David Einhorn

David Einhorn was born on November 20, 1968, in New Jersey and raised in Demarest, New Jersey, before moving to Wisconsin. He graduated from Nicolet High School in 1987 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in government, summa cum laude, from Cornell University in 1991. In 1996, he founded Greenlight Capital, a long-short value-oriented hedge fund that achieved annualized returns of 26% over its first decade. As of 2026, his estimated net worth is approximately $3.3 billion, and he was included in Time magazine's Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world in 2013.

Einhorn first made headlines in the poker world at the 2006 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, the largest poker tournament in history at that time with 8,773 entrants. He finished in 18th place, earning $659,730. Demonstrating his philanthropic commitment from the start, Einhorn donated his entire winnings to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research.

Einhorn's most famous poker achievement came in 2012 at the inaugural WSOP $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop, a high-stakes charity tournament benefiting the One Drop Foundation. He finished third out of 48 of the world's best players, earning $4,352,000—his largest live cash to date. True to form, Einhorn donated the entire prize to the City Year Foundation, an education nonprofit that partners with high-need public schools. Reflecting on the experience, he told PokerNews: "I came to the One Drop because it’s a lot of fun. You get to play against the best players in the world. It’s like my summer vacation. It’s a great experience and so cool to be around so many great people who all want to contribute a great cause."

Einhorn has remained a fixture in elite tournaments over the years. In 2014, he cashed in the WSOP Main Event again, placing 173rd for $44,728. In 2019, he finished 9th in the WSOP $50,000 High Roller for $122,551. A decade after his One Drop success, he placed 13th in the 2024 WSOP Paradise $1,000,000 Triton Million Invitational, earning $865,000. His most recent deep run came in 2026, when he finished 3rd in the WSOP $250,000 Super High Roller for $1,862,941, and also cashed in the Main Event (807th, $22,500).

Across his WSOP career, Einhorn has accumulated 10 cashes, 4 final tables, and over $8 million in WSOP earnings alone, according to WSOP.com. The Hendon Mob ranks him 319th on the All Time Money List, 162nd among United States players, and 24th among New York players. His total live tournament earnings exceed $8 million per PokerNews, though Hendon Mob lists $6.1 million.

A defining aspect of Einhorn's poker career is his pledge to donate 100% of his tournament winnings to charity. His $4.352 million donation to City Year after the 2012 One Drop is one of the largest single charitable contributions from a poker tournament. He also donated his $659,730 Main Event winnings in 2006, and continues to support causes through events like Poker for Math. Einhorn has stated that playing in high-stakes tournaments is a fun way to contribute to great causes.

Einhorn is known for a disciplined, mathematical, and patient playing style, heavily influenced by his background as a value investor. He treats poker hands as investments, focusing on expected value (EV) and avoiding unnecessary risks. He is comfortable playing tight in early stages and increasing aggression as ICM (Independent Chip Model) pressure grows at final tables. He has occasionally worked with professional coaches like Jonathan Little to refine his technical game. One of his greatest advantages is that he plays with "no scared money"—as a billionaire, the massive buy-ins of events like the Triton Series do not affect his decision-making, allowing him to execute bluffs that would paralyze most opponents.

David Einhorn is widely regarded as the best poker player on Wall Street and one of the most successful amateurs in the game. His combination of financial acumen, competitive success, and unwavering philanthropy has earned him respect from both the poker and business communities. He remains an active participant in the highest-stakes tournaments, consistently holding his own against the game's elite professionals.