Dan Harrington - The Human Poker Calculator that showed us how important knowing your "M" in tournaments really is

Dan Harrington, the quiet tight-wad of poker, is one of only five people to have won both the World Series of Poker Main Event and a World Poker Tour title. A former backgammon champion, chess master and bankruptcy lawyer, he has quite the experience with cash winnings. In college he was part of an elite group that gained an “advantage” over casinos in both blackjack and roulette. Their advantage in roulette was using a mathematical model to calculate the odds. They managed to have 40% per spin odds and only stopped when the Sands Casino in Atlantic Casino made them an offer to stop their scheming. The offer was so good apparently, that they couldn’t refuse it.

Dan is known for his tight play, both in being tight-lipped and careful in selecting hands to play. Even though his nickname is “Action Dan” he is celebrated by commentators and analysts for his ability to lay down hands when he knows he is beat. “Character makes the whole difference,” he says. Dan is a firm believer in control over a table as well as self-control. He is quite thrifty and has been known to rent rooms in his friends’ homes to cut costs as well as always find the least expensive restaurant in a hotel to eat at. He always wears a hat while playing, most of the time a green Boston Red Sox cap. He was born in Massachusetts but currently resides in Santa Monica, California.

In 1987 he placed 6th in the World Series of Poker main event. He won in 1995, then placed 3rd and 4th in 2003 and 2004, respectively. He earned a second bracelet in 1995 for winning the $2,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament. At the final table in the main event of 1995 he proposed a nine way split of the winnings. He explained to everyone how they would have enough money to become rich on if they invested it correctly. He even offered free investment counseling. Chuck Thompson, one of the other players refused, claiming this was a once in a lifetime shot at winning a million dollars. Even as the table grew smaller and smaller he continued with his offer. No one listened. He won the million dollars. In 2007 his solid conservative play payed off, he won the World Poker Tour title at the Legends of Poker event held at the Bicycle Casino.

Dan currently has three books published Harrington on Hold’em: Volumes 1, 2, and 3. These books were co-written by Bill Robertie and published by Two Plus Two Publishing. Two more books will be released in February of 2008. These books will focus on no-limit hold’em cash games.

Dan Harrington is a force to be reckoned with. If he’s in a hand, beware.