Cary Steven Katz (born January 29, 1970) is an American businessman and poker player.
| Cary Katz | |
|---|---|
 Cary Katz in 2018 | |
| Born | January 29, 1970 |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | None |
| Money finish(es) | 46 |
| Highest ITM Main Event finish | 159th, 2009 |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Title(s) | None |
| Final table(s) | 1 |
| Money finish(es) | 6 |
Career
editKatz graduated from University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. In 1999, he founded the College Loan Corporation, where he was CEO for 15 years. The company was the seventh largest student loan company in the United States providing $19 billion in loans.[1]
Katz started the conservative media website CRTV in 2014.[2] In 2018, he filed a lawsuit against CRTV over alleged non-payment of a $20 million loan.[3]
In October 2015, Katz founded the website Poker Central which launched subscription-based streaming service PokerGO.[4] Katz also created high roller tournaments including Super High Roller Bowl, Poker Masters, and the U.S. Poker Open.[5]
He currently serves as chairman of the non-profit organization Stop Child Predators.[6]
Katz is married to Jackie Katz and they have six children together and currently reside in Las Vegas, Nevada.[7]
Poker
editKatz learned poker from his grandmother and began playing live tournaments competitively in 2004.[8]
In August 2005, Katz finished 21st in the $5,000 World Poker Tour Legends of Poker Main Event, earning $20,850.[9] In 2009, Katz finished 159th in the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event, earning $40,288.[10]
In January 2013, Katz entered the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure $100,000 high roller event, finishing fourth for $543,800.[11] Later that year, he finished runner up to Davidi Kitai at the 2013 World Series of Poker $5,000 Pot Limit Hold'em event.[12]
In 2014, Katz played in the $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop, where he finished eighth, earning $1,306,667.[13] The tournament had a memorable hand where Katz's cracked Connor Drinan's after both were all in pre-flop. The board ran out , giving Katz an ace-high flush.[14][15]
Katz plays in Las Vegas high roller events hosted at the Aria Casino.[16] In January 2018, Cary Katz won his first major poker tournament, placing first in a field of 48 entries to win the PCA Super High Roller and earning $1,492,340.[17]
In September 2019, Katz won Super High Roller Bowl London. Katz defeated Ali Imsirovic heads-up to earn £2,100,000.[18]
In February 2020, Katz finished third in Super High Roller Bowl Australia for AU$640,000.[19]
In July 2021, Katz won the 2021 PokerGO Cup Main Event for $1,058,000.[20]
In January 2023, Katz was crowned the 2023 PokerGO Cup champion after cashing five times and winning $655,800 in prize money.[21][22]
As of January 2023, Katz has cashed for over $36,200,000 in live poker tournaments.[23]
References
edit- ^ Holloway, Chad (July 1, 2012). "Cary Katz — CEO, College Loan Corporation". PokerNews. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ Sheffield, Matthew (March 4, 2017). "Conservative feud: Right-wing pundit Mark Steyn sues after student-loan billionaire Cary Katz cancels his web show". Salon.com. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ Ferrera, David (April 28, 2018). "Las Vegas billionaire sues conservative media outlet over $20M loan". ReviewJournal.com. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (May 22, 2017). "Poker Central Bets on $10 Monthly Subscription Video Service". Variety. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ "$25 Million Super High Roller Bowl® Announced". PokerGO News. April 7, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
- ^ Frank, Ryan (August 31, 2014). "L.V. executive keeps low profile, makes big donations to Sandoval, far-right causes". LasVegasSun.com. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ "Cary Katz | Home". carykatz.com. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
- ^ "CARY KATZ". wsop.com. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ "Main Tour The Bicycle Casino Legends of Poker Season 2005-2006". Worldpokertour.com. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
- ^ "Cary Katz". WSOP.com. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
- ^ Bandana, Santana (January 8, 2013). "$100,000 Super High Roller". PokerNews. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ Pempus, Brian (June 12, 2013). "Davidi Kitai Wins Second World Series Of Poker Bracelet". Card Player. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ Bandana, Santana (July 1, 2014). "Cary Katz Eliminated in 8th Place ($1,306,607)". PokerNews. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ Dzen, Gary (July 30, 2014). "Poker Player Loses $1 Million in the Worst Way Possible". Boston.com. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ Dator, James (July 30, 2014). "Watch the bad beat that cost a poker player $1M". SBNation.com. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ Fast, Erik (February 6, 2017). "Cary Katz, Dan Smith and Brian Rast Win 2017 February Aria High Rollers". Card Player. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ Fast, Erik (January 8, 2018). "Cary Katz Wins 2018 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure $100,000 Super High Roller". cardplayer.com. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ "Super High Roller Bowl London tournament won by Cary Katz". pokersuperagent.com. September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- ^ Nuwwarah, Mo (February 3, 2020). "Timothy Adams Becomes First Super High Roller Bowl Australia Champ". PokerNews.com. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ Fast, Erik (July 14, 2021). "Cary Katz Wins PokerGO Cup $100,000 High Roller Event". CardPlayer.com. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
- ^ Richards, Connor (January 21, 2023). "Isaac Haxton Wins PokerGO Cup Finale; Cary Katz Named Overall Champ". PokerNews.com. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ "PokerGO Cup Wraps Up With Cary Katz Taking Series Title". www.uspoker.com. January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ "Cary Katz's profile on The Hendon Mob". The Hendon Mob Poker Database. Retrieved December 11, 2023.