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David “Bakes” Baker
David “Bakes” Baker is an American professional poker player originally from Rochester, Michigan, who has long been considered one of the most talented all around players in the game. To avoid confusion with another pro named David “ODB” Baker , he is known globally by his nickname “Bakes.” A master of mixed games and a former online poker prodigy, Baker has spent two decades winning at the highest levels, earning a reputation for his deep technical knowledge and a resume that includes multiple World Series of Poker titles.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
According to The Hendon Mob, David “Bakes” Baker has won over $4.2 million in live tournament earnings. His career is highlighted by winning three World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelets. His first major victory came in 2010 when he won the $10,000 No Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball Championship for $294,321.
Baker proved his adaptability by winning his second bracelet in 2012 in the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship, taking home his career-high score of $451,779 after defeating a field of the world’s best mixed game specialists. In 2021, he added a third bracelet to his collection by winning the WSOP 2021 $1,500 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw event for $87,837.
Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1986, David Baker grew up in Michigan and discovered poker during the height of the online boom. Before he was a live tournament star, he was a dominant force on sites like PokerStars and Full Tilt under the screen name “Bakes.” He was part of a young generation of players who used math and volume to change how the game was played. While many of his peers focused only on No Limit Hold’em, Baker dedicated himself to learning every game in the building, which allowed him to compete in the biggest “mixed” cash games in Las Vegas. His transition from an online kid to a live veteran was seamless, and he has remained at the top of the food chain for over 15 years.
Play Style & Strategy
Baker is known for a highly logical and fearless approach to poker. He is a specialist in “lowball” and “limit” games, which require a very different set of skills than standard poker. His strategy is built on a foundation of game theory and exploitative reads. He is particularly good at identifying the small mistakes his opponents make in obscure games like Razz or Stud and punishing them for it. At the table, he is usually calm and quiet, focusing entirely on the action. His ability to stay patient during the long “grind” of a mixed game tournament is what has allowed him to win championships in so many different formats.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow David “Bakes” Baker as he chases more bracelets and high stakes titles? You can track his latest stats and tournament cashes here:
Video Highlights:
My relationship with cards started thanks to my father. I was still in elementary school when he first taught me how to play Rummy, and I still remember the long evenings spent playing cards with my family. During the poker boom, I was still underage, but the televised tournaments immediately captured my attention. I became fascinated with the game and started learning different poker formats whenever I had the chance. Later in life, as an adult, I was fortunate enough to spend four years playing poker professionally. During that time, I mainly focused on Heads-Up Sit and Go games, where I found the format that suited me best. Even though my professional career was relatively short, poker remains something I’m grateful to have experienced as a major part of my life. Today, I play mostly as a hobby, while writing has become my main focus. That said, my enthusiasm for writing about poker is just as strong as my passion for playing the game once was.
