Andrew Black

Childhood

Black’s introduction to card games began in his youth when he was playing with his mother. Growing up in Belfast during turbulent times, these early experiences with cards helped cultivate his focus and strategic thinking. His passion for poker intensified in 1986 while pursuing a law degree at Trinity College, Dublin. During this period, he frequented the Griffin Casino in Dublin, initially attracted by the free food and coffee, but soon became serious about the game.

Career

Andrew Black’s professional poker career has been marked by notable highs and periods of profound personal transformation. His first major appearance was at the 1997 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, where he was eliminated by the eventual winner, Stu Ungar. This experience was captured in the 1998 documentary Million Dollar Deal, narrated by John Hurt, which followed Black’s journey in the tournament. After a disappointing loss the following year, Black dramatically changed course by discarding all his possessions and spending five years living in a semi-monastic Buddhist environment in England.

Returning to poker in 2004, Black quickly re-established himself as a dominant force in Irish tournaments. His most significant achievement came in 2005 when he finished fifth in the WSOP Main Event, earning $1,750,000. During this event, he once held over one-third of the chips in play at the final table, showcasing his ability to build large stacks, although he was ultimately unable to secure the title. Black’s career continued with consistent success in major tournaments.

In 2006, he reached the final table of the Tournament of Champions, again holding a substantial chip lead before finishing fifth. In 2007, he placed second in the Pot Limit Omaha event and third in the No Limit Main Event at the Aussie Millions in Melbourne, Australia. That same year, he also made the final table of the European Poker Tour (EPT) Grand Final in Monte Carlo, finishing seventh, and won the Pot Limit Omaha side event at the Irish Open.

In 2008, Black won the Premier League Poker II, defeating Roland De Wolfe heads-up and taking home $250,000. He also had multiple cash finishes in the WSOP and World Poker Tour (WPT) events. His live tournament winnings have surpassed $4.8 million, with 36 cashes at the WSOP accounting for over $2.5 million of that total.

Personal life

Andrew Black is known as "The Monk" due to his devout Buddhist beliefs, which have influenced both his life and poker career. His five-year retreat into a Buddhist lifestyle after early setbacks in poker reflects a deep commitment to spirituality and personal growth. He has openly discussed his faith alongside his professional pursuits, including an appearance on the chat show Heads Up with Richard Herring in 2005.

Revenue

Black’s poker career has been financially successful, with total live tournament earnings exceeding $4,885,354 as of September 2020. His highest single cash was $1,750,000 for finishing fifth in the 2005 WSOP Main Event. Other significant earnings include $556,695 for third place at the 2007 Aussie Millions Main Event and $250,000 for winning the 2008 Premier League Poker II.

Interesting facts

Black is nicknamed "The Monk" because of his Buddhist faith and his five-year semi-monastic lifestyle.

Despite multiple final table appearances in major tournaments, Black has often been noted for building large chip stacks but failing to win the title.

His early poker experiences were motivated partly by the free food and coffee at the Griffin Casino in Dublin.

The 1998 documentary Million Dollar Deal chronicles his early WSOP experiences and was narrated by actor John Hurt.

Legacy

Andy Black is considered one of Ireland’s most successful and respected poker players. He holds the top position on Ireland’s all-time money list and has been a prominent figure throughout the poker boom of the mid-2000s. His combination of poker skill and personal philosophy has made him a unique and influential figure in the gambling community.