Eric Buchman

Eric Buchman was born on September 11, 1979, in Valley Stream, New York. Before making his name on the felt, he worked as an accountant, a background that would later be cited as fitting for his measured, numbers-oriented approach to poker. He broke through on the live tournament scene in April 2004, winning the No-Limit Hold'em Championship at the New England Poker Classic for $275,400. That early title helped establish him as a player to watch.

Buchman's World Series of Poker career began building momentum in 2006, when he finished runner-up in the $2,000 Limit Hold'em event at the 37th WSOP for $174,938. In December 2007 he added a second-place result in the WSOP Circuit Main Event at Harrah's Atlantic City, worth $208,666. At the 2009 WSOP he placed sixth in the $2,500 Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better for $34,747, setting up his greatest achievement: a run to the Main Event final table.

He was part of the 2009 "November Nine," the second group to play a delayed final table under that format. On November 7, 2009, Buchman was eliminated in fourth place, collecting $2,502,890. That enormous score remains his largest career cash. The 2009 final table was noted for the presence of four Jewish players, including Buchman, who were sometimes referred to as the "Chai Rollers." He had nine previous WSOP cashes before that Main Event deep run, showing consistent ability to reach late stages.

Buchman won his first WSOP gold bracelet at the 2010 World Series of Poker in the $2,000 Limit Hold'em event, earning $203,607. He followed up with a second bracelet in 2014, taking the $1,500 Seven-Card Stud title and $118,785. Both victories demonstrated his comfort across discipline variations beyond No-Limit Hold'em.

Around those wins, Buchman recorded several other strong WSOP finishes. In 2011 he finished second in the $2,500 8-Game Mix for $171,855 and third in the $1,500 Seven Card Stud for $48,961. In 2012 he went deep in the Main Event again, finishing 74th for $88,070. He also placed tenth in both the $2,500 Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo and the $1,500 Seven Card Stud events in 2015. In 2022 he took fourth in the $1,500 Eight Game Mix 6-Handed, banking $52,621.

Buchman continues to play regularly into the 2020s. In 2025 he cashed in the WSOP Main Event, finishing 509th for $32,500, and placed eighth in the $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed event for $26,562. He also finished 45th in the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better for $5,761. The 2026 WSOP saw him cash in the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better (94th, $3,317) and the $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better (59th, $3,167). His live earnings have surpassed $4.4 million, with one database listing live tournament earnings of $4,381,790 and recorded total earnings of $4,453,356 when online real-name results are included.

• Live tournament earnings: $4,381,790 (as of 2025); including online real-name results: $4,453,356
• Total recorded cashes: 62
• Tournament wins: 3
• WSOP bracelets: 2
• WSOP final tables: 10
• WSOP cashes: 43
• WSOP earnings: approximately $3.93 million
• World Poker Tour money finishes: 11
• European Poker Tour money finishes: 1
• Best live cash: $2,502,890 (2009 WSOP Main Event, 4th place)

On the table, Buchman is known for a solid, patient style rather than flashy aggression. He emphasizes position, hand selection, and avoiding unnecessary risks, waiting for good spots to apply pressure. His calm demeanor and disciplined fundamentals have made him a respected figure in tournament poker. From a regional win in 2004 to a November Nine appearance and two WSOP bracelets, Buchman's career illustrates how a methodical, mistake-averse approach can succeed at the highest levels.