Daniel Idema

Before establishing himself in the poker world, British Columbia native Dan Idema was busy contribution to the stereotype that Canadians are lovers of hockey. Idema played his national sport professionally having grown up playing competitively, making a career of it in his early twenties. However, he became pulled towards playing cards by his half-brother Adam Schwartz and quickly ran $100 into $20,000 playing online. Over a decade onwards, Dan now has three WSOP bracelets to his name and has secured himself as one of the strongest mixed-game players in the field.

His big break actually came back in 2007 after Idema won the C$2,500 No Limit Hold’em event at the British Columbia Poker Championships. Earning $409,890 for the victory, this result kick-started Dan’s live tournament career.

His first WSOP bracelet win was in 2011 when he won the $10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship, taking home $378,642 for his efforts. Two years later, he shipped the $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo event for $184,590 by getting past fellow Canadian Mike Leah as well as poker legends Barry Greenstein and Phil Hellmuth.

His most recent bracelet win was in the 2015 $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. event, where Idema earned himself another six-figure payday and a third bracelet for the trophy cabinet. With six other WSOP final-table finishes to his name along with over 34 cashes, the Canadian is recognised for his continued successes in mixed-game events.

Add in another six-figure score earned at the 2012 Aussie Millions Main Event, and Dan has put together more than $2,200,000 in live tournament winnings since 2007.

Away from poker, he has a number of interesting hobbies which include being a semi-professional parrot trainer and a diehard collector of Pez dispensers. He has spoken openly about his waning interest for cards in recent years, admitting:

"As I get older I’m not a big fan of travelling much for poker . . . my goal is to do something else and then just show up to play at the WSOP every summer".