David Williams is a Poker Player and MasterChef Finalist

David Williams is an award-winning poker player and avid chef, placing as runner up on season 7 of MasterChef. Additionally, his impressive resume boasts two WSOP bracelets and one WPT World Championship victory.

He has amassed tournament winnings estimated to be over $8 Million, and an estimated net worth estimated at over $9 Million.

Born in 1980 in Arlington, Texas

David Williams was born in Arlington, Texas in 1980 and spent much of his early life playing Magic: The Gathering. As an accomplished Magic player, he made Grand Prix events all around the globe as well as high stakes poker tournaments worldwide. Following high school graduation he received acceptances to both Harvard and Princeton universities; eventually choosing Southern Methodist University where he would study economics.

After many years of playing home poker games, he finally earned a buy-in to the 2004 World Series of Poker through an online poker site and finished second behind Greg “Fossilman” Raymer (winning over $3.5 Million in prizes). Four months later he came second at Borgata Open World Poker Tour stop, taking home $573,800 as his prize.

In 2006, he won his inaugural WSOP bracelet in the $1,500 Seven-Card Stud event as well as two fourth place finishes at World Poker Tour (WPT) events that year. Since then he has cashed 67 times, made 36 final tables, won 7 events, earned both his circuit ring and title from both organizations.

Although he no longer plays as much poker, he still enjoys it and boasts an impressive live winnings total of $8 Million. Online, he has made waves through several WCOOP events he won. Aside from poker, he also competes in other competitive games and has a daughter named Liliana.

Won his first WSOP bracelet in 2006

David Williams had already been playing poker for nine years when he won his first WSOP bracelet in 2006. Beginning seriously in high school, he managed to save up enough money for an adequate bankroll. His discipline was evident from an early age; while his mother worked as a flight attendant, David would often remain home alone while she was gone – cooking dinner and doing the laundry!

David made an instant impactful debut into poker in 2004 while studying economics at Southern Methodist University. He made the WSOP main event final table, finishing second to Greg Raymer and taking home $3.5 million prize money – this event forever changed his life and provided him with confidence to move to Las Vegas and turn professional.

After his initial success at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), he failed to cash majorly until 2006. By this point, however, regular final tables had begun occurring regularly: He won Bay 101 Shooting Stars Limit Hold’em event for $280,000 before going on to claim $5,000 HOSE event at WSOP Circuit Caesars Las Vegas and finish fourth for $221,958 in WPT Borgata Open event.

By 2009, he had amassed more than $6,100,000 in tournament winnings and joined Team PokerStars. That same year he won his first World Series of Poker bracelet at a $1,500 seven-card stud event and also became a regular on the online circuit under his nickname of RugDoctor.

Won the WPT World Championship in 2010

David Williams is one of the premier tournament players worldwide and is widely revered for his winning ways. His competitive spirit and passion for poker have propelled his successful career; currently based in Las Vegas. Additionally, David is also an accomplished competitive Magic: The Gathering player as well as having competed on FOX cooking show MasterChef during season 7.

Texas-born pro David Pogue first made an impactful entry into poker back in 2004, while still studying Economics at Southern Methodist University, placing second to Greg Raymer at the World Series of Poker Main Event and pocketing $3.5 million for second place finisher. From there on out he made 36 more final tables and won seven events during his initial eight-year live playing career.

At the 2010 WPT World Championship, Williams outwitted 195 competitors to capture both first place and its $1.53 million first prize. To do so he defeated Las Vegas pro Eric Baldwin heads-up, calling an all-in with pocket 2s against Baldwin’s ace-5 of hearts in heads-up play.

His victory marked one of his greatest victories to date and saw him earn more money than any individual since Phil Hellmuth won the inaugural event back in 2006. Mike Seiver held onto that title since that year; winning $8,000,000 at that year’s tournament.

Won a WCOOP event in 2009

David Williams lives and resides in Las Vegas when not out traveling the poker circuit, raising his daughter Liliana with great devotion. Additionally, David showcased his culinary prowess by competing on MasterChef Junior; nearly being eliminated in Episode 16, however saved by judges allowing him to reach the final.

Even though Williams doesn’t play as frequently in live poker tournaments these days, he remains an unparalleled force on the felt. His total live poker tournament winnings exceed $8 Million with most coming from World Series of Poker events.

David Williams of Poker has become famous for his unique, loose aggressive style of play which has helped him secure several noteworthy victories during his career. His ability to read opponents accurately, play his cards well at the table and quickly adapt to changing conditions has lead him to great success at the table.

In 2009, he won his first WCOOP event under the name “RugDoctor.” After defeating Alexander “joiso” Kostritsyn in the $2 100 WCOOP 8-Game Mix event for first place, winning over $107 800 in first prize money he experienced an immense surge in his online poker career and now boasting over $8 Million in live tournament winnings as a top 10 player on Texas All Time Money List.