Humberto Brenes

Born in 1951, Humberto Brenes (pronounced "Umberto") is a professional poker player from Costa.

Humberto holds a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Costa Rica. He used his education and instincts to become a successful in business. He owns a television station, a construction company, and a number of restaurants. Humberto and his family are known throughout Costa Rica for their business success.

Known as the "godfather of the Costa Rican players," Humberto started his gambling career as a baccarat player. He understood the odds very well and, at the suggestion from a friend, switched to poker. He beat many of the amateur tourists who came to the casino but his friend challenged him by saying he could not beat the poker pros. Humberto proved him wrong by placing 4th in his first major tournament in 1987. Even though he made more money in baccarat and craps tournaments against tourists who have a lot of money (he made $377,500 in one craps tournament in Nassau many years ago), he only plays in poker tournaments now because they are more challenging. He has stated that when he started playing poker that it was just a hobby and there was no pressure to make money. Because of this, he could think more clearly and make better choices. This led to him winning while having fun at the same time.

Brenes finished 14th in the WSOP main event in 1987. He became a regular tournament player in 1988 and built a great tournament record. He came in 4th place in the main event in 1988 and continued to play in the WSOP every year and eventually won two bracelets in 1993. One bracelet was in the $2,500 Limit Hold'em where he won $149,000 and the other bracelet was in the $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha where he won $128,000.

In 1995 he finished 2nd in the $5,000 Limit Hold'em Event for $134,550 and the next year he finished 2nd in the 1999 $3,000 Limit Hold'em for $101,400.

In 2002 he finished in first place and won $502,460 at the Jack Binion 2002 World Poker Open, beating Erik Seidel heads up.

In 2004, during season 3 of the WPT, Brenes made 2 final tables. He finished in 3rd place in both, winning $636,930 and $898,475.

2006 he finished in 36th place (out of 8,773 payers) in the main event, winning $329,865. He tied with Phil Hellmuth, Jr. for the most cashes (eight) in the 2006 WSOP.

In 2007, He finished 3rd in the $5,000 World Championship Pot Limit Hold'em event where he won $197,348. He then cashed in the Main Event, placing 83rd out of 6,358 players, winning $82,476. He was eliminated by Hevad Khan when Brenes went all-in with A-K and got called by Kahn's pocket Aces.

Humberto's brothers, Alex and Eric, have also had success on the tournament circuit. They have both won WPT titles and travel with Humberto to many tournaments. Humberto, his brothers, and Jose Rosenkrantz, are collectively known as the "Costa Rica Connection".

Humberto often wears bright tracksuits and a a visor at the table. He also wears a head set so that he can listen to music, which helps him remain calm at the table.

Since 1987 until 2009, he had cashed in at least one WSOP event every year except 3 years (1997, 2001, and 2004). As of 2009, he has 2 WSOP bracelets, 55 WSOP cashes, 8 WPT cashes, and total live tournament winnings exceeding $5,500,000. He also is a member of Team PokerStars.

COMMENTS:

how in the heck u folks say he is funny? he belittles players in the same manner ala phil and annie,only its in Spanish,,guy cant play a lick,,he no better than us on this blog,,geez

headlessman1964 on December 31, 2006

No..he's happy pandering the crowd right there around, lol.

And the other tables.

And the casino floor staff.

The guy outside on his smoke break...

Anyone within hearing range, really.

Gotta love Humberto.

AdamWolf on October 18, 2006

he is one of those older players who has established himself and doesn't need to pander to the camera

HPG ADMIN on October 17, 2006

Duh chark ees cuuuhhhmming....

he annoyed me at first wiht his antics..but grew on me...guy cracks me up...but he's got a very sharp poker midn underneath it, which people forget. And then he does his shark attack thing.

AdamWolf on October 17, 2006

The reason he jumps around when he goes all-in, is because he
is about to take a crap, he's so nervous.....f*** his all-in

????? on September 30, 2006

OOOOOMMMMMMBBBBBBBEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTOOOOO!

This guy cracks me up, a great player and fun to watch as well.

bad_dog76 on September 18, 2006

I agre. I actually think his brother actually outperform him in coming years.

HPG ADMIN on September 3, 2006

Humberto may not win alot of tourneys, but he does well in them and wins alot of money.
But I simply like watching him...he is a good sport, and all around nice guy. I like his signature all-in hand gestures...especially when he backed way up and trotted in for the push...he is a class act, one of my favorites.

ITGuy321 on September 2, 2006

Humberto is among the rare players that constantly finish in the money in tournaments. 2 WSOP bracelets not counting the few 2nd places he has scored. He makes numerous final tables at major tournaments. Unlike moneymaker, who disappeared from the poker tables soon after his 2003 win (one hit wonder). If it wasn't for pokerstars who keeps overplaying his 2003 win on television , moneymaker wouln't even be that big a name.

Unregistered on August 7, 2006

Humberto is true pro. He doesn't care about fame because he plays for money.

HPG ADMIN on July 20, 2006

Humberto is the man! This guy has won millions upon millions playing tournament poker. He has won two World Series bracelets, 1st in the 2002 World Poker Open (which is now a WPT event), and as for World Poker Tour finals tables...he finished 7th in the 2003 LA Poker Classic (TV bubble), and 2nd for the Season 2 Invitational. In season 3 he made two final tables, finishing 2nd at Bellagio and 3rd at Foxwoods. I am not even mentioning the countless cashes he has made in his career. Anyone with in reason can win a WPT tournament, but Humberto has shown a consistency that is much better than just winning one event. Don't forget, the people that have won those events had better cards in the end! Humberto Brenes definitely has what it takes to take down a WPT event, but skill can only go so far before the cards take over.

Soupjonz on July 20, 2006

Hes a good player no doubt but i dont know if he has what it takes to win a wpt event.

undertaker on December 23, 2005

One of these days, he's going to choke on the gum he chews.

????? on December 15, 2005

humberto is a great player, and all the ticos are proud of him, keep at the good job humberto. pura vida.

kadazuro on August 30, 2005

I am a South Florida player, and I would love to meet Humberto (he's a 1hr drive away). I would love to learn from the likes of a pro tournament player like Humberto...everytime I turn on the World Poker Tour he is at a final table. Outstanding Player.

Poker Stevo on August 25, 2005

this guy annoys me a lot.

alex brenes on August 23, 2005

That would've been a TOUGH laydown to fold KK pre-flop, even if it was risky to battle the chip leader in 2nd place. If anyone here has mucked AA or KK pre-flop for any reason, please reply here!

Observer on August 19, 2005

he's funnier than a 3.00 bill

This guy on August 19, 2005

I don't think anyone can be that lucky, He knows what he's doing and he is soooo cute.

pokergodess on August 10, 2005

"Posted by: on Jun 08, 2005 - IP=64.60.130.100 he's a lucky shit just like his brothers...can't play a lick" lets see u play him.

JetsFan315 on July 28, 2005

where does he live in costa rica?

twhacker on July 14, 2005

he's a lucky shit just like his brothers...can't play a lick

Unregistered on June 7, 2005

oh man this guy is great, it would be fun to play with this guy

Unregistered on May 1, 2005

humberto ur the man

humberto numer 1 fan on April 27, 2005

I like this dude. I'd smoke a Cuban with him and drink some Corona.

naw he's cool on January 18, 2005

Im from Costa Rica like Humberto, yes ! he is the father of every poker player here. His Da MAN!!! (like he will say)

Reinaldo on October 19, 2004

Humberto is a master of the game, his presence on the table is always a warning to others players. A soon to be world champion.

Ace Dr on October 4, 2004

He's a great player if u ask me. MoneyMaker got lucky against him and i like the 2 pair of sun glasses. It distinguishes him from other players and people likes at the glasses instead of facial expressions. He's 1 of the best.

Zafle222 on August 16, 2004

Humberto is a man of confidence. He fears no one. Moneymaker should have lost that hand and been knocked out by Humberto but MM hit his 2 outs. Great play MM. 8% chance man. NH. Good Read.

The Corporation - Will on August 10, 2004

Good tip for everyone fold vs moneymaker if he had AK he'd bust your aces (aces 92% fav)

Unregistered on August 1, 2004

the two pairs of glasses is pointless. I highly doubt that that extra pair helps.

Unregistered on July 26, 2004

Humberto is a good guy, unless he's up against the likes of Phil Laak or Hon Le. Then u can say, "ba-buy!"

RoyBiggins on June 3, 2004

He's a great player, if MM wouldn't have gotten that 8 against him, who knows how far he would have gone

Unregistered on May 11, 2004

Chews gum like a horse.I was laughing my butt off when MM beat him,it was classic.Obnoxious...

Roy Batty on April 2, 2004

A word to the wise Humberto...Always fold pocket Aces if you suspect pocket eights in your opponents hand...pocket eights win every time. No need to thank me. Just revel in my wisdom.

DeuceSeven Offsuit on April 1, 2004

Harley Hall is all right I guess...I think Allen Cunningham deserves some respect though, he is well-known as a great gentleman at the tables, and is very consistent IN ALL GAMES. Which is certainly not easy obviously. He is like, 25 or so, young obviously, already has a couple of bracelets and is destined to be a great player. IMO they should go on ahead and give him his credit now.

Gman on March 6, 2004

Is this the guy that wear the two pairs of glasses and listens to a walkman? If so he's annoying as all get out! Someone check him for his green card!

civil66 on February 23, 2004

class act. this guy was born a winner.

rookie on February 12, 2004

Harley Hall is a pretty good amateur, but should no be on this list of player profiles.

J.. on January 28, 2004

Harley Hall, the great west coast player,should be included on your site with a profile.

cms5179 on January 17, 2004

Worm

Humberto Brenes

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Humberto Brenes

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