Hi, I’m Paul Christopher Hoppe. Once upon a time, I went by GiantBuddha throughout the pokerverse, played online mid-stakes Limit Holdem for a living, made videos for Stoxpoker and DragTheBar, wrote a few poker books, and coached some students.

Coincident with my poker journey, I taught taekwondo for over a decade in Manhattan. I taught yoga for a while as well, played guitar and bass in various bands, and wrote some fiction, too.

These days, I go by ZenMadman in most places, and primarily play online No Limit Holdem cash games, mostly NL100. I have also played live poker through the eras, from 1999 through 2023, as well as app games more recently. I currently coach live poker players and work with them on mental game as well.

I am looking to expand my coaching business and am offering technical coaching through NL100 online, live poker coaching at most stakes, and mental game / performance coaching for anyone.