Bruce Atkinson

Bruce Atkinson, also known as Robert Bruce "Elvis Senior" Atkinson, is an English professional poker player who serves as the President of the European Poker Players Hall of Fame. He began his poker journey in the early 1980s playing seven card stud before transitioning to hold'em as the game grew in popularity. Atkinson resides in Brighton and is married with three children.

Atkinson first cashed at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 1998 in the seven card stud split event, finishing in 7th place ahead of notable players such as Mike Sexton and John Bonetti. This early success established him as a competitive force on the tournament circuit.

At the 2003 WSOP, Atkinson cashed in the prestigious $10,000 no limit hold'em main event, finishing in 61st place. He also cashed in the main event in 2005, finishing 530th. These deep runs in the most iconic tournament in poker demonstrated his ability to compete against the largest fields in the game.

In 2003, Atkinson finished 3rd in the Poker Million, a televised high-stakes tournament that was one of the most significant events on the European poker calendar at the time. This result was among the highlights of his career and contributed substantially to his lifetime earnings.

As of 2007, his total live tournament winnings exceeded $460,000. Since then, his career earnings have grown to over $1,086,177, placing him among the more successful British poker professionals of his era. His consistent results across multiple years and event types reflect a well-rounded skill set and disciplined approach to tournament poker.

Atkinson's style is characterized by solid fundamentals and patience, traits that served him well from his early days in seven card stud through his transition to no limit hold'em. His ability to adapt from stud games to the increasingly popular hold'em format shows a versatile understanding of poker strategy. He is known for making deep runs in major events, which requires both technical skill and mental endurance over long tournament days.

Beyond poker, Atkinson is a professional Elvis impersonator, a unique distinction that earned him the nickname "Elvis Senior." He gives half of his performance fees to charity, demonstrating a commitment to giving back to the community. This dual career has made him a recognizable figure both at the poker table and on the entertainment stage.

As President of the European Poker Players Hall of Fame, Atkinson has played a role in recognizing and honoring the achievements of poker players across Europe. His involvement in the poker community extends beyond his own results, contributing to the growth and recognition of the sport. His career, spanning from the early 1980s to the modern era, provides a bridge between the old school of poker and the contemporary tournament scene.