Nick Schulman

Nick Schulman was born on September 18, 1984, in New York City, and grew up there. He began playing pool at the famous Amsterdam Billiards, mentored by several top players from ages 13 to 19 before switching his focus to poker. He started playing poker in 2002 at age 18 and turned professional at 19. Unable to play in brick-and-mortar card rooms until 21, Schulman honed his skills online, grinding his way up the limits. He later played in underground clubs in New York City.

Schulman's first recorded live tournament result was also his first major victory. In November 2005, at age 21, he won the $10,200 WPT World Poker Finals at Mashantucket, taking home $2,167,500 — a record for a regular-season WPT event — and becoming the youngest WPT winner at that time. Less than a month later, he finished 4th in a WSOP Circuit event in Atlantic City for $74,495. In April 2006, he won the WPT Battle of Champions IV, defeating Freddy Deeb. He nearly repeated his WPT Finals win in 2007, finishing runner-up to Michael Vela for $864,652.

Schulman has won eight WSOP bracelets. His first came in 2009 in the $10,000 No-Limit Deuce-to-Seven Draw World Championship for $279,742, defeating a final table that included John Juanda, David Benyamine, and Michael Binger. He won his second bracelet in 2012 in the same event for $294,321. In 2015, he fell at the final hurdle in the same event, losing heads-up to Phil Galfond. In 2019, he won the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship for $463,670, and later that series finished 3rd in the $100,000 High Roller for $1,187,802. At the 2023 WSOP, he captured the $1,500 Seven-Card Stud event for $110,800. In 2024, he won the $25,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em (8-Handed) for $1,667,842, and later that year won the $5,000 The Closer Bounty Turbo for $145,000. In 2025, he won his seventh bracelet in the $10,000 No-Limit 2–7 Lowball Draw Championship for $497,356, becoming the player with the most earnings in that event's WSOP history. In June 2026, Schulman won his eighth bracelet in Event #37: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. for $183,366, topping a field of 780 entries.

Schulman's WPT title came in 2005, and he has five WPT final tables and 15 money finishes. He also has success on the PokerGO Tour, winning the 2022 Bellagio High Roller #3 for $68,256, the 2023 Poker Masters $25,000 event for $374,000, the 2023 PGT Mixed Games II Triple Stud Mix for $144,000, and the 2024 PGT Last Chance event. He also finished 109th in the 2020 WSOP Main Event. His total live tournament earnings exceed $26 million as of 2026, placing him among the top 40 on the all-time money list. With an estimated poker net worth of over $15 million, Schulman's consistent high-roller volume and cash game mastery have been key to his financial success.

Schulman is a regular in the high-stakes cash game room "Bobby's Room" (now "Legends Room") at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. He has appeared on Poker After Dark and replaced Gabe Kaplan on High Stakes Poker in Season 10. Since 2019, he has been a commentator for ESPN and PokerGO's WSOP Main Event coverage, known for his humor and sharp analysis. He also produces poker educational content. His nickname is "The Takeover."

On July 11, 2025, Schulman was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame as the 62nd member, at age 40, in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to the game. He is widely respected for his elite cash-game and mixed-game skills, and his legacy as one of the greatest all-around players is cemented by his eight WSOP bracelets and WPT title. Schulman resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Schulman made his first appearance on PokerGO's revived Poker After Dark in October 2018. Since then, he has been a frequent participant in the high-stakes cash game episodes of the show, often providing entertaining commentary and showcasing his mixed-game prowess. His appearances have further solidified his reputation as a versatile and formidable player in televised cash games.

In addition to his WSOP and WPT success, Schulman has collected several titles on the PokerGO Tour. In 2022, he won the Bellagio High Roller #3 for $68,256. The following year, he triumphed in the Poker Masters $25,000 event for $374,000 and the PGT Mixed Games II Triple Stud Mix for $144,000. In 2024, he added the PGT Last Chance event to his resume. These victories highlight his dominance in high-roller and mixed-game events outside the traditional live circuit.

Schulman's success extends to the European Poker Tour (EPT), where he has two recorded money finishes. Although he has not won an EPT title or reached a final table, his cashes demonstrate his ability to compete at the highest level in international tournaments. His EPT results contribute to his overall tournament resume, which spans multiple continents and formats.