Bernard Lee

Bernard Lee is a Korean-American professional poker player and writer, known for his regular column on ESPN.com’s poker website and contributions to MetrowestDailyNews.com. He also serves as an ambassador for RunGoodGear.com. Residing in Wayland, Massachusetts, Lee has amassed over $2.4 million in live tournament earnings. His best live cash of $400,000 came in July 2005 when he finished 36th at the WSOP in Las Vegas. Lee also holds 2 WSOP Circuit rings.

Bernard Lee: Early Life

Growing up in a Korean-American family in Wayland, Massachusetts, Lee’s passion for poker started during games with friends. He was inspired to compete after Chris Moneymaker’s improbable victory in the 2003 WSOP Main Event. Lee qualified for the 2005 WSOP Main Event after an all-night online session and went on to finish 13th out of 5,619 entrants, earning $400,000. This breakthrough performance catapulted him into the poker spotlight and became the foundation of his career.

Bernard Lee: Live Tournament Participation

Bernard Lee recorded his first live cash and best live cash in July 2005, finishing 13th in the $10,000 No Limit Texas Hold’em World Championship Event at the 36th WSOP in Las Vegas, earning $400,000.

In January 2006, Lee placed 128th in the $7,800 WPT Main Event NLH. At the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure on Paradise Island, winning $10,700.

In November 2006, he secured his first major victory, winning the $5,000 No Limit Hold’em event at the World Poker Finals in Mashantucket and earning $368,919.

In May 2007, Lee finished 3rd in the $3,000 No Limit Hold’em event at the Mega Stack Challenge in Mashantucket, adding $85,954 to his poker earnings.

Later that year, in November 2007, he claimed another win in the $2,000 NLH event. There at the World Poker Finals in Mashantucket, he earned $239,143.

In October 2010, Lee placed 3rd in the $10,000 No Limit Hold’em Regional Championships at the WSOP Circuit event in Hammond, securing $236,368.

In his most recent appearance, in October 2022, Lee competed in the $600 No Limit Hold’em event at the RUNGOOD Poker Series presented by PokerGO in Council Bluffs. He finished 20th, earning $2,666.

Bernard Lee’s 2 WSOPC Ring

• May 2014: $365 No Limit Hold’em Turbo – WSOPC Colorado, Black Hawk ($14,500)
• October 2018: $400 No Limit Hold’em (Event #3) – WSOPC Lake Tahoe ($11,456)