World Poker Tour

Alex Kahaner

Hometown
Van Nuys, CA

Total Winnings
$1,125,900

Hailing from Israel, Alex Kahaner is quite proud of his heritage but has lived most of his life in the Los Angeles, California area. His family moved to America in 1986, and he was educated to be a computer consultant, though he soon found himself in the residential construction business and started his own company. When not working, much of his time is spent with his kids, and his family time is of the utmost importance to him. But a lifelong recreational interest in poker was to play a bigger role in his life than he ever anticipated.

For 11 years, Alex played home games or cash games at the L.A. casinos, eventually moving up to a comfortable $40-$80 and $60-$120 no limit game. In 2004, he played a few small tournaments, then decided to invest in a bigger tournament when the World Poker Tour came to town. He bought into the 2004 Legends of Poker and with his methodical and calculating, and at times risky play, he took down the tournament and won over $1.1 million.

Alex fully intends to play more tournaments down the road, but familial and work obligations have always come first and will continue to do so. If given the chance - since the finances are no longer an issue - he hopes to bring his long-time love of poker back to the tournament circuit.