Champion of Poker

Howard “Tahoe” Andrew has had a poker career that has spanned over four decades. While most players are in their retirements looking back on the accomplishments of their life, Andrew is out winning poker tournaments.

Tahoe first broke onto the poker scene at the 1976 World Series of Poker. He entered a tournament that used to be dubbed the “Businessman’s Event,” which was a $1,000 No Limit Holdem Event. Tahoe emerged victorious from the field and took down his first WSOP bracelet and $23,600 for his win. The very next day, he was able to win his second WSOP bracelet when he won the $2,500 No Limit Holdem Event and $28,000.
Amazingly, these have been Tahoe’s only WSOP victories.

Having won his bracelets in the 70’s, most people would think that Tahoe’s career was over with soon afterward. They would be sorely mistaken. Tahoe took the $5,000 Stud Event at the Super Bowl of Poker in 1982 and then took down the Jack Strauss World Match Play Championship in 1984. Tahoe would also have his highest Main Event finish in 84 when he finished 8th in the Main Event. Tahoe would have his largest cash in a tournament in 1987 when he finished runner-up in the Main Event of the Grand Prix of Poker. He took home $250,000 for his finish.

Throughout the years, Tahoe has had many strong finishes in tournaments. He finished in the money at the WSOP Main Event in 1987, 1992, and even in 2004. Nobody knows for certain his age, but he had to be well in his 70’s with the cash in 2004. He would also win an Omaha Hi-Lo event in 2004 at the Orleans Open.

Tahoe made final tables of WSOP event in 1999 and 2003 as well. As recently at 2007, Tahoe made two WSOP cashes, one in the Senior’s Event and one in the $1,500 No Limit Holdem event. To give you an idea of how strong he played in the $1,500 NL event, there were 3,151 players in the event and the event paid 324. Tahoe finished 94th.

The 2007 WSOP would not be Tahoe’s swan song. Tahoe entered the $300 Pot Limit Holdem Event at the World Series of Poker Circuit Event in Tunica, MS and made the final table as one of the middle stacks. When announced at the final table he listed his age as “old”. The announcer even joked around and said that his Social Security number was “3.” Tahoe would show everyone that with age comes experience and wisdom and came out on top of the event, notching his first win since 2004 and winning his first WSOP Circuit Ring.

For his career, Howard Andrew has $1.135 Million in live tournament earnings. He is one of the few pros to have both a WSOP bracelet and WSOP-C Gold Ring. He also holds the streak for most consecutive World Series of Poker’s played, dating back to the 1976 WSOP. Howard Andrew has had a long and successful career. Many would say that he may be nearing the end of his poker journey, but as Tahoe proved in January, never count this ageless great out of any event he enters.