Dave Scharf Bio - Poker Player

Although his father taught him poker at a young age, and there were frequent poker games for nickels in the neighbor’s basement, it was not until Dave read Edward Thorpe's seminal, Beat the Dealer in 1980 that he became fascinated with the idea that you could win at gambling. Throughout his six year university education Dave supplemented his navy income with semi-professional blackjack play in British Columbia and Oregon. In the early 1990's, however, poker was introduced to Canadian casinos and his passion switched because although blackjack is profitable, it does not offer the enduring intellectual challenge of poker. Nor does blackjack offer the adrenaline pumping thrill of poker.

Dave was the sole publisher of Canada's first poker magazine – Canadian Poker Monthly – in 1997 and 1998. He is a founding partner and shareholder in Fifth Street Publishers Ltd. In that role, he was the original editor of Canadian Poker Player Magazine and he was the designer of the first season of the Canadian Poker Tour

His poker columns have appeared since 1997 in a variety of periodicals and websites: Canadian Poker Monthly, Poker Digest, Buzz Daly's Players' Choice, Western Player, PokerFan.com, Card Player Magazine, PokerForum.ca, Gutshot.com, and UnitedPokerForum.com to name a few.

He has acted as a poker consultant to several Canadian casinos, usually assisting with the design of poker tournaments. And, although Dave plays ring games daily at www.ParadisePoker.com and www.PlanetPoker.com, his passion is tournament poker:

1998 Winner, Station Poker Classic
1998 5th place, WSOP $1500 7-Stud/8 (270 entrants)
2000 Winner, Emerald Casino No-Limit Championship
2001 27th place, WSOP $2000 No-limit hold’em
(350 entrants)
2002 Winner, Station Poker Classic
2002 Winner, Canadian Poker Championship
2004 94th place, WSOP $10,000 No-limit Championship (2600 entrants)
2005 Winner, Emerald Casino Limit Hold’em Championship

There are many smaller tournament victories – online and in traditional casinos. In fact, Dave is one of the longest standing online poker players in the world. He was among the original customers at the first online room: www.PlanetPoker.com. And, he has played online virtually every day since May 1, 1998.

Lastly, Dave is the author of the well regarded book, Winning at Poker: Essential Hints and Tips (Arcturus, 2003) which is an excellent introduction to hold’em and 7-stud.

Dave defines himself as a semi-professional player because he still makes his primary living from his other passion, radio. In “real life” he is the host of Saskatoon’s favorite morning radio program (Rob, Shauna, and Rambling Dave on C95).

He is married to Heather (a family physician), and is the father to two fine young men (Arthur 9 and Oliver 5). He has two university degrees: Bachelor of Philosophy (Univ. of Sask., 1985) and Bachelor of Laws (Univ. of Sask., 1988). He has, at various times, made all or part of his living as a lawyer, naval officer, radio broadcaster, waiter, restaurant manager, stand-up comic, writer, paper carrier, gardener, vacuum cleaner salesman (no, really), photographer, and professional gambler.

He is the host of www.UnitedPokerForum.com which is an excellent online source for poker discussion that will improve your game.

He will be the Captain of Team Planet at the 2006 World Series of Poker.

And, he is a proud member of Team Canuck Poker (monthly tournaments at www.ParadisePoker.com). Fear the beaver, baby. Fear the beaver.

For an interview, contact Dave at 306-222-9303 or davescharf@CanadianPoker.com.

"WINNING AT POKER: Essential Hints and Tips"
by Dave Scharf
(Arcturus 2003)
(illustrations by Murray Lindsay)

This book is readily available
and affordable in the
Team Canuck Merchandise Boutique

source