Bruce Buffer has performed his trademark introductions before poker tournaments in the past, but this time was different.
Usually, the world-famous UFC ring announcer is there to hype up the big crowd before a high-profile tournament, but this time he turned around and took his seat to play for over $2 million.
Buffer was one of 13 players to return for Day 3 of the $50,000 High Roller at the 2024 World Series of Poker. The “Veteran Voice of the Octagon” sat down with the smallest stack on Day 3 and looked for his spot early.
“I think I played very well because I was short-stacked forever,” Buffer told PokerOrg on his way to the payout desk. “It’s a game of patience.”
Buffer’s patience paid off when an early double gave him enough room to advance several pay jumps to pick up over $200K for the effort.
'Balls, Skill, and Confidence'
“I call it B.S.C., or ‘Balls, Skill, and Confidence,” Buffer said of his poker mentality, an approach that he compared to UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones. “But you also need that 20% luck factor to win this thing.”
Buffer returned on Day 3 and found his spot early with a pair of pocket kings. Jonathan Jaffe — a regular in high rollers with almost $13 million in career earnings — put Buffer at risk with a suited ace-ten.
“Yeah!” Buffer yelled when the flop appeared with a king. “Now we’ve got fighting room!”
The extra chips gave Buffer the chance to ladder up and five players hit the door before he got the last of his chips into the middle with a suited ace-king. Jaffe was there again to put Buffer at risk, but this time the pro had the pocket kings. The board ran out with no help for Buffer and he stepped off the stage in eighth place for $212,423.
No stranger to tournament play
It’s far from the first time Buffer has spent significant time on the felt. His Hendon Mob profile has over $350K worth of results, not including Sunday’s six-figure score. The record dates back to 2005 when he picked up his first cash in a WPT Invitational tournament in Los Angeles.
The full record contains 60 different cashing finishes, many from tournaments in the L.A. area with a variety of buy-ins. Buffer has three previous WSOP scores before today: a 158th place finish in the $2,000 NLH in 2009, a 478th place finish in the 2010 WSOP Main Event, and a 263rd place finish in a $1,000 NLH event in 2013.
His previous best finish was a win for $75,000 in the 2010 Grand Slam of Poker in Gardena, CA and he finished third in the 2007 L.A. Poker Classic for $40,020.
In the end, it was a unique experience and a career-high score for a man who has done and seen a lot in a career that dates back to UFC 8 in 1996.
“I’m very happy. Obviously, I’m going to go through a little withdrawal right now because I wish I was sitting at the table, but I’m very happy.”
