Alan “Ari” Engel

Alan Engel, also known as “Ari”, and “BodogAri” online, is a professional poker player born in Toronto, Canada. He has earned over $8.7 million in live tournament winnings, with his highest cash amounting to $1,120,110. Engel has won three WSOP bracelets: two from live tournaments and one online.

Additionally, Engel has accumulated 17 WSOP Circuit (WSOPC) rings, including five from online events and twelve from live tournaments. He is also an ambassador for Phenom Poker.

Alan Engel: Early Life

Engel lived in various places, including South Africa, Australia, Maryland, Chicago, Israel, New York, and Las Vegas. He attended New York University, where he pursued a degree in Finance. It was during his college years that he discovered poker through his roommate. Initially, he played low-stakes games, but it wasn’t until after graduation that he began playing more.

After graduating, Engel played poker regularly and participated in a weekly $40 home game with his school friends. During this time, he discovered the poker site Bodog and started winning $2-$4 No Limit Hold’em games. He eventually decided to leave his job and pursue poker full-time.

Alan Engel: Live Tournament Participation

Engel first appeared in a recorded live tournament in April 2006. He entered the Foxwoods Poker Classic in Mashantucket. He competed in a $9,700 + $300 Championship Event – No Limit Hold’em, finishing 40th place and earning $12,525.

During the Heartland Poker Tour in St. Louis in November 2013, Engel finished first in a $1,650 No Limit Hold’em Main Event. He took home $142,125.

Engel continued his win streak in November 2014 by placing 1st in a $1,500 + $150 No Limit Hold’em Main Event at the Poker Classic in Punta Cana. He collected a cash prize of $177,045.

In January 2016, Engel achieved his highest single cash at the Aussie Millions Poker Championship in Melbourne. He secured 1st place in a A$10,000 + $600 No Limit Hold’em Main Event, earning a massive $1,120,110.

Playing at the 50th World Series of Poker in Las Vegas in June 2019, Engel claimed victory in a $2,500 No Limit Hold’em event. This win gave him $427,399 additional earnings and his first WSOP bracelet.

Moreover, Engel furthered his reputation by winning in a $10,000 Omaha Hi/Lo 8 or Better – Championship at the 52nd WSOP in Las Vegas in October 2021. He earned his second WSOP bracelet with a grand prize of $317,076. 

In a recent participation, Engel entered the World Series of Poker Circuit event in Oklahoma in July 2024. He placed 8th in a $500 Big O event, and cashed for $2,093.

BodogAri on Achieving 3rd WSOP Bracelet Online

In October 2023, BodogAri won 1st place in a $500 No Limit Hold’em – Turbo 6-Max on WSOP.com. He secured a prize of $38,197 and earned his 3rd WSOP bracelet. 

Engel’s WSOPC Ring Achievements in Live Tournaments

• March 2007 – $300 + 40 No Limit Hold’em, WSOPC in Atlantic City. (1st place, won $63,018)
• April 2009 – $1,000 + 60 No Limit Hold’em – Heads-Up, WSOPC in Las Vegas. (1st place, won $22,353)
• May 2012 – $345 Pot Limit Hold’em/Omaha, WSOPC in Philadelphia. (1st place, won $8,292)
• October 2012 – $1,125 No Limit Hold’em, WSOPC in Hammond. (1st place, won $55,503)
• February 2013 – $580 No Limit Hold’em, WSOPC in West Palm Beach. (1st place, won $26,501)
• August 2013 – $520 + 60 No Limit Hold’em, WSOPC in Connecticut. (1st place, won $29,634)
• October 2014 – $580 H.O.R.S.E. #6, WSOPC in Hammond. (1st place, won $17,921)
• March 2016 – $580 No Limit Hold’em, WSOPC in Atlantic City. (1st place, won $17,221)
• March 2018 – $365 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, WSOPC in Los Angeles. (1st place, won $9,730)
• August 15, 2023 – $400 H.O.R.S.E., WSOPC in Northern California. (1st place, won $6,647)
• August 16, 2023 – $400 Big O, WSOPC in Northern California. (1st place, won $6,564)
• October 2023 – $330 + 70 Limit Omaha 8 or Better, WSOPC in Chicago. (1st place, won $10,749)

Engel’s WSOPC Ring Achievements on Online Tournaments

• February 2021 – $500 Pot Limit Omaha – 6-Max #3, WSOPC Online. (1st place, won $16,350)
• February 2022 – $500 Pot Limit Omaha – BIG 500 6-Max, WSOPC Online. (1st place, won $14,412)
• March 2023 – $525 No Limit Hold’em – Main Event – 8-Max, WSOPC Online. (1st place, won $22,546)
• July 2023 – $500 No Limit Hold’em – BIG 500 8-Max, WSOPC Online. (1st place, won $8,926)
• February 2024 – $500 No Limit Hold’em – BIG 500 8-Max, WSOPC Online. (1st place, won $9,778)