World Poker Tour

Claude Cohen

Birthplace
Tunisia, North Africa

Hometown
Paris, France

Total Winnings
$172,784

Though born in Tunisia North Africa, Claude Cohen's life took him to Paris, France. There he eventually moved around and made his home just 200 meters from France's most recognized card room, the Aviation Club. A gambler with a taste for betting the ponies, Cohen spent a lot of time playing small tournaments in his native France. The time he spent at the Aviation Club would eventually set the stage for the rest of his life.

One day while playing in his hometown card room, Cohen met a lady. They quickly hit it off and decided to make a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada for the World Series of Poker. While there in 1997, Cohen played in his first WSOP event, a Limit Omaha contest. He walked away as the champion and more than $100,000 richer. Two days later he married his sweetheart. A week later, that sweetheart was pregnant. In Cohen's words, "It was absolutely a dream."

Since then, Cohen has become one of France's most respected poker players. While he has not taken a championship since his 1997 WSOP Omaha win, he has come close many times. In 2003, Cohen finished second in the World Poker Tour event in Paris. In 2005, he made the final table of a Pot-Limit Omaha event at the World Series. His lifetime tournament winnings have eclipsed the $500,000 mark.