Hometown: Las Vegas
Country of Origin: United States
Michael Binger burst onto the poker scene at the 2006 World Series of Poker. He made the final table in the $1,500 no-limit event, and then finished third in the $10,000 main event, which was good for more than $4.1 million. Binger proved he was not a fluke the next year by cashing eight times at the 2007 WSOP.
Having come close many times, Binger hadn't snagged a major tournament win until a preliminary event at the 2008 L.A. Poker Classic. He won more than $125,000 in a $1,500 buy-in no-limit hold'em event. Then, at the 2008 Five-Star World Poker Classic, Binger made his biggest cash since his 2006 main event finish when he won a $5,000 buy-in no-limit hold'em event and took home more than $317,000.
Binger was born in Delray Beach, Florida, and currently resides in Atherton, California. He has a Ph.D. in physics from Stanford University.