David Benyamine is a French professional poker player with a World Poker Tour title.
Benyamine was a professional tennis player in his early career but had to retire because of back pain. He was also a successful top ten billiards player in France.
He learned poker at the age of 12 and plays high-stakes cash games on a regular basis.
Benyamine was deported from the United States during 2004. His name was the same or similar to one on the terrorist "watch list", but the resolution was that he was deported for not having a work permit.
Benyamine has made three final tables in World Poker Tour (WPT) open events:
2003 Grand Prix de Paris (second season) - 1st place (€357,200)
2004 L.A. Poker Classic (second season) - 6th place ($132,355)
2008 Bellagio Cup IV (seventh season) - 2nd place ($840,295)
Benyamine is primarily a Cash Game player, but due to comments from his friends, he started playing tournaments more regularly during the 2008 World Series of Poker. As of 22nd June 2008, he has made 4 WSOP final tables, 3 of which were in 2008, as well as his one bracelet:
Benyamine used to play high stakes online poker under his own name at Full Tilt Poker and was sponsored by them however since November 2008 this is no longer the case. Benyamine is a Pot-Limit Omaha specialist.
As of 2008, his total live tournament winnings exceed $3,100,000.
