Chance Kornuth is one of the most well-rounded and respected professionals in the modern era of poker. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Kornuth has accumulated over $20 million in live tournament earnings, captured four WSOP bracelets, and mentored the next generation of poker talent through his training platform, Chip Leader Coaching.
In this lifestyle article, we will delve into Chance Kornuth’s early life, poker career and journey, as well his personal life and net worth.
Chance Kornuth’s Early Life and Introduction to Poker
Born on June 24, 1986, in Denver, Colorado, Chance Kornuth was drawn to strategy games from a young age—a passion that naturally evolved into poker. During high school, inspired by the “Moneymaker Boom,” his casual home games using pennies as chips turned into a serious hobby.
His brother introduced him to the online poker world, and the two initially played using their father’s account. Kornuth later enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder, studying Architectural Engineering. Although academically gifted and maintaining a strong GPA, he eventually dropped out just one semester before graduation to pursue poker full-time.
Poker Career Highlights and Breakthroughs
Kornuth’s first live cash came in 2008 at the DeepStack Extravaganza III, where he placed 5th for $12,854. He secured his first win at the Bellagio Weekly $1K NLH for $16,150. In 2010, he hit the big leagues by winning his first WSOP bracelet in the $5K Pot-Limit Omaha, scoring $508,090.
In 2014, he placed 6th at the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Showdown for $247,954 and followed it up by taking down the Bellagio Cup X ($10K NLH) for $526,224. A year later in 2015, he secured a podium finish at the PCA Main Event for $641,140. In 2016, Kornuth won the A$25,000 Challenge for $547,873, and shortly after, he finished 2nd at the EPT Dublin High Roller for $407,405. He ended that year by winning the WPT Bounty Scramble $25K High Roller for $186,672.
In 2017, he came close to his second WSOP bracelet with a runner-up finish in the $3K NLH for $399,132. In 2018, he started strong by winning the A$1,025 NLH Six Max for $107,924, and later that year captured his second WSOP bracelet in the $3,200 Online High Roller for $341,599.
In 2019, he finished 6th in the $50K NLH High Roller at the WSOP for $251,128. The following year in 2020, he shipped the Poker Masters Online $5K PLO High Roller for $100,000—his first PokerGO Tour title.
In 2021, Kornuth won the DeepStack Championship $1,600 MSPT event for $412,068 and shortly after, the Wynn Summer Classic $3,500 NLH for $353,891. Later that year at the WSOP, he earned his third bracelet in the $10K Short Deck NLH event for $194,670, and placed 16th in the WSOP Main Event for $305,000.
In 2022, he placed 3rd in the $25K WPT SHRP High Roller for $522,571 and then won the WPT Choctaw Main Event for $486,600. At the WSOP, he finished as the runner-up in the $75K High Roller Bounty for $721,144.
During Summer 2023, Kornuth delivered one of his most impressive runs. He was the runner-up in the WSOP $25K High Roller 6-Handed for $751,463. He followed this with back-to-back final table appearances in the $250K Super High Roller and $100K NLH High Roller, finishing 5th and 4th for $1,202,318 and $833,854 respectively. That same summer, he won the Wynn Summer Classic $1,300 Mystery Bounty for $498,608.
Kornuth returned to the 2024 WSOP, starting with a career-best runner-up finish in the $50K NLH High Roller, banking $1,351,000. He then captured his fourth bracelet by winning the $1,000 FLIP & GO for $155,446.
He opened 2025 with a podium finish at the Lucky Hearts Poker Open $25,500 High Roller for $186,700. The following month, he recorded his first Triton Poker Series cash by finishing in the money at the Triton Jeju $25K NLH 8-Handed for $52,000. Kornuth then placed 5th in the $25K NLH Heads-Up Championship at the 2025 WSOP for $86,000, continuing his quest for a fifth bracelet.
Chance Kornuth’s Earnings and Net Worth
Chance Kornuth has accumulated over $20 million in live tournament earnings across 258 cashes. Although no official figure is publicly confirmed, his net worth is estimated to be in the seven-figure range.
In addition to his success at the tables, Kornuth is the founder of Chip Leader Coaching, one of the most respected poker coaching programs in the industry. Several of his students, including Alex Foxen, have gone on to achieve major success in high-stakes tournaments.
Chance Kornuth’s Personal Life
Kornuth is married to Emily Tai, who is of Chinese descent. Emily has been an integral part of his journey, often offering encouragement and support during key tournaments. The couple has two children, a son and a daughter, and they reside in Los Angeles, California. Kornuth frequently travels to Las Vegas and other major poker destinations to compete in tournaments around the world.
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