Ralph Perry

Ralph Perry is a Russian-born professional poker player currently residing in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has nearly $4 million in live tournament earnings, with his highest cash prize of $550,000 earned for finishing third in the 33rd WSOP in May 2002. Perry has also won one WSOP gold bracelet and three WSOP Circuit rings. His wife, Merri Perry, and his son, Sean Perry, are both professional poker players.

Ralph Perry: Early Life

Ralph Perry was born in 1970 in Russia. When he was a child, his family moved to Israel, and then, at 17, Ralph and his family immigrated to the United States. At the age of 25, Ralph first tried his hand at seven-card stud poker in a pool hall in Brooklyn, New York. After having a great run at the tables, he realized he had found his calling. Before long, he was commuting to casinos in Atlantic City, and eventually, made his way to Las Vegas. 

Ralph originally planned to find a part-time job there, but the excitement of poker kept him from looking for anything else. He started out playing low-limit stud and worked hard to improve his game. When he discovered limit Texas hold ’em, he quickly moved up to the high-limit tables. With his newfound success, Ralph settled down in Nevada. He married Merri, started a family, and built a comfortable life in Las Vegas, raising his sons, Sean and Joseph Perry, while doing what he loved.

Tony G Destroys Perry

Antanas Guoga, better known as Tony G, went on a tirade against Ralph Perry during the 2006 Intercontinental Poker Championships. Tony was particularly aggressive, instructing the dealer to pair the board to “teach Ralph a lesson.” When a 6 landed on the river, he jumped up and shouted, “Come on, Russian, get out! It’s time to go.” 

He got in Perry’s face, saying, “You are a professional player and I can do this to you. You are a terrible player; this is disgraceful. You played that as bad as you can. Your career is finished!” As Perry stood to leave, showing great sportsmanship, he did so without saying anything. The audience, moved by his composure, applauded him as he exited. Meanwhile, Tony continued to demand silence, insisting Ralph didn’t deserve applause for his (KJ) hand. “Feel the power! Feel my power!” he yelled. Watch the video below:

Ralph Perry: Live Tournament Participation

Ralph Perry’s poker career began in April 1994. He participated in a $5,000 Limit Hold’em event at the 25th WSOP in Las Vegas. Perry finished in 8th place, collecting $13,125.

He achieved his best live payout in May 2002 by competing in a $10,000 Championship Event at the 33rd WSOP. He secured 3rd place, bringing home $550,000 in prize money.

Four years later, in May 2006, Perry entered another $10,000 Championship Event at the WSOP Circuit in Caesars Palace. He again took 3rd place, netting $196,460.

In July 2006, he triumphed in a $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha event at the 37th WSOP, winning $207,817 along with a coveted gold WSOP bracelet.

Later that year, in December 2006, he won a $3,120 No Limit Hold’em event at the Fifth Annual Five Diamond World Poker Classic in Las Vegas, winning $234,635.

a few Years later, in July 2008, he claimed 4th place in a $15,400 No Limit Hold’em event at Bellagio Cup IV, receiving $290,900 in prize money.

Soon after, in February 2010, he finished 4th in a $1,065 No Limit Hold’em event at the 2010 L.A. Poker Classic, taking away $71,000.

Moving forward to June 2022, Perry played in a $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw at the 53rd WSOP in Las Vegas. He ended up in 14th place and earned $7,565

In a recent appearance in July 2024, Perry participated in a $10,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event at the 55th WSOP in Las Vegas. He ended up in 711th place, earning $27,500.

Perry’s WSOP Circuit Rings Won Online

Ralph Perry secured his first WSOP Circuit Ring in an ONLINE Ring Event in March 2019, competing in a $320 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack tournament. He finished in 1st place, winning $30,186.

In September 2019, Liu captured his second WSOP Circuit Ring by participating in a $320 Pot-Limit Omaha 6-Max ONLINE event on WSOP.com. He also took 1st place, earning $21,756.

Perry’s third WSOP Circuit Ring came in February 2021, when he entered a $320 No-Limit Hold’em ONLINE event during the WSOPC Planet Hollywood Circuit. He clinched 1st place again, pocketing $24,727.

Conclusion

Ralph Perry’s journey from a young player in a Brooklyn pool hall to a successful professional poker player shows his resilience and passion for the game, despite the many challenges he faced along the way. With nearly $4 million in earnings and a family deeply involved in poker, he embodies both skill and sportsmanship, notably during his tense encounter with Tony G at the 2006 Intercontinental Poker Championships. Perry remains an inspiring figure in the poker community.