Bill Klein

Bill Klein was born in Chicago, Illinois, around 1948. He grew up in a family that was part owner of a manufacturing company, and he eventually took over the business, building a successful career as an entrepreneur. After selling the company, Klein retired following a diagnosis of throat cancer. He currently resides in Laguna Hills, California.

Klein entered the poker world as a recreational player but quickly made a name for himself in high-stakes tournaments. His most notable result came at the 2015 World Series of Poker, where he finished runner-up in Event #58: $111,111 High Roller for ONE DROP, earning $2,465,522. This remains his largest cash to date. He has also cashed in multiple WSOP events, including a second-place finish in the 2023 WSOP Event #23: $50,000 High Roller (8-Handed) for $955,513, and a 9th-place finish in the 2021 WSOP $100,000 High Roller for $186,909. In 2023, he made a deep run in the WSOP Main Event, finishing 278th for $50,900. His live tournament earnings exceed $7.5 million, placing him 16th on the California all-time money list and 236th globally.

Beyond the WSOP, Klein has cashed in World Poker Tour events, including a WPT main event at the Bellagio in 2008 for $57,645. He has also competed in the PokerGO Cup, US Poker Open, and Poker Masters, recording several top-10 finishes. In 2026, he placed 9th in a $15,000 NLH event at the U.S. Poker Open for $27,450. He has three WSOP final tables and 14 WSOP money finishes overall, though he has not won a bracelet.

Klein is well-known for his appearances on Season 7 of Game Show Network's High Stakes Poker, where he showcased an aggressive and loose-aggressive style. He often engaged in verbal battles with professionals like Phil Hellmuth. One of his most famous cash game hands occurred in 2015 at the Aria $250,000 Super High Roller cash game. Klein hero-called Antonio Esfandiari with J♣ 8♣ on a board of 7♦ 9♦ 8♦ 9♠ 3♥, winning a $458,500 pot after Esfandiari bluffed with K♣ 5♣. This hand was widely discussed in the poker community and highlighted Klein's fearless approach.

Following his runner-up finish in the 2015 One Drop event, Klein donated his entire $2,465,522 prize to two charities: the Orangewood Children’s Foundation and The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding. This act of generosity earned him widespread admiration and highlighted his philanthropic spirit. It remains one of the largest charity donations in poker history from a single tournament cash.

As of 2024, Klein continues to compete in high-stakes tournaments and cash games. He is regarded as one of the nicest gentlemen in poker, with a reputation for sportsmanship and kindness at the tables. His business background and charitable contributions have made him a respected figure beyond his poker skills. With over $7.5 million in live earnings, he remains an active participant in the poker community. He was ranked as high as 158th on the Global Poker Index and appeared on the 2015 and 2016 money lists.

In addition to his 2008 Bellagio WPT cash, Klein has recorded three other World Poker Tour money finishes. At the 2015 WPT Bicycle Casino Main Event, he placed 61st for $8,629. He finished 105th in the 2019 WPT Bellagio Main Event for $19,345, and 39th in the 2021 WPT Bellagio Main Event for $33,495. These results bring his total WPT cashes to four, with combined earnings of $119,114.

Klein has accumulated numerous other tournament cashes across various series. In 2017, he placed 12th in the WSOP $1,000 Seniors Championship for $41,972. He finished 4th in the 2018 Poker Masters $25,000 NLH event for $125,000. At the 2021 PokerGO Cup, he took 4th in a $10,000 NLH event for $53,000, and later that year placed 6th in the US Poker Open $50,000 NLH for $105,000. In 2023, he added cashes in the WSOP $1,500 Limit Hold'em (23rd, $4,843) and $25,000 High Roller (18th, $50,000). More recently, he cashed in the 2024 WSOP $1,500 Millionaire Maker (387th, $6,360) and the 2026 WSOP $600 Ultra Stack (63rd, $6,000).

Klein has achieved notable rankings in the poker world. On the 2015 Money List, he finished 18th overall, followed by 96th in 2016. His Global Poker Index (GPI) highest ranking is 158th, and as of early 2025, he is ranked 180th in the GPI standings. These rankings reflect his consistent performance in high-stakes tournaments over the years.