David Benyamine

Frenchman David Benyamine was born July 5, 1972 in Paris, France and is best remembered as the winner of the 2003 Grand Prix de Paris where he won €357,200. It was the second season of that World Poker Tour (WPT) event.

One of his other more notable WPT achievements is taking 6th place at the 2nd season of the 2004 L.A. Poker Classic where he walked away with $132,355. Benyamine was also the winner of the WPT Battle of Champions II invitational event, where he beat a final table that included poker greats such as Mel "Silver Fox" Judah, "Cowboy" Hoyt Corkins, Phil "Unabomber" Laak and Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari.

David's drive for self-improvement is what he considers as one of his most important traits. "It's a lot about knowing yourself," he has been quoted as saying. "I think I don't know myself enough right now."

Dave Colclough, who is a British top-ranking Omaha expert, said in a interview with Cardchat.com that he considers David Benyamine and Rob Hollink of the Netherlands to be Europe's top players. Isabelle Mercier, the charismatic Canadian player, also credits Benyamine, as well as Dave Ulliott, for helping her improve her play.

Fun Facts:

• Started out as a professional tennis player in his native south of France, but suffered a back injury.
• Was also a successful billiards player.
• Learned poker at the age of 12.
• Benyamine currently plays high stakes online poker under his own name at Full Tilt Poker.