Dan Smith

Dan Smith was born on February 23, 1989, in Manalapan Township, New Jersey, and now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. He began playing online poker at age 16, before reaching the legal gambling age in the US. A former chess player, he earned a college chess scholarship but left school in 2007 at age 18 to pursue poker full-time. Smith's first live cash and victory came in 2008, when he won the Heartland Poker Tour Main Event at Turning Stone Resort & Casino for $101,960.

2012 was the turning point of Smith's career. He started the year by winning the Aussie Millions $100,000 Challenge for A$1,012,000. In April at EPT Monte Carlo, he won three separate €5,000 events in a span of five days, combining for €520,980. In August, he captured the EPT Barcelona €50,000 Super High Roller for €962,925. Overall, Smith won six tournaments in 2012, earning the GPI Player of the Year award and finishing runner-up in the Card Player Player of the Year race (to Greg Merson) and runner-up in the Bluff Player of the Year race (to Marvin Rettenmaier).

Smith's momentum continued in the following years. In December 2013, he won the WPT Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic for $1,161,135. In June 2014, he took down the Bellagio Super High Roller $100,000 buy-in event for $2,044,766, his biggest cash at that time. He also achieved multiple runner-up and third-place finishes in prestigious high rollers: second in the 2016 WSOP $111,111 High Roller for One Drop ($3,078,974), third in the 2018 WSOP $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop ($4,000,000), and third in the 2019 Triton Million for Charity for over $8.5 million ($8,765,628). In 2023, he finished third in the WPT Million for One Drop, earning over $2.8 million. Smith also won the Triton Poker Series Monte-Carlo 2023 $200,000 NLH Invitational for $3,870,000 and the Triton Jeju 2024 $50,000 NLH Turbo Bounty for $951,000 plus $300,000 in bounties. On the PokerGO Tour, he won the ARIA High Roller #1 $10,000 NLH in 2021 for $136,000 and the U.S. Poker Open #9 $25,000 NLH in 2023. As of 2024, his live tournament earnings exceed $59 million (ranked 5th on the all-time money list with PokerNews reporting over $61 million).

Smith's first WSOP cash came in 2010. He gradually built a resume with 23 WSOP money finishes and 9 final tables from 2013-2021. Notable results include a third-place finish in the 2012 $5,000 NLH event for nearly $370,000, third in the 2015 $10,000 PLO for $369,564, third in the 2016 $25,000 PLO High Roller for $487,361, third in the 2018 $50,000 Poker Players Championship for $521,782, and a 20th-place finish in the 2014 WSOP Main Event for $286,900. Prior to 2022, Smith was often regarded as one of the best players without a WSOP bracelet. That changed at the 2022 WSOP, where he won the $25,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship, defeating Christoph Vogelsang for $509,717. This victory marked his first bracelet and cemented his legacy.

On the World Poker Tour, Smith's sole title came in 2013 at the WPT Doyle Brunson Five Diamond. He also cashed in the 2011 Bay 101 Shooting Stars for $25,800 (22nd place) and has total WPT earnings of $1,282,961. On the European Poker Tour, Smith has 8 titles, 17 final tables, and 29 cashes, including his 2012 Super High Roller win and multiple side event victories. He also has several Triton Poker Series titles and PokerGO Tour wins.

In 2014, Smith founded the Double Up Drive, a charity initiative that has raised over $24.7 million for various causes. He is widely recognized for his philanthropic efforts in the poker community, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith's consistent high-level performance and charitable work have made him a respected figure in the poker world. He has been nicknamed "King Dan," "Truck Dan," and "Cowboy Dan" by fans and peers.

Smith is known for his aggressive and well-rounded play in high-stakes tournaments. His ability to perform in the most expensive buy-in events has earned him a reputation as one of the elite players. He was ranked first in the world by the Global Poker Index in September 2014. Despite a brief dip in GPI rank (595 as of 2024), his lifetime achievements place him among the greatest tournament players of all time.

As of 2024, Smith's live tournament earnings are reported at $61,063,814 by PokerNews, placing him 5th on the all-time money list according to The Hendon Mob (which also lists $59,678,767). His best live cash of $8,765,628 came from the 2019 Triton Million for Charity. His Global Poker Index peak was #1 in September 2014; as of 2024, his GPI rank is 595, but his lifetime earnings and titles solidify his elite status.

Smith's Double Up Drive, founded in 2014, has raised over $24.7 million for various charitable causes. The initiative has been particularly active during the COVID-19 pandemic, with efforts such as raising funds for frontline workers and underserved communities. Smith often donates a portion of his tournament winnings to the cause and organizes events to engage the poker community in giving back.

Smith's major awards include: 2012 GPI Player of the Year, runner-up in the 2012 Card Player Player of the Year (to Greg Merson), runner-up in the 2012 Bluff Player of the Year (to Marvin Rettenmaier), and being ranked #1 in the Global Poker Index in September 2014. He also holds a WSOP bracelet (2022 $25K Heads-Up Champion) and a WPT title (2013 Doyle Brunson Five Diamond). His eight EPT titles and multiple high-roller victories further underscore his dominance in tournament poker.

According to the latest data from The Hendon Mob, as of 2024, Dan Smith's total live tournament earnings have reached $59,678,767. This figure places him 6th on the all-time money list, a slight adjustment from earlier rankings that often listed him as 5th. The change reflects the ongoing competitiveness of high-stakes poker, with other top players also accumulating significant cashes. Smith's best live cash remains the $8,765,628 he earned from finishing third in the 2019 Triton Million for Charity. His consistent performance across multiple tournaments, including the highest buy-in events, keeps him among the elite earners in the game.

Dan Smith maintains an active and engaging presence on social media, particularly on Twitter, where he operates under the handle @dansmithholla. He uses this platform to share real-time updates on his tournament performances, provide behind-the-scenes glimpses into the life of a high-stakes poker professional, and promote his philanthropic efforts through the Double Up Drive. Smith's Twitter feed often includes commentary on major poker events, interactions with fans and fellow pros, and occasional strategic insights. His social media activity helps him connect with a global audience and reinforces his reputation as an accessible and community-minded player.

In 2024, Dan Smith achieved a significant milestone by surpassing $59 million in live tournament earnings. This accomplishment is marked on his The Hendon Mob profile with a special notation, highlighting his entry into this elite financial tier. Only a handful of poker players have ever reached this level, underscoring Smith's longevity and skill in the game. His journey from a teenage online grinder to a multi-millionaire tournament legend continues to inspire new generations of poker players. This milestone is a testament to his dedication, strategic acumen, and ability to perform under pressure.

Dan Smith's profile on The Hendon Mob, the largest live poker database, features visual indicators of his major achievements. These include a Player of the Year icon reflecting his 2012 GPI Player of the Year award, as well as a marker for the $59 million milestone. The profile also lists his nationality as United States, his birthplace as Manalapan, New Jersey, and his residence as Las Vegas, Nevada. This comprehensive profile serves as a central hub for fans and researchers to track his career statistics and accomplishments.