World Poker Tour

Ezra Harvin “EG“

Hometown
West Palm Beach, FL

Birthday
March 10

Total Winnings
$904,389

Ezra Harvin is the first one to point out that with a first name like his; it's easier to use your initials. That's why this amateur poker player from West Palm Beach goes by EG at the tables. A combination of joie de vivre and self deprecation epitomizes EG's style. He describes himself as a straight-A student who excelled in math and learned to play poker with his father (a compulsive gambler) as a 7 year old. While other children got candy and fruit in their Christmas stockings, he and his siblings also got coins so that his father would be able to put a game together and win the change back from his kids. Harmin has spoken out against compulsive behavior, warning that anything can be a problem if it comes between you and your life.

This financially secure life insurance professional has operated his own agency for 27 years. He and his family lived in Connecticut prior to moving to West Palm Beach so playing in the WPT World Poker Finals at Foxwoods is a bit of a homecoming. He reveals that he only started playing Texas Hold'em in the last few years, when he moved into a new subdivision and his neighbors gathered at the clubhouse for a $1/$2 game. Harvin's known as a tight player, accustomed to being a chip leader. He presents a unique challenge for the professionals because he doesn't need the money and considers winning poker to be pure luck.

Harvin entered the World Poker Tour's World Poker Final tournament at Foxwoods Resort and Casino by winning his $10,000 seat at a $150 satellite. He persevered through a field of over 600 players to make the final table with a mixture of WPT final table poker pros. He's donating a portion of his winnings to his church. Harvin indicates that playing poker is fun, but it's not what he would want to do for a living. He says he's been married for 39 years, has two children, five grandchildren and one on the way so that's his job and his life.