Prahlad Friedman

Prahlad Friedman, born on May 20, 1978, in Richmond, California, is an American professional poker player and rapper. He started his poker career early, winning his first World Series of Poker bracelet at the 34th WSOP in April 2003. As he gained more experience, Prahlad became known for his success in live tournaments, earning over $2.5 million. His biggest cash came in August 2009 when he finished in first place at the Legends of Poker, taking home $1,034,000.

In addition to poker, Prahlad also pursued a career in music. He became known for his fun, quirky raps, which made several appearances online. He even created a SoundClick page under the name Pragress, which later revealed him as the artist behind the tracks. Friedman also made a name for himself in the online poker world, playing under various screen names, including “Spirit Rock” on Full Tilt Poker, “Mahatma” on Ultimate Bet, “Zweig” on Prima Network, and “Poopers” on PokerStars.

Prahlad Friedman: Early Life & Poker Career

Friedman was born on May 20, 1979, in Los Angeles, California. He picked up tips from his father and started sneaking into local cardrooms before he was 21. He first became interested in poker while attending the University of California, Berkeley, where he began honing his skills playing $15-$30 Limit Hold’em at The Oaks Club. As he grew more confident in his abilities, he moved up to higher stakes, playing No Limit Hold’em at the Lucky Chances casino. Over time, Friedman gained recognition as a dominant player in the high-stakes poker scene, often multi-tabling $25/$50 and $50/$100 games.

In 2006, Friedman took a brief hiatus from poker, but he returned in 2008 with a bang, becoming one of PokerStars’ biggest winners of the year. However, his career took a hit when he became one of the major victims of the infamous super-user scandal at UltimateBet, which shook his confidence. Despite this setback, Friedman remained active in the poker world, gaining further recognition for his rapping skills, which he showcased on internet message boards and even during an ESPN segment of ‘The Nuts’ at the 2006 World Series of Poker.

Known for his diverse interests, Friedman is a devout follower of Vishnu, a vegan, and an Ethnic Studies major. His first name, Prahlad, is derived from Hindu mythology. He was also married to fellow professional poker player Dee Luong. They divorced in 2013 over a decade later after a high-profile divorce trial.

Prahlad Friedman’s Controversial Incidents

One of his most notable controversies occurred during the 2006 WSOP Main Event. While seated at the same table as 6-time WSOP champion Jeffrey Lisandro, Friedman insisted that Lisandro had not contributed his ante, sparking a heated dispute.

Four years later, in 2010, Friedman found himself in another contentious situation at the WSOP Main Event. This time, he was facing an all-in shove from Ted Bort. As Friedman took his time to decide whether to call or fold, Bort called the clock on him. The countdown eventually hit zero, and Friedman made his decision to call. However, the floor had already declared his hand dead, citing that he had exceeded the allotted time. Bort showed two pair, and Friedman quickly mucked his hand without contest. This led to some disagreement among other players, who argued that Friedman had called before the timer expired and should have been allowed to go all-in. A floor supervisor confirmed that Friedman had taken too long and ruled that his hand was dead.

Prahlad Friedman: Live Tournament Participation

Prahlad Friedman recorded his first live cash at the Bellagio Five Diamond Poker Classic in Las Vegas, Friedman finished in 2nd place in the $3,000 + 100 No Limit Hold’em event in December 2002, earning $101,446.

Shortly after, at the 34th World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, he won the $1,500 Pot Limit Hold’em event in April 2003, taking home $109,400 for 1st place.

Moreover, in February 2005, Friedman placed 2nd in the $10,000 + 200 WSOP Circuit Championship Event – No Limit Hold’em at the WSOP Circuit in San Diego, earning $363,165.

Following that, during the 37th WSOP in July 2006, he finished 20th in the $10,000 No Limit Texas Hold’em World Championship event, cashing $494,797.

In addition, in July 2009, he finished 64th in the $10,000 World Championship No Limit Hold’em event at the 40th WSOP, earning $90,344.

A month later, in August 2009, he achieved a significant victory by winning the $9,800 + 200 No Limit Hold’em Championship Event at the Legends of Poker in Los Angeles, earning $1,034,000 for 1st place.

In June 2024, he participated in the $400 No Limit Hold’em event at the 55th WSOP in Las Vegas, where he finished 1,229th and earned $980.

Conclusion

Prahlad Friedman’s journey through poker and music showcases his diverse talents and resilience, navigating both triumphs and controversies with notable skill. His successes at the poker table, including a prestigious WSOP bracelet and a significant win at the Legends of Poker, solidified his place among the game’s elite. Despite facing setbacks, including a scandal and a publicized divorce, Friedman has remained a respected figure in the poker community, while continuing to express his creativity through his music and unique personality.