Richard Alsup

Richard Alsup, often known as Rich, was introduced to poker at age 12, playing micro-stakes with a neighbor. He began playing at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota, and turned professional in 2015 after noticing the potential for big scores in tournaments. His first recorded cash dates back to 2006, and he has since built a career marked by consistency and deep runs.

Alsup earned his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2022, taking down Event #82: $800 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack for $272,065. He entered the final day 167th of 2,820 entries and navigated a short stack at the final table to victory, crediting his travel buddy Rob Wazwaz for convincing him to play. Alsup brought his baby's shoe to the final table as a good-luck charm, representing his four-month-old son.

In 2026, Alsup won his second bracelet in Event #18: $1,500 Monster Stack, besting a field of 11,933 players to claim a career-best $1,302,125. On the final hand, he held ace-seven against Salvatore Dicarlo's ace-king, but a seven on the flop sealed the title. Alsup attributed his win to a "new baby run good" and staying positive. These two victories are among his five largest live scores.

Alsup is a legendary figure on the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT). He is an MSPT Hall of Fame member and was inducted after becoming the first player to surpass $1 million in combined earnings on the tour. He has over 60 MSPT Main Event cashes, including 52 in Main Events, and has made 15 final tables. He won the MSPT Meskwaki in 2015 for $101,229 and was Season 6 Player of the Year. Alsup sits second on the MSPT GOAT rankings, behind only Rob Wazwaz.

Beyond the WSOP and MSPT, Alsup has achieved significant results in other events. In October 2024, he won the Fall Poker Classic Main Event at Canterbury Park for $117,775 after a three-way chop. This hometown title was particularly meaningful to him. He also finished 3rd in the 2018 MSPT Las Vegas for $273,430 and 11th in the 2021 WPT SHRPO Hollywood for $111,035.

Alsup has consistently cashed in WSOP events across various disciplines, including Pot-Limit Omaha and Mystery Bounty formats. He finished 26th in The Return at Borgata in 2022 for $24,924 and has multiple cashes in the WPT World Championship. Alsup continues to be a regular on the tournament circuit, with his most recent scores including a 42nd-place finish in the 2026 WSOP $800 Summer Celebration.

Alsup is known as a tight-aggressive player who capitalizes on position and avoids unnecessary risk. He is adept at deep-stack play and adjusts his strategy based on opponents. Despite his success, he remains humble and grounded, often citing family as his motivation. He has spoken about the challenges of balancing poker with being a father, but his discipline and bankroll management have allowed him to sustain a long career.

As of June 2026, Alsup's live tournament earnings stood at nearly $4 million, with a Global Poker Index rank of 836. His five largest live scores include the $1,302,125 from the 2026 WSOP Monster Stack, $273,430 from the 2018 MSPT Las Vegas, $272,065 from the 2022 WSOP Deepstack, $117,775 from the 2024 Fall Poker Classic, and $111,035 from the 2021 WPT SHRPO Hollywood. These results highlight his consistent success across major tours.

Alsup shares a close friendship with fellow Minnesotan Rob Wazwaz, who is ahead of him on the MSPT GOAT rankings. Wazwaz convinced Alsup to play the 2022 WSOP $800 Deepstack, saying "Come play with the fish" when Alsup was considering a different event. Remarkably, Wazwaz had won the same event earlier that summer. Alsup credits this encouragement for his first bracelet win. The two frequently travel together and support each other's poker careers.

Despite his numerous achievements, Alsup has yet to win a World Poker Tour (WPT) title, which he calls the "main thing left on the bucket list." In 2024, he played the WPT Playground Championship, his third visit to the Montreal venue, and praised the property, the food, and the five-card PLO cash games. Although he did not cash, Alsup remains determined to capture a WPT trophy, continuing to pursue the final major accolade missing from his resume.