Eric Brenes

Eric Brenes is a Costa Rican professional poker player, farmer, and businessman from San Jose, Costa Rica. He is the brother of Humberto Brenes and Alex Brenes. Brenes ranks 4th on Costa Rica’s All Time Money List, with total live earnings of $1,095,408. His best live cash is $1,000,000, which he won in September 2004 when he finished 1st at the WPT Ultimatebet.com Poker Classic in Palm Beach.

Eric Brenes: Early Life

Before becoming a professional poker player, Eric Brenes began playing poker with family and friends in Costa Rica, especially learning a lot about the game from his brothers. He often traveled to the United States to watch Humberto and Alex play in tournaments, but rarely played in them himself. At this time, Brenes was mostly focused on the family businesses and his farm in Costa Rica.

Eric Brenes: Live Tournament Participation

Eric Brenes recorded his first live cash in July 1997, finishing 7th in the $120 No Limit Hold’em event at the Orleans Open in Las Vegas, earning $2,159.

In November 2000, Brenes won 1st place in the $330 Omaha Hi-Lo Split event at the Costa Rica Classic in San Jose, taking home $7,100.

In August 2001, he won the $500 NLH Championship Event at the Linda Johnson Celebrity Challenge in San Jose. He claimed $25,063.

In his best live cash in September 2004, Brenes finished 1st in the $6,200 NLh Final Day event. At the 2004 Ultimatebet.com Poker Classic in Palm Beach, he won $1,000,000.

In November 2014, he placed 13th in the $1,650 NLH Main Event at the Punta Cana Poker Classic, earning $9,590.

In February 2016, Brenes took 3rd place in the $2,000 No Limit Hold’em High Roller event at Peter’s Poker Tour I in Santo Domingo. He earned $10,000.

In his most recent participation in May 2024. Brenes finished 47th in the $600 NLH UltimateStack event at the Venetian DeepStack Extravaganza II in Las Vegas, earning $1,221.