Dan Shak

Dan Shak was born Daniel Shak on May 7, 1959, in New York, New York. He is the son of Paula J. Felmeister (née Cohen). Before poker, Shak worked as a trader on the New York Mercantile Exchange and COMEX. In 2002, he founded SHK Asset Management, a hedge fund focused on gold futures. This background in high-stakes finance laid the groundwork for his disciplined approach to poker.

Shak began playing poker seriously in 2004. His first World Series of Poker (WSOP) cash came in 2005 for $45,000. He quickly became a regular on the live circuit, known for playing high buy-in events. In 2010, he came close to winning his first WSOP bracelet, finishing second to Chris Bell in the $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Low Split event. That same year, Shak achieved the biggest win of his career at the 2010 Aussie Millions, taking first place in the $100,000 Challenge for $1,200,000 (equivalent to A$1,107,553).

Shak has also excelled in other major tournaments. In January 2014, he finished runner-up in the $100,000 No-Limit Hold'em Eight Max event at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, earning $1,178,980. In the 2012 PCA, he placed second in the $100,000 Super High Roller for $846,700. He won the PartyPoker Premier League Poker VI in March 2013, defeating Sam Trickett heads-up for $528,000. Shak has also cashed in the Super High Roller Bowl, finishing seventh in the 2016 edition for $600,000.

Shak's WSOP record includes 104 cashes, 11 final tables, and one WSOP Circuit ring. Despite several deep runs, he has not yet won a WSOP bracelet. He has 19 World Poker Tour cashes with one final table, and four European Poker Tour cashes.

Shak employs a loose-aggressive (LAG) style, characterized by entering pots with a wide range and applying constant pressure. He leverages position and stack depth to make aggressive bets and bluffs, often exploiting tight-passive opponents. His hedge fund background contributes to his psychological resilience and bankroll management, allowing him to navigate high-variance situations effectively.

Shak was married to poker player and model Beth Shak; they divorced in 2009. In 2012, he filed a lawsuit against Beth over her shoe collection of 1,200 pairs worth approximately $1 million, but later dropped the suit. He married former model Anna Shak in 2014. Outside of poker, Shak is a successful hedge fund manager. In August 2022, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) charged him with manipulating gold and silver markets, a case that remains ongoing. Despite this, Shak has continued to play live tournaments.

In December 2023, Shak finished second in the $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event at WSOP Paradise, earning $537,900. In March 2024, he scored his first win at the PokerGO Studio in the PokerGO Cup, though exact details are limited. He has remained active in 2026, with multiple cashes at the WSOP including a sixth-place finish in the $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship for $72,834, and an eighth-place finish in the $10,000 Big O Championship. As of mid-2026, Shak has total live earnings of $15,870,093 according to major databases.

Shak is respected as a consistent high-stakes cash game and tournament player. He has been a regular in the biggest games alongside legends like Phil Ivey. Although he has not captured a WSOP bracelet, his numerous deep runs and top-three finishes in elite events have solidified his reputation. He has also served as a brand ambassador for Ivey Poker at Ivey's request, though he primarily treats poker as a hobby.