Blackjack Player turns $10k into $113k - Then Wins $1.1m in Poker Tournament

When Texas gambler Brian Green stated playing blackjack at Las Vegas’ Golden Nugget Casino, he probably never dreamed that his initial $10,000 stake would turn into a $1.1 million poker win.

The journey began when Green borrowed $10,000 from a friend to play blackjack. This blackjack session at the Golden Nugget raged on for 10 hours as Green continued winning.

“I ran the money up to $113,000,” said Green, “and my mom was worried about me carrying around that much cash, so I deposited it and then sent a wire [to the Rio].”

The wire was meant to buy into the $111,111 High Roller for One Drop tournament at the 2016 WSOP. And what’s amazing is that Green didn’t sleep for five days prior to entering the tourney, given that he was “beating the sh*t out of blackjack.”

After putting all his blackjack winnings towards the High Roller for One Drop, Green survived the first day of play as over half the 183 entrants busted out. He then decided to finally get some rest before entering Day 2 of the tournament.

Green would make the tournament’s final table, where his run ended in fifth place. He collected a $1,117,923 payout for his effort, while ’s Fedor Holz ended up winning the tourney along with $4,981,775.

Green’s journey from $10,000 on the blackjack tables to a $1.1 million poker payout is reminiscent of Archie Karas’ magical run in the 1990s. The Greek gambler turned $50 into a $40 million fortune through a combination of craps, poker, and pool.

This is an interesting connection, given that Green and Karas were once friends due to their common bond over gambling.

Now $1.1 million richer, Green has an even larger bankroll to use in blackjack and poker tournaments. His goal in poker is to eventually become the biggest winner in Texas history, which is no small feat considering how the legendary Doyle Brunson is on top with $6,131,775.

“To be able to show my kids that I am third all-time in Texas would have been nice,” he said. “I wanted the recognition, the recognition from your peers that you aren’t a chump.”

As for Green, he now has $2,316,823 in live poker winnings thanks to his latest score. He has quite a ways to catch Burnson, but anything is possible with all of the high roller tournaments that exist today.