Andy Black

Andy Black was born on 20 July 1965 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and currently resides in Dublin. Growing up during the Troubles, he learned poker from his mother, who taught him the game at a young age. The focus he developed from poker helped him excel in school, and he went on to study law at Trinity College, Dublin. However, the draw of poker proved stronger than the courtroom, and he began frequenting the Griffin Casino in Dublin, reportedly for the free food and coffee. He started playing more seriously in 1986 while still a student.

Black's early WSOP experience included being knocked out of the 1997 Main Event by eventual champion Stu Ungar. The following year, he returned with a documentary crew, hoping to capture a triumphant run, but instead they filmed his defeat. This led to a five-year hiatus from poker, during which he gave away all his possessions and moved to England to live as a strict Buddhist. He returned to the game in 2004 and dominated Irish tournaments. In 2005, he led the WSOP Main Event final table with over one-third of the chips but finished fifth, earning $1,750,000—his largest live cash to date. He has 36 WSOP money finishes totaling $2,527,162 in winnings. Black earned a reputation as a player who could build huge stacks and reach final tables but sometimes struggled to close out victories.

Black has achieved notable results across multiple tours:

• 2005 WSOP Main Event: 5th place ($1,750,000)
• 2006 WSOP Tournament of Champions: 5th place ($100,000)
• 2007 Aussie Millions: 3rd in No Limit Main Event ($556,695) and 2nd in Pot Limit Omaha ($100,000)
• 2007 EPT Grand Final Monte Carlo: 7th place ($318,640)
• 2008 Premier League Poker II: 1st place ($250,000), defeating Roland De Wolfe heads-up
• 2008 WPT World Poker Classic: 16th place ($105,525)
• 2009 WSOP: 6th in $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo ($42,993)
• 2015 WSOP: 4th in $2,500 NLH ($156,759)
• 2023 Irish Open Main Event: 5th place ($104,338)
• 2023 WSOP: 3rd in $1,000 Super Turbo Bounty ($105,337)

As of 2026, his total live tournament winnings exceed $5,226,379 from 177 cashes. He was top of the Ireland all-time money list as of November 2009 and remains one of the country's most successful players.

Nicknamed 'The Monk' due to his Buddhist background and composed table presence, Black is known for patience and discipline. He excels at post-flop hand reading and waits for strong hands before committing chips, minimizing variance. His calm demeanor and dark glasses have made him a recognizable figure in poker. His approach often leads to deep runs, though some observers note he could be more aggressive in closing out tournaments.

Black's poker journey was documented in the 1998 film Million Dollar Deal. He appeared on the chat show Heads Up with Richard Herring in 2005 and was the subject of an RTE Radio One documentary Shuffle Up And Deal in 2010. He holds a law degree and has been open about his Buddhist faith, which has influenced both his life and his poker career.

Black continues to play in major events. Notable recent results include 14th place in the 2024 WSOP $2,500 Mixed Big Bet Event and 946th in the $400 Colossus. His most recent cash as of April 2026 is $700. He remains an active figure in the Irish poker scene and a respected veteran on the international circuit.

Andy Black's full name is Andrew Black, and he is sometimes credited as such in poker records and databases.

In addition to the 1998 film Million Dollar Deal, Black's exploits have been captured in various poker media, including a photo gallery on The Hendon Mob website.