Benjamin Tollerene

Ben Tollerene is a prominent American professional poker player known for his success in high-stakes cash games, both online and live. He has won nearly $11.2 million in online games and earned $11 million in live poker tournaments. Furthermore, he also won the British Poker Open’s £103,000 No Limit Hold’em in September 2019 for $1.03 million.

Benjamin Tollerene: Early Life

Tollerene began his poker journey with a $500 deposit on Full Tilt and gradually building his bankroll, reaching $25/50 NL stakes. His success can be attributed to hard work, dedication, and extensive analysis, alongside his finance degree from Texas Tech University.

After Black Friday events in poker, Tollerene relocated to Vancouver to continue his online poker career. During this time, he became associated with Doug Polk in a coaching arrangement that later became a source of controversy. Polk claimed to have coached Tollerene in NL Hold’em in exchange for PLO coaching. However, Tollerene allegedly backed out of the deal at the last minute. Tollerene explained his perspective in a detailed 2+2 post, citing his commitment to his PLO partner’s privacy as the reason for the change.

Benjamin Tollerene: Poker Career

As of September 2023, Ben Tollerene’s impressive live tournament earnings has a total of $11,033,273, per his Hendon Mob page. He amassed this significant amount through in 56 live event cashes spanning from 2008 to 2022.

Tollerene started his recorded live tournament journey in August 2008 at The River Guaranteed $3,000,000 NLH, earning $3,000. In August 2015, Tollerene had a significant breakthrough, earning $112,663 at the EPT Barcelona €50K NLH Super High Roller.

In 2016, Tollerene had a remarkable year in live tournaments, earning over $1.26 million. Notably, he won the Rock N Roll Poker Open $50K NLH High Roller in November, securing $459,228. Additionally, he achieved a runner-up finish at the Aussie Millions Poker Championship A$100K NLH event in January, earning $646,962.

Rising to the Top of Live Poker

In the following year, Tollerene continued to grow as he achieved earnings of over $3.2 million. In May 2017, he reached his first million-dollar payday. He secured $1,026,416 with a 3rd-place finish in the Aria Super High Roller $100K NLH event. During this year, Tollerene achieved two victories. He secured $149,700 by winning the PokerStars Championship Bahamas $10,200 NLH Turbo 6 Max in January. Following this, he achieved a $538,715 victory in the PokerStars Championship Super High Roller $50K NLH event in March.

Undeterred by challenges, Tollerene remained consistent. He amassed over $3.35 million in earnings throughout 2018, which included four victories. In May, he emerged victorious in the Aria High Roller 86 $26K NLH event, earning $416,500. He also secured 4th place at the partypoker Caribbean Poker Party for $450,000 in November. 

In 2019, Tollerene competed in a heads-up battle against Cary Katz at the British Poker Open £103,000 NLH event. Ultimately, he emerged as the champion, securing a $1,037,229 prize—his best live cash to date. Katz earned $444,527 as the runner-up.

Tollerene’s return to the live poker circuit in 2022 was marked by victory at the Triton Mediterranean Poker Party $30K NLH. This ended his hiatus since his 2019 British Poker Open win. Despite initial stress, he emerged victorious, earning $807,927. The event had 123 entries, generating a prize pool of $3,690,000. Notable players who made deep runs included Paul Phua, Espen Jorstad, Artur Martirosian, Jason Koon, and Sam Greenwood. Following this, he secured 4th place in the $50K NLH event, earning $535,000.

From $500 Deposit to Online Domination

Tollerene’s online poker journey commenced with a modest $500 deposit on Full Tilt in 2007. Starting at No-Limit Hold ’em $25/$50 stakes, he eventually transitioned to high-stakes Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) on Full Tilt, adopting the screen names ‘Bttech86’ and ‘Ben86’ on PokerStars.

In 2009, he faced initial challenges, losing $100,000 while progressing from $5/$10 to $25/$50 stakes. Tollerene’s dedication and experience paid off, leading to a turnaround and a $550,000 win by 2010. Becoming a regular in high-stakes PLO, he encountered players like Viktor Blom and endured a significant $1,700,000 loss. Fortunately, he completely recovered the entire sum within a day.

Using the ‘Bttech86‘ screen name, Tollerene amassed nearly $7.4 million in Full Tilt winnings. On PokerStars as ‘Ben86,’ he earned over $3.8 million. Moreover, he also shone during the 2015 PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP). Tollerene claimed first place, winning $616,518, while Angel Latorre and Mikita Badziakouski earned $560,412 and $594,069, respectively.

Conclusion

Benjamine Tollerene is a highly accomplished professional poker player, known for both his online and live successes. With over $11 million in live tournament earnings and a notable victory in the British Poker Open, his poker journey has been marked by hard work, dedication, and strategic skill. From his early days with a $500 deposit to his triumphant return to live tournaments, Tollerene’s resilience and adaptability have been key factors in his impressive poker career.