(Featured image: WPT)
Few poker players can claim to have built an empire that rivals their tournament success, but Cary “El Jefe” Katz can.
The poker player and business mogul has made a name for himself both on the felt and in business, and stands as one of the richest figures in poker today.
After founding the seventh-largest student loan company in America, he went on to launch PokerGO, building a significant media presence around the game.
Katz’s career has been marked by a series of successful ventures, resulting in tournament winnings of over $40 million, currently placing him eighth on poker’s all-time money list.
Let’s take a closer look at Cary Katz net worth, who owns PokerGo, and get to know more about the business empire that has established him as one of the wealthiest personalities in poker.
| Full Name: Cary Katz |
| DOB: January 29, 1970 |
| Birthplace: Georgia, USA |
| Profession: PokerGo Founder, High Stakes Poker Player, and Entrepreneur |
| Cary Katz Wife: Jackie Katz |
| WSOP Bracelets: 0 |
| Net Worth and Career Earnings: $100+ Million |
Disclaimer: Only Cary knows his actual net worth. We can only estimate based on publicly available sources and the usual stakes he plays.
Who Is Cary Katz? (Early Life and Background)
Cary Katz, who owns PokerGo, was born in Georgia on January 29, 1970, setting the stage early for a life defined by entrepreneurship and ambition.
He attended the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, an academic credential that would later play a significant role in his entrepreneurial pursuits.
While detailed accounts of his early ventures are limited, it’s clear that Katz possessed a keen eye for opportunity from a young age.
Prior to achieving recognition in the poker world, Katz exhibited a strong aptitude for identifying promising business opportunities.
His educational background equipped him with the analytical skills necessary to navigate both the complexities of the corporate sector and the strategic demands of high-stakes poker.
In time, Katz is married to Jackie Katz, with whom he has six children.
The family ultimately settled in Las Vegas, Nevada, positioning themselves in proximity to the center of the American poker scene as he continued to expand his business interests.
Cary Katz Net Worth
Now…
Let’s talk about Cary Katz net worth, keeping in mind that only he himself could provide the exact figure.
However, our analysis and reasonable estimate is based on publicly available sources, like his tournament winnings, private high stakes cash games, and various business ventures.
So, how much is Cary Katz worth?
Conservative estimates place his net worth at over $100 million, though many industry observers believe he could potentially be worth significantly more.
His business success with College Loan Corporation, combined with his media empire through PokerGO and consistent high-stakes tournament winnings, suggests his wealth could reasonably range from $200-400 million or higher.
(Depending on private investments and company valuations.)
The lack of public disclosure requirements for private companies makes precise calculations impossible, but his sustained success across multiple industries indicates substantial accumulated wealth.
His ability to compete in tournaments with $250,000+ buy-ins without apparent financial stress suggests a net worth well into the 9-figure range.
Remember though that only Katz himself could provide the precise number, but this estimation is based on publicly available information about his business ventures and Cary Katz’ poker earnings.
El Jefe’s Poker Empire
Cary Katz got his start in the business world by launching College Loan Corporation in 1999, spotting a major opportunity as student loan demand surged.
He built CLC from the ground up, and before long, the company was helping hundreds of thousands of students pay for college. The success of CLC set him up financially and gave him the freedom to jump into new challenges.
When Katz entered the poker scene, he quickly became a familiar face in the biggest tournaments around. Other players started calling him “El Jefe” in the mid-2010s, a nickname that just seemed to fit.
Whether it was his steady demeanor at the tables or the way he always seemed to be involved in the biggest games, the name stuck, and pretty soon, everyone in the poker world knew who “El Jefe” was.
But Katz didn’t limit himself to just playing cards. As poker grew more popular, he saw how much fans wanted better access to the action.
That’s when he created PokerGO, a streaming service dedicated to everything poker. With live event coverage, exclusive shows, and behind-the-scenes content, it changed how fans followed the game.
Katz also played a key role in launching some of the most prestigious high-roller events on the circuit, including:
- Poker Masters
- The U.S. Poker Open
- Super High Roller Bowl
(All of which have become signature series on the PokerGO calendar.)
Since its launch, it has become the leading destination for poker content, with a growing subscriber base and a packed lineup of live tournaments, original shows, and documentaries.
The platform now streams some of the game’s biggest events, including the World Series of Poker, Poker Masters, and Super High Roller Bowl, making it easier than ever for fans to follow high-stakes action in real time.
PokerGO has also helped raise the profile of poker pros and created a new generation of fans by offering more behind-the-scenes access and storytelling than traditional TV ever could.
Today, Katz is known as much for his business moves as for his results on the felt.
Whether he’s playing high rollers or building new ways for people to watch poker, “El Jefe” keeps finding ways to make his mark.
Poker Career Highlights
While much of the spotlight is on Katz’s role as the force behind PokerGO, his accomplishments at the tables are equally noteworthy.
Over the years, Katz has built an impressive poker resume, consistently competing in the world’s most prestigious tournaments and earning the respect of his peers.
Some of his poker career highlights include:
- Created PokerGO streaming service, the “Netflix of Poker”
- Launched Poker Masters and U.S. Poker Open tournaments
- Built state-of-the-art PokerGO Studio at Aria Resort & Casino
- Accumulated over $40 million in live tournament poker earnings
- Established high-end tournament series including Super High Roller Bowl
Katz’s move from the business world to poker media highlights his knack for spotting new opportunities.
Helping launch several major high-roller tournament series made him play a big part in shaping how top-level poker is organized and watched today.
Top 5 Poker Tournament Winnings
Despite his business success, Katz has proven himself as one of poker’s elite competitors with consistently strong tournament results.
Here are his five biggest tournament scores that demonstrate his skill at the highest levels of competition:
1st Place 2019 Super High Roller Bowl London
This remains his biggest tournament win yet, earning $2,541,000 for his victory.
The seventh edition of the Super High Roller Bowl kicked off at Aspers Casino following the completion of the British Poker Open, with the £250,000 buy-in event drawing 12 runners to create a prize pool of £3 million.
He came out on top of a stacked field that included elite players like Stephen Chidwick, Christoph Vogelsang, and eventual runner-up Ali Imsirovic.
This win secured his place among Super High Roller Bowl champions alongside Brian Rast, Rainer Kempe, and Justin Bonomo.
The tournament proved to be a rollercoaster for “El Jefe,” who found himself short-stacked multiple times but managed to get crucial double ups through both Vogelsang and Chidwick to stay alive.
The decisive moment came during heads-up play when Imsirovic turned a set with pocket tens, but he had flopped the second-nut flush draw with queen-three of spades and hit his flush on the river, prompting an immediate all-in from Imsirovic that Katz snap-called.
Despite his victory, he remained humble in his post-tournament interview, and praised his opponents:
“I think I played by far the worst today but I just got the luckiest but I’ll take it. This is my biggest score and I was just remarkably lucky.
I’m not in their league and I would just like to take my hat off to Stevie, Christoph, and Ali. I think they all played so much better than I did and they were all more deserving.”
The win worth £2.1 million represented Katz’s sixth seven-figure score and outdid his previous best from a fifth-place finish in the 2016 Monte Carlo One Drop Extravaganza.
Other Notable Tournament Cashes:
- 2nd Place 2019 Triton Poker Super High Roller Series London – $2,085,096
- 3rd Place 2016 One Drop Extravaganza – $1,919,750
- 4th Place 2018 Triton Super High Roller Series Jeju – $1,809,600
- 5th Place 2023 World Series of Poker $100K High Roller – $1,592,539
This poker player has also secured major victories outside these top five scores, including a first-place finish in the No-Limit Hold’em Super High Roller at the 2018 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure for $1.5 million.
Next.
Lifestyle, Sponsorships & Side Ventures
Life outside poker for this man revolves around family, business ventures, and philanthropic efforts. He maintains a relatively private lifestyle despite his high-profile status in the poker world.
Below are the areas Katz focuses on beyond poker:
Business Ventures
Beyond his poker media empire, Katz continues to explore various business opportunities and investments.
His experience with College Loan Corporation provided him with valuable insights into large-scale business operations and regulatory compliance.
The PokerGO Studio at Aria represents a significant infrastructure investment, featuring nine poker tables and accommodating 100 spectators in a state-of-the-art television production facility.
Philanthropy
He served as chairman of Stop Child Predators, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children and holding perpetrators accountable.
This role shows his commitment to using his success and platform for meaningful social impact beyond the poker world.
Family Life
With six children and his wife Jackie, Katz balances his demanding business schedule with family responsibilities.
The family’s relocation to Las Vegas positions them at the center of the poker world while allowing Katz to oversee his various business interests from a central location.
Quick Facts About Katz
Here are some interesting tidbits about the poker mogul that showcase his unique position in the industry:
- First recorded poker cash came in 2004 for just $10,381.
- Known by the nickname “El Jefe” (The Boss) in poker circles.
- Created the “high roller triple crown” tournament series concept.
- CLC company helped over 800,000 students with college financing.
- PokerGO Studio cost millions to construct and operates 9 poker tables.
- Has never won a WSOP bracelet despite $5.2 million in Series earnings.
- Filed a $20 million lawsuit against his own company’s parent organization.
Cary Katz Poker Net Worth (Wrap Up)
Let’s face it:
Cary Katz represents a unique figure in poker – a businessman who transformed his corporate success into a poker media empire while competing at the game’s highest levels.
His estimated net worth reflects success across multiple industries, from student lending to entertainment media to professional gambling.
The PokerGO platform has fundamentally changed how poker content is produced and consumed, while his tournament series have elevated the profile of high-stakes poker.
Currently active in both business and tournament play, Katz continues expanding his poker media empire while regularly competing in the world’s most expensive tournaments.
His dual success as both entrepreneur and competitor sets him apart from typical poker millionaires.
Whether he’s closing business deals or navigating the felt, his legacy extends beyond personal achievement to encompass the fundamental transformation of how poker content reaches audiences worldwide.
The nickname “El Jefe” fits perfectly, after all, he’s built an empire that makes him one of poker’s undisputed bosses.
Now I’d like to hear from YOU:
- How much is Cary Katz worth, in your opinion?
- What aspect of this success story do you find most impressive: his business empire or tournament achievements?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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