Mike Harthcock, an American poker player from Escondido, California is a four times bracelet winner at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) championship. Apart from being a veteran at the WSOP tournaments, he has also made a mark in the poker world by cashing in several other tournaments played across the world.
Mike Harthcock entered the international poker arena in 1984, when he took part in the 15th Annual World Series of Poker. On May 6, 1984, Mike Harthcock won his first bracelet in Event #6 - WSOP Limit Razz of the WSOP tournament and cashed $40,000. In 1986, he participated in the No-Limit Hold’em event of the 17th Annual World Series of Poker tournament. He outlasted all participants to finish second and walked away with the runner-up place and whopping $228,000 in prize money. In the following year, Mike Harthcock finished eighth at Event #8 - WSOP Limit Hold'em in the 18th Annual World Series of Poker and the event earned him $14,175. In the same tournament, he also participated in Event #1 - WSOP Limit Ace to Five Draw to bag $2,160 and Event #13 - WSOP World Championship – No-Limit Hold'em to pocket $10,000.
Apart from the WSOP tournaments, Mike Harthcock pocketed $44,100 in prize money by finishing first at Event #12 - Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo of the 5th Annual Diamond Jim Brady tournament. In the year1990, he struck gold again by winning his second bracelet in Event #1 - WSOP Limit Hold'em at the 21st Annual World Series of Poker. Mike Harthcock outlasted 420 participants of the event to beat Mel Judah, a poker pro from England, in heads-up confrontation. With his poker skills and winning strategies, he finished first and a huge sum of $252,000 was added to his bankroll.
In the following year, Mike Harthcock once again proved his poker proficiency by finishing first in Event #11 - WSOP Limit Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo of the 22nd Annual World Series of Poker tournament. Mike Harthcock played against James Richburg, a poker pro from California, and his first-place finish earned him another gold bracelet and $106,200 in prize money. He also earned $27,105 in the No-Limit Hold'em event at the same tournament by securing fourth place. Later that year, Mike Harthcock entered the 7th Annual Diamond Jim Brady tournament and he ranked first in the No-Limit Hold'em event, bagging $35,200.
In 1992, Mike Harthcock made it to the second place in the No Limit-Hold’em event of the Poker Classic tournament held at the Four Queens Casino, Las Vegas. Mike Harthcock participated in the preliminary event of the Annual World Series of Poker tournament 1994. He survived all participants of the Seven Card Razz event of the tournament and his first-place finish added $88,800 to his poker account. As of 2008, his total lifetime poker earnings exceeds $1,200,000.