Dewey Tomko

Dewey Tomko, born in 1946 in Glassport, Pennsylvania, is a former kindergarten teacher turned professional tournament poker player who is in Florida. As of 2009, his total live tournament winnings exceed $4,900,000 and he has had 42 WSOP cashes. Tomko has played every WSOP Main Event since 1974 (which is currently the longest active streak) and is a 2008 inductee into the Poker Hall of Fame.

Most people know Tomko from his TV appearances at the two final tables at the World Poker Tour (WPT). Although most people don't consider Tomko a poker star, he has an impressive poker resume. He has finished as the runner-up in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event twice - in 1982 to Jack Straus ($208,000) and 2001 to Carlos Mortensen ($1,098,925). He has won 3 WSOP bracelets - the 1979 $1,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em, the 1984 $10,000 No-Limit Deuce to Seven Lowball and the $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha w/ rebuys. He also has the aforementioned two World Poker Tour (WPT) final tables - a 4th place finish during season one and a 2nd place finish during season two for $552,853.

Tomko began making money at poker in Pittsburgh pool halls since he was 16 years old. He used the money to pay for a college degree in education from Salem College in West Virginia and later became a kindergarten teacher. He quit teaching to play poker full-time after he was making more money from playing poker at night while investing part of his money to mitigate the inherent swings of his poker-related income.

COMMENTS:

You know you're a great pro when your poker page reads "Dewey Tomko, a former kindergarten teacher, is a tournament poker player with over 35 years of experience." LOL!
He's a DONK!

bad_dog76 on November 30, 2007

best gambler on this blog page,bar none

headlessman1964 on December 31, 2006

Hi, Dewey. I'm your wife's cousin Pamela. (Harold and Mary Jean are my parents.) Your father-in-law was John Zardus. My parents met you while we lived in Florida, and even visited your home. Mother talks about you every now and then, and wonders how your boys are doing. Mother is now 80 years old, and spry as ever! Your father in law was my grandmothers brother. (her name was Anna Catto, but Zardus was her maiden name.) They all were from the Negaunee/Gwinn area here in Michigan. Gotta run, so see ya later!
Pamela in Michigan

mzfitkid on June 20, 2006

Rumor has it Dewey wears shoes at the poker table.....can any1 verify?

englishcat2 on April 5, 2006

from what i see on tv this guy plays extremely tight...

the kid on July 26, 2005

all in, all in, all in, all in... You made phillips sweat his ass off.

Unregistered on July 11, 2005

I am from the same area Dewey was originally from and I think it's great that he was able to leave this boring small town life and really make his dreams come true. I hope my boyfriend can do the same! You have been a real inspiration to all of us here in McKeesport area, PA Dewey. Keep doin' what you do and maybe one day we'll see you at the final table! You are awesome!!

Jenna Fite on July 6, 2005

Everyone from winter haven. I was friends with his son Drew and didn't even know he was this badass of a poker player until i moved to texas and my friend who finished 7th at the big one was talking about him

Jordan T on July 5, 2005

who is this guy???

tinky on March 23, 2005

yeah, David is one of Dewey's kids. He is from Winter Haven, I went to school with David's older brother Derek.

winterhaven on March 15, 2005

I am originally from Winter Haven, Fl and I went to school with a David Tomko, is this Dewey's son?

polonicca99 on March 14, 2005

I had an algebra teacher in 1956-57 Phoebe Tomko originally from Pennsylvania. I see Dewey was a teacher any relationship? By the way she was a great teacher. Dewey if you read this please respond.

mo1242 on March 13, 2005

Check his record for early 1980's at the World Series of Poker. It speaks how he can play any poker game.

jbare on March 2, 2005

change ur name " dewey"

vampyre on February 9, 2005

Watched Dewy again last night in the Bellagio T, everytime I watch I learn more...He is without a doubt my favorite player...I started out looking for a birthdate, my wife and I wre "discussing" his prbable age...Anyone Know?? TYTY

zrBak on February 5, 2005

dewey is underrated player

Unregistered on December 10, 2004

This guy is one of the Holdem greats. 2 2nd place finishes at the WSOP big one.Both times with the better hand preflop. After watching this guy come 2nd in a WPT final table I used what I saw him do to come 1st & win $2000 out of 144 players. I had just 30% of the chips going heads up. Thanks Dewey.

TourneyChamp on December 8, 2004

great poker player, pretty good golfer as well..would hate to have to call a big raise from him or face him in a 100$ nassau

djnpa_30 on November 30, 2004

...and he continues to win today because he is smarter and has more experience than the Gus Hansens and Phil Ivey's of the world.

Pocket 7s is illiterate on November 28, 2004

he looks like Giles from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Kinda fits--Giles was the really nice guy you didn't want gunning after you.

Unregistered on August 28, 2004

This guy has his shit together!

Dewey! on July 14, 2004

Yes SIR, you are correct

Dewey kicks ASS! on June 29, 2004

Memo to all you losers: this is a gambler you do not want to mess with. Forget those young cocky azz and Annie Dukes of the world; Dewey will bury all of you...and he did it before David Sklansky ruined poker with all of his great books...and he continues to win today because he is smarter and has more experience than the Gus Hansens and Phil Ivey's of the world.

sportsbettor on June 28, 2004

I love Dewey's play!

Unregistered on June 20, 2004

Worm

Dewey Tomko

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