Nationality
American
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Born (date and place of birth)
April 11, 1963 in Los Angeles, California, USA
Education (institution, specialization)
Ph.D. in Computer Science
Year started playing poker
1993 (first recorded tournament participation)
Age when started playing
About 30 years old
Year turned professional
Mid-1990s, after first WSOP cash in 1995
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
2000 WSOP $10,000 No Limit Texas Hold'em Main Event, $1,500,000 prize
First important tournament
1993 Pai Gow tournament, finished 4th for $1,600
Main motivation for turning pro
Intellectual challenge and competitive environment; turned professional after successful WSOP appearance in 1995
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Self-educated with strong emphasis on game theory, computer simulations, and analyzing hands scientifically, leveraging his computer science background
Total live tournament winnings
Over $9.2 million in live tournament earnings
Number of tournament wins
Multiple, including 6 WSOP bracelets and NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship 2008
Number of final tables
Over 40 final tables at WSOP events
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
$1,500,000 at the 2000 WSOP Main Event
WSOP bracelets (number)
6 (Years: 2000 x2, 2001, 2003 x2, 2017 WSOP Europe)
WSOP cashes (number)
162 cashes
WSOP final tables
41 final tables
Best WSOP Main Event result
Winner of 2000 WSOP Main Event (1st place)
High roller wins ($25K-$100K)
NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship 2008 ($500,000 prize)
"Big Game" participation
Participated in televised high stakes cash games such as Poker After Dark and High Stakes Poker
Country ranking
Top American professional poker player
All Time Money List position
High position on All Time Money List, over $9 million in live earnings
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Notably 2017 year with 23 WSOP cashes and won Player of the Year award
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
Primarily No-Limit Hold'em and mixed games (including Omaha Hi-Lo, Seven Card Stud)
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Specializes in live tournaments, with some online involvement
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Full ring and 6-max in tournaments
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
No-Limit Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Seven Card Stud, Mixed games
Specialization limits
Wide range, including higher buy-in WSOP events and heads-up championships
Online rooms where plays
Co-founder of Full Tilt Poker (historically), no current known regular online nickname
Favorite casinos/locations
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino (WSOP venue), Bellagio
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Tight, GTO (Game Theory Optimal)-based, disciplined, intellectual style
Known for bluffs/traps
Uses strategic betting and psychological pressure, prefers mathematical plays over frequent bluffing
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Mathematical, computer science based, uses simulations and analysis
Style adaptability
High adaptability with diverse game formats and opponents
Playing strengths
Analytical skills, patience, game theory knowledge, mental toughness
GTO strategy usage
Extensive use of Game Theory Optimal strategy
Poker software usage
Uses computer simulations and software for hand analysis and game improvement
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
Multiple ESPN WSOP broadcasts, Poker After Dark, High Stakes Poker
High Stakes Poker participation (seasons/episodes)
Yes, multiple seasons and episodes of High Stakes Poker
Poker After Dark appearances (episodes/dates)
Yes, appeared on Poker After Dark, including notable episodes in 2009
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
Various interviews on PokerNews and PokerTube, including major poker media outlets
Own business (business names, descriptions, websites)
Co-founder of Full Tilt Poker (online poker site launched 2004)
Poker project investments (project names, involvement details)
Involved in Full Tilt Poker startup and operations
Conference speaking (conference names, dates, topics, video links)
Discussed poker at UCLA panel events
Poker scandal involvement (scandal names, details, outcomes)
Associated with Full Tilt Poker scandal involving alleged mismanagement of player funds, US DOJ civil complaint in 2011
Accusations of unfair play (specific incidents, resolutions)
No formal accusations of cheating
Casino/room conflicts (venue names, incident details)
Incident in 2017 WSOP final table regarding dealer error; public confrontation with other players and rail
Legal proceedings (case details, outcomes, court documents)
US Department of Justice civil complaint against Full Tilt Poker executives including Ferguson (dismissed in 2013)
Public disputes with colleagues (names involved, details)
Public disputes with players including Daniel Negreanu and Daniel Levy post Full Tilt scandal
Poker community criticism (specific criticisms, responses)
Criticized by poker community for role in Full Tilt Poker scandal and lack of public apology
Response to criticism (statements, actions taken)
Denied allegations of malice, suggested mismanagement was cause; maintained silence on scandal aftermath
Poker industry awards (award names, years, organizations)
2017 WSOP Player of the Year
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Recognized as a top professional and pioneer in use of game theory in poker
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
First player to win three WSOP Circuit rings; six WSOP bracelets including 2000 Main Event
Records associated with name (record descriptions, verification)
Noted for record 23 WSOP cashes in 2017
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Advanced use of game theory and computer science in poker strategy; co-founded major online poker site Full Tilt Poker
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Known as a highly intellectual player and influential poker figure; controversial legacy due to Full Tilt incident
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Significant influence on poker strategy with GTO approach and integration of technology in poker training
WSOP (World Series of Poker) - all events all years
2017-11-01 | Czech Republic | WSOP Europe | Rozvadov | €1,650 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better | 1650 | 1 | €39,289 | |||| 2003 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $2,000 Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better | 2000 | 1 | $123,680 | |||| 2003 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $2,000 Limit Hold'em & Seven Card Stud | 2000 | 1 | $66,220 | |||| 2001 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better | 1500 | 1 | $164,735 | |||| 2000 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $10,000 No Limit Texas Hold 'em Main Event | 10000 | 1 | $1,500,000 | |||| 2000 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $2,500 Seven-Card Stud | 2500 | 1 | $151,000 |
EPT (European Poker Tour) - all seasons
No significant recorded participation or titles
WSOP Europe
2017-11-01 | Czech Republic | WSOP Europe | Rozvadov | €1,650 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better | 1650 | 1 | €39,289 |
WSOP Circuit events
Has won 3 WSOP Circuit rings (dates unspecified)
WSOP Online events
Participated in WSOP Online events in 2020 with modest cashes
Poker After Dark
Yes, multiple appearances on Poker After Dark including 2009 episodes
High Stakes Poker
Yes, featured in multiple High Stakes Poker seasons
ESPN Featured Tables
Yes, regular features during early 2000s WSOP broadcast
Other platform results
nationality: American
Provided poker commentary on WSOP broadcasts