Sam Trickett

Sam Trickett was born on 2 July 1986 in East Retford, Nottinghamshire, England. As a teenager, he pursued a career as a professional football player, but a serious knee injury in 2005 ended his football ambitions and led him to discover poker. He started playing at local casinos and online, beginning with $10 sit-and-go tournaments.

Trickett quickly became a regular in poker events in Sheffield. His first major live win came in 2008 when he took down the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) Luton Main Event for $215,178. He made his first World Series of Poker money finish in 2008, placing 4th in a $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em event for $245,927. In 2010, he cashed six times at the WSOP, including a runner-up finish in a $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em event for $505,725. That same year, he participated in high-stakes cash games in Macau alongside Tom Dwan, John Juanda, and Phil Ivey, reportedly winning around £1 million. He also began learning Mandarin during his time in Macau.

The start of 2011 marked a breakthrough: Trickett won the $100,000 buy-in high roller event at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure and then won the $100,000 high roller at the Aussie Millions, earning $1.5 million. He also finished second in the $250,000 super high roller at the same Aussie Millions. On 13 November 2011, he won the Partouche Poker Tour Main Event in Cannes for €1,000,000. His most famous achievement came on 3 July 2012, when he finished runner-up to Antonio Esfandiari in the $1,000,000 buy-in Big One for One Drop at the WSOP, winning $10,112,001 — the largest single cash of his career and the biggest ever for a British player at the time.

Trickett continued to perform in high roller events. On 1 February 2013, he won the $250,000 Challenge at the Aussie Millions for A$2,000,000 (approximately US$2.1 million). On 23 March 2013, he placed second in Premier League Poker VI in London for $200,000. In October 2019, he finished runner-up in the €25,500 WSOPE Platinum High Roller for $409,478. In March 2020, he won the $25,000 MILLIONS Super High Roller Sochi for $435,000. He also cashed multiple times in the 2020 WSOP Online series. As of 2025, his total live tournament winnings exceed $21.8 million, ranking 51st on the all-time money list and 3rd on the England all-time money list. Despite his success, he has never won a WSOP bracelet; his WSOP record includes 6 final tables and numerous money finishes.

Known by the nickname "Tricky", Trickett is recognized for his aggressive and adaptable style, strong reading of opponents, and success in both cash games and tournaments. He was named the 2011 European Poker Player of the Year and Britain's Best Cash Player in the same year, cementing his reputation as one of the UK's finest poker talents.

In January 2013, Trickett announced his engagement to long-term partner Natasha Sandhu, but by December 2014 the couple had split. He resides in the countryside near East Retford and owns a custom Bentley Continental. He studied Mandarin during his time playing in Macau. Following his One Drop success, a British media outlet commissioned an online documentary chronicling his early life and rise to poker fame.

In addition to his live achievements, Trickett has also excelled in online poker. During the 2020 WSOP Online series on GGPoker, he cashed in multiple events, including a 27th place finish in the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em event for $33,973 and a 239th place in the $5,000 Main Event for $20,124. He also recorded a 7th place in the $5,200 Pot-Limit Omaha event during the 2019-2020 WPT Online Series for $16,160, and an 8th place in the $10,300 Pot-Limit Omaha Six Max event at the 2020 Poker Masters Online for $20,000.

Trickett continued to post strong results in the 2020s. On March 8, 2020, he won the $25,000 MILLIONS Super High Roller Sochi for $435,000. In October 2019, he finished runner-up in the €25,500 WSOPE Platinum High Roller for $409,478. More recently, in May 2025, he cashed in the $5,300 No-Limit Hold'em event at the Mediterranean Poker Party, finishing 22nd for $35,500. As of 2025, his total live tournament winnings exceed $21.8 million, ranking him 51st on the all-time money list and 3rd on the England all-time money list. He also achieved the $21,000,000 milestone, as recognized by The Hendon Mob.