Gregory Merson (gregy20723)

Gregory aka "Greg" Merson was named WSOP Player of the Year in 2012. That year, he won 2 bracelets, one in the $10,000 No Limit Texas Hold 'em Six Handed and the other in the prestigious $10,000 Main Event. That year, he won almost $10 million in WSOP tournaments. Greg Merson was the first player to win 2 WSOP bracelets in the same year in tournaments worth at least $10,000. To date, he has 2 WSOP bracelets, 4 final tables and 20 paid places. His live tournament earnings total $11,472,781.

On a personal level

On the personal front, Greg Merson hasn't had it easy. By the age of 17, by his own admission, he was addicted to marijuana and cocaine. During this period of addiction, he lost 30 pounds and his physical health deteriorated. But Greg quickly pulled himself together and checked into a rehab facility. After an alternation of successes and failures, Greg finally became completely sober in 2011. And it was in 2012 that he had his best poker year ever. An inspiring story with a happy ending.

What does he do today?

Greg still plays poker, both on PokerStars and in casinos. On the PokerStars tables, he can be seen under the pseudonym "gregy20723". He also took part in the last World Series of Poker, where he won 2 paid places, one in a $1,500 (6-max) No Limit Hold'em tournament and the other in a $1,000 Pot Limit Omaha tournament. He also participated in the 2023 WSOP Online where he added 4 paid places to his record, the best of which was a 35th place finish in a $777 No Limit Hold'em tournament.