The Passion of Barry Greenstein for Poker
While some people never imagined that they would end up becoming professional poker players, there are also some people who always knew that they were destined to become professional poker players. This is specifically true in the case of professional poker player Barry Greenstein. As a child, he was taught by his father how to play poker and his skills were honed because of the fact that he used to play poker with his family almost every night. When he reached the age of thirteen years old, Barry Greenstein experienced earning a maximum of US$50 a night just by playing poker at home with his family. This was also the time when he realized that he would do anything just to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional poker player.
Barry Greenstein was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 30, 1954. As a student, he had always projected a smart image, obtaining a computer science degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and studying to obtain a Ph.D. degree in mathematics. Unfortunately, he did not finish his Ph.D. degree. He accepted a job offer from Symantec. With such educational and career background, it is no wonder why Barry Greenstein is capable of projecting a smart image at poker tables. It was in 1991 when he decided to retire from Symantec and he was thirty six years old when he became determined to pursue his dream of becoming a full-fledged professional poker player.
Barry Greenstein has always been seen competing in televised poker events. This professional poker player has experienced competing against several poker giants when he participated in the "Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament." As a matter of fact, Barry Greenstein has appeared in this televised poker tournament three times already. This professional poker player has also participated in the "High Stakes Poker" televised poker game show four times.
Just like several professional poker players out there, Barry Greenstein is also a holder of not one, but two World Series of Poker bracelets. This professional poker player won his very first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2004 when he joined the US$5,000 No Limit Deuce to Seven Draw event, wherein he earned US$296,200. In 2005, this professional poker player once again won a World Series of Poker bracelet after successfully participating in the US$1,500 Pot Limit Omaha event. The winnings of Barry Greenstein in the said event totaled to US$128,505.
Aside from victories in the World Series of Poker, Barry Greenstein also has victories from his participation in the World Poker Tour. He won a World Poker Tour title when he participated in the Fifth Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open and won another World Poker Tour title when he participated in the World Poker Tour Invitational that was held at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, California in 2005. In these events, his earnings were US$1,278,370 and US$100,000, respectively.
Barry Greenstein has always been successful in the field he has chosen. Perhaps, it is also because he donates part of his winnings to charitable institutions, most especially to Children, Inc. In fact, there was a time when this professional poker player donated all of his winnings to charities. According to him, it is also one way of teaching his children how to help people who are in need.
Well, Barry Greenstein is indeed one ideal person, both as a professional poker player and philanthropist. |
