How much did the November Nine really win?
Friday, 11 November 2011
This year's World Series of Poker November Niners all took home handsome prizes after this year's final table. The figures don't look quite as handsome for some after the taxman took his share though.
Winner and runner-up Pius Heinz and Martin Staszko both benefit from US-Germany and US-Czech tax treaties, meaning that their gambling winnings are untouchable – though Staszko is declared as a professional gambler, meaning 15% of his $5.4m payday will go to the Czech government.
Ben Lamb is the biggest loser – Oklahoma taxes rack up to around 43% of his earnings and he’ll be paying a little over $1.7m of the $4.02m he earned for his third place finish. Other losers include Eoghan O’Dea, who “only” won $1.2m as opposed to the $1.7m he was awarded.
And the moral of the story. Move to the UK where poker players don't get taxed.
The following payouts are roughly what players will be taking home after taxes. Their WSOP cash is in brackets:
1. Pius Heinz - $8,715,638 ($8,715,638)
2. Martin Staszko - $5,433,086 ($4,618,123)
3. Ben Lamb - $2,258,055 ($4,021,038)
4. Matt Giannetti - $1,964,700 ($3,012,700)
5. Phil Collins - $1,417,109 ($2,269,599)
6. Eoghan O’Dea - $1,074,901 ($1,720,831)
7. Bob Bounahra – $980,085 ($1,314,097)
8. Anton Makiievskyi – $838,359 ($1,010,015)
9. Sam Holden - $782,115 ($782,115)
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