World Poker Tour

Humberto Brenes “Godfather of Costa Rican Players“

Birthplace
San Jose, Costa Rica

Birthday
May 8

Total Winnings
$1,732,400

Humberto Brenes is a proud Costa Rican and proclaims his love of his country at every opportunity. His childhood there involved a close relationship with his family, and by spending much time with his father, he watched the gambling and card games, carefully stashing that valuable information for future use. For the most part, though, he followed a business-minded path by earning a degree from the University of Costa Rica in industrial engineering, then establishing a number of businesses, including a television station, nut company, construction business, and multiple restaurants. Despite his business savvy, the gambling gene was obviously passed to Humberto.

He spent a great deal of time in casinos, specializing in craps and baccarat, but eventually picking up cards and finding easy money in poker. After taking the time to craft his strategies and learn from the best players, he decided to try tournaments, so in 1987, he played in his first World Series of Poker event " the $10,000 main event " and finished 14th. He attended each subsequent year until he finally won his bracelets in 1993, one in the $2500 limit hold'em tournament and the other in the $2500 Omaha pot-limit event.

Humberto is one of the most familiar and likable faces on the WPT circuit. Since the first season where he just missed the final table at the L.A. Poker Classic, he has won hearts with his broken English, jovial demeanor, and Costa Rican pride. In the WPT's second season, he placed second at the WPT Invitational only to Phil Laak. He then came back in Season 3 to finish third at the World Poker Finals at Foxwoods and second at the Five Diamond World Poker Classic at Bellagio.

Being able to travel and play tournaments with his pro poker brothers, Alex and Eric, makes him happy, and his business ethics and generous charitable contributions in Costa Rica make him a well-loved man. And though his poker prowess has been demonstrated throughout the poker world for more than a decade, he is still aiming for that WPT win that has just passed through his fingers for five years.