The self-styled ‘Godfather of Costa Rican’ poker, Humberto Brenes started his working life as an industrial engineer. Over the years, he’s also had a hand in many different businesses, including hotels, restaurants, real estate ventures, construction, food export and even a TV channel. Despite this entrepreneurial spirit, it’s at the poker table where Humberto has made the real big money.
Having learned how to play card games by watching his father from a young age, Humberto initially found success as a Baccarat player in casinos across the Bahamas. Poker was fast becoming the more popular game of choice however, and he was able to make the transition successfully. Step forward to today and Humberto reigns as one of the highest earning players in history. Instantly recognisable by his bright clothes, table antics and infamous shark card protector, he is hugely popular with the fans. Don’t let the noise and craziness fool you though; Humberto is respected by his fellow professionals as a talented player of the highest order. He has a long list of accolades in a career that spans over two decades, especially at the World Series. His first significant success came in 1988 when he finished 4th in the Main Event, earning $77,000. This was just one of over forty WSOP* cashes he’s made over the years. In fact, Humberto is in the top ten list of players with the most World Series cash finishes. In 1993, he won bracelets in the $2,500 Limit Hold’em and $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha events, taking away a combined total of $277,000. Humberto has also performed incredibly well at WPT events, making four final table appearances and cash finishes amounting to a phenomenal $1,735,780.
In his spare time, Humberto is known for the generosity he shows towards the people of his native Costa Rica. He also keeps busy attending to his business empire and even manages to find enough time to teach his many family members how to play poker. Humberto is also involved with a project in Costa Rica that helps protect the local shark population.
Bridging the gap perfectly between the old days of professional poker and the multi-million dollar game of today, Humberto Brenes is a true icon of the baize. He is a member of Team PokerStars Pro and plays online using the screen name ‘HumbertoB’.
Career Highlights
| Event | Date | Position | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 WSOP $5,000 Seven Card Stud | May 1989 | 3rd | $38,500 |
| 1992 WSOP $2,500 No Limit Hold’em | May 1992 | 2nd | $96,000 |
| 1993 WSOP $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha | May 1993 | 1st | $128,000 |
| 1993 WSOP $2,500 Limit Hold’em | May 1993 | 1st | $149,000 |
| 1995 WSOP $5,000 Limit Hold’em | May 1995 | 2nd | $134,550 |
| 1999 WSOP $3,000 Limit Hold’em | May 1999 | 2nd | $101,400 |
| Jack Binion World Poker Open | January 2002 | 1st | $502,460 |
| WPT World Poker Finals | November 2004 | 3rd | $636,930 |
| WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic | December 2004 | 2nd | $923,475 |
| PCA $100,000 Super High Roller | January 2011 | 5th | $200,000 |
