Peter Klein

Peter Klein (born William G. Klein, c. 1948 in Chicago, Illinois) retired after a successful career as a businessman. His family co-owned a manufacturing company, which they sold after Klein was diagnosed with throat cancer. This background provided him with the financial stability to pursue high-stakes poker.

Klein began playing live tournaments in 2008 at the WSOP. His most notable achievement came at the 2015 World Series of Poker in Event #58: $111,111 High Roller for ONE DROP. He finished runner-up to Jonathan Duhamel, earning $2,465,522, which he donated entirely to two charities: the Orangewood Children’s Foundation and The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding.

In 2023, Klein cashed four WSOP events, including a 278th-place finish in the Main Event ($50,900) and a runner-up finish in Event #23: $50,000 High Roller for $955,513. He also placed 9th in the 2021 WSOP $100,000 High Roller ($186,909) and 2nd in the 2023 $50,000 High Roller.

Klein appeared in Season 7 of High Stakes Poker on GSN. In 2015, he played in a $250,000 Aria Super High Roller cash game where he hero-called Antonio Esfandiari with J♣ 8♣ on a board of 7♦ 9♦ 8♦ 9♠ 3♥, winning a $458,500 pot against Esfandiari's stone-cold bluff.

Klein is known for his calm, strategic approach and high IQ at the tables. He prefers tournament play over cash games, stating, "Higher stakes players are a little bit easier to read" and that he plays cash games on stream primarily for charity publicity. His business background contributes to his disciplined bankroll management and calculated risks.

Klein is regarded as one of the most charitable figures in poker, often donating winnings to causes such as therapeutic riding and children's foundations. He has also matched losses with charitable gifts. As of 2023, his live tournament earnings exceed $7.5 million, ranking him among the top 300 on the all-time money list. He continues to compete in high-roller events and streams, using his platform to support philanthropy.