Champion of Poker

Humberto Brenes was born in 1951 in San Jose, Costa Rica. He learned how to play poker at a very young age from his father. Unlike many professional poker players, Brenes went ahead and received an education, graduating from the University of Costa Rica with a degree in industrial engineering. After graduating he would go on to become a successful businessman. He owns Nueces International, which is a nuts and dry fruits company.

Brenes began his gambling career playing baccarat and eventually graduated to poker. He started to play in poker tournaments regularly in 1988 and over the years has made a name for himself for both his style of play and his flamboyant demeanor at the table. He always seems to know where the cameras are at all times and takes advantage of any airtime he can get.

Humberto has two World Series of Poker bracelets to his credit and they both were won in 1993. First he took the $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha bracelet for $128,000 and then later he would take the $2,500 Limit Holdem bracelet for $149,000. Over the years, Brenes has made numerous final tables at the WSOP and has event cashed 5 times in the WSOP Main Event. His best finish in the Main Event was 36th place finish in 2006. Through the years, Brenes has had 52 cashes at the World Series of Poker.

Brenes also has seven cashes on the World Poker Tour, including three final tables. All of his WPT final tables happened in 2004. He finished 2nd at the WPT Invitational in Los Angeles. Afterwards, he finished 3rd at the World Poker Finals for $636,930. Finally he finished 2nd at the World Poker Classic. He won $923,475 for that finish, which was his biggest score in poker to this date.

In addition to his WSOP and WPT success, Brenes has won several other tournaments including events at the Diamond Jim Brady, the Hall of Fame Poker Classic, the Costa Rica Classic, and the Central America Championships of Costa Rica. Brenes would also take down the 2002 Jack Binion World Poker Open. He outlasted Erik Seidel to take down the title and $502,460. For his career, Brenes has won over $5.37 Million. This ranks him 32nd all time in career earnings. He is also the top money winner on the Costa Rica Money list. He also ranks 7th in total cashes at the World Series of Poker.

Whether it is his flamboyant nature, his signature shark card protector, or the fact that he is always in the running in major events, Humberto Brenes is always a factor in tournament poker. He has taken his work ethic in the business world and turned himself into a champion poker player. Costa Rican players consider him the “Godfather of Costa Rican Poker” and for good reason. He can talk the talk, walk the walk, and entertain millions while taking your chips. Players around the world need to watch out because, “The Shark is Coming!”