Question: Which of the following WPT Alpha8 players set aside his professional poker career to go back to school?
- Jason Mercier
- Steven Silverman
- Daniel Alaei
- Matt Glantz
Got a guess? Well, if you selected Steven Silverman, you’re correct.
Silverman, a Maryland native, picked up poker at the tender age of 14 and spent more time concentrating on building his bankroll during his freshman year at the University of Maryland that he eventually dropped out to pursue a professional poker career.
The decision didn’t work out too well for him, the first time.
After eventually returning to school, Silverman still couldn’t shake the poker bug and soon found himself spending quality time in both live and online poker rooms where quickly racked up some impressive results, including a 10th-place finish at the WPT North American Poker Championship in Niagara Falls, a third-place finish at an LAPT stop in San Jose, Costa Rica, and a first-place victory in a $1,000 online event that earned him a cool $350,000.
Not bad for a two-time dropout.
After a few years of burnishing his game and building his bankroll well into the seven figures, Silverman traded in his chips for text books one more time, this time completing a dual degree in Biochemistry and Nutritional Science. Still, poker remained his passion, and Silverman quickly returned to form with a string of deep runs at major events around the World.
Now, Silverman is at again as one of the eight players at our first-ever WPT Alpha8 final table. Does the studious pro have what it takes to defeat one of the most talented tables we’ve ever seen? Tune in to our premiere at 9pm ET/6pm PT on Sunday, March 30 on FOX Sports 1 to find out.