| Adam Bilzerian | |
| Birth Name: | Adam J. Bilzerian |
| Birth Place: | Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
use both this parameter and |birth_date to display the person's date of birth, date of death, and age at death) -->| death_place = | death_cause = | resting_place = | nationality = | other_names = | citizenship = | education = | alma_mater = Vanderbilt University| occupation = Professional poker player| years_active = 2007–present| parents = | relatives = Dan Bilzerian (brother)}}
Adam J. Bilzerian (Armenian: Ադամ Պիլզերեան, born 1983) is an American-born poker player and writer.
Bilzerian, the son of Armenian-American corporate takeover specialist Paul Bilzerian and his wife, Terri L. Steffen, grew up in Florida.[1] [2] He has one brother, Dan Bilzerian.[3] He attended Gaither High School, where he represented his school in tennis.[4]
On June 11, 2001, FBI agents raided the Bilzerian residence in Tampa, Florida, in relation to charges of market manipulation against Paul Bilzerian. A neighbour described the raid as "pure intimidation". Paul Bilzerian would be held in prison and was not permitted to attend his son's high school graduation.
He went on to study at Vanderbilt University, earning a B.A. in history. Here, he witnessed the 2004 United States presidential election which he reportedly saw as a bad sign and began to look into emigrating from the U.S. and establishing himself abroad. In 2007, he purchased a residence in Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the following year went on to become a citizen of the country, relinquishing U.S. citizenship in the process. In 2018, he obtained Armenian citizenship.[5]
Bilzerian came in 47th in the 2009 World Series of Poker, winning $138,568.[6] [7] His brother Dan also participated in the tournament; their performance led Norman Chad to nickname them the "Flying Bilzerian Brothers". He participated in the 2010 World Series of Poker as well.[8]
He played poker privately with baseball player Alex Rodriguez at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, and was reportedly surprised by Rodriguez' skill; he was quoted as stating, "Alex busted everyone except me. I was like whoa, this guy can play. He had an amazing run. He won about $20,000 and left with everyone's money."[9]