Nationality
Brian Rast is an American citizen, born and raised in the United States. He holds U.S. citizenship and residency status.
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Born (date and place of birth)
Brian Rast was born on November 8, 1981, in Denver, Colorado, USA. He moved to Poway, California in 1990.
Residence (current location)
He currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, living in the Panorama Towers, which is known for housing prominent poker professionals.
Education (institution, specialization)
Brian Rast graduated as valedictorian from Poway High School in 2000 and attended Stanford University before leaving to pursue poker professionally.
Children (number, ages)
Public records do not indicate specific details regarding children; many poker professionals may choose to keep family information private.
Year started playing poker
Brian Rast began his professional poker career in 2004 after leaving Stanford University.
Age when started playing
He started playing poker seriously at around age 22-23, soon after college.
Year turned professional
Brian Rast transitioned to full-time professional poker status in 2004.
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
Rast's first significant tournament victory was the 2011 WSOP $1,500 Pot Limit Hold’em, earning him $227,232 and his first bracelet.
Who introduced to poker / first mentor
There is no public information about a specific mentor; many pros develop through peer groups and online resources.
First important tournament
His earliest recorded tournament cash was at the WSOP 2005 $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em event, where he finished in the money.
Main motivation for turning pro
Most poker professionals cite passion for poker, strategic challenge, and earning potential as key motivators for going pro.
Initial bankroll
Specific details about Rast's initial bankroll are not public; typically, players use savings or small stakes winnings to fund their professional career.
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Rast produced online training videos and participated in poker training sites like Poker VT and RunItOnce, which indicates a commitment to education.
First sponsor/backing
No specific details available for Rast's first sponsor; many pros secure sponsorship after initial big tournament successes.
Total live tournament winnings
His total live tournament earnings exceed $28,350,000 as of 2025.
Number of tournament wins
Rast has recorded dozens of tournament victories, which include multiple WSOP bracelets and high roller wins.
Number of final tables
He has appeared at more than 40 major final tables, including WSOP, WPT, and super high roller events.
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
Rast’s largest single tournament victory was the 2015 Super High Roller Bowl at Aria, where he won $7,525,000.
WSOP bracelets (number)
Brian Rast has seven WSOP bracelets: 2011 $1,500 Pot Limit Hold'em ($227,232), 2011 $50,000 Poker Players Championship ($1,720,328), 2016 $50,000 Poker Players Championship ($1,296,097), 2018 $10,000 No-Limit 2–7 Lowball Draw ($259,670), 2021 $3,000 NLHE 6-Handed ($474,102), 2023 $50,000 Poker Players Championship ($1,324,747), 2025 $10,000 Razz Championship ($306,644).
WSOP cashes (number)
He has at least 155 WSOP money finishes across his career.
WSOP final tables
Rast has made more than 20 final tables at WSOP events, including multiple appearances in Poker Players Championship finals.
Best WSOP Main Event result
His best finish in the WSOP Main Event is not widely publicized; many elite pros focus on high roller and mixed game events.
Super high roller results ($100K+)
2015 | United States | Super High Roller Bowl | Aria | $500,000 Super High Roller Bowl | $500,000 | 1 | $7,525,000 | 43 | |
High roller wins ($25K-$100K)
2022-10-01 | United States | Poker Masters #9 | Aria | $25,000 NLHE | $25,000 | 5 | $108,000 | | | || 2022-09-29 | United States | Poker Masters #7 | Aria | $25,000 NLHE | $25,000 | 2 | $315,000 | | |
Online tournament winnings
Rast has limited tournament results online, but notable finishes include 3rd in Full Tilt Poker’s FTOPS III ($114,203), 3rd in PokerStars Sunday Million ($73,490), and 3rd in PokerStars $2,100 SCOOP ($155,600).
Major online titles
He has achieved multiple significant online tournament cashes but not a major online series championship.
Poker team
Rast was a co-founder of Victory Poker, and has been affiliated with various training sites, but currently does not have a formal team or stable.
Main cash game limits
Rast plays high-stakes mixed games and big bet games; commonly $300/$600 and above in Las Vegas and Macau.
Highest stakes played
He has played at some of the highest stakes available, including $1,500/$3,000 and multi-million dollar pots in Macau and Las Vegas.
Notable high stakes sessions
Rast participated in legendary Macau cash games and Las Vegas "Big Game" sessions featuring massive pots and top competition.
"Big Game" participation
Rast has been a regular in the "Big Game," an elite Las Vegas high-stakes cash game series featuring the world’s top professionals.
Estimated cash game profits (if known)
Exact profit estimates are not public; established pros like Rast can earn millions annually from high stakes live and private games.
Country ranking
He has consistently ranked near the top among American poker players by winnings and bracelet count.
All Time Money List position
As of 2025, Rast is in the top 25 of the global All Time Money List by live tournament earnings.
Tournament ROI (if known)
Specific ROI figures are rarely published but elite-level players in high buy-in events often achieve positive lifetime returns above industry averages.
Average tournament win
His average tournament cash is in six figures, reflecting focus on higher buy-in events and prestigious international series.
ITM percentage
In-the-money percentages for high roller specialists can range from 15% to 30% depending on volume and event selections.
Final table percentage from cashes
Rast’s final table percentage is well above industry norms, often exceeding 10% of total cashes, given consistent deep runs.
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Rast’s highest-earning year was 2015 (over $7 million). He consistently posted $1 million+ years between 2011-2017, highlighting strong performance consistency.
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
Rast specializes in mixed games, No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and is recognized for his skill in multiple Poker Players Championship formats.
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
He excels in live tournaments, high-stakes cash games, and mixed game formats, with limited focus on online play in recent years.
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Rast’s expertise spans full ring, 6-max, and heads-up, adapting to format and event structure for optimal results.
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
Known formats include NLHE, PLO, 2-7 Lowball, Razz, HORSE, 8-Game Mix, and other mixed games showcased at the WSOP.
Specialization limits
He consistently performs best at $25K-plus buy-in tournaments and cash games at $300/$600 and higher stakes.
Online rooms where plays
Rast played under the screenname "tsarrast" on PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker for major online events.
Favorite casinos/locations
Las Vegas venues like Aria, Bellagio, and Rio are favorites, with regular participation and major successes at these locations.
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Rast is known for a versatile, analytical, and adaptive approach, often described as aggressive but balanced, with deep strategic insight.
Known for bluffs/traps
He maintains a solid reputation for well-timed bluffs, creative trapping, and psychological pressure at high stakes.
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Rast emphasizes balanced mathematical reasoning and high-level intuition, supported by analytical proficiency in mixed games.
Style adaptability
Highly adaptable, Rast tailors his approach to opponents, format, and game conditions, thriving in dynamic high-stakes environments.
Playing strengths
Rast’s strengths include mixed game mastery, strategic depth, resilience under pressure, and strong heads-up play in championship events.
GTO strategy usage
He incorporates GTO concepts into decision-making, combined with exploitative tactics based on opponent tendencies.
Poker software usage
Rast produced strategy content, used training sites, and has familiarity with solver-based study but does not market himself as a tech-focused player.
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
Rast has appeared on televised poker broadcasts including Poker After Dark, High Stakes Poker, and PokerGO coverage.
High Stakes Poker participation (seasons/episodes)
He has played on High Stakes Poker, competing in televised cash games with elite professionals.
Poker After Dark appearances (episodes/dates)
He is featured in Poker After Dark episodes, particularly in high stakes and championship-themed seasons.
Documentary films featuring (titles and links)
Rast’s career and high roller lifestyle have been profiled on poker media platforms, but no major mainstream documentary credits are recorded.
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
He has given interviews to PokerNews, CardPlayer, and PokerGO, discussing strategy, career, and high-stakes lifestyle.
Podcast appearances (podcast names, episode titles, dates, links)
Rast has guested on poker podcasts like DAT Poker, The Chip Race, and PokerGO podcasts, sharing expertise and career perspectives.
Own podcast/channel (name, platform, subscriber count, link)
There is no known personal podcast or regular video channel published by Rast.
Facebook (account link)
Public presence is limited; most elite professionals utilize Facebook for promotional or personal updates.
YouTube channel (name, subscriber count, link)
No major personal YouTube channel; occasional features in PokerGO or instructional poker videos.
Twitch channel (name, follower count, link)
Rast is not known for Twitch streaming but has appeared in PokerGO broadcasts and industry livestreams.
TikTok presence (account link, follower count)
No public TikTok channel is associated with Rast.
LinkedIn profile (link)
No active LinkedIn profile is available for Brian Rast; most pros favor platforms targeting the poker audience.
Posting frequency in social media
Posts periodically on Twitter and Instagram, typically around major events, tournament updates, and industry news.
Type of content in social media
Social media content emphasizes tournament results, champion mindset, poker insights, travel, and charity involvement.
Current sponsors (company names, deal details if public)
Rast’s formal sponsor details are not public; established pros frequently represent poker sites, apparel, and charity brands.
Sponsorship contract history (previous sponsors, dates)
He has held past partnership with Victory Poker and contributed to training sites, with further sponsor history evolving post major victories.
Poker site ambassadorship (site names, contract details)
Rast has represented multiple training brands and co-founded Victory Poker, but does not currently hold a major ambassador contract.
Own business (business names, descriptions, websites)
Rast co-founded Victory Poker and has participated in poker content creation and strategy development ventures.
Poker project investments (project names, involvement details)
Industry investments include participation in poker training platforms and advocacy for responsible gaming, with limited public ownership records.
Coaching services (availability, platforms used)
He has participated in coaching and training for Poker VT, RunItOnce, and various educational content platforms.
Coaching rates (if public)
Specific coaching rates are not published; high stakes players typically offer premium sessions upon inquiry or through exclusive channels.
Educational materials (book titles with ISBN, course names with platforms, video series titles with links)
Rast produced instructional videos for Poker VT and RunItOnce, sharing high-stakes insights in online format.
Affiliate programs (program names, partnerships)
Affiliate partnership details are not public; many pros integrate with poker rooms and training sites for industry promotions.
Merchandise (product types, where sold, links)
No standalone merchandise brand is currently marketed by Rast.
Written poker books (titles, publication years, ISBN, publisher)
Rast has not authored a formal poker book; content contributions include interviews and strategy segments in published anthologies.
Training series participation (series names, platforms, links)
He helped create video modules for Poker VT and RunItOnce, focusing on theory and practice in high stakes settings.
Masterclasses and seminars (event names, dates, locations)
Rast appeared as a guest instructor in select PokerGO masterclass content for high stakes play.
Coaching work (platforms used, student testimonials)
Rast’s primary coaching work is through online video training rather than ongoing professional student engagement.
Notable students (names if public, their achievements)
No public record exists of named professional students mentored by Rast.
YouTube educational content (video titles, view counts, links)
Educational YouTube content features Rast through PokerGO, online platforms, and select video modules.
Poker publication articles (publication names, article titles, publication dates, links)
Rast is regularly covered by CardPlayer, PokerNews, PokerGO, with feature profiles, strategy articles, and event recaps.
Magazine columns (magazine names, column titles, frequency)
No recurring column authored by Rast is widely published.
Conference speaking (conference names, dates, topics, video links)
Rast periodically speaks at poker conferences, especially on responsible gaming and mixed game strategy.
Poker scandal involvement (scandal names, details, outcomes)
Rast is not publicly linked to major scandals in the poker world and has maintained a reputation for professional conduct.
Accusations of unfair play (specific incidents, resolutions)
No cheating accusations have been leveled against Rast.
Casino/room conflicts (venue names, incident details)
No documented casino conflicts involving Rast have appeared in public record.
Legal proceedings (case details, outcomes, court documents)
No major legal proceedings are associated with Rast in industry databases.
Public disputes with colleagues (names involved, details)
Public disputes with fellow players are not part of his known career history.
Tournament rule violations (tournament names, violations, penalties)
No major rule violation incidents are documented.
Tax issues (if public, details, resolutions)
Specific tax topics are private; elite pros typically structure tournament and business income per jurisdiction requirements.
Poker community criticism (specific criticisms, responses)
Rast has not received substantial negative criticism; feedback typically focuses on gameplay decision-making and tournament selection.
Response to criticism (statements, actions taken)
Responses to criticisms are handled professionally via interviews, demonstrating openness to strategic evolution.
Poker industry awards (award names, years, organizations)
Rast has received recognition through player of the year nominations, high roller awards, and media acknowledgment.
Hall of Fame inclusion (hall names, induction years)
Brian Rast was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2023.
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Peers recognize Rast for mixed game mastery, championship resilience, and iconic high-stakes wins.
Poker publication awards (publication names, award types, years)
Rast has received coverage and accolades from CardPlayer, PokerNews, and PokerGO for tournament excellence.
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
Major achievements include seven WSOP bracelets, three Poker Players Championship titles, and Super High Roller Bowl victory.
Records associated with name (record descriptions, verification)
Rast holds the record for three Poker Players Championship wins in the modern era and joins the select group with seven WSOP bracelets.
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Rast has contributed to poker development through training video creation, media representation, and philanthropy.
Charity tournaments (tournament names, amounts raised, beneficiaries)
He regularly participates in charity poker events, supporting causes related to responsible gaming and community welfare.
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Rast’s legacy includes his unprecedented Poker Players Championship victories, resilience in mixed games, and leadership in high-stakes circles.
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Rast has influenced the professionalization of mixed game poker, player education, and the prestige of the Poker Players Championship.
WSOP (World Series of Poker) - all events all years
2025-06-18 | United States | WSOP | Horseshoe Las Vegas | $10,000 Razz Championship | $10,000 | 1 | $306,644 | 134 | | || 2023-06 | United States | WSOP | Horseshoe Las Vegas | $50,000 Poker Players Championship | $50,000 | 1 | $1,324,747 | | | || 2021 | United States | WSOP | Rio | $3,000 NLHE 6-Handed | $3,000 | 1 | $474,102 | | | || 2018 | United States | WSOP | Rio | $10,000 2-7 Lowball Draw | $10,000 | 1 | $259,670 | | | || 2016 | United States | WSOP | Rio | $50,000 Poker Players Championship | $50,000 | 1 | $1,296,097 | | | || 2011 | United States | WSOP | Rio | $1,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em | $1,500 | 1 | $227,232 | | | || 2011 | United States | WSOP | Rio | $50,000 Poker Players Championship | $50,000 | 1 | $1,720,328 | | | || 2012 | United States | WSOP | Rio | Big One for One Drop | $1,000,000 | 6 | $1,621,333 | | | || 2008 | United States | WSOP | Rio | $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha w/ Rebuys | $5,000 | 9 | $84,863 | | | || 2009 | United States | WSOP | Rio | $40,000 NLHE 40th Anniversary | $40,000 | 14 | $128,665 | | | || 2005 | United States | WSOP | Rio | $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em | $1,000 | | $3,290 | | | || 2012 | United States | WSOP | Rio | $1,500 NLHE Re-entry | $1,500 | 6 | $137,632 | | |
WSOP Online events
2021 | Digital | WSOP Online | GGPoker | | | | | | |
Poker Masters
2022-10-01 | United States | Poker Masters #9 | Aria | $25,000 NLHE | $25,000 | 5 | $108,000 | | | || 2022-09-29 | United States | Poker Masters #7 | Aria | $25,000 NLHE | $25,000 | 2 | $315,000 | | |
SCOOP (Spring Championship of Online Poker)
2016 | Digital | SCOOP | PokerStars | $2,100 NLHE SCOOP | $2,100 | 3 | $155,600 | | |
FTOPS (Full Tilt Online Poker Series)
2007 | Digital | FTOPS III | Full Tilt | Main Event | | 3 | $114,203.50 | | |
PokerStars Sunday Million
2008 | Digital | Sunday Million | PokerStars | $ | 3 | $73,490 | | |
Aria tournaments
2015 | United States | Super High Roller Bowl | Aria | $500,000 Super High Roller Bowl | $500,000 | 1 | $7,525,000 | 43 | | || 2022-10-01 | United States | Poker Masters #9 | Aria | $25,000 NLHE | $25,000 | 5 | $108,000 | | | || 2022-09-29 | United States | Poker Masters #7 | Aria | $25,000 NLHE | $25,000 | 2 | $315,000 | | |
Bellagio tournaments
2013-12 | United States | Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic High Roller | Bellagio | $100,000 High Roller | $100,000 | 1 | $1,083,500 | | | || 2007 | United States | Five Star World Poker Classic | Bellagio | | | 3 | | | |
Live cash game sessions (documented)
Rast has participated in documented live cash game sessions, especially in Las Vegas, Macau, and PokerGO broadcasts.
High Stakes cash games
Regular appearances in high-stakes cash games ($300/$600 and above) are a core part of Rast’s poker career.
Private game participations
Brian Rast is regularly invited to play in private high stakes games in Las Vegas and Macau, with results not always documented publicly.
Mixed game cash sessions
Mixed game cash sessions in the "Big Game" and PokerGO streams form a prominent component of Rast’s track record.
GGPoker events
2021 | Digital | WSOP Online | GGPoker | | | | | | |
He has performed guest commentary for PokerGO and WSOP final tables, primarily focusing on strategy breakdowns.