Greg Merson biography
Greg Merson was born on December 8, 1987, in Washington, D.C., and began playing poker with neighborhood friends in 2003 before briefly attending the University of Maryland and then leaving school to pursue the game full-time. His path was far from smooth: he struggled with cocaine and marijuana addiction starting at age 17, entering rehab on August 8, 2007, and achieving sustained recovery by December 10, 2011.
Less than a year later, Merson delivered one of the most remarkable comeback stories in poker history, winning the $5,000 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em Championship for $1,136,197 in one of the shortest tournament runs on record, then capturing the 2012 WSOP Main Event itself for $8,531,853, defeating Jesse Sylvia heads-up after starting the final day with over 46% of the chips among the remaining three players.
That summer's dual bracelet performance also earned him the 2012 WSOP Player of the Year award, and he has continued to compete as an online shorthanded cash-game specialist under the alias "gregy20723" in the years since, with career earnings surpassing $10.9 million.
Career summary
The 2012 WSOP Main Event champion and Player of the Year, who won $8,531,853 in the Main Event and $1,136,197 in a Six-Handed bracelet event that same summer, capping a personal comeback from cocaine and marijuana addiction that he overcame just months before his historic run.
Greg Merson poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | WSOP Main Eventdefeated Jesse Sylvia heads-up | 1st | $8,531,853 |
| 2012 | WSOP $5,000 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em Championship | 1st | $1,136,197 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $10,900,000+ from 20 cashes, plus 2 WSOP bracelets.
2012 - WSOP Player of the Year
20 career WSOP money finishes across 4 final tables
Greg Merson playing style
A sharp, aggressive shorthanded specialist honed through years of online four- and six-handed cash games, translating that focus into decisive, high-pressure tournament play.
Cash games
An online shorthanded cash-game specialist under the alias "gregy20723," with particular expertise in four- and six-handed formats.
Business & sponsorships
No major publicly known business ventures outside poker; a former University of Maryland student who left school to pursue poker full-time.
Greg Merson Net Worth
As of November 2026, Greg Merson net worth estimates range from $5 million to $8 million.
Verified live tournament earnings account for $10.9M of prize money across 20 cashes. 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 Greg matters
A Washington, D.C. native who overcame a cocaine and marijuana addiction that began at 17, achieving sustained recovery in December 2011 just months before capping his comeback with the biggest title in poker, the 2012 WSOP Main Event, and the Player of the Year award in the same summer.
FAQ about Greg Merson
What personal challenges did Greg Merson overcome before his 2012 WSOP Main Event win?
He struggled with cocaine and marijuana addiction beginning at age 17, entering rehab in 2007 and achieving sustained recovery by December 2011, just months before his historic dual-bracelet, Player of the Year summer at the 2012 WSOP.
How dominant was Greg Merson's 2012 WSOP summer?
He won two bracelets that summer, including the $8,531,853 Main Event title and a $1,136,197 Six-Handed Championship in one of the shortest tournament runs on record, a combination that earned him the 2012 WSOP Player of the Year award.
How much has Greg Merson won playing poker?
Greg Merson has won $10,900,000+ in live tournament earnings. Total cashes: 20 (WSOP money finishes).
How many WSOP bracelets does Greg Merson have?
Greg Merson has won 2 WSOP bracelets.