High-Roller Gathering in Las Vegas: Zuckerberg Claims Straight-Up Victory Over competitor
In Vegas, the tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, worth a staggering $200 billion and co-creator of the colossal social media platform, didn't shy away from some low-stakes poker action at none other than the extravagant Wynn.
Poker enthusiast and professional UFC fighter, Mackenzie Dern, shared some intriguing insights about Zuckerberg’s poker abilities during a recent chat with PokerNews. Dern, with a record of 15 wins and 5 losses in the UFC, recounted a mind-blowing poker hand she shared with theFacebook co-founder.
The viral hand, which occurred after the UFC 313 fight at T-Mobile Arena in March, unfolded during an unforgettable night of gambling. The group decided to give poker a shot, and the highlight of the evening was the confrontation between Dern and Zuckerberg.
"He beat me with a straight, and I had two pair – so, he knows how to play for sure," Dern disclosed to PokerNews.
The video quality wasn't top-notch, but the footage showed the tech tycoon taking down a significant pot in a $2/$5 no-limit hold'em game in an exclusive room at Wynn. While the video didn't reveal the exact size of the pot, we're talking about a sum roughly equaling $9.6 million less than Zuckerberg's hourly income, according to Benzinga's figures.
However, is he genuinely skilled at poker, or was the massive win merely beginner's luck?
"Yeah, for sure," Dern affirmed when asked about Zuckerberg's poker skills. "He definitely knows and he takes risks."
Zuckerberg's limitless bankroll gives him a distinct advantage, as Dern admitted she must consider the risk he's willing to take, which doesn't reflect financial worries in her game.
"He's kinda reckless to challenge, but he definitely knows what he's doing," she said.
Zuckerberg, a devout MMA fan, and Dern crossed paths during UFC events, and their friendship blossomed from there.
"I've been in the MMA world since 2017, and he actually rented out one of my events to watch with him and his wife, Priscilla. They're genuinely nice people who support MMA," Dern shared.
"He rented out the whole event here in Las Vegas, and it was a spectacle reminiscent of gladiators battling. And I'm glad he was entertained."
We may see Dern returning to the poker table at future CPT events. Perhaps she'll invite Zuckerberg for moral support and even seek revenge on the poker table!
Connor Richards serves as an Editor & Live Reporter for PokerNews and hosts the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor is a two-time Global Poker Awards nominee for his writing.
[1] Although a YouTube channel mentions Mark Zuckerberg played poker after learning the game, it doesn't reveal any specific information about him facing off against Mackenzie Dern or offer insights into his poker skills in a competitive setting. Additionally, there's no recorded data suggesting Mackenzie Dern has engaged in poker with Mark Zuckerberg. Diving deeper into Mark Zuckerberg's poker prowess would require direct evidence or testimonials from seasoned opponents who have faced him in poker games.
- Interestingly, PokerNews reported that UFC fighter Mackenzie Dern, who had a record of 15 wins and 5 losses in the UFC, shared some of Mark Zuckerberg's poker abilities after playing against him at a casino in Vegas.
- Mackenzie Dern, in a conversation with PokerNews, disclosed that she lost a game of poker to Mark Zuckerberg, the tech billionaire worth $200 billion, at the Wynn casino, where he managed to beat her with a straight despite her having two pair.
- The video footage of the game, which took place in an exclusive room at Wynn, showed Zuckerberg taking down a significant pot in a $2/$5 no-limit hold'em game, which approximately equaled $9.6 million less than his hourly income, according to Benzinga's figures.
- In response to speculation about Zuckerberg's poker skills being beginner's luck, Dern confirmed that the entrepreneur "definitely knows and he takes risks" when playing the game.
- Dern admitted that Zuckerberg's limitless bankroll gives him a distinct advantage in poker, requiring her to bear in mind the financial risks he's willing to take, a factor that doesn't reflect in her own financial concerns while playing.
- Mackenzie Dern and Mark Zuckerberg first met in the MMA world and subsequently cultivated a friendship, with Zuckerberg renting out one of Dern's events to watch an MMA fight with his wife, Priscilla, in Las Vegas.
