Dan Bilzerian

Childhood

Dan Bilzerian was born in Tampa, Florida, to Paul Bilzerian, a Wall Street corporate raider, and Terri Steffen. His father’s financial success provided Dan and his younger brother, Adam Bilzerian (also a poker player), with trust funds. However, Paul’s legal troubles (including imprisonment for securities fraud) cast a shadow over their upbringing.

Bilzerian, majoring in Business and Criminology, attended the University of Florida but dropped out to pursue poker full-time. He briefly attempted Navy SEAL training but was dismissed for safety violations.

Career

• Poker

Bilzerian’s poker career began in college, where he honed his skills before entering high-stakes games. His most notable tournament performance was in the 2008 WSOP Main Event, where he finished 180th, earning $36,626.

He gained notoriety for unverified claims of massive poker wins, including $10.8 million in a single night (2013) and $50 million in 2014.

Critics, including poker pro Doug Polk, have questioned his skill, suggesting his wealth stems more from family money than poker prowess.

• Business Ventures

In 2019, Bilzerian launched Ignite International Brands Ltd., a Toronto-based company selling CBD products, vodka, and e-cigarettes. The company struggled, losing $50 million in 2019 due to excessive marketing costs.

• Acting & Media

Bilzerian appeared in films like The Equalizer (2014) and Lone Survivor (2013), though his role in the latter led to a lawsuit over reduced screen time.

He also authored The Setup (2021), an autobiography detailing his controversial life.

Personal life

Bilzerian’s lifestyle is infamous:

Suffered two heart attacks before age 32 due to drug abuse.

Owns mansions in Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, and Las Vegas.

Gained Armenian citizenship in 2018 and donated $250,000 to Armenia during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Revenue

Estimates of Bilzerian’s net worth vary:

• $200–300 million, from poker, Ignite, and social media endorsements 56.
• His Instagram (33.6M followers) and sponsorship deals contribute significantly 5.
  

Interesting facts

Nicknamed "King of Instagram" for his lavish posts.

Once bet $385,000 on a car race with a lawyer friend .

Claims to have never lost more than $3.6 million in a single poker session.

Legacy

Bilzerian remains a polarizing figure—admired for his audacity but criticized for his reckless behavior and unverified poker success. His influence on gambling culture is more about image than proven skill.