Brian Rast stands among the elite in the world of professional poker, with an illustrious career spanning nearly two decades. As of 2025, his lifetime earnings from live tournaments are nearing the $28 million mark, making him the all-time money leader from California. Rast’s success isn’t limited to the felt; he is also a Poker Hall of Famer, which cements his stellar legacy.
His journey from a Stanford dropout to one of the most feared mixed-game players in the world is nothing short of inspirational.
Brian Rast: Early Life and Introduction to Poker
Born on November 8, 1981, in Denver, Colorado, Brian Rast moved to California with his family at the age of nine. He studied at Poway High School in 2000 and then went on to attend Stanford University.
Rast’s interest in poker began in high school, but it was during his time at Stanford that he started playing seriously. He joined the Stanford Poker Club and regularly participated in weekly games.
Watching the poker cult classic ‘Rounders’ further fueled his passion for the game. Determined to master the craft, Rast immersed himself in poker literature, studying every major book published on the subject.
In 2004, Rast made a bold decision, he dropped out of Stanford to pursue poker full-time. That same year, he earned around $20,000 in just one month, reaffirming his choice to go all in on a poker career.
Poker Career Highlights and Winnings
After leaving Stanford, Rast began grinding cash games at California casinos such as Lucky Chances and Bay 101, excelling in both No-Limit Hold’em and Limit games. His first recorded live tournament cash came in 2005 at the 35th Annual WSOP, where he earned $3,290.
His breakout win came in 2006 at the Bellagio, where he won a $1,000 NLH event for $56,355. In 2009, he made the final table of the Five Star World Poker Classic $25,500 Championship, earning $204,275—his first six-figure score. That same year, he finished 14th in the $40K NLH Anniversary WSOP event for $128,665.
Rast claimed his first WSOP bracelet in 2011 by winning the $1,500 PLO event for $227,232. Just days later, he captured his second bracelet in the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship, earning $1,270,328.
In 2012, he finished 6th in the $1 million buy-in “Big One for One Drop” for $1,621,333. Rast followed up with a major WPT win in 2013 at the Five Diamond World Poker Classic $100K High Roller for $1,083,500. He placed third in the 2014 WPT Alpha8 $100K event, earning $755,370.
In 2015, he won the Super High Roller Bowl for a career-best $7,525,000. The following year, he claimed his third WSOP bracelet in the $50K Poker Players Championship, pocketing $1,296,097.
Rast dominated 2017 with three ARIA High Roller titles and over $1.2 million in earnings. In 2018, he won his fourth bracelet in the $10K NL 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship.
After a short break from live tournaments post-2018, he returned with a strong showing in the WSOP Online events in 2020. In 2021, he won his fifth bracelet in the $3,000 NLH 6-Handed event for $474,102. He came close to another bracelet three times in 2022 and added another seven-figure payday with a 5th-place finish in the $50K NLH High Roller.
In 2023, Rast claimed his sixth WSOP bracelet by winning the $50K Poker Players Championship for $1,324,747. He nearly secured a seventh in 2024 but had to settle for runner-up in the $25K PLO High Roller, earning $1,497,824. His most recent cash came in 2025 at the PGT Mixed Games series for $11,100.
Achievements and Honors
The Poker Hall of Fame inducted Brian Rast in 2023, cementing his legacy in poker history, in recognition of his achievements and contributions to the game.
Net Worth and Career Earnings
While there are no official figures available, Brian Rast’s net worth in 2025 is estimated to be in the seven-figure range, fueled by his success in high-stakes poker tournaments and his role as an ambassador for Phenom Poker. His lifetime live tournament earnings are close to $28 million, securing his place as California’s top all-time money winner.
Personal Life
Brian Rast is married to Juliana Karla Carlos da Silva, a native of Brazil. The couple met in 2010 and married the following year. They’ve been together ever since, supporting each other through Rast’s highs and lows in the competitive world of professional poker.
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