Matt Berkey biography
Matt Berkey was born on January 29, 1982, and grew up in Leechburg, Pennsylvania. A talented baseball player, he turned down college baseball scholarships and earned a degree in computer science with a minor in mathematics from Gannon University. Inspired by the Moneymaker boom, he began grinding live cash games at a casino near his college.
Berkey finished 43rd in the 2010 WSOP Main Event and third in a 2013 WSOP $3,000 six-handed event for $199,733. In December 2015 he won an Aria $25,000 High Roller for $315,180, and in May 2016 he finished fifth in the $300,000 Super High Roller Bowl for $1,100,000. His live tournament earnings exceed $4.3 million.
His main focus is high-stakes no-limit cash games. He has appeared on televised games including Poker After Dark, where he lost a $459,000 pot to Garrett Adelstein with sets on both sides, and in 2023 he won $1,029,700 from Nik Airball in a heads-up grudge match at Resorts World Las Vegas. Off the table he runs the training site Solve For Why.
Career summary
A high-stakes cash game specialist and Super High Roller regular with over $4.3 million in tournament earnings, Matt Berkey founded the poker academy Solve For Why.
Matt Berkey poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Aria $25,000 High Roller | 1st | $315,180 |
| 2017 | WSOP $1,500 Six-Max No-Limit Hold'em | 5th | $87,141 |
| 2016 | Super High Roller Bowl ($300,000) | 5th | $1,100,000 |
| 2013 | WSOP $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Six-Handed | 3rd | $199,733 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $4,300,000+ from 30 cashes.
Matt Berkey playing style
Berkey is a thinking, theory-driven player who likes to explain the 'why' behind every decision, mixing solid fundamentals with well-timed aggression in deep-stacked cash games.
Cash games
Focuses on live high-stakes no-limit hold'em cash games and has appeared on televised shows such as Poker After Dark; in 2023 he beat Nik Airball for $1,029,700 in a heads-up grudge match at Resorts World Las Vegas.
Business & sponsorships
Founder of the Solve For Why poker academy; co-founded the poker marketing agency Above The Felt Entertainment in 2021 with Tom Wheton.
Why Matt matters
Matt Berkey is one of the most outspoken figures in high-stakes poker, a former college-baseball prospect who became a Super High Roller regular and a well-known coach.
FAQ about Matt Berkey
What is Solve For Why?
It is the poker training academy founded by Matt Berkey.
What was Matt Berkey's biggest tournament score?
He won $1,100,000 for finishing fifth in the 2016 $300,000 Super High Roller Bowl.
Did Matt Berkey beat Nik Airball?
Yes. In 2023 he won $1,029,700 from Nik Airball in a heads-up cash game match at Resorts World Las Vegas.
How much has Matt Berkey won playing poker?
Matt Berkey has won $4,300,000+ in live tournament earnings. Total cashes: 30 WSOP money finishes.
How many WSOP bracelets does Matt Berkey have?
Matt Berkey has not won a WSOP bracelet yet.
