Barry Greenstein – Poker Champion, Philanthropist, and a Living Legend

Author: Tadas Peckaitis

Few figures in the poker world command as much respect and admiration as Barry Greenstein. Renowned not only for his consistent success in high-stakes games but also for his integrity and generosity, he has long been considered a role model in the poker community.

Known affectionately as "The Robin Hood of Poker," Greenstein's remarkable journey from mathematics postgraduate student to poker legend embodies the perfect blend of analytical brilliance and philanthropic spirit, creating a legacy that extends far beyond his impressive winnings and culminating in a Barry Greenstein net worth that reflects decades of success at the felt.

His reputation stems not only from his calculating approach to the game but also from his admirable commitment to donating significant portions of his tournament profits to charities, particularly Children Incorporated. With three coveted World Series of Poker bracelets and two prestigious World Poker Tour titles decorating his collection, Greenstein's accomplishments speak volumes about his poker prowess – with titles from the biggest poker tournaments worldwide underscoring his place among the game's elite.

The Barry Greenstein poker story is one of consistency, intellect, and integrity, earning him widespread respect among fans and fellow professionals alike. Despite his unassuming presence at the table, opponents quickly learn to fear his methodical style and uncanny ability to maintain composure even when facing million-dollar pots on shows like High Stakes Poker.

Full Name

Barry Greenstein

Net Worth

$10 million

Source of Wealth

Professional poker player

Famous for

3 World Series of Poker Bracelets, 2 World Poker Tour titles, Member of the Poker Hall of Fame

Born

December 30, 1954, Chicago, Illinois

Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2011, Greenstein's impact on the game during the poker boom made him one of the true faces of the sport, appearing regularly across poker television programming.

Barry Greenstein Highlights

Highlights

• Gave opponents signed copies of his book after eliminating them from tournaments
• Developed Symantec's successful first product, Q&A, before poker fame
• Won 3 WSOP bracelets in three different poker variants
• Won 2 World Poker Tour titles
• Appeared on High Stakes Poker, Poker After Dark, and Poker Superstars series
• Donated $1,000 to each of Children Incorporated's 440 employees after winning $770,000 at Larry Flynt's tournament in 2003
• 2nd in the 2008 WSOP Player of the Year race
• Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2011
• Authored "Ace on the River", considered one of poker's most insightful strategy books

Upbringing and Early Years of Barry Greenstein

Born December 30, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, Greenstein's childhood was marked by an early introduction to card games, with his father teaching him poker at the tender age of four.

This early exposure sparked what would become a lifelong passion, as young Barry quickly developed an affinity for games like gin rummy and hearts, though poker would ultimately claim his heart and transform his future. Despite his growing talent at the card table, Greenstein remained academically focused throughout his youth, graduating from Bogan High School before pursuing higher education.

His intellectual prowess led him to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a bachelor's degree in computer science, demonstrating the analytical mind that would later serve him so well at the poker table.

With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Greenstein continued his academic journey by studying for a PhD in mathematics, though interestingly, he never defended his completed dissertation despite finishing the work. By age 13, Barry was already showing his poker potential, consistently winning in home games and pocketing up to $50 nightly – an impressive sum for a teenager in the 1960s. When family responsibilities called, Greenstein made the practical decision to join the startup company Symantec, where he worked on their groundbreaking first product, Q&A.

This award-winning software became a significant achievement during his seven-year tenure with the company. Greenstein eventually left Symantec in 1991 at age 36, setting the stage for his transition to a full-time poker professional.

Becoming a Full-Time Poker Player

Barry Greenstein's transition to professional poker marked a pivotal turning point in his career journey, setting the stage for what would become a legendary poker legacy.

After leaving Symantec, Greenstein fully embraced the poker world, initially focusing on cash games in local land-based casinos. His tournament debut came in 1992 when he entered the prestigious $10,000 WSOP Main Event, finishing an impressive 22nd place against poker icons like Johnny Chan and Berry Johnston, earning $8,080 for his efforts.

Though he continued cashing in various tournaments throughout the '90s, Greenstein's breakthrough moment didn't arrive until 2003 when he won the Larry Flynt Poker Challenge, winning the $125,000 + 2,000 Million Dollar Seven Card Stud Tournament for a staggering $770,000 – his first six-figure payday.

This victory sparked an incredible tournament run, with Greenstein claiming the California State Poker Championship later that same year for $100,815.

The momentum continued into 2004 when he achieved his career-defining victory, taking down the WPT's Fifth Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open for an enormous $1,278,370, still his largest single tournament score to date.

Greenstein solidified his WPT dominance in 2006 by winning his second title at the No Limit Texas Hold'em Invitational tournament for $100,000.

Beyond these impressive victories, poker player Barry Greenstein became a familiar face to poker fans worldwide through his appearances on popular television shows, including High Stakes Poker, Poker After Dark, and the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament, cementing his status as one of poker's most recognizable and respected figures.

A Dominant Force at the World Series of Poker

His World Series of Poker breakthrough came in 2004 when he captured his first gold bracelet in the $5,000 No-Limit Deuce-to-Seven Draw event, defeating a field of elite players and pocketing an impressive $296,200 for his victory.

Building on this momentum, Greenstein didn't wait long to add a second bracelet to his collection, conquering the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event in 2005 and adding another $128,505 to his tournament earnings.

The trifecta was completed in 2008 when Greenstein secured his third WSOP bracelet by winning the $1,500 Razz tournament, demonstrating his exceptional skill in yet another poker discipline and earning $157,619 for his performance.

Beyond these bracelet wins, Barry Greenstein's WSOP record showcases remarkable consistency with an astounding 142 career cashes and over $3.4 million in earnings at the prestigious series.

The 2008 WSOP proved particularly successful for Greenstein, who cashed in six events, including the prestigious $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. championship, accumulating $768,461 throughout the series and finishing second in the WSOP Player of the Year race behind Erick Lindgren.

His excellence continued in 2011 when he notched five cashes, including an impressive third-place finish in the $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship for $169,512 and a 15th-place showing in the elite $50,000 Player's Championship.

"One of the most important elements in making successful short-term gambles is the ability to control one’s emotions when something does not go your way."

Barry Greenstein

The Robin Hood of Poker: Greenstein’s Legacy of Giving

Perhaps nothing defines Barry Greenstein's legacy more than his extraordinary commitment to charitable giving, earning him the well-deserved nickname "The Robin Hood of Poker."

Greenstein's philanthropic journey began with a powerful parenting lesson when he sought to show his children that others weren't as fortunate as they were, initially sponsoring a boy and a girl through Children Incorporated, an organization that supports approximately 15,000 children across 21 countries.

After careful consideration, Greenstein specifically chose Children Incorporated because, unlike many sponsoring charities, they focused purely on providing essential support without any religious agenda, aligning perfectly with his desire to simply "feed and clothe children, not save their souls".

As his tournament success grew, so did Greenstein's charitable contributions, highlighted by his remarkable gesture following his $770,000 victory at Larry Flynt's $1 million Seven-Card Stud event in 2003.

Following this significant win, Greenstein donated an astonishing $440,000 to Children Incorporated – precisely $1,000 to each of the charity's 440 employees, demonstrating the scale of his generosity.

Initially, Greenstein donated the entirety of his tournament cashes, though as poker tournaments grew in number and expense, he adjusted his approach in 2006 to donating his net earnings instead.

His philanthropic vision extended beyond Children Incorporated to include giving back to his roots by supporting his Chicago high school and the mathematics department at the University of Illinois, where he completed his graduate work.

He's expanded his charitable focus to include schools and shelters near his California home, even developing plans to support shelters and orphanages in the locations where he wins tournaments – a strategic approach designed to encourage hosting casinos to match his contributions.

Barry Greenstein Net Worth

The net worth of Barry Greenstein reflects a career of consistent excellence at poker's highest levels, built through decades of strategic play across both tournaments and high-stakes cash games.

With total live tournament earnings exceeding $8.6 million, the Barry Greenstein net worth story represents one of poker's greatest success tales, particularly impressive considering his significant charitable donations along the way.

His largest single tournament score came in 2004 when he captured first place at The Fifth Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open, banking an impressive $1,278,370 for his victory.

This monumental win was closely followed by his $1,000,000 triumph at Larry Flynt's Poker Challenge Cup in 2003, with another noteworthy cash coming from his sixth-place finish at the 39th Annual WSOP in 2008, adding $355,200 to his bankroll.

While these tournament cashes contribute significantly to the Barry Greenstein net worth calculation, they only represent a fraction of his overall poker income, as Greenstein has been a feared regular in the legendary "Big Game" at the Bellagio, competing against fellow icons like Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, and Chau Giang.

Further bolstering his financial portfolio was his long-standing sponsorship deal with PokerStars, which lasted until early 2019 when Greenstein elected to part ways with the poker giant after determining the arrangement was no longer financially advantageous.

Beyond poker winnings, he also generated income through his well-received 2005 strategy title, Ace on the River – a renowned Barry Greenstein poker book published by Last Knight Publishing Company and featuring a foreword by the legendary Doyle Brunson.

The complete Barry Greenstein net worth figure isn't publicly disclosed, but given his tournament successes, decades in high-stakes cash games, lucrative sponsorship deals, and book royalties, poker industry experts estimate his wealth to be substantial. It is safe to assume that it is around $10 million.

Where Is Barry Greenstein Today?

Barry Greenstein continues his poker journey at a more measured pace than during his tournament heyday.

Currently residing in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Greenstein has deliberately scaled back his poker schedule to prioritize quality time with his family, which includes two biological children and four stepchildren who have long been central to his life beyond the felt.

Though less active on the tournament circuit, Greenstein maintains his connection to the poker world by making regular appearances at the World Series of Poker, demonstrating his enduring passion for the game that built his reputation and fortune.

In the 2024 WSOP, Greenstein participated in seven events, with his most notable performance coming in the $3,000 Limit H.O.R.S.E. (Bracelet Event #91) where he finished 18th, adding $8,042 to his impressive career earnings.

His tournament schedule in 2024 also included an appearance in the WSOP Super Seniors event, showing that while the intensity of his participation may have changed, his competitive spirit remains intact.

For fans looking to keep up with Greenstein's activities and benefit from his decades of poker wisdom, he maintains an active presence on social media platforms, particularly Twitter, where he shares insights and updates about his life and the poker world.