Last Updated: July 16, 2025
Category:
Richest BusinessExecutives
Net Worth:
$10 Million
Gender:
Male
Nationality:
United States of America
  1. What Is Rafe Furst's Net Worth?
  2. Early Life And Education
  3. Poker Career
  4. Full Tilt Poker
  5. Legal Case And Settlement
  6. Business And Philanthropy
  7. Personal Life And Legacy

What is Rafe Furst's net worth?

Rafe Furst is an American entrepreneur, investor, and professional poker player who has a net worth of $10 million. Rafe Furst rose to prominence as a World Series of Poker champion and one of the original stakeholders in Full Tilt Poker. Known for his eclectic background, Furst has been a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, philanthropic strategist, and thought leader in social impact investing. In the poker world, he gained recognition as a respected high-stakes player, culminating in a WSOP bracelet win in 2006. But his legacy, like that of several Full Tilt insiders, became entangled in legal controversy after the U.S. Department of Justice accused the site of mismanaging player funds. Though Furst was never criminally charged, he was named in the government's civil lawsuit and reached a settlement in 2012. Since stepping away from poker and the Full Tilt debacle, Furst has focused on science philanthropy, systems design, and early-stage tech investments.

Early Life and Education

Rafe Furst holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a master's in Artificial Intelligence from Stanford University. His early career included work in software development and entrepreneurial ventures in the dot-com era. His background in game theory, probability, and systems thinking made poker a natural fit. He transitioned into high-stakes poker during the early 2000s poker boom.

Poker Career

Furst began playing poker seriously in the late 1990s and became known for his analytical and mathematical approach to the game. He made a name for himself in tournament poker and cash games alike, often appearing in professional circuits and televised events. His most notable poker accomplishment came in 2006 when he won a World Series of Poker bracelet in the $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout, taking home over $340,000 in prize money.

In addition to playing, Furst contributed to the poker world as a mentor and writer. He co-authored the book "Making the Final Table" and wrote extensively about poker strategy, risk management, and decision theory. He also co-founded the nonprofit organization Bad Beat on Cancer, encouraging poker players to donate a portion of their winnings to cancer prevention research.

Full Tilt Poker

Furst was a co-founder and early equity partner in Full Tilt Poker, one of the largest online poker sites in the world during the mid-2000s. Alongside Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson, Ray Bitar, and other top poker professionals, Furst helped build Full Tilt into a global brand. While he did not have a hands-on role in daily operations, he held an ownership stake and was involved in strategic and promotional decisions.

The site operated under the premise that it was built by professionals for professionals, and it quickly grew in popularity during the height of the online poker boom. Furst's intellectual branding and community-oriented reputation lent additional credibility to the site's public image.

Rafe Furst in 2003 (Photo By Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

In April 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted executives of Full Tilt Poker as part of the "Black Friday" crackdown on illegal online poker in the United States. A few months later, in September 2011, the DOJ filed a civil suit alleging that Full Tilt had defrauded players of hundreds of millions of dollars. The amended complaint described the company as a "global Ponzi scheme" and named Furst among the board members who received substantial distributions during this time.

The government claimed that Furst had received approximately $11 million in distributions from Full Tilt Poker. Although he denied any wrongdoing and was never criminally charged, Furst settled the case in July 2012. As part of the agreement, he agreed to forfeit an undisclosed sum of money and certain assets, including funds in his bank and brokerage accounts. He did not admit to any liability in the settlement, and the DOJ acknowledged that he had not directed company operations.

The settlement also included an injunction prohibiting Furst from working with any unlicensed internet gambling businesses in the United States.

Business and Philanthropy

Following his departure from poker and the Full Tilt community, Furst reestablished himself in the world of early-stage technology, systems innovation, and science philanthropy. He became a thought leader in the Effective Altruism and Long Now communities and has written extensively about existential risk, decentralized systems, and funding innovation in scientific research.

He has served as a board member and advisor to multiple nonprofit and for-profit ventures, with a particular interest in improving how society allocates capital for long-term human flourishing. In interviews and essays, Furst has expressed regret over the fallout from Full Tilt Poker but has since focused his efforts on building ethical, sustainable institutions across technology and philanthropy.

Personal Life and Legacy

Rafe Furst has largely remained out of the poker spotlight in recent years, choosing instead to focus on academic and social-impact work. He continues to write and speak on topics ranging from decision theory to scientific discovery funding. While his name will always be tied to the Full Tilt Poker saga, Furst has succeeded in reinventing himself as a respected thinker and contributor in the fields of tech, science, and philanthropy.

All net worths are calculated using data drawn from public sources. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback received from the celebrities or their representatives. While we work diligently to ensure that our numbers are as accurate as possible, unless otherwise indicated they are only estimates. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below.
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