David Benyamine: Famous Gambling Personalities ✅ Encyclopedia Casinoz

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David Benyamine

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Childhood

Benyamine exhibited a natural talent for sports from a young age. As a teenager, he was ranked among the top 25 youth tennis players globally, but his aspirations were derailed by chronic shoulder pain at age 18.

Undeterred, he shifted his focus to billiards, becoming one of France’s top ten players before discovering poker.

His family introduced him to card games at age 12, starting with Gin Rummy before he transitioned to poker. This early exposure laid the foundation for his future success in strategic, high-stakes gambling.

Career

Benyamine began his poker career in the late 1990s, playing low-stakes cash games at Paris’ Aviation Club de France. His skill quickly earned him a reputation, and by 2003, he won his first major title—the €10,000 WPT Grand Prix de Paris (€357,200).

World Series of Poker (WSOP) and World Poker Tour (WPT) Success

2008 WSOP Bracelet:

WPT Titles:

2003 WPT Grand Prix de Paris (€357,200) .
2008 WPT Bellagio Cup IV (2nd place, $840,295).

Aussie Millions 2011: Finished 3rd in the A

High-Stakes Cash Games Benyamine became a fixture in Bobby’s Room (now Legend’s Room) at the Bellagio, Las Vegas, where he competed in games as high as 4,000/8,000. He also appeared on High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark, showcasing his aggressive, unorthodox style.

Personal life

Relationships: Benyamine was previously engaged to professional poker player Erica Schoenberg, with whom he shares a daughter. Residence: Splits time between Henderson, Nevada, and Paris, France. Hobbies: Enjoys luxury cars and maintains a private personal life.

Revenue

As of 2024, Benyamine’s estimated net worth is $10 million, derived from:

Live tournament winnings: $9+ million.
High-stakes cash games and televised poker appearances.
Sponsorships: Formerly endorsed by Full Tilt Poker and Mansion Poker.

I don’t like reading poker books—I learn from experience.

Cash games are where the real strategy is.

Interesting facts

Initially wanted to be an archaeologist before pursuing tennis.
Learned poker at 12 but started with Gin Rummy.
Prefers cash games over tournaments for their strategic depth.
Once won a $607,247 pot against Patrik Antonius in online poker.

Legacy

Benyamine’s influence extends beyond his tournament wins. He has inspired European players to compete globally and remains a respected figure in high-stakes poker. Though he plays fewer tournaments now, his impact on the game endures.

Frequently asked Questions

Over 9 million dollars.

Winning the 2008 WSOP $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Split for his only bracelet

Yes, but he focuses more on cash games than tournaments.

Pot-Limit Omaha and mixed high-stakes cash games.

Henderson, Nevada, and Paris, France.

Denis Anipchenko

Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

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