Greenstein at the Table
  • Name: Barry Greenstein
  • Nickname: "The Robin Hood of Poker"
  • Current Residence: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
  • DOB: December 30, 1954
  • Birth Place: Chicago, Illinois
  • Sponsored by: PokerStars
  • Online site he plays at: PokerStars.com
  • First Win: 2003 Larry Flynt's Poker Challenge Cup
  • WSOP Bracelets: 3
  • Total Winnings: $7,014,488 (March 2010)
  • Marital Status: Divorced
  • Children: 5

Who is Barry Greenstein?

Barry Greenstein grew up in Chicago. He was part of a stable family that taught him values and integrity; gambling was definitely not one of the values he learnt - but they also taught him poker! However, Barry turned to be a whiz kid, he built his own software at the age of 15 and got a degree in computer science and continued to get his PhD in mathematics. While Barry studied, he was building his bankroll at home poker games and it grew quite fast.

When he married Donna, she was struggling to get the custody of her 3 children from a past relationship so he decided to take a full time job at Symantec in order to make the legal process easier for them. They got full custody and had 2 more children. After a while at his full time job, Barry wondered why he was there when there was so much more money at the tables and this job only kept him away from his family and poker, so he decided to play full time and quit his job at Symantec.

As a poker player Barry made his name really fast and has made a lot of final tables at the WSOP and the WPT. For many years he donated his net tournament winnings to many charities; mostly involving children, education and living. He likes to spend a lot of time with his family; he likes to play golf and watch movies. He divorced Donna and got full custody of their children and he keeps them as his top priority. After that he dated Mimi Tran, whom he taught poker in exchange for Vietnamese lessons. His step son Joe Sebok is also a professional player.

Where does the nickname 'Robin Hood' come from?

Barry is called "The Robin Hood of Poker" because of the generous donations he has made. So basically at the poker tables he takes from the pros and gives to those in need.  Most of his donations have been to Children Incorporated, which provides food, clothing, medicine, school supplies and other necessities to children in more than 20 countries. To date, he has given away approximately 3 million dollars of his tournament earnings.

Public Perception and Reputation

Barry Greenstein has a quiet and unassuming personality. He imposes no fear on anyone but at the table his opponents are afraid of what might be his next move. He is an expert at cash games and according to his own estimation, he was the most successful cash game player in the world from 1999 to 2004. He is definitely one of the top players on the circuit and, even though he says poker players lose their skills with age, he might prove himself wrong as he continues to make more winnings every year.

Barry is also an excellent teacher of poker and his strategic insights are always fascinating to read and hear.

Poker Techniques

Barry is a methodical player, with his experience he is capable of making excellent reads in various situations. He is unpredictable and shows almost no emotion, making it hard for the others to read him. He calls himself a predator who preys upon the weaknesses of others at the table.

In order to improve his strategy Barry once took Vietnamese lessons so that he could communicate with and understand better the Vietnamese players he found at tournaments.

Media Exposure

  • His book on poker is called Ace on the River. Check it out for some excellent advice from a seasoned pro (for advanced players only). It is not a book on poker strategy, but rather a guide for living the life of a poker pro.