Last Updated on September 29, 2026 by Bala Kumar
The poker community is mourning Josh “JT” Turner, the St. Louis tournament grinder who collected seven WSOP Circuit rings. Turner died on September 2 after a two-year fight with cancer. News of his death spread nearly a month later.
His longtime friend Daniel Lowery, fresh off his 21st Circuit ring win, broke the news to the wider poker world in a Facebook post. Lowery explained that Turner’s family had chosen to hold off on a public announcement for a while.
That announcement eventually came from Turner’s mother, who posted on her son’s X account to let his followers know he had died. She described him as a fighter to the very end, noting that he faced his illness with the same toughness he showed at the poker table.
Remembering a Friend of the Poker Community
A memorial service for Turner was held on September 8 at Kutis Affton Chapel in St. Louis, Missouri. In recent years, the 46-year-old had become a familiar face at The Lodge Card Club near Austin, Texas.
Since the news broke, friends and fellow players have filled social media with stories about Turner and messages of support for his family. Lowery praised him as a genuine, stand-up person, and admitted that while he was aware his friend was sick, he had no idea the illness would take his life. Many others in the poker world shared the same sense of shock.
A Career Full of Rings and Deep Runs
Born on December 20, 1979, the Missouri native built a résumé that backed up his reputation. According to The Hendon Mob, he won more than $2.4 million in live tournament cashes during his career.
Some of his best moments came in his hometown. In 2015, Turner won the WSOP Circuit Main Event at Lumiere Place in St. Louis, beating a field of 415 players for $136,945 after leading the chip counts on each of the first two days.
His 2016 season was his most decorated. That year he won three rings and two Casino Champion titles, then finished third in the Global Casino Championship for $150,581.
Turner picked up the last of his seven Circuit rings in 2018, and that same summer produced the biggest score of his life. He finished third in the $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack at the World Series of Poker for $294,760, one of three bracelet-event final tables he reached that year.
His success reached beyond the WSOP. Turner also won titles on the RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) and the Heartland Poker Tour (HPT), along with a long list of cashes in Texas, Las Vegas and across the country.
He kept playing until close to the end. His official WSOP player profile shows seven rings and $1,646,668 in total WSOP earnings, with recent cashes that include the $600 Ultra Stack at the 2025 WSOP. His final recorded cash came just last month at The Lodge, the room he loved most.
Our thoughts are with Josh Turner’s family, friends and everyone in the poker community who had the chance to share a table with him.
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FAQs
1. Who was Josh “JT” Turner?
Josh “JT” Turner was a St. Louis poker tournament player who won seven WSOP Circuit rings and more than $2.4 million in live tournament cashes.
2. When did Josh Turner die?
Josh Turner died on September 2 after a two-year battle with cancer. His family delayed the public announcement of his death.
3. How many WSOP Circuit rings did Josh Turner win?
Turner won seven WSOP Circuit rings during his career. His final Circuit ring came in 2018.
4. What was Josh Turner’s biggest poker cash?
Turner’s biggest recorded tournament cash was $294,760, which he earned for finishing third in the $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack at the 2018 WSOP.
5. How much did Josh Turner earn in WSOP tournaments?
According to his official WSOP player profile, Josh Turner recorded $1,646,668 in total WSOP earnings, including seven Circuit rings.
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