![Costa Rica [CRI]](/assets/images/flags/1x1/cr.svg "Costa Rica [CRI]"){kind=small}
Max Stern is a Costa Rican professional poker player, pediatrician, and author, widely regarded as one of the most decorated figures in Central American poker history. A three-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, Stern played a significant role in the early globalization of the game. He also made history as one half of only the second married couple ever to both win WSOP titles, sharing the rare distinction with his wife, Maria.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings of nearly $1.5 milllion (according to The Hendon Mob), Stern currently ranks 2nd on Costa Rica’s all-time money list. His career is highlighted by a dominant run at the World Series of Poker in the late 1990s, where he captured three gold bracelets. His largest single payday came in 1997 when he won the $3,000 No Limit Hold’em event for $237,615. Other major scores include a victory in the $1,500 Omaha 8 or Better in 1995 for $140,400 and a 1997 win in the $2,500 Seven-Card Stud Split for $117,000.
Biography & Poker Background
Stern’s background is as unique as his playing style; he is a practicing pediatrician who balanced a medical career with high-stakes competition. Originally born in the late 1930s and eventually settling in San Jose, Costa Rica, Stern began cashing in live tournaments as early as 1987 in Las Vegas. His impact on the game extended beyond the felt as he co-authored the influential book Championship Stud with legends Tom McEvoy and Linda Johnson. Stern and his wife Maria are legendary fixtures of the Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT), often traveling together as the “First Couple” of Costa Rican poker.
Play Style & Strategy
Known as a Texas Hold’em, Seven Card Stud, and Omaha Hi-Lo specialist, Stern is celebrated for his “old-school” tactical versatility. His core poker philosophy, “In order to survive, you must be willing to die”, reflects a fearless approach to tournament play that allowed him to navigate the high-variance fields of the 90s. While technically proficient in math-heavy games like Omaha 8 or Better, he is fundamentally a psychological specialist who excels in split-pot variants. His ability to adjust between the disciplined requirements of Stud and the aggressive demands of No Limit Hold’em made him one of the most well-rounded competitors of his era.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to track the legacy of Max Stern and his continued influence on the Latin American poker scene? You can follow his official stats and profile updates here:
