Michael Binger
Encyclopedia
Michael W. Binger is a part-time professional poker
player, based in Atherton
, California
. He has a brother, Nick Binger, who also has several high-profile tournament cashes.
Binger graduated from North Carolina State University
before receiving a Ph.D.
in theoretical physics
from Stanford University
in 2006. Just two months after receiving his PhD, he outlasted almost 8,800 players in the 2006 World Series of Poker
(WSOP) $10,000 No limit Texas Hold'em Main Event, finishing third and earning $4,123,310. Binger had reached a final table earlier in that year's WSOP, finishing sixth.
Since the 2006 WSOP, Binger has finished in the money of six World Poker Tour
events. At the 2007 WSOP
, Binger tied Phil Hellmuth
and Humberto Brenes
for second most cashes of any player in a single World Series of Poker
season with eight. This included a final table appearance in Event 22 a $5,000 buy-in No limit Texas Hold'em tournament (finishing 3rd) won by James Mackey
.
In November, Binger won the 2008 WSOP Circuit Event - Lake Tahoe, $5,150 Championship, earning $181,379
As of 2010, his total live tournament winnings exceed $6,500,000, most of which ($4,897,162) have come at the WSOP.
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
player, based in Atherton
Atherton, California
Atherton is an incorporated town in San Mateo County, California, United States. Its population was 6,914 at the 2010 census. In September 2010, Forbes magazine placed Atherton's zip code of 94027 at #2 on its annual list of America's most expensive zip codes, with a median home price of $4,010,200...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He has a brother, Nick Binger, who also has several high-profile tournament cashes.
Binger graduated from North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
before receiving a Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in theoretical physics
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 2006. Just two months after receiving his PhD, he outlasted almost 8,800 players in the 2006 World Series of Poker
2006 World Series of Poker
The 2006 World Series of Poker began on June 25, 2006 with "satellite" events, with regular play commencing on June 26 with the annual Casino Employee event, and the Tournament of Champions held on June 28 and 29...
(WSOP) $10,000 No limit Texas Hold'em Main Event, finishing third and earning $4,123,310. Binger had reached a final table earlier in that year's WSOP, finishing sixth.
Since the 2006 WSOP, Binger has finished in the money of six World Poker Tour
World Poker Tour
The World Poker Tour is a series of international poker tournaments and associated television series broadcasting the final table of each tournament. It was started in the United States by attorney/television producer Steven Lipscomb, who served as CEO of WPT Enterprises , the firm that...
events. At the 2007 WSOP
2007 World Series of Poker
The 2007 World Series of Poker began on June 1, 2007. The $10,000 no-limit Texas hold 'em Main Event began on July 6 and was completed on the morning of July 18...
, Binger tied Phil Hellmuth
Phil Hellmuth
Phil Hellmuth is an American professional poker player. He is best known for holding a record 11 World Series of Poker bracelets, for winning the Main Event of the 1989 World Series of Poker and for his temperamental, "poker brat" personality...
and Humberto Brenes
Humberto Brenes
Humberto Brenes is a professional poker player. Brenes currently resides in Miami Lakes, Florida with his wife and three children ....
for second most cashes of any player in a single World Series of Poker
World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker is a world-renowned series of poker tournaments held annually in Las Vegas and, since 2005, sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment...
season with eight. This included a final table appearance in Event 22 a $5,000 buy-in No limit Texas Hold'em tournament (finishing 3rd) won by James Mackey
James Mackey
For the former Toronto Chief of Police see James Page MackeyJames Mackey attended the University of Missouri before dropping out of a pre-med program to pursue a career in professional poker...
.
In November, Binger won the 2008 WSOP Circuit Event - Lake Tahoe, $5,150 Championship, earning $181,379
As of 2010, his total live tournament winnings exceed $6,500,000, most of which ($4,897,162) have come at the WSOP.