Thomas Keller
Switzerland
Thomas Keller is an American professional poker player with a World Series of Poker bracelet and over $1.46 million in career earnings. After graduating from Stanford, he quickly rose from low stakes to high-stakes games in Phoenix and became a Card Player columnist. He won his first major title in 2003 and captured a WSOP bracelet in 2004.
Early Life and Background
Thomas Keller was born on October 14, 1980, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He graduated from Stanford University in 2002 with a degree in economics. Keller is the brother of fellow poker player Shawn "Lightning" Keller. Like many poker pros, he credits his experience playing Magic: The Gathering as a helpful foundation for his poker career.
Rapid Rise in Phoenix
Keller's transition from low limits to high-stakes games in Phoenix was remarkably swift. A local legend recounts that he won so many $100 chips at Casino Arizona that the casino ran out of them, forcing high-limit players to buy chips from him—which he sold from the trunk of his car.
Major Tournament Victories
In December 2003, Keller won the $2,500 no-limit hold'em event at the Five Diamond World Poker Classic, taking home $281,525 after defeating Allen Cunningham heads-up. The following year, he captured a World Series of Poker bracelet in the $5,000 no-limit hold'em event, overcoming Martin de Knijff in the final match.
Other Notable Achievements
Keller finished fourth in the World Poker Tour (WPT) Young Guns of Poker invitational. He also represented Robert Williamson III's Team America in the Poker Nations Cup. Since 2004, he has been a primary columnist for Card Player magazine.
Later Career and Legacy
As of June 2025, Keller's live tournament earnings total over $1,469,971, with 25 recorded cashes. His most recent cash was $20,000 on June 18, 2025. He holds one WSOP bracelet, four final-table appearances, and 16 WSOP cashes.
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