Us Weekly Magazine - Celebrity News

Dan Harrington: Pro Poker Veteran

Dan Harrington has gained reputation and popularity in the pro poker scene as a successful tight player. He is even been tagged as Action Dan which is quite the opposite of his usual conservative approach to his game. His opponents would normally fold after he makes a huge bet. Harrington's clear-cut, but cut-throat style has brought him more than $ 4.4 million worth of tournament winnings as of 2005.

Harrington's biggest win was at the 1995 World Series of Poker main event. However, he made it twice at the final tables of the World Series of Poker: in 2003 where he got 3rd place and in 2004 where he took 4th place. Currently, Harrington has two World Series of Poker bracelets. He made it to the final table of the 2005 World Poker Tour and got off at 2nd place at the Doyle Brunson North American Championship.

Dan Harrington was a native of Boston, Massachusetts. He studied at Suffolk University with a degree in law, while enjoying gambling during his spare time. Harrington used to travel and play poker games at Harvard. He was also able to accumulate several backgammon and chess championships while he was a collegiate.

In the 80's, Dan Harrington went to Las Vegas to participate in a poker event with the Mayfair Club and some of the great poker pros in the industry with the likes of Erik Seidel, Steve Zolotow and Howard Lederer. Harrington's vast experience and expertise in the realm of poker has made him an authority and veteran in the sport. Harrington and his pro colleague, Doyle Brunson, are experiencing old-age symptoms in terms of their play.

It's not the way it used to be when they were still at their prime, and participating a week-long tournament is simply tiring and draining. Brunson even said that the younger generation of pro players is packed with energy and staying power that allows them to compete at extensive tournaments.

Dan Harrington's profession as a bankruptcy lawyer was put aside in order for him to pursue a career in pro poker, stock market and real estate; and he proved successful in his choice of career path. Harrington, together with Bill Robertie co-authored two significant poker publications which deal with the strategies for No-limit Hold'em. Currently, there are already two volumes out in the market and the second volume pre-empted a third one in the process. Harrington now resides in Santa Monica, California.