Gavin Smith biography
Gavin Smith was born on September 4, 1968, in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He rose to fame during the poker boom, winning the 2005 WPT Mirage Poker Showdown in Las Vegas for $1,128,278 after beating Ted Forrest heads-up. Three WPT final tables across 2005 and 2006 earned him the Season 4 WPT Player of the Year title.
In 2006 he won the World Pro-Am Challenge at the Poker Dome for $500,000 and finished runner-up in a WSOP Circuit event in New Orleans. His long-awaited World Series of Poker bracelet came in 2010 in the $2,500 Mixed Hold'em event, worth $268,238. Over his career he recorded 47 WSOP cashes and more than $6.3 million in live tournament winnings.
Smith was also a familiar voice in poker media, hosting The Circuit radio show and co-hosting PokerRoad Radio, and he won his week on Poker After Dark by beating Phil Ivey heads-up. He died in his sleep at his home in Houston, Texas, on January 14, 2019, aged 50. The 2019 WSOP opened with a memorial tournament in his name.
Career summary
A Canadian WPT champion and WSOP bracelet winner with more than $6.3 million in live earnings, Gavin Smith was the Season 4 WPT Player of the Year and one of the best-loved figures of the poker boom.
Gavin Smith poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | WSOP $2,500 Mixed Hold'em (Limit/No Limit) | 1st | $268,238 |
| 2006 | World Pro-Am Challenge (Poker Dome) | 1st | $500,000 |
| 2005 | WPT Mirage Poker Showdown | 1st | $1,128,278 |
| 2004 | BARGE Main Event | 1st | Undisclosed |
| 2006 | WSOP Circuit Harrah's New Orleans | 2nd | $293,930 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $6,321,000+ from 47 cashes, plus 1 WSOP bracelet.
Gavin Smith playing style
Smith was an aggressive, fearless no-limit player who also excelled in mixed games, as his bracelet in Mixed Hold'em showed, and he used table talk to keep opponents off balance.
Cash games
Appeared in televised games such as Poker After Dark, where he won his week by beating Phil Ivey heads-up.
Business & sponsorships
Radio and web personality: hosted The Circuit radio show, co-hosted PokerRoad Radio (2007-2010) and co-starred with Joe Sebok on "Prop Bets".
Why Gavin matters
Gavin Smith was one of the most popular personalities of the poker boom, a WPT champion and bracelet winner remembered as much for his humour as for his results.
FAQ about Gavin Smith
What did Gavin Smith win in poker?
He won the 2005 WPT Mirage Poker Showdown ($1,128,278), a 2010 WSOP bracelet in Mixed Hold'em ($268,238) and the Season 4 WPT Player of the Year award.
When did Gavin Smith die?
He died in his sleep at his home in Houston on January 14, 2019, at the age of 50.
How much has Gavin Smith won playing poker?
Gavin Smith has won $6,321,000+ in live tournament earnings. Total cashes: 47 WSOP money finishes.
How many WSOP bracelets does Gavin Smith have?
Gavin Smith has won 1 WSOP bracelet.
