World Poker Tour

Ted Forrest

Birthplace
Syracuse, NY

Birthday
September 24

Total Winnings
$2,207,215

Ted Forrest spent his youth in New York, but at age 20, he moved west to work at a hotel near the Grand Canyon, though much of his spare time was spent in Las Vegas. There, he found his passion for poker, relocated to Vegas, and began making enough money in cash games to pay his way through school at Lemoine College. In the end, he left nine credits short of a degree but doesn’t regret his decision, as he feels he would have been ultimately unhappy in an office job of any sort.

Quickly, Ted gained a reputation in Vegas cash games for being a serious player who was willing to take risks but clearly knew the ins and outs of poker. By the early 1990’s, he tried his hand at tournaments and did well in that arena, too, consistently cashing and winning small tournaments in Vegas and the Los Angeles area. In 1993, he won three World Series of Poker bracelets – in seven card razz, seven card stud, and Omaha 8 or better – and collected over $300,000 in that one month period. The poker world couldn’t help but take notice of this rising poker star.

Ted remained a consistent tournament star and winning cash game player for many years, but it wasn’t until 2004 that he added two more WSOP bracelets to his collection. In addition, he made his mark on the World Poker Tour by placing fifth at the season one WPT championship, then finishing fourth in the third season at the L.A. Poker Classic main event and the fourth season at the Mirage Poker Showdown. Finally, in 2007, Ted took down his long-awaited first WPT title at the Bay 101 Shooting Stars event in the longest ever final table showdown. With a WPT title, five WSOP bracelets, and an NBC National Heads-Up championship title under his belt, there is no doubt that he is one of the best players that the game has ever seen.