Poker From The Rail

Over $1.2 million

More than $3.8 million

I could be wrong here (it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise), but I believe this is the first time a lower seed has had more career earnings than the higher seed. Then again, Benyamine makes most of his money from the cash games, so who knows how much money he’s actually won (or lost) in his career. At any rate, Singer gets off to the early lead.

One WPT title

Benyamine announced himself to the poker world as a force to be reckoned with after winning the 2003 WPT Grand Prix de Paris. Singer has had some strong showings in major events, including back-to-back final tables at the WSOP $50K HORSE event, but has never gone all the way. Benyamine ties the score at one apiece.

Only if it doesn’t take away from his time on Full Tilt Poker eight-tabling $50/$100 PLO.

Yes please!

As proven by his WPT victory, Benyamine is no slouch when it comes to tourney play. But it’s still not his main bag, baby. Singer, on the other hand, has become one of the most successful players on the tourney circuit today. This round has to go to Singer; he leads by a score of 2-1.

Anytime, any place.

As long as it doesn’t interfere with any tournaments.

Benyamine is the very definition of a degenerate cash game player. He’s utterly insatiable and just can’t get enough no matter if he’s winning or losing. Singer is certainly a formidable cash game player (especially when it comes to 7-card stud), but not on the same level as Degenyamine. The score is now even at two all.

A close call between NLH and PLO, but his game of choice seems to be PLO most of the time.

Another close call, this time between NLH and 7-card stud. But since 7-card stud was Singer’s first love, we’ll go with that one.

Hmm, this is a tough choice between two games that aren’t NLH. Then again, it’s really not. PLO is the action junky’s game, whereas stud is simply boring. Which way do you think I’m going to go here? PLO for the win, no doubt. Benyamine takes the lead for the first time in the match.

Loose and wild.

Tight but aggressive.

When it comes to playing styles in poker, there really is no right or wrong (unless you’re weak-tight, then you’re simply up a creek without a paddle). So in the name of keeping this a close match, I’m going to give this one to the tight but aggressive Singer. The score now stands at 3-3.

The Luckiest Man on Earth

Nickname N/A

I can’t believe it has taken me this long to mention this, but in case you didn’t know, Benyamine is engaged to “Poker Babe” Erica Schoenberg. And that’s why he just may be the luckiest SOB walking the face of the earth today. I both hate him and admire him at the same time, and it’s seriously screwing with my head. Needless to say, this round has to go to the Degenerator. He grabs the lead back heading down the stretch.

Just like those good old Coneheads, Mr. Benyamine comes from France.

Land of the free and home of the brave, America the beautiful.

USA! USA! USA! I will try my best not to say anything disparaging about the French here since they are the land of wine and stinky cheese, both of which are very close to my heart. But let’s get real people, it’s USA all the way on this one. Singer ties the score at 4 apiece going into the final frame of action.

Former tennis pro.

Former lawyer.

Another tough one here. On one hand, tennis is a sport that we can appreciate when played at its highest levels. On the other hand, we never ever want to imagine Degenyamine running around a tennis court whacking a ball around. Plus, Singer was actually the good kind of lawyer who tried to help out the environment and crap like that. So it’s a really close call here. I guess the deciding factor here has to be that Benyamine is engaged to the “Poker Babe.” Ah, Erica Schoenberg, is there anything you can’t do?