Michael Newman

Michael Newman, originally from New York, relocated to South Florida in mid-2015. As he told PokerNews, "I moved down here from New York in the middle of 2015 and it became my home. It's been good to me." That move proved fortuitous, as he quickly became one of the most accomplished players in Seminole Hard Rock Poker (SHRP) history. In his mid-50s and with no kids, Newman has embraced the local poker scene, amassing an impressive record at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood casino.

Newman's career-defining moment came in 2017 when he topped a field of 585 entrants to win the WPT RRPO (Rock 'n' Roll Poker Open) for $374,240. This victory earned him the prestigious WPT Mike Sexton Champions Cup. The final table was stacked with talent, including Matas Cimbolas (2nd - $262,440), Darryll Fish (3rd - $168,920), Ari Engel (5th - $93,560), Tom Marchese (6th - $75,380), and Shaun Deeb (9th - $37,420).

Beyond the WPT, Newman has consistently performed at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). He has come close to winning a bracelet on multiple occasions. In 2017, he finished 10th in the $10,000 Tag Team Championship alongside teammates Charlemagne Benjamin and Paul Snead. In 2021, he improved to fourth place in the $1,000 Tag Team event with Robert Ormont. Reflecting on these near-misses, Newman noted, "I almost won a bracelet on two separate occasions. One with my tag team partner, who is my former coach, Paul Snead. We finished 10th. Negreanu, we had aces, he had kings and hit a one outer. I finished fourth last year in the tag team. A guy flushed me when I had him preflop, but that's poker."

Newman's record at Seminole Hard Rock Poker is nothing short of remarkable. As of November 2022, he sits in fourth place on the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood's all-time number of cashes list with 113, trailing only Ory Hen (127 cashes). He has claimed seven SHRP titles, tying him with Brian Altman, Yuval Bronshtein, Gabe Ramos, and David Prociak, behind only Raminder Singh's nine titles.

His seven SHRP titles span various events and buy-ins:

• 2016 SHRPO: $570 No-Limit Hold'em – $17,589
• 2016 RRPO: $360 Pot-Limit Omaha – $7,740
• 2017 LHPO: $570 Six-Max Pot Limit Omaha – $7,473
• 2017 RRPO: $3,500 RRPO Championship – $374,240
• 2019 LHPO: $360 Ultimate Re-Entry – $183,525
• 2021 SHRPO: $400 Turbo No-Limit Hold'em – $7,573
• 2022 RRPO: $400 Turbo No-Limit Hold'em – $7,136

His seventh title came in November 2022 when he bested a 107-entry field to win the 2022 RRPO Event #18: $400 Deep Stack Turbo NLH for $7,136. After that victory, Newman expressed his enduring passion for the game: "It's always tough to win a title. I enjoy it so much. Even when I won the big one, no one could believe I played the $150 the next day. I just love poker so much. There's the thrill of competition, and it was pretty thrilling there at the end when I got the recent trophy."

Newman has remained active on the tournament circuit, with numerous cashes at the World Series of Poker in recent years. His results include:

• 2026 WSOP Event #78: $600 Deepstack Championship – 284th place, $1,729
• 2026 WSOP Event #63: $1,000 Mystery Millions – 134th place, $8,550
• 2026 WSOP Event #26: $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em – 20th place, $9,733
• 2025 WSOP Event #89: $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship – 271st place, $7,535
• 2025 WSOP Event #75: $1,000 Mini Main Event – 177th place, $6,170
• 2024 WSOP Event #68: $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em – 18th place, $25,319
• 2024 WSOP Event #60: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em – 74th place, $9,562
• 2024 WSOP Event #46: $1,000 Seniors Championship – 343rd place, $3,783
• 2023 WSOP Event #76: $10,000 Main Event – cashed (amount not specified)

These results demonstrate his ability to compete against the best in the world across a variety of formats and buy-ins.

Newman is known for his disciplined and patient approach to the game. He emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking, often stating that "poker is a long game." His style is characterized by solid fundamentals, careful bankroll management, and the ability to make tough folds when necessary. Despite his success, he remains humble and focused on the joy of competition rather than the spotlight.

Off the felt, Newman is a one-time diehard New York Giants fan, with Lawrence Taylor being his all-time favorite player. He has no children and has fully embraced his life in South Florida, where he has become a fixture at the Seminole Hard Rock poker room. His love for the game is evident in his willingness to play even low-stakes events the day after a major victory, a testament to his genuine passion for poker.

With over $2.3 million in live tournament earnings and a GPI rank of 1,141, Michael Newman has solidified his place as one of the most successful players on the Florida poker scene. His WPT title, multiple SHRP championships, and consistent WSOP cashes have made him a respected figure among his peers. As he continues to compete, Newman's story serves as an inspiration to recreational and professional players alike, proving that dedication and a love for the game can lead to remarkable achievements.