Josh Arieh
Today Josh Aryeh is one of the most successful professional poker players with over $13000000 in live tournament winnings and six WSOP bracelets. The poker player’s achievements in tournaments make him a significant figure in the world of poker.
Main Information
Basic Player Information:
- Nickname: Josh Aryeh is known by the nickname “POY” (Player of the Year);
- Nationality: USA;
- Residence: Atlanta, Georgia, USA;
- Born: September 26, 1974;
- Age: 50;
- Last Results: 5th place in Pot Limit Omaha – Super High Roller Bowl PLO 2024, Las Vegas; 6th place in PGT PLO #8 – Pot-Limit Omaha 2024, Las Vegas.
Josh Arieh Biography
Josh Aryeh was born on September 26, 1974, in Rochester, New York, to a family with Israeli roots. His father, a former military man, moved to the United States after serving in the Israeli army, where he himself raised Josh and his two siblings after the early death of their mother. At the age of 8, the family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where Josh spent his high school years.
From an early age, Aryeh showed a desire for independence. As a schoolboy, he worked part-time to buy clothes and other small things. One of his first hobbies was billiards. Josh often played for small stakes at the local pool hall, where he learned an important life lesson: once he lost his favorite sweatshirt and wallet, which became an incentive for him to develop an analytical approach to games.
Love of Poker
After the pool hall closed due to a police raid, Josh switched to poker, playing with the same acquaintances. He quickly realized that many of his opponents who were successful at pool were weak at poker. Using his natural mathematical mind and strategic thinking, he began winning more and more often.
Starting with home games, Aryeh accumulated a starting bankroll of $1,000. Soon, using his older brother’s ID card, he started playing in casinos in Mississippi. His first attempts were not always successful, but over time he learned the nuances of the game and began to win consistently.
By 1998, Aryeh was working as a dealer in private poker games, but in 1999 he decided to fully dedicate himself to the game of poker, making it not just a hobby, but a profession.
Personal Life
Josh Aryeh is a man who values friendship and family. He maintains a close relationship with famous baseball player John Smoltz, for whom he even acted as a caddie at a professional golf tournament.
In 2024, Josh married his longtime girlfriend Rachel. Despite the busy schedule of a professional player, he tries to find time for his family and loved ones.
Poker Career
Josh Aryeh’s first serious success came in 1999 when he won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in a Texas Limit Hold’em event. A year later, he finished runner-up in a Pot-Limit Omaha tournament against the legendary Johnny Chan.
However, Aryeh’s real fame came in 2004 when he finished third in the WSOP Main Event. This tournament brought him an impressive $2500000 in prize money.
Further Achievements
In 2005, Aryeh proved his level again by winning his second WSOP bracelet in a Pot-Limit Omaha event. He won the event in a tight battle, defeating Chris Ferguson in the final table.
Years later, in 2014, Josh demonstrated that he remains competitive. He finished runner-up in the WSOP $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em event, increasing his prize money by more than $400,000.
Back to the Top
After a brief hiatus, Josh Aryeh made a triumphant return to the poker arena. In 2021, he won two WSOP bracelets in the longest poker session, bringing his total number of trophies to four. This year was particularly significant in his career – Josh was named WSOP 2021 Player of the Year.
Aryeh continued his ascent in 2023, adding two more bracelets to his collection. He won the $10000 and $25,000 buy-in tournaments, increasing his total number of bracelets to six. These wins cemented his status as one of the most successful players in WSOP history.
Playing Style and Personality
Josh Aryeh is known for his aggressive style of play that forces his opponents to make tough decisions. His ability to read his opponents and find weaknesses in their tactics sets him apart from other professionals.
Live Poker Achievements
Stats of Josh’s achievements in live tournaments is quite impressive:
- 1999: Winning the $3000 Limit Hold’em tournament at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), first gold bracelet and $202800 prize;
- 2004: third place in the WSOP Main Event for $2500000;
- 2005: second gold bracelet for winning the $2,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event at the WSOP, $381600 prize;
- 2019: Winning the $10000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better event at the WSOP, third bracelet and $484791 prize;
- 2021: Fourth bracelet for winning the $1500 Pot-Limit Omaha event at the WSOP, $204766 prize;
- 2021: Recognized as WSOP Player of the Year thanks to two bracelets and seven top-10 tournament appearances;
- 2023: Winning the $10000 Limit Hold’em Championship at the WSOP, fifth bracelet and $316226 prize;
- 2023: Sixth bracelet for winning the $25,000 H.O.R.S.E. event at the WSOP, $711313 prize.
Online Poker Achievements
Aryeh is a unique example of a player, if only because he has reached heights not only at real tables, but also at virtual tables. Here are the biggest achievements from his profile:
- 2020: Winning the WSOP Online $500 Pot-Limit Omaha event for $90000 in prize money;
- 2021: Second place in the WSOP Online $1000 No-Limit Hold’em event, winning $150000;
- 2022: Winning the WSOP Online H.O.R.S.E. $600 buy-in tournament, $120000 in prize money;
- 2023: Third place in the WSOP Online $1500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Low event, winning $75,000.
Top Five Career Cashes Prizes
In the table you can see Josh’s 5 biggest earnings in his career.
| № | Tournament | Winning ($) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35th World Series of Poker (WSOP) – Main Event | 2500000 | 2004 |
| 2 | 50th World Series of Poker (WSOP) – Poker Players Championship | 1353634 | 2019 |
| 3 | WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic | 952290 | 2009 |
| 4 | WSOP $25,000 H.O.R.S.E. High Roller | 711313 | 2023 |
| 5 | 50th World Series of Poker – WSOP 2019, Las Vegas | 679426 | 2019 |
Josh Arieh Socials
The player is moderately active on popular socials:
- Instagram (@joshuaarieh);
- Twitter (@JoshuaArieh).
FAQ
Is Josh Arieh good at poker?
Yes, he is one of the most successful professional players, with six WSOP bracelets and significant prize money.
How old is Josh Arieh?
As of November 2024, he is 50 years old.
Does Josh Arieh still play poker?
Yes, he is active in poker tournaments and continues to perform well.
What is Josh Arieh’s Nickname?
His nickname is “POY” (Player of the Year).
What is Josh Arieh’s net worth?
Net worth of all Josh Aryeh’s prize money in live tournaments is $13184439, which puts him on the 46th place in the list of the most successful players in the USA.