Darren Elias: WPT® King Eyes More History

Current Leaders

Breaking Down the Four Titles

Here's a breakdown of the four titles under Darren Elias' belt, having cemented him as arguably the best player to grace the WPT® felt.

2014 – Borgata Poker Open ($843,744)

The breakthrough. Elias conquered a 1,226-player field in Atlantic City, outlasting Kane Kalas in a grueling five-hour heads-up battle. It was an unforgettable entrance, one that proved to be lasting.

2014 – WPT® Caribbean ($127,680)

Just weeks later, he followed up his Borgata success, becoming the first player in WPT® history to do so, proving that his previous win was no fluke but the mark of a top-class player. 

2017 – Fallsview Poker Classic ($335,000)

Three years later, he returned to the spotlight in Niagara Falls with a cold, calculated run that showcased veteran poise and placed him in the exclusive three-title club.

2018 – Bobby Baldwin Classic ($387,580)

The crowning moment. Against a field stacked with heavyweights, Elias defeated Kitty Kuo and WSOP champion Joe McKeehen at ARIA to claim his record-setting fourth title.

Inside Elias’ Process

For Elias, poker is much more than just a game of cards. For instance, control is just as important.

“You can’t control the cards,” Elias once told CardPlayer. “But you can control your preparation, how well rested you are, and how you handle the pressure once you’re there.”

Study & Preparation

Elias’ routine is rooted in structure. He studies solver outputs, manages his volume, and adjusts his play to match shifting metagames. The aim: precision, not variance.

He’s also been a vocal proponent of structured volume management, often discussing how cutting down on marathon sessions has sharpened his edge in high-pressure moments.

Table Image

Those who face him describe the same qualities, calm, unreadable, patient. 

For example, during the 2017 Fallsview Poker Classic, he spent much of the final day short-stacked, nursing between 15–25 big blinds for nearly three hours. 

Rather than forcing marginal spots, he preserved his stack through disciplined folds until a timely double-up shifted momentum.

Darren Elias at the 2014 WPT® Borgota Championship, from which he emerged victorious.

Adaptation

From marathon live grinds to fast-paced televised final tables, Elias has mastered every tempo the WPT® has introduced. 

When the Action Clock was introduced to televised final tables in 2018, many live specialists struggled to adapt. Elias, however, thrived, leveraging pre-mapped decision trees and shorter think times to his advantage.

Likewise, when the 2020 online migration changed player pools and pace, he posted multiple online WPT® final tables, proving that his technical adaptability extends beyond the live felt.

Mental Game

Variance acceptance and emotional discipline define his longevity. He treats poker as a craft, not a gamble.

In interviews, he often cites the importance of “detaching from outcomes”, a mindset evident in hands like the 2014 Borgata final table, where he lost a 70/30 flip heads-up against Kane Kalas that could have ended the match. 

Instead of tilting, he reset, rebuilt, and ultimately took down the title after a five-hour duel.

“He’s the definition of the modern pro, technically elite but emotionally stable.”
– Tony Dunst, WPT® Commentator

The Evolution of the WPT® Era

Poker has changed dramatically since Elias’ first win.

When he was first winning titles in 2014, 500-player fields were considered massive. Today, the WPT® World Championship draws over 2,000 entries and guarantees $40 million.  

Additionally, with the rise of WPT® Global, the digital home of the World Poker Tour, players can now qualify online for major live events and follow exclusive content featuring legends. 

Yet through this transformation, from the live boom to the online pivot, Elias has remained a constant at final tables. This connection between platforms showcases how not only Elias, but WPT® brand continues to evolve. 

Key Eras of Adaptation

Despite his now long standing presence at WPT® stops, Elias’ deep run at WPT® Choctaw 2024 and multiple Top 10 finishes in recent seasons prove he’s still very much part of the conversation.

The Race for #5

Despite holding nearly every WPT® record, Elias is still looking for more.

The hunger hasn’t faded; if anything, the competition has sharpened his resolve. This is evidenced by his runner-up finish at WPT® Venetian and making yet another deep run at WPT® Choctaw. 

According to official WPT® records, Elias has cashed in over 50 events since his debut in 2010, including 13 final tables,  the most in tour history.

Elias now stands not just as a legend of the game, but as one of its most determined, a player redefining what it means to stay great in an era that never stops moving. 

Will he win his fifth WPT® title and cement his place as the undisputed GOAT? 

Only time will tell.