Dustin Dirksen

Dustin Dirksen hails from Iowa and is one of the most accomplished poker players to come out of the state. He is a law school graduate who runs several businesses while also playing poker on the side. Dirksen started his poker journey online before transitioning to live tournaments. his first recorded live cash dates back to 2006. He quickly established himself as a formidable player, particularly in high-stakes Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) and mixed game variants.

Dirksen's tournament résumé is impressive, with total live earnings exceeding $2.1 million as of 2025. His career-best score came in 2009 when he finished sixth in the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) Main Event, earning $600,000. This remains his largest single payout.

Dirksen has come close to winning a World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet on several occasions, having made eight final tables. Among those, he has three runner-up finishes:

• 2007 WSOP Event #35: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em – $381,381
• 2021 WSOP Event #62: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better – $115,440
• 2022 WSOP Event #15: $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship – $272,408

In the 2022 event, Dirksen and eventual champion Daniel Zack engaged in a back-and-forth heads-up match that lasted a grueling seven hours. Dirksen also finished fourth in the 2023 WSOP Event #10: $10,000 Dealer's Choice Championship for $101,709, and fourth in the 2021 WSOP Event #49: $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw Championship for $97,199. Other notable deep runs include an eighth-place finish in the 2022 WSOP $1,500 Eight Game Mix and multiple cashes in high-stakes limit and mixed events across 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Beyond the WSOP, Dirksen has cashed in events such as the WPT and the Borgata Championship. As of March 2024, he was ranked as the third most popular poker player in Iowa based on unique pageviews on The Hendon Mob, reflecting his strong local following.

Dirksen is widely regarded as a high-stakes PLO crusher, known for his aggressive and adaptable playing style. He excels in using position and chip leverage to apply pressure on opponents. His deep understanding of mixed games—from Omaha variants to stud and draw games—allows him to compete successfully across many disciplines. Dirksen's reputation in the poker community is that of a "doer" who prioritizes practical play over theory. He is respected for his ability to remain calm under pressure and to make bold moves when necessary, whether in live tournaments or high-stakes cash games.

His consistent presence at WSOP final tables and his runner-up finishes demonstrate his skill and resilience. Dirksen continues to be a regular on the tournament circuit, and his results show no signs of slowing down.