Ryun Riess expresses his ambition to reclaim the WSOP Main Event title, as he communicates this to 888Ride.
Ryan Riess: From Unknown to Poker Champion
Ryan Riess, a relative unknown before his triumphant win at the 2013 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, has since established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of poker. With a career earnings of over $8 million, including a World Poker Tour (WPT) title, Riess has proved that his 2013 victory was no fluke.
In 2013, Riess claimed the coveted WSOP Main Event title in Las Vegas, pocketing a prize of $8,361,570. Entering the tournament fifth in chips, Riess played with confidence, focusing on playing each hand as optimally as possible, taking it one hand at a time without much regard for payout ladders or ICM considerations, which were less developed at the time.
Emotionally, Riess admitted that he was nervous before the event, but he managed to calm himself after knocking out a friend early at the final table. During his post-victory interviews, Riess declared that he thought he was the best player in the world.
Since his 2013 win, Riess has maintained a strong competitive mindset, believing in playing to win rather than just cashing or laddering up payouts. He has expressed a desire to win the WSOP Main Event again and has acknowledged the importance of having confidence at the table. Riess' comments imply that while modern tools like solvers and ICM theory are more prevalent now, his core philosophy remains about playing his best hand each time and staying confident rather than adjusting purely for payout structure.
Riess is also involved in various poker promotions, such as the $300,000 Poker Waves Promotion at 888poker, and has participated in 888poker's enlightening 888Ride segment in 2025.
In high-stakes tournaments, Riess adopts a Game Theory Optimal (GTO) approach, while in lower-stakes tournaments, he plays more exploitatively. Riess, now an accomplished poker player and a father in his 30s, is a massive Detroit Lions fan and remains active in WSOP events, with notable finishes in subsequent years, indicating his continued evolution and engagement at high levels.
Background Information
Matthew Pitt, a senior editor for PokerNews, has worked in the poker industry since 2008 and has been with PokerNews since 2010. In an interview with David Tuchman in 2025, Ryan Riess admitted that he was naive at the start of his career and thought he would quickly win four more WSOP bracelets.
- Ryan Riess, despite his 2013 victory being his only World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event title so far, continues to participate in WSOP events.
- In 2025, Ryan Riess was involved in 888poker's educational segment, 888Ride, demonstrating his commitment to sharing his knowledge about the game.
- While high-stakes tournaments see Ryan Riess employ a Game Theory Optimal (GTO) approach, he prefers a more exploitative strategy in lower-stakes tournaments.
