Noah Schwartz

Noah Schwartz was born on August 1, 1983, and grew up in South Florida. In high school, he was an accomplished left-handed pitcher and was heavily recruited to play college baseball. He attended Florida International University, but during his freshman year he tore a ligament in his pitching arm, ending his baseball aspirations. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in finance. Schwartz started playing poker at age 17 after his father died of cancer, initially in a weekly home game with friends and family. He transitioned to online poker, funding his account with a credit card and a $25,000 student loan. After volatile results, he won $93,000 in an online tournament in 2006, which allowed him to pay off debts. He became more disciplined and soon won the PokerStars Sunday Second Chance ($47,000) and the Sunday Million ($291,473) in 2007. That same year, Schwartz began playing live tournaments. His first significant cash was 252nd in the 2007 WSOP Main Event for $45,422. He quickly moved up to $5,000 and $10,000 buy-in events. In 2008, he took fourth in the Borgata Winter Open for $331,958, his largest payday at that point. He added several more final tables over the next year, including an eighth-place finish in the 2009 WSOP $40,000 buy-in event for $246,834 and a second-place finish in a $1,000 NLH event at the Bellagio Five Diamond World Poker Classic for $20,615. In 2010, he took third in the WPT Festa Al Lago main event for $344,968. In 2011, he made final tables at WSOP Europe ($149,740) and the Epic Poker League ($89,680).

2012 was a breakout year: Schwartz started with a win in a PokerStars Caribbean Adventure preliminary event, then finished fourth in the WPT LA Poker Classic for $355,750, and took sixth in the EPT Grand Final high roller for $219,535. In November 2012, he won his first World Poker Tour title at the Jacksonville bestbet Fall Poker Scramble, beating a field of 477 entrants and earning $402,970. His biggest live cash came in January 2015 when he won the WPT Alpha8 Florida $100,000 buy-in event for $585,000, becoming the first player to win both an Alpha8 and a regular WPT title. He also scored a fourth-place finish in the 2014 WPT Alpha8 Las Vegas for $539,550. Schwartz has reached six WPT final tables in total.

Schwartz earned his first WSOP bracelet in 2013 at WSOP Europe, winning the €3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Mixed Max event for €172,209 (approximately $238,000), beating Ludovic Lacay heads-up. He also made the final table of the 2013 WSOP Main Event, finishing 52nd. In total, he has five WSOP final tables and one bracelet. In 2012, Schwartz attracted media attention by funding his $1 million entry fee for the Big One for One Drop through investor capital, registering a company called One Drop Investments LLC with commitments from about a dozen investors. The Wall Street Journal cited this as an example of the growing trend of successful players drumming up interest from hedge fund managers and wealthy businessmen.

Schwartz is known for an aggressive and flexible playing style, adept at applying pressure post-flop and adjusting to opponents. He excels in short-stack situations during tournaments. On social media, he is active and humorous, earning a following for his poker content and stories. His ability to consistently compete at the highest levels has made him a respected figure in the poker community.

As of 2025, Noah Schwartz's live tournament earnings exceed $7.1 million, with over 150 recorded cashes. He has one WSOP bracelet, one WPT title, and numerous final tables on both tours. His career highlights demonstrate a consistent ability to compete at the highest levels of poker, both in the United States and internationally. Schwartz continues to play in major events and inspire aspiring players with his journey from a baseball injury to poker stardom.