Las Vegas has welcomed a captivating addition to its community this year. And his impact has been nothing short of remarkable.
Meet Jeremy Becker, the former New York poker player who has made a new home in the desert.
This new resident has swiftly made his mark on the local scene. With his expertise as a live circuit grinder and his proficiency in tournament play, Becker has seized the opportunities presented by Sin City’s bustling live action.
“It’s been a hot start for me,” he told PlayNY.
That’s an understatement. Since his arrival in February, he has achieved notable success, amassing a staggering sum exceeding $200,000 in tournament cashes, including a deep run in the World Series Main Event. Becker’s triumphs have not gone unnoticed, especially after he garnered viral attention for securing nine first-place finishes at the Wynn this spring. As a result, his rental expenses are now secured for the foreseeable future.
Jeremy Becker: From New York to Florida to Vegas
Hailing from the outskirts of New York City, Becker’s poker journey began during his high school days, where he would engage in friendly games with his peers. Fast forward to 2016, when he relocated to Tampa, Florida, to pursue higher education. It was during this time that he discovered his true passion.
Upon arriving at college, Becker stumbled upon a nearby casino, just a mere ten-minute drive away. While the casino required patrons to be 21 years old to gamble, he realized that the poker tables legally welcomed players as young as 18.
Driven by his desire to gain experience and build a bankroll, Becker immersed himself in the game, dedicating as much time as possible to playing poker. In the span of four years, from 2017 to 2020, his dedication paid off. In fact, he cashed out in an impressive tally of over 80 events.
Poker gradually transformed from a simple hobby to a full-fledged occupation for Becker. Reflecting on his employment history, he recalls his last job, which he held during his high school days as a caddy at a local country club. Since then, the pursuit of poker has become his primary vocation, capturing his devotion and carving a unique path in his professional life.
Vegas hot streak leads to World Series of Poker Main Event
Unfazed by his achievements, Jeremy Becker continues to forge ahead, amassing an impressive sum of over $950,000 in live cashes lifetime. His relentless drive shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
During the spring season, Becker captured the attention of the poker world, achieving a viral status by triumphing in nine Wynn daily events. Since his arrival in Las Vegas back in February, he has cashed an astonishing 42 times, averaging a remarkable cash every four days. With winnings exceeding $200,000 since February, he has averaged over $1,100 in daily cashes. His winnings even caught the attention of Poker Hall of Famer Daniel Negreanu.
His decision to embrace the Las Vegas grind has allowed him to further enhance his poker pursuits. In addition to his impressive track record, Becker also participated in his third-ever WSOP Main Event this year, a tournament that every player dreams of participating in with its coveted $10,000 buy-in. Notably, this year’s edition set a new record for the largest Main Event in history, with over 10,000 entries.
Becker showcased his skills, navigating his way through multiple days of intense competition and ultimately securing a commendable 306th-place finish. His stellar performance earned him a cash prize of $44,700.
“It’s the best tournament in the world,” Becker said. “As long as I’m still playing poker, I’ll never miss a WSOP Main Event.”
What’s on deck for former New York poker player?
Maintaining his relentless pace, Becker eagerly anticipates further accomplishments and poker triumphs to add to his illustrious record. Alongside his existing commitments, he is eager to delve into more live WSOP circuit events, seeking new challenges and opportunities. With a blend of daily tournaments and larger-scale events on his radar, he envisions a full schedule ahead.
“I’m sure I’ll be playing a lot of dailies mixed in with bigger events and potentially doing some traveling for a good series.”
While he currently has no concrete plans in place, he emphasizes his readiness to seize opportunities at a moment’s notice. When asked about his participation in the Turning Stone NY WSOP circuit event in his home state, Becker’s response echoed his flexible and spontaneous approach,
“I take everything day by day literally, Nothing planned as of now, but that doesn’t mean I’m not on a plane tomorrow.”
