Cory Zeidman biography
Cory Zeidman, a Boca Raton, Florida, resident, built a two-decade-plus career as a professional poker player, cashing his first WSOP event in 1997 and eventually winning his only WSOP gold bracelet in 2012, taking down a $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo event for $201,559. He continued competing in live tournaments through 2022, accumulating career live earnings exceeding $690,000.
Separately from his poker career, however, Zeidman ran an operation known as the "Phoenix Organization" from 2004 to 2020, marketing itself as a sports-betting tips service. Prosecutors alleged that Zeidman used radio advertisements to recruit customers, falsely claiming to possess "inside information" and telling victims he already knew the fixed outcomes of sporting events, presenting the scheme as a "risk-free investment." The operation generated more than $25 million in fraudulent proceeds over sixteen years.
Zeidman was arrested in 2022 on wire fraud and money laundering charges and initially maintained his innocence before ultimately entering a guilty plea, having concluded that a trial offered unfavorable prospects. His case stands as one of the more prominent examples of a recognized professional poker player facing serious criminal consequences for conduct unrelated to the game itself.
Career summary
A 2012 WSOP gold bracelet winner ($1,500 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo, $201,559) with career earnings exceeding $690,000, whose poker resume was later overshadowed by a guilty plea in a $25 million sports-betting fraud scheme he ran under the name "Phoenix Organization" from 2004 to 2020.
Cory Zeidman poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | WSOP $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Loonly career WSOP bracelet | 1st | $201,559 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $690,000+ from 20+ cashes, plus 1 WSOP bracelet.
1997 - First WSOP cash
Cory Zeidman playing style
A veteran mixed-game and Stud specialist with over two decades of tournament experience, reflected in his 2012 bracelet win in a Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo event.
Cash games
A longtime Florida tournament and cash-game player active in the poker community for over two decades before his sports-betting fraud case became public.
Business & sponsorships
Formerly operated the "Phoenix Organization," a sports-betting tips operation later found to be fraudulent.
Why Cory matters
A career poker player whose decades-long tournament resume was overshadowed by a separate, long-running sports-betting fraud scheme that ultimately led to felony charges and a guilty plea.
FAQ about Cory Zeidman
What poker achievement is Cory Zeidman best known for?
He won his only WSOP gold bracelet in 2012, taking down a $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo event for $201,559, over a career of tournament cashes dating back to 1997.
What legal case is Cory Zeidman associated with?
He was arrested in 2022 and later pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges connected to the "Phoenix Organization," a sports-betting tips operation prosecutors say defrauded customers of more than $25 million between 2004 and 2020.
How much has Cory Zeidman won playing poker?
Cory Zeidman has won $690,000+ in live tournament earnings. Total cashes: 20+.
How many WSOP bracelets does Cory Zeidman have?
Cory Zeidman has won 1 WSOP bracelet.