned a Bachelor's in Science in Leisure/Sport Management and a minor in Psychology. I am currently the Vice President of the North Carolina Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association, which is a hockey league that is geared for those individuals who have disabilities that require them to be in an electric wheelchair. I am also travel as a motivational speaker, speaking on issues such as overcoming obstacles, disability awareness, and seeing life with a positive mindset. I also act as an Assistant Coach for a high school football team.

That is about all you need to about Josh “Crippled-Action” Cranfill. I’ll see you at the table!

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