Bryan Kim

Bryan Kim, a Korean-American poker professional from Walnut, California, has been a formidable presence in the poker world long before his mainstream recognition. For years, he was known as a top player at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, the largest card room in the world. His reputation as a crusher in both tournaments and cash games was well established among peers, even as he maintained a relatively low public profile.

Kim does not play a high volume of World Series of Poker (WSOP) events, but when he does enter, he is consistently a tough opponent. His first recorded Main Event cash came in 2012, and he has since cashed five times in the event, with his 2024 run marking his first trip to the final table.

Prior to the start of the 2024 WSOP Main Event, Kim had accumulated over $7.3 million in live tournament cashes, according to The Hendon Mob. His notable results include:

• 2022 WSOP Main Event: Finished 23rd out of 8,663 players, earning $323,100.
• 2022 WSOP Online Bracelet: Won a $1,000 High Roller event on WSOP.com for $119,000.
• December 2022: Won a $10,000 no-limit hold'em tournament at Aria in Las Vegas as part of the PokerGO Tour, taking home $101,200. This was his only recorded live tournament victory.
• March 2024: Finished third in a $53,000 buy-in Triton Poker Jeju event, earning $954,000—his largest live score to date.

These results underscore his ability to compete at the highest levels of tournament poker, particularly in high-stakes events.

Kim's journey to the 2024 WSOP Main Event final table was a testament to his resilience and skill. He entered the record-setting $10,000 buy-in tournament on Day 1b, doubling his chip stack and positioning himself for a deep run. However, his path was far from smooth:

• Day 1b: Bagged 122,200 chips, ranked 122nd out of 617 players.
• Day 2: Increased his stack to 172,000, but ranked 660th out of 1,555.
• Day 3: Bagged 829,000 chips, with the money bubble just 12 players away.
• Day 4: Survived the bubble and doubled his stack to 1,850,000.
• Day 5: Fell to just 995,000 chips, placing 148th out of 160 remaining players.
• Day 6: Began a remarkable climb, nearly reaching 10 million chips by the end of the session.
• Day 7: Bagged 42,400,000 chips, good for ninth out of 18 players.
• Day 8: Became the first player to hit the 100,000,000-chip mark, finishing the day with 94,600,000 chips and ranking second among the final nine.

At the final table, Kim started with 94,600,000 chips (59 big blinds), placing him in a strong position. His performance throughout the tournament demonstrated his ability to weather adversity and capitalize on momentum.

Kim is known for his solid fundamentals and rigorous strategy. His style is often described as tight-aggressive (TAG), with a strong emphasis on hand reading and positional advantage. While he has shown proficiency in various poker disciplines, including lowball 2-7, his success in no-limit hold'em events highlights his versatility. His disciplined approach and ability to maintain focus during marathon tournaments are key factors in his long-term profitability.

Bryan Kim's rise to the 2024 WSOP Main Event final table has brought him into the mainstream poker spotlight. His consistent performance in high-stakes tournaments, combined with his low-key demeanor, has earned him respect among peers. As he continues to compete at the highest levels, his career serves as an example of how dedication, skill, and patience can lead to success in the world of professional poker.