Steve Brecher
Steve Brecher would play ace-to-five lowball and limit games when he was younger, but it was only every once and awhile. It wasn’t until 1993, when Brecher was dwindling into retirement as a software programmer, that poker became a real interest. 1993 was the first time Brecher played Hold’em, the game he calls his specialty. He played in a few events each of the following years. Although his only wins are in small buy in events, his best cash was an 8th in the 1999 No Limit Hold’em $2500 buy in event, edging out top bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, and considered by some the best female poker player in the world, Annie Duke.
In 2004, encouraged by the increasing popularity of poker, Brecher decided to invest more time and money into Hold’em. He started playing in high buy in poker events including some World Poker Tour events such as the Five-Star World Poker Classic and the World Poker Challenge. 2004 became his best year in poker ever, earning more than $300,000, a large chunk of which coming from a 6th place from the Five-Star at the Bellagio, beating poker legend T.J. Cloutier and Mike Matusow.
In 2005, Brecher had his most memorable finish, a 3rd place at the United States Poker Championship, the biggest tournament in the United States besides the World Series, for over $200,000. It wasn’t an easy task: Brecher had to fight his way through well known pros Men Ngyuen and John Juanda, eventually busting out behind two amateurs. It may have not been his biggest cash, but the notoriety he received from the televised events earned him respect.
As a poker player, Brecher says the best tip he can give to anyone is to stay in your bankroll. Poker has many swings, and certain events that seem improbable are actually common place, so you need to be able to take hits from “bad beats.” In his article “How Bad Are Bad Beats?” Brecher points out while bad beats may seem improbable, they are actually common place, so you need to be able to take hits and still have money left. Also, when you blame something on a “bad beat,” you do not take any lesson away from the hand.
While you may see Brecher’s face on T.V. sometime soon, you can find him on Full Tilt playing anywhere from micro limits to the $10-$20 No Limit Hold’em games.
Common Misspellings: Steve Brecer, Steve Brecker, Steve Becker
Learn more about Steve Brecher at Full Tilt Poker.
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