Chino Rheem biography
David "Chino" Rheem was born on April 15, 1980, in Los Angeles, California, and rose to prominence with a stunning run to the 2008 WSOP Main Event final table, ultimately finishing 7th for $1,772,650 after being eliminated by eventual champion Peter Eastgate.
That result cemented Rheem's reputation as one of the most talented young players in the game, and he backed it up with three World Poker Tour titles over the following years, including the Season VII Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic for $1,538,730 and a 2013 WPT Championship victory over Erick Lindgren heads-up for $1,150,297. He also won the $20,000 buy-in Epic Poker League 6-Max event in 2011 for a cool $1,000,000 and later added a 2019 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event title for $1,567,100.
Rheem's career has not been without turbulence, however: his Epic Poker League membership was placed on probation amid reports of considerable unpaid debts to fellow professionals, obligations he has since worked to settle. Despite these off-felt struggles, Rheem's on-felt talent has never been in question, and with lifetime tournament earnings exceeding $8.8 million and zero WSOP bracelets to show for it, he remains one of the game's most compelling examples of brilliance without full career-defining validation.
Career summary
A 3-time WPT champion and 2008 WSOP Main Event final tablist (7th place, $1,772,650) with career earnings exceeding $8.8 million, whose immense on-felt talent has been matched by well-documented off-felt financial turbulence.
Chino Rheem poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | PokerStars Caribbean Adventure $10,300 Main Event | 1st | $1,567,100 |
| 2013 | WPT Championshipdefeating Erick Lindgren heads-up | 1st | $1,150,297 |
| 2011 | Epic Poker League $20,000 6-Max | 1st | $1,000,000 |
| 2008 | WSOP $10,000 Main Event Championship | 7th | $1,772,650 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $8,800,000+ from 100+ cashes.
Season VII - WPT Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic - 1st - $1,538,730
Chino Rheem playing style
Naturally gifted and instinctive, capable of dominating the toughest fields in the game, as demonstrated by three WPT titles and a WSOP Main Event final table, though his career has been marked by inconsistency off the felt as much as brilliance on it.
Cash games
A well-traveled high-stakes cash-game player throughout his career, alongside a heavy tournament schedule across WPT, WSOP, and Epic Poker League events.
Business & sponsorships
Full-time tournament and cash-game professional; has been open about past financial struggles and debts within the poker community.
Chino Rheem Net Worth
As of November 2026, Chino Rheem net worth estimates range from $1 million to $3 million.
Verified live tournament earnings account for $8.8M of prize money across 100+ cashes. Sponsorships, business ventures and cash games, covered above, make up the rest of the picture. Tournament prize money is not the same as profit: buy-ins, staking deals and taxes are not deducted, so all net worth figures are estimates based on public reporting.
Why Chino matters
One of poker's most talented and most talked-about players, whose historic near-miss at the 2008 WSOP Main Event final table became the opening chapter of a career defined equally by brilliance and turbulence.
FAQ about Chino Rheem
What is Chino Rheem's most famous poker result?
His 7th-place finish at the star-studded 2008 WSOP Main Event final table, worth $1,772,650, first established him as one of the most talented young players in the game.
Has Chino Rheem faced any controversy in his career?
Yes - his membership in the Epic Poker League was placed on probation over reports of considerable unpaid debts to fellow poker professionals, a chapter he has since worked to resolve while continuing to compete at a high level.
How much has Chino Rheem won playing poker?
Chino Rheem has won $8,800,000+ in live tournament earnings. Total cashes: 100+.
How many WSOP bracelets does Chino Rheem have?
Chino Rheem has not won a WSOP bracelet yet.