David Benyamine - Biography

David Benyamine (born July 5, 1972 in Paris, France) is a French professional poker player with a World Poker Tour title. Benyamine was a professional tennis player in his early career but had to retire because of shoulder pain. He was also a successful top ten billiards player in France. He learned poker at the age of 12 and plays high-stakes cash games on a regular basis. Benyamine was deported from the United States during 2004. His name was the same or similar to one on the terrorist "watch list", but the resolution was that he was deported for not having a work permit. Benyamine lives in Henderson, Nevada.

World Poker Tour

Benyamine has made four final tables in World Poker Tour (WPT) open events: the 2003 Grand Prix de Paris (second season) - 1st place (€357,200); the 2004 L.A. Poker Classic (second season) - 6th place ($132,355); the 2008 Bellagio Cup IV (seventh season) - 2nd place ($840,295) and the 2010 WPT Championship (eighth season) - 4th place ($329,228)-He win the Premier League of Poker IV. He is also the winner of the WPT Battle of Champions II invitational event, where he defeated a final table including Hoyt Corkins, Mel Judah, Antonio Esfandiari and Phil Laak.

World Series of Poker

Benyamine is primarily a cash game player, but due to comments from his friends, he started playing tournaments more regularly during the 2008 World Series of Poker. He has made four WSOP final tables, three of which were in 2008, as well as his one bracelet.

Other poker activities

Benyamine plays high stakes online poker under his own name at Full Tilt Poker and is sponsored by them. Benyamine is a Pot-Limit Omaha specialist. As of 2010, his total live tournament winnings exceed $4,500,000. His 10 cashes at the WSOP account for $1,206,561 of those winnings.

Notes

External links

• World Poker Tour profile
• InsidePoker magazine interview
• David Benyamine Online Play