Talk about a professional student

Talk about a professional student: Ferguson spent thirteen years as a graduate student at UCLA, earned master’s degrees in both math and computer science and a doctorate in computer science. He also played online poker before it became the phenomenon it is today by playing “play money” games with the now-obsolete Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client software. His extensive knowledge of game theory and probability have made him one of the leading players in the game today, with more WSOP bracelets, final tables and cash finishes than any player in the last ten years. infrared contact lenses

One of the ways Greg Raymer supplemented his poker bankroll was to sell fossils to other players as card protectors. Even after winning five million dollars at the 2004 WSOP Main Event, he still sells fossils on his website – not that his bankroll needs the help. With his aggressive style and trademark holographic glasses, Ty-Raymer-Saurus Rex doesn’t look like he’ll go extinct anytime soon.

AKA: The Nerd Who Started It All, Moneymaker was a pudgy accountant for a Tennessee restaurant chain when he played in an online satellite for a seat in the 2003 WSOP Main Event. At one point in that tournament, Moneymaker considered dumping off his chips to win the $8000 consolation prize instead of the $10000 “lottery ticket”. Instead, his friend talked him into taking the chance and he hasn’t looked back since. The ripples of the “Moneymaker Effect” are still being felt today with larger tournament fields, bigger prize pools and more major tournaments offered every week.

Varkonyi may best be known as the last WSOP Main Event winner before The Great Poker Boom. Bald, bespectacled and short in stature, Varkonyi still looks like the guy the seniors shove into lockers and steal his lunch money. With his $2 million win in 2002, his bullies can now dine on steak and lobster! He has also had some brushes with greatness in his own right. His coach for both this 2002 and 2003 WSOP runs was also the mastermind behind the infamous MIT Blackjack Team. His win also forced “Poker Brat” Phil Hellmuth to shave his head to pay off a bet. Anyone who can humble “The Greatest No Limit Hold’em Tournament Player Alive™” to that extent deserves the respect of nerds everywhere. cheat poker

Before he turned 21, Phil Gordon earned a degree in computer science from Georgia Tech. Before he turned 27, he earned more than a million dollars after Cisco Systems bought out his start-up company. Before he was 30, he had traveled across the country and visited every major league baseball stadium. If all of those accomplishments don’t make people feel small enough, he also stands 6’9” – he can look down on basketball stars LeBron James (6’8”) and Kobe Bryant (6’6”)!