David Singer

The story of a lawyer turning to the professional world of poker for a living is not too uncommon. Generally, it is thought that lawyers are after one thing – money – and that the poker table is one of the few places that can be more profitable than the court room.

Although Singer used to be a lawyer, he was a different breed as he was employed by a non-profit environmental organisation, earning less than the secretaries he worked with. He studied to become a lawyer purely so that he could work on environmental issues and his main focus when he gained employment was with water issues, especially concerning the Long Island Sound.

When his hours at work began to be cut back he looked for another job and that is when he came across poker.

Growing up, poker had been a big part of his life as he played with friends and family from a school age. He started playing for a living in 1996 and until 2001 he stuck exclusively to 7 Card Stud, playing the same game every day in a private club in New York.

At the end of 2002, after a year’s practise in Hold ‘em, he began entering tournaments to compete with the world’s top players. He began with a second place finish in the US Poker Championship before going to 2003’s World Series of Poker and claiming three cash prizes, most notably a ninth place finish in the World Championship of No Limit Hold ‘em earning him $120,000.

He made his first appearance in the World Poker Tour in 2004 cashing out with low prizes. In September 2005 he made his first WPT final at Borgota when he won $250,000 finishing sixth. His next attempt, four months later in the Caribbean Adventure saw him come closer with a third place finish in No Limit Hold ‘em finishing behind Brook Lyter and Steve Ambrose. After another four months he became victorious, winning the Heads Up event at the Mirage Casino, defeating Eli Elezra in the final.

His finest moment, however, came in June 2006. Singer played against the best in No Limit HORSE event in the WSOP and made the final table, finishing sixth with over $400,000 worth of winnings. The event that year was won by the legendary Chip Reese. This cash prize took Singer’s tournament earnings up to $1,800,000.

As well as his environmental duties, Singer is a keen fisherman and he spent many summers working on commercial boats and fishing for sport. At one time, he was the proud holder of two fishing records.

Singer currently lives in White Plains, New York.