The Snack Attack: Clyde’s Journey from Poker Enthusiast to Casino Icon

A Poker Star’s Origin Story

Clyde’s love affair with poker began early. At just 12 years old, he’d sit with his father, a dedicated card player in their Ohio hometown, learning the ins and outs of the game. What started as a family pastime quickly grew into something bigger.

Clyde didn’t just play poker, he absorbed it. Gaskins studied the game and even studied the psychology behind every bluff. The table was never just about luck. For Clyde, it became a stage and a way to get his infectious personality into the world.

Clyde’s Incredible Journey

Life threw its fair share of curveballs at Gaskins. After running his own painting business for years, an economic downturn pushed Clyde to rethink his path. That decision brought him west to Las Vegas. There, he traded brushes and rollers for decks of cards and never looked back.

His big break came through social media. A player at the ARIA Poker Room, where Clyde works, recorded a clip of him announcing a hand with the kind of flair that’s become his signature. That video went viral first on TikTok, then Instagram. From there, the producers of Queer Eye came calling. Clyde thought the email was spam. It wasn’t.

Tragedy Strikes

The timing wasn’t perfect. Just as filming was about to start, Clyde needed quadruple bypass surgery. Many would have stepped away. But Clyde’s resilience kicked in. With support from the show’s team and his own determination to bounce back, he pushed through recovery and came out stronger. The transformation episode aired and turned him into a beloved face on the Strip and he’s known by many.

Now, Clyde is back on his feet and doing great things…

Clyde’s Online Exploits

Beyond the cameras and casino lights, Clyde shares his passion through The Snack Attack Show, his YouTube channel where he interviews poker pros and reflects on life at the felt. From a modest 300 subscribers, the channel exploded post-Queer Eye, climbing past 12,000 and still growing. His show includes chatting with big names as well, just breaking down a good bluff. Clyde also shares some of his warmth and opens up in pretty heartwarming videos like ‘How it all came about’.

Sure, some poker stars have more than this, but we think Gaskins could just be at the start of his journey, relatively speaking. His top video on YouTube at the moment is Snack Attack Podcast Episode 3 featuring Ari Engel, which has over 26,000 views.

Clyde is loved as a dealer and a player, and Poker socialite Hayley Hanna even suggested putting him forward for the GPI Dealer of the Year Award!

Original Source: YouTube. Snack Attack Podcast – Episode 9

Clyde’s Poker Career

Today, Clyde lives in the Mar-a-Lago district of Las Vegas with his close friend Shane Butts. It’s a lively pocket of the city with a dash of casino culture. Just down the road, the ARIA buzzes with poker action and this is where Clyde can still be found dealing cards at times. But Clyde’s reach goes far beyond that single room. His story is popular among players and fans across the globe and his fan base may well be growing.

Gaskins is not at the very top of the earnings lists like some of the best poker players, but he has a respectable history.

His Total Live Earnings are $110,952, and his Best Live Cash in a tournament sits at $42,500.

Clyde’s Inspiring Story

Lots of people have found Clyde’s story inspiring. There’s something magnetic about someone who’s walked through health scares like this only to emerge more vibrant than ever. He’s a testament to the enduring charm of that kind of resilience. He has even remained humble in the newfound popularity he has. He explained in an interview: “I’ve never been on TV before, but since they filmed it, wow. People are coming in (to ARIA) just to get their picture taken with me. Isn’t that funny? I know. I still can’t believe it.”

Gaskins was not someone who got his break early. He had to get there the hard way. And who knows? Someone out there might be sitting at their kitchen table, just like Clyde once did, learning to read the table with their father. The next chapter could be one video or one hand away.

Feeling Inspired? Exploring Poker For Yourself

Not everyone needs to head to Vegas to tap into the magic. Today’s tech makes it easy to play from just about anywhere. Live casino platforms offer the excitement of roulette wheels and poker tables, all streamed straight to phones or laptops. These platforms make it feel like you’re sitting under the neon lights without ever leaving the couch and give something of the feel of Vegas (or other amazing casino locations).

Clyde’s journey might have taken him to the epicentre of it all, but his story speaks to anyone drawn to the thrill of the game: poker’s appeal lies in the drama.