When someone is described as a successful stand-up comedian, a professional actor, and a poker player, who comes to your mind? For us, it is Gabe Kaplan, a man who has exemplified how talent and determination can make one succeed beyond expectation. He moved from dominating at the stand-up comedy stage during his time to proving himself at the poker tables.
This casino news examines Gabe Kaplan’s journey and how he successfully combined poker with his other professions.
Gabe Kaplan: Rise to Stardom, Straight Outta Brooklyn
Gabe is a Jewish man born (March 31st, 1945) and bred in Brooklyn, New York. If you asked Gabe in his childhood years, “What do you want to become?” He would have answered, “I want to be a professional baseball player,” due to his love for sports. His sports dream was terminated when he could not enter the minor league team.
However, instead of wallowing in the pain of this setback, Gabe hustled at various jobs after graduating from New Utrecht High School. Eventually, he got a job as a bellman at a Lakewood hotel. There, he saw how comedians perform for an audience. After exposure to many stand-up acts, Gabe began to have an affinity for comedy.
He honed his skills to become a successful stand-up comedian, and he also had acting skills. Gabe was featured on many TV shows, including The Tonight Show (which brought him to the limelight). His big break came when he took on the role of Gabe Kotter in the sitcom TV show, “Welcome Back, Kotter,” which spanned from 1975 to 1979.
Gabe was also the ABC Network sports team captain from 1976 to 1978, participating in various athletic competitions.
From Stand-up Comedian to Poker Star
Gabe Kaplan became interested in poker as a pastime, playing No-Limit Texas Hold ’em. Deuces Wild was not popular then, however, his poker hobby became a profession when he began participating in competitions. Gabe first appeared in a live tournament in February 1979. He went to Las Vegas to compete at the Amarillo Slim’s Superbowl of Poker, the 1980s world’s second-most prestigious tournament, limited to the best poker players only. Gabe competed in the $10,000 No-Limit Hold ’em event.
In 1980, Gabe Kaplan tested if winnings were about luck or skill in poker, at the Amarillo Slim’s Superbowl of Poker. This time, he came first to win $190,000 in the $ 10,000 No Limit Hold ’em event. This win further broadened his horizon in the poker world. Again, in 1982, he won $105,000 when he finished third place in the $10,000 No Limit Hold ’em main event at the Amarillo Slim’s Superbowl of Poker in Las Vegas.
Gabe continued to build his poker casino games bankroll as he forged in his career. He won $108,000 at the 1987 Knights of the Round Table in Atlantic City after finishing first in the $10,000 No Limit Hold ’em event. The following year, he competed at the 19th WSOP and won $39,500 for finishing third in the $5,000 Seven-Card Stud event.
Biggest Tournament Earnings
Gabe Kaplan earned $256,519 on July 29th, 2004, when he finished third in the $10,000 + 200 No Limit Hold ’em Final Day at the Mirage Poker Showdown in Las Vegas. He earned $222,515 the following year when he competed at the 36th WSOP, finishing 2nd place in the $5,000 Limit Hold ’em event.
In 2007, 2008, and 2010, he won $120,000 at the Poker After Dark tournament for performing wonders with his poker chips to finish first place each season.
Gabe won his most considerable tournament cash, $258,390, in 2014 at the Super High Roller in Las Vegas for finishing 8th in the $100,000 + 2,000 No Limit Hold ’em Super High Roller event.
To show that age is just a number, in 2023, 78-year-old Gabe Kaplan finished 27th ahead of 615 other entrants to win $24,528 in the $7,000 + 3,000 No Limit Hold ’em Super Turbo Bounty event at the 54th WSOP. Who knows? Maybe if he tried the Triple Edge Poker Game now, he could still win.
Gabe won over $2 million in live tournaments and has a net worth estimated at over $30 million.
Gabe Kaplan: A Sitcom Star’s Wild Card and Poker Commentator
At the beginning of 2000, PokerGo invited Gabe to work as a commentator for their popular series, High Stakes Poker. Alongside his colleague, AJ Benza, he provided brilliant analysis and brought his comedic charisma to play by giving entertaining commentary of the game.
He also commented on the National Heads-Up Poker Challenge, WSOP, and Intercontinental Poker Championship. Gabe announced his retirement from High Stake Poker in 2023 because of old age and unfamiliarity with most opponents’ mode of play at the poker table.
Final Thoughts
Through his blend of natural talent and charisma, Gabe Kaplan has sealed his name among the poker world and entertainment industry elites, becoming a role model and a casino guide figure for people of any age wanting to pursue a career in poker.
Today, Kaplan remains a true legend in both realms and continues to inspire other players and actors aspiring to roles in both industries.
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