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Lee Markholt, known as “The Seattle Set,” is a legendary American professional poker player whose career is a testament to disciplined longevity. A World Poker Tour (WPT) champion and a fixture of the high-stakes circuit for over two decades, Markholt transitioned from a background in professional bull riding to become one of the most consistent tournament grinders in history. With over $5.1 million in live earnings and a reputation for “never going broke,” he remains a top-tier force in 2026, continuing to rack up scores in major championships across the United States.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings now exceeding $5,101,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Lee Markholt ranks 5th on the Washington All-Time Money List. His career reached a historic peak in 2008 when he won the WPT World Poker Challenge for $493,815. Markholt has maintained an elite level of consistency through early 2026, recently recording a 21st-place finish in the 2026 WPT Venetian Las Vegas Spring Championship for $6,987 and a 5th-place finish in the 2025 WPT World Championship Seniors High Roller for $60,740. His immense success across multiple eras of poker contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $7 million.
Major Tournament Results:
| Year | Event | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | WPT World Poker Challenge $5,000 NLH (1st) | $493,815 |
| 2005 | PPT Five Star World Poker Classic (1st) | $225,000 |
| 2024 | Wynn Summer Classic $1,600 Seniors (2nd) | $104,566 |
| 2025 | WPT World Championship $10,000 Seniors High Roller (5th) | $60,740 |
Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1963 and hailing from Eatonville, Washington, Lee Markholt’s journey to the felt is one of the most unique in the game. Before poker, Markholt followed in his father’s footsteps as a professional bull rider, a career that instilled in him the grit and high-pain tolerance necessary for professional gambling. After injuries ended his rodeo days, he turned to poker, becoming a local legend in the Tacoma card rooms. Markholt was one of the early pioneers of the World Poker Tour (WPT) era, once holding the record for the most cashes in the tour’s history. In 2026, he is celebrated as an “old-school” veteran who has survived every technological shift in the game, from the early stud era to the modern solver-heavy meta, all while residing in his home state of Washington.
Play Style & Strategy
Markholt is renowned for a “clinical, disciplined, and ultra-steady” play style. Often referred to as a “survivor,” his greatest edge is his world-class bankroll management and game selection, traits he attributes to his “never go broke” philosophy. Strategically, he is a proponent of live exploitative reads over rigid GTO (Game Theory Optimal) charts, though he has integrated modern technical foundations to remain competitive in 2026. He is particularly dangerous in Seniors (50+) and High Roller fields, where his decades of experience allows him to identify timing tells and psychological leaks that younger, data-only players often overlook. His approach focuses on technical stamina, making him a perennial threat in multi-day championships.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow “The Seattle Set” as he continues his run through the 2026 circuit and chases his first WSOP bracelet? You can find his profiles and updated stats here:
Video Highlights:
Watch Lee Markholt’s historic WPT winning moment and his recent tactical breakdown of the “Wild West” era of Las Vegas games on the Table 1 Podcast:
