Dream/Clone member finishes at 55th; takes home $123,597 poker winnings

Rapper Brett Richey can add yet another entry to his card-hustling credentials. The celebrated member of the group Dream/Clone finished strong in the World Series of Poker’s $10,000 Main Event, ending in 55th place. In doing so, he took home a stunning $120,000-plus in winnings.

The Pittsburgh-hailing Richey ended his run on the final day of the 44th Annual World Series of Poker (WSOP), July 15th, 2013, after being trailing 54 other players. At the end of the main event, he had accumulated $123,597 in total winnings, making this year’s tournament the 3rd biggest payday in his card-playing career.

An avid poker player since 2003, Richey, a founding member of the hip-hop trio, cashed in his first major win at the 2005 New England Poker Classic, finishing at a strong 3rd overall in the No-Limit Hold ’em tournament. A year later, he participated and finished 60th in the 5th Annual partypoker.com Million event – a $10,000 buy-in tournament. His first final table major was during the 38th Annual World Series of Poker, where he placed 8th overall, taking home $42,227.

Richey’s first time to break the 100 grand barrier was in June 2009, when he finished 2nd overall in the 40th Annual WSOP’s $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8 or Better. He raked in an astounding $152,618 for his efforts. He pulled another over-100K win the following year at the same event, taking with him $113,030 in 13th place. His biggest win so far was at last year’s Annual WSOP, where he finished 2nd place at the $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha – earning him a whopping $223,492, his career best.

With his recent 100k win at the 44th Annual WSOP, Richey’s total career winnings have already exceeded $1,800,000 in both casino and online winnings combined. That is a lot of money for someone who also does music full-time. Asked about what drives him to hustle the poker tables at major events, Richey regarded the card game as a way to support his habit, which is rapping. “Music is my first love,” replied the flamboyant native of Allston, Massachusetts. “I care much more about the music. Poker is a job.”

Brett Richey is one of the many artists and personalities that are also big-time poker players. Among the most recognizable card-shuffling high rollers in the entertainment industry are music artist and producer Jay-Z, as well as R&B singer Nelly. There are also numerous poker enthusiasts and professional players in the Hollywood circles. These include actor and producer Ben Affleck, a poker champion himself, and actress Jennifer Tilly, one of the most accomplished celebrity players in show business. Tilly is the owner of a WSOP $1,000 Champion’s Bracelet and more recently, has won a $5,000 poker event at the Bellagio.