David Rheem

David Yongtaek 'Chino' Rheem (born April 15, 1980) began his live tournament career in 2004. His first notable result came at the 2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, where he finished 193rd. In 2006, he narrowly missed his first WSOP bracelet, finishing runner-up to Allen Cunningham in a $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em with rebuys event, earning $327,981. This early success demonstrated his ability to navigate large fields and perform under pressure.

Rheem's breakout moment came at the 2008 WSOP Main Event. As a member of the 'November Nine,' he finished seventh, cashing for $1,772,650. He was eliminated by eventual champion Peter Eastgate, whose A♥ Q♦ flopped a pair of queens to beat Rheem's A♠ K♣ on a board of Q♠ 5♠ 7♦ 9♦ 4♥. Earlier that year, he also made a final table in the $5,000 Mixed Hold'em event, finishing fifth.

Over his WSOP career, Rheem has amassed 14 final tables and 88 money finishes, with total WSOP earnings exceeding $4.6 million. Despite several deep runs, he has yet to win a bracelet. Recent WSOP results include a runner-up finish in the 2025 WSOP Event #49: $2,500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em ($341,970) and a fourth-place finish in the 2025 WSOP Paradise Event #6: $5,000 Super COLOSSUS ($162,500). He also cashed in the 2025 WSOP Paradise $100,000 Triton Main Event (22nd, $232,000) and the 2025 WSOP Event #96: $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (21st, $20,616).

Rheem is one of only a handful of players to win three WPT titles, placing him among the tour's elite. His victories:

• 2008: $15,000 Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic – 1st place, $1,538,730.
• 2013: $25,000 WPT World Championship – 1st place, $1,150,297 (defeated Erick Lindgren heads-up).
• 2016: $10,000 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown – 1st place, $705,885.

He also has four additional WPT final tables and seven total money finishes, underscoring his consistency on the tour.

Beyond the WSOP and WPT, Rheem has captured several prestigious events. In 2011, he won the inaugural Epic Poker League Main Event, a $20,000 buy-in 6-Max No-Limit Hold'em tournament, earning $1,000,000. However, his Epic Poker League membership was placed on probation shortly after due to acknowledged debts to other players, which he has since repaid.

In 2019, Rheem took down the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) $10,300 Main Event for $1,567,100, his second-largest career cash. The victory added a major international title to his resume.

More recently, in 2022, Rheem showcased his versatility by winning a $15,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event at the US Poker Open for $271,350 and then capturing the PokerGO Tour $25,000 Heads-Up Championship for $400,000. These wins highlighted his adaptability across different formats and buy-in levels.

Rheem is known for his calm demeanor and composure in high-pressure situations, a trait that has served him well in deep tournament runs. While not a polarizing figure, he has been described as a 'dark horse' capable of surprising the poker world. His willingness to play multiple formats—No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and mixed games—underscores his technical flexibility.

Rheem resides in Los Angeles, California. His nickname 'Chino' is widely recognized in the poker community. Despite early-career controversies surrounding debts, he has maintained his status as a top-tier competitor. As of 2025, his live tournament earnings exceed $16.5 million, placing him 80th on the all-time money list. Rheem continues to compete at the highest levels, regularly participating in high-roller events and major series around the world.

Despite numerous deep runs, Rheem has yet to win a WSOP bracelet. He has finished runner-up twice: in 2006 in a $1,000 rebuy event (to Allen Cunningham) and in 2025 in the $2,500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em event (for $341,970). He also placed fourth in the 2025 WSOP Paradise $5,000 Super COLOSSUS ($162,500) and fifth in the 2008 $5,000 Mixed Hold'em event. These results demonstrate his consistent ability to reach final tables and contend for bracelets.

Rheem has maintained a high ranking in the Global Poker Index (GPI) throughout his career. As of 2025, he was ranked 17th in the world, a testament to his sustained success in high-stakes tournaments. His GPI ranking reflects his strong performances in events such as the WSOP, WPT, and PokerGO Tour.

As of 2025, Rheem's live tournament earnings total $16,505,812, placing him 80th on the all-time money list. His largest single cash remains the $1,772,650 from his seventh-place finish in the 2008 WSOP Main Event. He has earned over $1 million on five separate occasions, including his three WPT wins and the PCA Main Event. Rheem's consistency across different buy-in levels and formats has allowed him to accumulate wealth steadily over two decades.