Christian Harder, widely known by his online moniker “Charder” or “charder30”, is a legendary American professional poker player from Annapolis, Maryland. A mainstay of the poker world for nearly two decades, Harder is celebrated for his incredible consistency and “ironman” status in the tournament circuit.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
According to The Hendon Mob, as of early 2026, Christian Harder has amassed $6,725,109 in total live tournament earnings. His career is characterized by an extraordinary volume of deep runs across the World Series of Poker (WSOP) , World Poker Tour (WPT) , and international tours.
Harder’s career-best live score remains his 4th-place finish at the $25,000 WPT World Championship in 2009 at the Bellagio, where he earned $571,965. Other landmark achievements include:
- PCA Main Event Victory (2017): Won the $5,000 PokerStars Championship Bahamas Main Event for $429,664.
- WPT Foxwoods World Poker Finals (2011): Finished 2nd for $248,962.
- KPC Single Day Super High Roller (2025): Secured a 9th-place finish in Jeju, South Korea, for $74,000.
- WSOP Main Event Record: He is famously tied for the second-most consecutive WSOP Main Event cashes (four times: 2010–2013).
- In the online arena, Harder is equally formidable, with over $3.2 million in recorded earnings. He holds a prestigious WCOOP title from 2008 in a Pot-Limit Omaha event.
Recent Performance (2025–2026)
- Harder enjoyed a prolific 2025 season, earning $852,639 in live tournaments, one of the most successful years of his long career. His 2025 highlights included:
- WSOP 2025: Recorded 10 cashes during the summer, including a 53rd-place finish in $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em – The Closer and deep runs in several PLO events.
- Asian Expansion: He became a frequent traveler to the Asian circuit, cashing at the Jeju Poker Festival (South Korea), APT Taipei (Taiwan), and the Grand Loyal Poker Championships (Vietnam).
- WSOPC Baltimore: Finished 4th in the Main Event for $32,759.

Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1987, Harder emerged during the “Moneymaker Boom” and quickly became a standout member of the 2+2 poker forums. He famously chose to pursue professional poker over completing his degree, a move that paid off as he ascended to the #1 ranked tournament player in the world in 2009.
Harder is well-known for his close friendship with fellow Maryland native and Olympic legend Michael Phelps, with whom he has been spotted at various poker events and celebrations. He is respected in the community for his work ethic, grinding ability, and longevity in an industry where many players burn out quickly.
Play Style & Strategy
“Charder” is the quintessential tournament grinder. His play style is built on a foundation of extreme technical discipline and mental stamina. He is particularly proficient in Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) and Mixed Games, though his greatest volume remains in No-Limit Hold’em.
Strategic hallmarks of his game include:
- ICM Mastery: His career is defined by high-frequency final table appearances, a result of his sophisticated understanding of Independent Chip Model (ICM) pressure.
- Adaptability: Having played through multiple “eras” of poker, Harder has successfully evolved from the exploitative aggression of the late 2000s to the modern GTO-based (Game Theory Optimal) landscape.
- Volume: He remains one of the most active players on the circuit, often playing full schedules at the WSOP and traveling to wherever the best value is found globally.

























