We had the pleasure of sitting down with Darren Elias at the PokerGo Studios in Las Vegas. Recognized as a BetMGM ambassador, the all-time WPT title leader with four championships, and now also a WSOP bracelet winner, Darren is one of the most respected names in the poker world.
In this interview, he talks about his biggest victories, defining moments in his career, the importance of family, the role of the WPT in his journey, and shares his views on the future of the game and the recent recognition of poker as a Mind Sport by the IMSA.
WPF: We’re here at the PokerGo studios with one of the most respected names in the poker world, Darren Elias. BetMGM ambassador, the all-time WPT title leader, and now also a WSOP bracelet winner. We’re going to talk about big wins, daily routines, behind-the-scenes stories. Darren, thank you so much for being here with us. Congratulations on winning your first WSOP bracelet.
Darren: Thank you. Yeah, it feels really good, almost like a relief to win the bracelet. And I don’t play a lot of the online events. I always expected if I won a bracelet, it would be in a high roller event or a small field live tournament. So to win it in a big field online event was definitely a surprise, but it feels great.
WPF: Even before that bracelet, you were in one of the most intense matches of the summer, an almost eight-hour heads-up against Nick Schulman. What was it like being in such a long and technical battle.
Darren: That was really intense. I’ll remember that heads-up match the rest of my life. In poker, we play so many moments that are low pressure, like day one or smaller tournaments. This was not that. This was a very high-level, long battle against a player I’ve played a lot against in our best game. It was really something. And I’m happy for Nick, we’re friends, and he might get into the Hall of Fame this year. We were playing for a lot, and it reminds me why I play poker. Battles like that are what it’s all about from a competition standpoint.
WPF: You are the all-time WPT champion with four titles and over $13.8 million in live earnings. What role has the WPT played in your career?
Darren: The WPT has been great. My success there, especially as I was coming up as a live player on the East Coast, playing a lot at Borgata and having success there, really helped. I won my first WPT title there, and it definitely put me on the map, built my bankroll, and also gave me notoriety because those events were on TV, which got me more reputation and publicity in the game.
WPF: Is there one particular win that stands out as especially meaningful for you?
Darren: Definitely my first WPT win at Borgata. That’s close to where I live, only about an hour away, and my family was there to watch. So that was special, my first major live win at my home casino, with my family there to share it.
WPF: We’ve seen that family seems to be very important to you. You often mention your wife, your kids, your parents. How does that dynamic influence your experience with the game?
Darren: Balancing family and poker is a challenge because all these tournaments are across the country or all over the world. You need to be there for your family but also compete at a high level. When I’m on tour playing against the best players in the world, I don’t want to be distracted, so I often travel alone. But when I’m home, I try to be fully present as a father and husband, not doing too much poker work. And when I’m on the road, I’m fully committed to trying to win tournaments.
WPF: We recently launched the WPF Women’s Committee to support greater female participation in poker, not just at the tables but also in leadership and community roles. In your view, what still needs to change so that more women feel welcome and represented in the poker world?
Darren: Not just with women, but with any beginner players making the leap from home games to a casino setting, it can be stressful and high pressure. If someone doesn’t know all the rules or etiquette, that’s tough. I’ve been working on writing articles and making content for beginner players so they feel comfortable. I think a lot of women haven’t had as much casino experience, so getting comfortable in that setting is huge.
WPF: You are here at the ARIA playing the BetMGM Poker Championship and representing the brand as an ambassador. How’s the event going for you?
Darren: Good. I had a really strong first day and bagged around 300,000 on one entry. We also had a record turnout with over 1,800 players, way more than last year. Every year the event has grown, and it really shows the strength of ARIA and the BetMGM ecosystem. We qualified over 100 players online from Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, flew them to Las Vegas with hotel rooms and tournament entries. I’m happy those qualifiers get that experience, and it looks like a record event. I hope I can keep it going.
WPF: What’s your perspective on BetMGM’s growth, both online and live within the USA poker landscape?
Darren: BetMGM has been incredible. We just added shared liquidity, so now players in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey can play together. That means bigger tournaments, bigger games, and a stronger ecosystem. The next step is building bigger live tournaments across MGM properties like Borgata, Aria, and MGM National Harbor, linking them under the BetMGM brand and creating synergy between them.
WPF: In November last year, the World Poker Federation officially secured poker’s recognition as a Mind Sport by the International Mind Sports Association. What was your reaction when you heard about that?
Darren: I love that. To the general public, poker is sometimes misunderstood. Because it’s played in casinos with cards and money, people lump it in with games like Blackjack, but really it’s a skill game and a mind sport, much closer to chess. Recognition like that is great.
WPF: And in your view, how can this recognition help poker grow globally and strengthen its legitimacy as a skill-based discipline?
Darren: I think it’s great. It helps people understand the skill involved and that poker isn’t just gambling. It deserves its own carve-out as a skill game and a mind sport. I’ve even seen people calling for it to be in the Olympics someday, which would be something.
WPF: How do you balance live and online play these days?
Darren: It’s usually one or the other. When I’m home, I play some online at BetMGM, usually in the evenings after dinner when the family goes to bed. Live poker is different, it’s more like a work trip. I’ll travel for a week or two, play several tournaments, and then come home.
WPF: Do you have any specific preparation routine for big series like here in Vegas?
Darren: If I know I’ll be playing against other top players, I’ll do a little extra preparation with solvers, looking at situations I might be curious about or expect to come up.
WPF: And what can we expect from Darren Elias in the years ahead?
Darren: More poker, more titles, I hope. I’ll keep playing and grinding as many tournaments as I can, trying to succeed in BetMGM events, the World Series, and the WPT. I’ve also become more interested in learning mixed games, maybe in the future I’ll start adding them.
WPF: Now, let’s do a quick fire round. A player you admire today?
Darren: Eric Seidel. I respect players who were at the top 20 years ago and are still competing at the highest level. That longevity is impressive.
WPF: And one opponent that’s always been tough to face?
Darren: There are many, but I’d say my friend Nick Petrangelo. He’s really tough in high rollers, makes you think in a lot of challenging spots.
WPF: Your favorite poker variant?
Darren: Deuce to Seven No Limit, after that run this summer. It allows for a lot of creativity and isn’t as solved as No Limit Hold’em.
WPF: And your least favorite?
Darren: Probably Limit Hold’em. It’s kind of boring, bet one, raise one. Not my favorite.
WPF: A tournament you love playing?
Darren: Deuce to Seven. That’s the event where I finished second to Nick Schulman. It’s not spread often, so when I do get to play it, it’s a treat.
WPF: Any rituals before you play?
Darren: I try to go to the gym or exercise in the morning. Sitting at the table for 12–14 hours is tough, so working out helps me feel sharp and focused.
WPF: Darren, thank you so much for sharing your journey and insights with us. Poker is going through an exciting phase, and hearing from players like you helps shape the direction of the game.
Darren: Thank you.
