Daniel Lowery biography
Daniel Lowery grew up in the Ozark region of Arkansas near Peter Pender, cutting lumber from the age of 16 before starting his own sawmill business at 20, which remains his full-time occupation to this day. He took up poker recreationally roughly a decade and a half ago and, almost by accident, became one of the most successful WSOP Circuit grinders in history, winning 14 gold rings, third-most of any player all-time, and once claiming five rings within an eight-month stretch.
Across 158 career WSOP cashes and 63 final tables, a remarkable 40% final-table conversion rate, Lowery has built nearly $2 million in WSOP earnings alone without ever changing professions. He has repeatedly downplayed the "professional" label, saying he has never considered himself one despite the results, and prioritizes his sawmill and his family, traveling to events with his wife Krista, a former dealer, rather than chasing a full national tournament schedule.
His now-famous line, that he would rather have a bad day at the sawmill than a good day of cards, captures a philosophy that has made him one of poker's most unusual elite achievers.
Career summary
Holder of 14 WSOP Circuit gold rings, third-most all-time, and over $3.2 million in career live earnings, achieved entirely as a recreational player whose full-time job remains running his own Arkansas sawmill business.
Daniel Lowery poker winnings
Verified live tournament earnings: $3,200,000 from 158 cashes.
WSOP Circuit - 14 gold rings across multiple regional stops (third-most all-time)
WSOP career - 158 total cashes, 63 final tables (a 40% final-table rate), and $1.75 million in career WSOP earnings
Five WSOP Circuit rings won within a single eight-month span
No WSOP Main Event bracelet as of this writing, with results concentrated in Circuit and regional stops
Daniel Lowery playing style
A patient, high-volume Circuit grinder who converts final table appearances at an unusually high rate, built on years of accumulated reps rather than a professional's daily study regimen.
Cash games
Plays poker strictly around his business and family schedule; not a regular presence in tracked high-stakes cash games.
Business & sponsorships
Owner and operator of a sawmill and logging business in Arkansas, which he started at age 20 after cutting lumber in the Ozarks from age 16, and which remains his primary occupation.
Why Daniel matters
A rare top-tier grinder who insists he isn't one: a full-time sawmill owner from rural Arkansas who has quietly amassed 14 WSOP Circuit rings, third-most all-time, while treating poker strictly as a side pursuit.
FAQ about Daniel Lowery
How does Daniel Lowery balance running a sawmill with playing 158 WSOP events?
He treats poker strictly as a hobby around his logging business, traveling to select WSOP Circuit stops with his wife rather than committing to a full-time tournament grind, and has said he would rather have a bad day at the sawmill than a good day of cards.
Why is Daniel Lowery notable on the WSOP Circuit specifically?
He has won 14 WSOP Circuit gold rings, the third-most of any player in Circuit history, including a stretch of five rings won within just eight months, all while remaining a recreational player rather than a touring professional.
How much has Daniel Lowery won playing poker?
Daniel Lowery has won $3,200,000 in live tournament earnings. Total cashes: 158.
How many WSOP bracelets does Daniel Lowery have?
Daniel Lowery has not won a WSOP bracelet yet.