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Barry Greenstein -
Robin Hood of Poker
Barry Greenstein is a world-class poker player with an
interesting and unique history. He was already a successful systems designer
with Symantec before entering the world of professional poker on a full time
basis. Greenstein was successful enough in his first career that he was able to
retire at the age of 36. He was thus able to concentrate on developing his poker
skills without the accompanying financial concerns that plague many professional
poker players in the early years of their careers.
Barry Greenstein was borne in Chicago Illinois in 1954, and was taught poker at
a young age by his father, who had been a successful poker player in the Army.
Greenstein earned a bachelor degree in computer science from the University of
Illinois. He went on to study for a PhD in Mathematics but left for a job
opportunity before completing his dissertation. He went to work for Symantec, a
software development company, and earned enough during his time at Symantec to
retire at the age of 36. It was at this time that he became a professional poker
player.
Greenstein remained primarily a cash game player during the 1990s, and it wasn’t
until March 2003 that he experienced his first major tournament win, which was a
first place finish in the $125,000 Million Dollar Seven Card Stud Tournament at
Larry Flynt’s Poker Challenge Cup –2003. The prize was $1,000,000. Since this
win, other wins in excess of $100,000 have included the $500 No Limit Hold’em in
the California State Poker Championship in June, 2003 – 1st place - $100,815,
the January 26, 2004 WPT $10,000 Main Event – No Limit Hold’em – 1st place -
$1,278,370, a March 18, 2004 WPT $7,000 Limit Hold’em Championship – 5th place -
$194,763, an April 15, 2004 $2,500 No Limit Hold’em – 1st place - $215,969, a
May 7, 2004 WSOP $5,000 No-Limit Deuce to Seven Draw – 1st place - $296,200, and
a June 19, 2005 WSOP $1,500 Pot Limit – 1st place - $128,505. As of 2006,
Greenstein’s total live tournament winnings exceed $4,800,000. He holds two
World Series of Poker bracelets from the 2004 $5,000 no limit deuce to seven
draw ($296,200) and the 2005 $1,500 pot limit Omaha ($128,505), and two World
Poker Tour titles – Fifth Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open ($1,278,379) and
2006 WPT Invitational at the Commerce Casino ($100,000). He is in the top 15
overall for career tournament winnings. Barry teamed up with
Team PokerStars in 2006 and now actively
plays on their site daily.
What makes Greenstein particularly unusual among top professional poker players
is that all of his tournament winnings have been donated to favorite charities,
including Children Incorporated, a charity providing food, clothing, medical and
school supplies to children in need all over the world, and to Guyana Watch, a
charity that sends medical supplies to the people of Guyana. Greenstein’s
generosity has earned him the name “Robin Hood of Poker”. Beside tournament
play, Greenstein has earned millions in cash games, and regularly plays in high
stakes games in Southern California and Las Vegas.
Barry Greenstein lives in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. He is the author of a
book entitled Ace on the River and wrote a chapter of Doyle Brunson’s book,
Super System 2. When Barry isn't playing at the Bellagio, or some other
big poker tournament, he plays online exclusively at
PokerStars.com.
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