Nationality
American citizen
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Born (date and place of birth)
June 24, 1988, Hanover Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA
Residence (current location)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Education (institution, specialization)
Bachelor's degree in Economics from Cornell University
Children (number, ages)
One child (at least one child; more details not public)
Year started playing poker
2005
Age when started playing
17
Year turned professional
2008
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
2012 World Series of Poker Event #12: $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em, $371,498
Who introduced to poker / first mentor
Math teacher introduced him to poker in high school
First important tournament
Early tournaments online during high school; first major live event WSOP 2008
Main motivation for turning pro
Passion for mathematical strategy and competition; success in early online play
Initial bankroll
Built $250,000 bankroll online by end of high school
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Self-taught, extensive study of game theory and mixed-game strategy
Total live tournament winnings
Over $5,956,622 in live tournaments as of January 2024
Number of tournament wins
At least 6 major tournament titles (WSOP bracelets); several others not listed
Number of final tables
Over 30 live tournament final tables
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
$4,180,000 in a single online PLO session versus Viktor “Isildur1” Blom (not live tournament)
WSOP bracelets (number)
6 (2012, 2015 x2, 2018, 2021, 2022)
WSOP cashes (number)
196
WSOP final tables
At least 11
Best WSOP Main Event result
49th place, 2015 World Series of Poker Main Event
Online tournament winnings
Multi-million USD career, including a $4.2M session win on Full Tilt Poker
Major online titles
Significant online PLO and mixed-game wins; details not centralized
Main cash game limits
Primarily $25/$50 to $500/$1,000 stakes online; high stakes live mixed games
Highest stakes played
$500/$1,000 PLO and mixed games
Notable high stakes sessions
$4.2M win in one session vs “Isildur1” (Viktor Blom) online, 2009
Estimated cash game profits (if known)
Significant, multi-million dollar career profits in both live and online formats
Country ranking
Top 10 USA throughout 2015–2022
All Time Money List position
Approximately #121 on the all-time money list (varies by update)
Average tournament win
Most live cashes in $50,000–$370,000 range; average over 196 cashes estimated at approx. $30,000
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Consistent WSOP cashes every year since 2012; best years 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2022
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
Mixed games; specialties include PLO, Seven Card Stud, H.O.R.S.E., and Limit 2-7 Lowball
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Live and online tournaments, high stakes cash, multi-format events
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
No limit; experience in all sizes, excels at full-ring and 6-max
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
NLHE, PLO, H.O.R.S.E., Seven Card Stud, 8-Game, 10-Game Mix, Limit Triple Draw
Specialization limits
High and nosebleed limits, including $10,000+ buy-in live mixed games
Online rooms where plays
PokerStars (screenname: stinger88), Full Tilt Poker (screenname: Stinger88)
Favorite casinos/locations
Las Vegas venues, especially WSOP at Rio, Horseshoe Las Vegas
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Highly strategic, adaptive, balanced aggressive approach; strong mixed-game fundamentals
Known for bluffs/traps
Selective; capable of high-level bluffs in key situations, known for outmaneuvering tough opponents
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Mathematical, GTO and exploitative hybrid style
Style adaptability
Strong; adjusts precisely to fields ranging from elite pros to recreational players
Playing strengths
Multi-game versatility, elite heads-up play, mental resilience, bankroll management
GTO strategy usage
Advanced utilization and study of GTO strategies
Poker software usage
Solver tools, hand analysis/statistics packages, GTO training software
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
Featured on coverage of WSOP final tables and ESPN WSOP broadcasts
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
Extensive features in PokerNews, CardPlayer, major poker media
Podcast appearances (podcast names, episode titles, dates, links)
Multiple podcasts and poker roundtable appearances in elite poker media
LinkedIn profile (link)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-hastings-43670220
Posting frequency in social media
Infrequent, event-driven (WSOP results, major wins, announcements)
Type of content in social media
Poker insights, tournament updates, personal milestones, mixed-game strategy
Own business (business names, descriptions, websites)
Helped run poker training ventures, specifics not current
Coaching services (availability, platforms used)
Active private coach and contributor to training sites
Poker community criticism (specific criticisms, responses)
Faced scrutiny over 2009 Viktor Blom session for potential collusion but was cleared by site and community
Response to criticism (statements, actions taken)
Publicly addressed controversy, explained strategy, widely regarded as legitimate
Hall of Fame inclusion (hall names, induction years)
Not eligible as of 2025 (under age 40)
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Respected by top pros as elite mixed-game and PLO player
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
Youngest player to win 6 WSOP bracelets by age 33; first to win both high-level PLO and mixed-game WSOP events
Records associated with name (record descriptions, verification)
Largest single-session online win at time ($4.2M vs “Isildur1,” 2009)
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Elevated profile for mixed games in modern poker
Charity tournaments (tournament names, amounts raised, beneficiaries)
Documented participation in poker charity events; specific results not centralized
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Recognized as a mixed-game innovator and online PLO legend
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Helped popularize high-stakes PLO and advanced mixed-games approach among younger generation
WSOP (World Series of Poker) - all events all years
2024 | USA | Moneymaker $1,700 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event $1 Million GTD | Las Vegas | Main Event | $1,700 | 40 | ||||2022 | USA | WSOP $10,000 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Championship | Las Vegas | Event #31 | $10,000 | 1 | $292,146 ||2021 | USA | WSOP $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship | Las Vegas | Event #73 | $10,000 | 1 | $352,958 ||2018 | USA | WSOP $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. | Las Vegas | Event #76 | $3,000 | 1 | $233,202 ||2015 | USA | WSOP $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship | Las Vegas | Event #27 | $10,000 | 1 | $239,518 ||2015 | USA | WSOP $1,500 Ten-Game Mix | Las Vegas | Event #39 | $1,500 | 1 | $133,403 ||2012 | USA | WSOP $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em | Las Vegas | Event #12 | $10,000 | 1 | $371,498