Nationality
American
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Born (date and place of birth)
September 23, 1970, Long Island, New York, USA
Residence (current location)
Lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Education (institution, specialization)
College degree in marketing
Year started playing poker
Early 2000s (first recorded cash in 2001)
Age when started playing
Approximately 30 years old
Year turned professional
Circa 2004-2005 (breakthrough with major final table in 2005)
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
2005 Winnin' o' the Green tournament, $148,000 prize
Who introduced to poker / first mentor
Jeff Lisandro (offered mentorship and poker advice while Bellande managed a poker room in Prague)
First important tournament
2004 Five Diamond World Poker Classic $2,800 NLHE event at Bellagio, finished 3rd for $63,557
Main motivation for turning pro
Desire for action and to make a name for himself on the tournament circuit after improvements in Prague and exposure to strong games
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Learned and improved through experience, live play, online play on platforms such as partypoker, and mentorship from Jeff Lisandro
First sponsor/backing
Bodog Poker (signed sponsorship deal around 2008)
Total live tournament winnings
Over $2,800,000 in live tournament earnings as of 2018, approximately $2,327,731 per WSOP records updated to 2022
Number of tournament wins
Multiple tournament victories including 2005 Winnin' o' the Green; 1 WSOP bracelet in 2018; total number of titles around 3+
Number of final tables
At least 5 WSOP final tables; multiple other final tables including WSOP Circuit and WPT events
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
$784,828 for 2nd place in 2015 WSOP $50,000 Poker Players Championship
WSOP bracelets (number)
1 (2018 $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em Six-Handed event)
WSOP cashes (number)
27+ recorded cashes at WSOP events
WSOP final tables
5 final table appearances
Best WSOP Main Event result
442nd place in 2008 WSOP Main Event from a field of 6,844
Super high roller results ($100K+)
Runner-up in 2015 $50,000 Players Championship considered a high roller marquee event
Online tournament winnings
Plays regularly online with notable online presence, but no major online tournament titles recorded
Poker team
Sponsored by Bodog Poker; supported by backers such as Andrew Robl and Paul Phua for cash games
Main cash game limits
Plays high stakes cash games including some of the biggest stakes in live poker
Highest stakes played
Participated in high-stakes cash games featured on High Stakes Poker Seasons 8 and 9
Notable high stakes sessions
Known for big swings in televised high stakes cash games, including massive pots on High Stakes Poker
"Big Game" participation
Regular participant on the famous High Stakes Poker cash games TV show
Estimated cash game profits (if known)
Often volatile results, with both large wins and swings; publicly noted as frequently "broke" despite high stakes play
All Time Money List position
Approx. top 1,500–2,000 worldwide in all-time tournament money list rankings
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Consistent cashes in WSOP and major events from mid-2000s onward with peak performances in 2015 and 2018
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
Primarily No-Limit Hold'em, also skilled in mixed games (e.g., Limit Hold’em, 2-7 Lowball, HORSE)
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Mainly live tournaments and live cash games; also appeared on televised poker shows
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Prefers 6-Max and full-ring tables depending on event; noted 6-Max success with WSOP bracelet
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, 2-7 Lowball Draw, HORSE, Dealers Choice
Specialization limits
No-Limit Hold'em tournaments and high stakes cash games, often in $5K+ buy-in and high rollers
Online rooms where plays
Partypoker, Bodog Poker (sponsorship), active in high stakes online cash games
Favorite casinos/locations
Bellagio (Las Vegas), Rio (Las Vegas, WSOP venue), Aria (Las Vegas)
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Aggressive, loud, talkative, and highly engaging at the table, often described as brash and “action-oriented”
Known for bluffs/traps
Known for frequent table talk and aggressive betting but also notorious for big losses and "calling down" in action-filled hands
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Mix of aggressive and intuitive play with an entertaining table presence rather than strict GTO-based style
Style adaptability
Adapts well to different opponents socially, leveraging inter-personal dynamics to revive games and attract action
Playing strengths
Strong live poker table presence, aggressive betting, endurance in long tournaments, multi-format proficiency
GTO strategy usage
Limited evidence of strict GTO approach; more intuitive and exploitative play style with focus on entertainment and aggression
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
Appeared on Poker After Dark, High Stakes Poker (Seasons 8 and 9), and other televised poker shows
High Stakes Poker participation (seasons/episodes)
Yes, prominent player in High Stakes Poker Seasons 8 and 9
Poker After Dark appearances (episodes/dates)
Multiple episodes of Poker After Dark with notable table talk and action
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
Various interviews on PokerNews, PokerListings, and poker media platforms discussing career and playing style
Posting frequency in social media
Regularly posts updates on Twitter and Instagram covering bankroll swings and poker sessions
Type of content in social media
Personal bankroll tracking, poker lifestyle, tournament reports, social and humorous commentary
Current sponsors (company names, deal details if public)
Bodog Poker (exclusive sponsorship renewed multiple times since 2008)
Sponsorship contract history (previous sponsors, dates)
Bodog Poker from approx. 2008; noted renewal of sponsorship deal as of 2018
Poker site ambassadorship (site names, contract details)
Bodog Poker ambassador, representing the brand in US market and poker media
Own business (business names, descriptions, websites)
Former nightclub owner and promoter; previously ran a club called Sky Sushi
Poker publication articles (publication names, article titles, publication dates, links)
Numerous featured articles on PokerNews, PokerListings, and other poker news outlets
Public disputes with colleagues (names involved, details)
Noted conflict with Courtney Yates during Survivor: China reality TV show
Poker community criticism (specific criticisms, responses)
Criticized for large variance and frequent "going broke" in high stakes play, yet praised for entertainment value
Response to criticism (statements, actions taken)
Embraces reputation, often publicly humorous and transparent about swings and risks taken
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Recognized among poker community for unique personality and table presence
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
2018 WSOP bracelet winner, 2nd place 2015 $50,000 Poker Players Championship
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Popularized aggressive table talk and helped bring personality-driven poker to televised audiences
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Remembered as one of poker’s most colorful characters, known for his resilience and entertainment
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Influenced poker culture with his blend of poker skill and outspoken personality, inspiring media coverage and fan engagement
WSOP (World Series of Poker) - all events all years
2022 | USA | WSOP 53rd Annual | Rio Las Vegas | $10,000 Dealers Choice 6-Handed Championship | 10000 | 16 | 16264 | 123 | | |||| 2019 | USA | WSOP 50th Annual | Rio Las Vegas | $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em MAIN EVENT | 10000 | 415 | 30780 | 8569 | | |||| 2019 | USA | WSOP 50th Annual | Rio Las Vegas | $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw | 10000 | 5 | 56693 | 91 | | |||| 2018 | USA | WSOP 49th Annual | Rio Las Vegas | $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em Six-Handed | 5000 | 1 | 616302 | 621 | | |||| 2018 | USA | WSOP 49th Annual | Rio Las Vegas | $50,000 Poker Players Championship Six Max | 50000 | 12 | 88627 | 87 | |||| 2018 | USA | WSOP 49th Annual | Rio Las Vegas | $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. | 10000 | 24 | 15229 | 166 | |||| 2017 | USA | WSOP 48th Annual | Rio Las Vegas | $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em SHOOTOUT | 3000 | 31 | 6407 | 369 | |||| 2015 | USA | WSOP 46th Annual | Rio Las Vegas | $50,000 Poker Players Championship | 50000 | 2 | 784828 | 84 | |||| 2012 | USA | WSOP 43rd Annual | Rio Las Vegas | $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout | 3000 | 53 | 9086 | 587 | |||| 2012 | USA | WSOP 43rd Annual | Rio Las Vegas | $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em | 1500 | 111 | 3531 | 2101 |||| 2008 | USA | WSOP 39th Annual | Rio Las Vegas | Event 53: Limit Hold'em Shootout | 1500 | 2 | 173564 | |||| 2005 | USA | WSOP Circuit | Rio Las Vegas | Circuit Championship | | 3 | 210900 | ||||
WSOP Circuit events
2005 | USA | WSOP Circuit | Rio Las Vegas | Circuit Championship | | 3 | 210900 | | |
Bellagio Cup
2004 | USA | Bellagio Cup | Bellagio | $2,800 NLHE | 2800 | 3 | 63557 | | |
Provided tournament commentary in various poker media appearances