Bill Perkins biography
William Osborne Perkins III was born on February 2, 1969, in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of a criminal defense attorney and former New Jersey legislator who had also played running back for the New York Jets. Perkins earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Iowa, where he walked on to the football team as a defensive back before leaving the program prior to his senior year.
He began his professional career in 1991 as a trainee clerk at the New York Mercantile Exchange, before relocating to Houston in 1995 during Texas's electricity deregulation to work as a trader and risk manager for firms including El Paso Energy, Statoil, and AIG Energy Trading. In 2002, he joined the hedge fund Centaurus Energy alongside former Enron trader John D. Arnold, where he profited substantially from trades positioned opposite those that caused Amaranth Advisors' dramatic 2006 collapse.
After Centaurus closed in 2012, Perkins founded his own energy trading hedge fund, Skylar Capital, which managed approximately $500 million as of 2023.
In poker, Perkins has become a fixture of the World Series of Poker and particularly the Big One for One Drop charity event, accumulating more than $5.5 million in live tournament winnings, with $2.7 million of that total coming specifically from One Drop events, despite describing himself candidly as an amateur who has "also lost millions." Beyond trading and poker, Perkins authored the bestselling 2020 book "Die with Zero," which argues against excessive financial hoarding and advocates for spending intentionally to maximize life experiences, and in 2022 he made headlines by purchasing the painting "The Sugar Shack" for $15.3 million.
He has also supported various educational philanthropy initiatives throughout his career.
Career summary
An energy trading billionaire and author of the bestselling "Die with Zero," Bill Perkins has built more than $5.5 million in poker tournament earnings, with the bulk coming from his recurring participation in the WSOP's Big One for One Drop charity event.
Bill Perkins poker winnings
Verified live tournament earnings: $5,500,000+.
Multiple Years - Big One for One Drop (WSOP Charity Event) - Multiple Deep Runs - $2,700,000+ Combined
Career Total - World Series of Poker and Other Major Events - $5,500,000+ Combined
Bill Perkins playing style
Perkins plays a fearless, high-stakes recreational style befitting his trading background, embracing significant variance in pursuit of both charitable impact and competitive results at events like the Big One for One Drop.
Cash games
A recognizable figure in the highest-stakes poker world under the alias "GASTRADER" on cash game trackers, reflecting his background as an energy trader.
Business & sponsorships
Began as a trainee clerk at the New York Mercantile Exchange in 1991; became an energy trader and risk manager for firms including El Paso Energy, Statoil, and AIG Energy Trading; co-founded hedge fund Centaurus Energy in 2002 with former Enron trader John D. Arnold; founded Skylar Capital after Centaurus closed in 2012, managing approximately $500 million as of 2023; purchased the painting "The Sugar Shack" for $15.3 million in 2022.
Why Bill matters
Born William Osborne Perkins III on February 2, 1969, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Bill Perkins built a fortune as one of the most successful energy traders of his generation before becoming a recognizable face in the highest-stakes poker tournaments in the world.
FAQ about Bill Perkins
What book did Bill Perkins write?
He authored "Die with Zero" in 2020, a bestselling book about intentional spending and avoiding excessive financial hoarding.
What is Bill Perkins's background outside of poker?
He built his fortune as an energy trader and hedge fund manager, founding Centaurus Energy and later Skylar Capital.
How much has Bill Perkins won playing poker?
Bill Perkins has won $5,500,000+ in live tournament earnings.
How many WSOP bracelets does Bill Perkins have?
Bill Perkins has not won a WSOP bracelet yet.