Hal Kant

Hal Kant (1931-2008) was an American lawyer and poker player from Reno, Nevada with over $1.16 million in live tournament earnings. His best live cash of $174,000 came at the 1987 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, where he secured his first WSOP bracelet.

Outside of poker, Kant served over 35 years as the principal lawyer and corporate general counsel for the iconic ’60s rock band, the Grateful Dead. Tragically, he passed away on October 19th, 2008, at age 77, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Hal Kant: Early Life

Hal Kant was born on July 29, 1931, in the Bronx, New York. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School, where he played penny poker with friends in a clubhouse in the cellar of a tenement house. He pursued higher education at the City College of New York and the University of Washington, later earning a Master’s in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University.

In 1958, he graduated with honors from Harvard Law School. After graduating, he clerked for Judge William Orr of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Hal Kant: Live Tournament Participation

Hal Kant began his poker career in February 1985. He participated in $500 Limit Hold’em at the Amarillo Slim’s Superbowl Of Poker in Las Vegas. Kant claimed 3rd place and took home $8,800.

He captured his first WSOP bracelet in May 1987. Kant competed in the $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha at the 18th WSOP in Las Vegas. He secured 1st place, winning $174,000—his best live cash.

In May 1990, he finished 2nd in $2,500 Limit Hold’em at the 21st WSOP in Las Vegas. There, he took home $127,000 in prize money.

Later that year, in December 1990, he finished 3rd in $5,075 No Limit Hold’em at the Hall Of Fame Poker Classic in Las Vegas, earning $54,000.

In August 1991, Kant played at the 7th Annual Diamond Jim Brady in Los Angeles. Entering the $10,000 No Limit Hold’em, he battled to 3rd place and walked away with $55,200.

Three years later, in April 1994, he entered another $2,500 No Limit Hold’em at the 25th WSOP in Las Vegas. He again took 2nd place, netting $110,000.

Kant’s last recorded tournament appearance came in November 2005. Participating in $225 Limit Hold’em at the Fall Poker Tournament in Reno, he secured a 3rd place finish, earning $2,520.