Hossein Ensan biography
Hossein Ensan was born on May 22, 1964, in Ahwaz, Iran, and immigrated to Germany in 1989 at age 25 to study civil engineering at the University of Munster. Before turning to poker, he worked as a taxi driver, waiter, and painter, eventually establishing his own taxi business in 2002. He did not begin playing poker seriously until his late 30s, grinding German and European casinos and tournament circuits for years before breaking through with a WSOP Circuit ring in Rozvadov in 2017 and an EPT Prague title in 2015.
His career culminated at the 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event, where he outlasted a field of 8,569 entrants to win the $10,000,000 first prize at age 55, becoming the oldest Main Event champion since Noel Furlong in 1999. The victory made him an instant celebrity in Germany and across the international poker community.
Career summary
Iranian-born German taxi-business owner who won the 2019 WSOP Main Event for $10 million at age 55, becoming the oldest champion of the modern era.
Hossein Ensan poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | WSOP Main Event | 1st | $10,000,000 |
| 2017 | WSOP Circuit Rozvadov Main Event | 1st | Ring |
| 2015 | EPT Prague Main Event | 1st | €754,000 |
| 2014 | EPT Barcelona High Roller | 3rd | €652,000 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $13,000,000+, plus 1 WSOP bracelet.
Hossein Ensan playing style
An aggressive, chip-hoarding grinder known for relentless pressure and a commanding table presence in the late stages of tournaments.
Cash games
Primarily known as a tournament player; no significant public record of high-stakes cash game play.
Business & sponsorships
Owned and operated a taxi business in Germany for over a decade before transitioning to professional poker full-time in his late 30s.
Hossein Ensan Net Worth
As of November 2026, Hossein Ensan net worth estimates range from $10 million to $15 million.
Verified live tournament earnings account for $13M of prize money. 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 Hossein matters
The taxi driver from Ahwaz who beat 8,569 players to become the oldest WSOP Main Event champion since 1999.
FAQ about Hossein Ensan
How old was Hossein Ensan when he won the 2019 WSOP Main Event?
He was 55 years old, making him the oldest Main Event champion since Noel Furlong won in 1999.
What did Hossein Ensan do for a living before poker?
He ran a taxi business in Germany after immigrating from Iran in 1989 and studying civil engineering.
How much has Hossein Ensan won playing poker?
Hossein Ensan has won $13,000,000+ in live tournament earnings.
How many WSOP bracelets does Hossein Ensan have?
Hossein Ensan has won 1 WSOP bracelet.