Ryan Riess

Ryan Riess was born on June 21, 1990, in East Lansing, Michigan. He attended Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes High School and later graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Hospitality Business. After turning to poker professionally, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he resides. In a 2018 interview, Riess mentioned expecting his first child around March 2019.

Riess's first recorded tournament cash came in October 2012, when he finished runner-up in the World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event in Hammond, Indiana, earning $239,063. He played several small events across the United States before making his WSOP debut in 2013, cashing in three preliminary events with a best finish of 11th in a $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em tournament.

Entering his first WSOP Main Event, Riess made the November Nine as the fifth chip leader with 25,875,000 chips. The final table featured notable players such as Jay Farber, JC Tran, and Amir Lehavot. Riess eliminated four opponents and entered heads-up play against Farber with a nearly 20-million-chip deficit. After 90 hands, Riess's A♥ K♥ defeated Farber's Q♠ 5♠ to win the championship bracelet and $8,361,570. At 23, he became one of the youngest Main Event champions in history. Reflecting on the victory, Riess said: "The title means everything. The money's great, but being a professional poker player, money comes and goes... The title is everything. I would not be happy with second place."

In April 2017, Riess captured his first World Poker Tour title at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Finale, earning $716,088 after a lengthy heads-up battle. His winning hand was again A♥ K♥, which held against Alan Sternberg's 7♠ 7♦. This victory marked his second major tournament win with the same hand.

Riess continued to post strong results in high-profile events. In 2018, he finished fourth in the €10,350 WSOP Europe Main Event for €388,445, narrowly missing the Triple Crown (having already won a WSOP bracelet and a WPT title; a European Poker Tour Main Event win would have completed it). The same year, he placed fourth in a €50,000 No-Limit Hold'em event at EPT Barcelona for $403,299. In 2019, he made the final table of the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event, again finishing fourth.

Riess has maintained a consistent presence on live tournament circuits. In 2019, he finished second in a $52,000 No-Limit Hold'em event at the US Poker Open for $492,000. His 2020s cashes include multiple WSOP final tables and deep runs in high-roller events. As of 2026, his total live earnings exceed $16.6 million (Hendon Mob) or $17.8 million (other sources), placing him among the top earners globally. He has recorded 232 WSOP cashes (15 final tables) and 19 WPT cashes (3 final tables, 1 title). Recent highlights include a 22nd-place finish in the 2026 WSOP $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship ($52,633), a 282nd-place finish in the 2026 WSOP Main Event ($50,000), and 11th place in the 2025 WSOP $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha ($37,089). Riess also won a high-stakes bowling prop bet in February 2026, showcasing his competitive nature beyond poker.

Riess employs a tight-aggressive (TAG) style, emphasizing mathematical probability and post-flop play. He values position and range analysis, rarely bluffing unnecessarily and seeking value from his strong hands. At final tables, he demonstrates patience and reads opponents effectively, adapting his strategy to exploit tendencies. His calm demeanor and analytical approach have made him a representative of the modern generation of tournament players. Riess is known for his dedication to continuous learning and discipline, skills that have underpinned his long-term success.

Riess is nicknamed "Riess the Beast." He is an avid fan of Michigan State sports and enjoys bowling and other competitions. In addition to his WSOP and WPT triumphs, he has cashed in events across various poker variants, including Pot-Limit Omaha, Badugi, and 2-7 Lowball Draw. His first WSOP bracelet came in his very first Main Event appearance, a feat accomplished by few. Riess continues to live in Las Vegas and remains active on the tournament circuit.