Cary Katz
The 53-year-old American became a professional poker player after building a successful business. Cary Katz is the founder of streaming giant Poker Central, which broadcasts exclusive high buy-in tournaments. The billion-dollar net worth businessman plays for fun, but that doesn’t stop him from winning prizes in the world’s most expensive events.
Main Information
Cary Katz is a unique representative of the poker world who successfully combines his career as a player with entrepreneurship. He is one of the most influential people in the world of poker, who has repeatedly proved his strength as a strategist and analyst:
- Nickname: El Jefe;
- Nationality: American;
- Place of residence: Las Vegas, USA;
- Born: January 29, 1970;
- Age: 53;
- Last Results: Triton Poker Series and Super High Roller Bowl cashes for 2023 with $2 million in total earnings, PokerGO Cup and Poker Masters finalist with $3 million in winnings.
Cary Katz Biography
Katz was born on January 29, 1970 to a Jewish family in Texas, USA. He grew up surrounded by traditional family values that influenced his life principles and career. As a young adult, Cary developed an interest in finance and entrepreneurship. He enrolled at the University of Georgia, diligently and thoughtfully studying the fundamentals of finance and banking.
After his studies, Katz proved to be a talented businessman, founding his own company, College Loan Corporation, in 1999. Under his leadership, it became one of the leading providers of student loans in the United States. Success in the world of finance and business provided financial independence and a chance to try his hand at poker.
At first, the American saw the card game as nothing more than entertainment. But he soon realized that poker required analytical skills and strategic thinking – qualities he had always valued. Gradually Katz began to take part in high-budget tournaments. His success in this field did not last long.
In addition to his personal achievements, Cary has made significant contributions to the poker industry. In 2014, he founded Poker Central, a platform for broadcasts aimed at popularizing the intellectual game. The project was an important step for the entire industry, giving viewers access to live coverage of major tournaments and exclusive content.
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Poker Career
The American came to poker as an established businessman, which sets him apart from most poker players. Katz quickly established himself among the elite and became a recognizable participant of the most expensive tournaments in the world. Thanks to his analytical skills, he was able to succeed in both live and online tournaments. Over the years, the poker player began to win tens of millions of dollars.
Live Poker Achievements
Cary Katz has won numerous times at major events, earning colossal sums of money:
- 2018 – win at the Super High Roller Bowl with an award of $1,492,000;
- 2019 – 3rd place in the $1,350,000 Triton Poker London event;
- 2020 – 1st place in the PokerGO Cup tournament which brought in $1,058,000;
- 2021 – 2nd place in the Super High Roller Bowl for $820,000;
- 2023 – Winning $2,000,000 on the PokerGO Tour.
Online Poker Achievements
The businessman himself considers himself a player of live tournaments, but admits that he sometimes participates in online events. He has repeatedly achieved high results in this format:
- 2020 – Winning the Poker Masters Online series for $520,000;
- 2021 – 2nd place in the Super High Roller Bowl Online with $450,000 in winnings;
- 2022 – A $200,000 first-place finish in the WPT Online Championship.
Stats once again proves that Katz adapts quickly to changing conditions. He performs well in the online format, defeating serious opponents with a solid track record.
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Top Five Career Cashes
Cary has built a reputation as one of the most successful high rollers in poker, achieving big wins in prestigious tournaments:
Tournament | Venue | Place | Winning |
---|---|---|---|
Super High Roller Bowl 2018 | Las Vegas, USA | 1-е | $1,492,000 |
Triton Poker London 2019 | London, UK | 3-е | $1,350,000 |
PokerGO Cup 2020 | Las Vegas, USA | 1-е | $1,058,000 |
PokerGO Tour 2023 | Las Vegas, USA | 1-е | $2,000,000 |
Super High Roller Bowl 2021 | Las Vegas, USA | 2-е | $820,000 |
Cary Katz Socials
Cary’s personal life is closed from the general public, but he maintains several social networks. There he shares news about his poker achievements and projects. On the pages you can find information about upcoming tournaments, results of performances and personal thoughts about the world of poker and business:
Socials | Profile |
---|---|
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carykatz | |
https://x.com/carykatz | |
https://www.instagram.com/carykatz/ |
FAQ
Is Katz good at poker?
Cary has never set a world record, but that doesn’t stop him from taking prizes in high roller tournaments. His earnings in live events totaled $36 million.
How old is Cary?
American is 53 years old (born January 29, 1970).
Does Katz still play poker?
Yes, he participates in poker tournaments to this day, especially in high-level events and major international series.
What is Katz’s most notable business venture?
Cary founded College Loan Corporation, which became one of the largest private student loan organizations in the United States. The business not only allowed him to achieve financial success, but also to invest in the world of poker and create Poker Central.
How long was Cary Katz’s longest poker session?
Longest poker session lasted about 16 hours when he participated in a multi-day high roller tournament.
What type of poker games does Katz prefer?
Cary favors no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha tournaments.