Dan Harrington is not only renowned as a former World Series of Poker (WSOP) champion but also as the author of best-selling poker strategy books. His poker journey has been marked by tight-aggressive play, significant victories, and his contributions to the world of poker literature.
Learning at the Mayfair Club
Harrington began his professional poker journey at the legendary Mayfair Club in New York City during the 1980s. It was there that he honed his skills and faced off against future poker stars like Howard Lederer, Steve Zolotow, and Erik Seidel.
WSOP Breakthrough
After eight years of dedicated poker play, Harrington made his mark on the poker world in 1995 by winning the WSOP Main Event, securing a $1,000,000 prize. He also triumphed in a preliminary no-limit event for an additional $250,000. ESPN started airing the WSOP final table during that time, immortalizing his victory on TV.
Unique Proposition
Harrington proposed a unique idea at the final table in 1995—suggesting that all players split the prize money and take his investment counsel to grow their wealth. While not everyone agreed with this idea, it ultimately worked in his favor as he emerged as the champion.
Disappearance and Return
After his 1995 victory, Harrington largely disappeared from the poker scene for nearly a decade. It wasn’t until the poker boom of the early 2000s, fueled by ESPN’s coverage of the 2003 WSOP Main Event, that he returned to the spotlight.
Back-to-Back Final Tables
In 2003, Harrington finished in 3rd place at the WSOP Main Event, earning $650,000. Remarkably, he secured another final table appearance in 2004, finishing 4th and pocketing $1,500,000. Achieving back-to-back Main Event final tables during this era was a remarkable feat.
WSOP Accomplishments
Harrington’s impressive WSOP record also includes a victory in the $10,000 Legends of Poker World Poker Tour event in 2007, earning him over $1,600,000. In 2005, he finished second in another WPT event, the Doyle Brunson North American Championship, for a total of $620,000. Over his career, he has cashed for a total of $6.6 million in live tournaments.
Authorship and Poker Strategy
Dan Harrington’s impact on the poker world extends beyond the felt. He co-authored three best-selling tournament strategy books titled “Harrington on Hold’em 1, 2, and 3.” These books are revered for their detailed tournament insights, emphasizing player psychology and positional play. They remain essential resources for tournament players and are considered some of the best-written books on poker strategy.