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Samuel Stein
Samuel Stein, known in the poker world as Sam Stein, is an elite American professional poker player and high-stakes specialist. A World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and a mainstay of the live tournament circuit for over 15 years, Stein rose to prominence as one of the most successful young grinders of the post-boom era. Recognized for his technical mastery of both No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO), he has amassed over $5.5 million in live earnings while maintaining a reputation as a fierce competitor in the world’s most prestigious high-roller events.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings now reaching $5,498,397 (according to The Hendon Mob), Sam Stein is a distinguished figure in American poker. His career-defining moment occurred in 2011, when he finished 4th in the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) Main Event for a massive $1,000,000. Stein has demonstrated incredible longevity, continuing to post significant results in the 2020s. Recent highlights include a deep run in the 2025 WSOP Main Event, finishing 727th, and a 4th-place finish in the 2022 WSOP $25,000 PLO High Roller for $465,717. His consistent performance at the highest levels contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $7 million.
Major Tournament Results:
| Year | Event | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | PCA $10,000 Main Event (4th) | $1,000,000 |
| 2022 | WSOP $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller (4th) | $465,717 |
| 2011 | WSOP $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (1st – 1st Bracelet) | $420,802 |
| 2023 | WSOP $10,000 Main Event (46th) | $188,400 |
Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1988 and hailing from Hidden Hills, California , Sam Stein is a product of the hyper-competitive online poker environment of the mid-2000s. Under the legendary handle “KingKobeMVP,” Stein became a feared online MTT crusher before transitioning to the live circuit as soon as he turned 21. His breakout year came in 2011, when he captured his first WSOP gold bracelet in Pot-Limit Omaha and notched his first million-dollar score in the Bahamas. After a brief period of reduced volume following the birth of his son, Stein returned to the high-stakes scene with renewed focus, establishing a base in Henderson, Nevada. By 2026, he remains one of the most respected “end-bosses” in the Las Vegas community, known for his work ethic and his ability to compete in both NLH and high-stakes mixed game rotations.
Play Style & Strategy
Stein is renowned for a “highly aggressive, fearless, and technically precise” play style. Coming from a background in high-volume online play, he possesses an elite understanding of modern range dynamics and GTO (Game Theory Optimal) principles. However, he is particularly feared for his Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) expertise, a game where his intuition for complex board textures has led to multiple final tables in the world’s toughest $10K and $25K events. Strategically, Stein is a proponent of “maximum pressure” at final tables, often using his deep technical understanding to exploit the ICM (Independent Chip Model) hesitations of his opponents. His 2026 approach continues to emphasize technical study and a “no-fear” mentality in high-variance tournament spots.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow Sam as he continues to add to his legacy and compete in the 2026 WSOP? You can find his official profiles and updated stats here:
Derick Elomina is SoMuchPoker's Lead Content Writer and Interview Specialist, reporting live from WSOP bracelet events and Asia Pacific poker festivals such as TMT, APT, RDPT and APL Jeju, alongside player features and interviews for the site's Stories section. He discovered poker at 14 playing home games with friends, and by 21 he had entered the industry as a field reporter, starting as a hand reporter before building his current role on the tournament floor.
