Barry Greenstein
Barry Greenstein was born in December 1954 in Chicago, Illinois. Having completed his education at Bogan High School, he pursued a Bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois. Additionally, he enrolled in a doctoral program in mathematics but ultimately did not complete his dissertation. Throughout his time as a student, Greenstein engaged in poker and, according to his own account, experienced some success. As he sought a more conventional occupation, Greenstein found employment at Symantec. He remained with the company for several years before retiring at the age of 36 in 1991.
Barry Greenstein, widely recognized as "The Bear" in the poker world, is a devoted father with two biological children and four stepchildren. One of his stepchildren, Joe Sebok, has also established himself as a professional poker player. Together, they embarked on an exciting venture by co-founding PokerRoad, a platform dedicated to poker strategy and entertainment. As an avid online poker player, Greenstein showcases his skills on PokerStars under the pseudonym barryg1. Notably, he is a valued member of the renowned PokerStars team. In an intriguing twist, Greenstein made a commitment to his former lover, Mimi Tran, to teach her the art of poker in exchange for Vietnamese language lessons.
| Land | Professional since | Favorite games | Bracelets | Highest profit | total profits | The All-Time Money List for the year 2023. | Global Poker Index (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 1992 | All-rounder | 3 | 1.278.370 $ | 8.246.109 $ | 81 | 886 |
| Hometown: | Rancho Palos Verdes, California, United States of America. |
| Interesting facts: | Former employees of Symantec and a mathematics student at the University of Illinois. Founder of PokerRoad, with stepson Joe Sebok. |
| Key moments in poker: | 1st place at the Fifth Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open; 1st place at the WPT Invitational 2006; 1st place at the WPT Father and Sons Tournament; World Poker Finals 2006; 1st place at the WPT Poker from The Book: Chapter 2. |
| Number of WSOP bracelets: | Three |
| WPT/EPT Winnings: | Two/None |
| Total tournament winnings: | $ 8.155.371 (Stand 2017) |
Title and achievements as a professional poker player
Throughout his poker career, Greenstein has emerged victorious in numerous major tournaments. Among these accomplishments are his triumphs in three World Series of Poker (WSOP) events and two World Poker Tour (WPT) events. One of his most notable wins came at the Fifth Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open, where he secured an impressive $1,278,370. Additionally, at the 2006 WPT Invitational held at the Commerce Casino, he walked away with a staggering $100,000. Greenstein's success extended to the WPT as well, as he clinched two more titles. He claimed the top spot at the WPT Father and Sons tournament during the 2006 World Poker Finals and emerged victorious at the WPT Poker of The Book: Chapter 2. However, in 2008, Greenstein experienced a setback, losing a total of $768,461 across six WSOP events. Nonetheless, he showcased his skills and determination, earning a commendable second-place finish for the WSOP "Player of the Year" title in the same year.
During his professional poker career, Greenstein has accumulated a total of $2,285,120 in winnings, having secured 46 WSOP cashes. He is ranked among the top three players in the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournaments series, as well as having participated in all six seasons of the GSN High Stakes Poker series. Additionally, Greenstein has made multiple appearances on Poker After Dark, a televised program on NBC.
The Robin Hood of the poker scene.
In 2003, Greenstein emerged victorious in Larry Flynt's 1 Million Dollar Seven-Card Stud Event, taking home a substantial sum of $770,000. Displaying his benevolence, he generously donated $440,000 of his winnings to Children Incorporated – an equivalent of $1,000 for each of the organization's 440 dedicated employees. With a heartfelt commitment to supporting charitable causes, Greenstein subsequently pledged to contribute his net profits from poker tournaments. This selfless act earned him yet another moniker, this time as "Robin Hood".
Greenstein agreed to a $10,000 wager presented by the 2+2 Poker Forums, which involved saying the words "lol donkaments" during High Stakes Poker. Upon accomplishing this, he received donations totaling $45,000 from fellow poker players who found it amusing.
Greenstein, the author of the poker book "Ace on the River," generously gifts this book, published in 2005, to players who manage to beat him in poker tournaments. Each book is personalized with his autograph and additional handwritten dedications. Tuan Le, the champion of WPT Season 3, claims that Greenstein's book has aided him in becoming a successful poker player. It is widely known that Greenstein's book holds valuable insights for aspiring players.
