Brett Bader

Born in Manhattan, New York, Brett Bader now resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He built his reputation grinding the competitive Florida tournament circuit, frequently cashing at venues like the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood and Tampa. His consistent deep runs in mid-to-high stakes events established him as a staple of the American East Coast poker community. In 2018, Bader was named the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Player of the Year, a testament to his sustained excellence in the region.

Bader’s standout performance came at the WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Cherokee in August 2022. Topping a record-breaking field of 1,558 entries in the $1,700 Main Event, he captured his third career circuit ring and a career-best score of $364,104. He entered the final day with an average stack but picked his spots carefully before shifting gears during short-handed play to secure the victory. Earlier in 2018, he finished 5th in the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open Championship for $137,440. In 2022, he won a WPT Tampa side event for $60,440. Bader also demonstrated his versatility by winning a WSOP Circuit ring in Pot Limit Omaha 8 or Better at Pompano Beach in October 2024. In March 2023, he triumphed in Event 4 of the Escalator VII Series at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, a $600 No-Limit Hold’em tournament with 1,104 entries. After a three-way deal, Bader emerged as champion for $80,000. The key hand came with five players left: he defended his big blind with seven-deuce suited, flopped a flush, and called an all-in raise against a nut-flush draw, taking an overwhelming chip lead en route to victory. As of 2025, his total live earnings exceed $2.18 million.

Bader is known for his ability to navigate massive fields, a skill essential for success in the large-entry tournaments typical of the Florida and WSOP Circuit schedules. His patient yet opportunistic approach allows him to conserve chips and apply pressure when opportunities arise. He is not solely a No Limit Hold’em specialist; his willingness to play mixed games like Pot Limit Omaha and PLO8 gives him a competitive edge in smaller, softer fields during major series. This versatility balances the high variance of large NLH events with the technical advantage available in mixed formats.

Bader continues to compete both domestically and internationally. In 2024–2025, he participated in several Asia-Pacific events, including the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event (29th place out of 850 entries, prize $2,600), the WSOP 2025 Monster Stack (753rd out of 9,920 entries, prize $3,600), the KPC Jeju Poker Festival Main Event, and the APT Manila Main Event where he cashed for $3,800. His Asia-Pacific net worth stands at $12,435 from four events, with three in-the-money finishes and a biggest win of $6,075. Back in the United States, he remains a regular on the Florida circuit and at WSOP events, consistently adding to his impressive career totals.