Sunday, June 7, 2009

Celebrity Poker Player: Gabe Kaplan

Gabe Kaplan | Poker
Poker | casino
You may remember Gabe Kaplan from his famous 1970's TV show, "Welcome Back, Kotter." However, what you may not know about Gabe is that he's a world-class poker player.



What people may not know is how varied a life Gabe Kaplan has had. Gabe Kaplan is the Jack London Of The Poker World; his career has spanned numerous fields of shot.

Don't underestimate Gabe Kaplan's poker skills, he hasn't been as active in the profession in recent years, . At one time in the 80's, Kaplan heaped up an awesome list of poker accomplishments. And he seems to be making a comeback.

Gabe Kaplan | Poker

Gabe Kaplan is such an accomplished poker player that most no longer regard him as a celebrity poker player. Kaplan's first World Series of Poker appearance came in 1978.


In 2004, he finished third at the World Poker Tour’s No Limit Hold’em event, winning more than $250,000 in the process. He has also taken second place in the World Series of Poker Limit Hold’em event. His career tournament poker earnings exceed $680,000. He also serves as an expert poker commentator, having appeared on such shows as the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, Intercontinental Poker Championship, and High Stakes Poker.

Gabe Kaplan | Poker

Between 1975-1979, while Gabe Kaplan was working on his hit TV series, he was also working in another venue - the poker room. Gabe first played in the World Series Of Poker way back in 1978, long before it became nationally popular. In the years since, Kaplan has been an integral part of the poker world, commentating for the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, High Stakes Poker, and the Intercontinental Poker Championship.

Gabe Kaplan | Poker

While he was actively involved in his acting career, Kaplan also became involved in financial markets and poker. He made his first appearance at the World Series of Poker in 1978. Soon, he got addicted to poker tournaments and started appearing in them regularly and became known for his poker skills in the professional circles in the country.

Gabe Kaplan | Poker

His biggest win came in July 2004, when he finished 3rd place in a World Poker Tour No Limit Texas Hold 'em event, earning more than $250,000. Kaplan also finished 2nd place in the $5000 2005 World Series of Poker Limit Hold 'em event, winning $222,515.

In 2007, Kaplan won on NBC's Poker After Dark in the episode "Queens and Kings" after defeating Kristy Gazes heads-up and outlasting fellow professional poker players Howard Lederer, Vanessa Rousso and Annie Duke.

Gabe Kaplan | Poker

In the 2007 World Series of Poker Kaplan finished in 9th place in the $50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E event winning $131,424, the event was eventually won by Freddy Deeb after defeating Bruno Fitoussi in heads-up play.

Nowadays Gabe can be seen, and heard, commentating on poker for ESPN, the Game Show Network and NBC. He still does stand-up as well as public speaking engagements in the financial sector.

As of 2007, his total live tournament winnings exceed $1,100,000 and one thing is for sure, though; we'll see Gabe Kaplan at many more major poker tournaments in the years to come.







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