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{{short description|American Entrepreneur and Poker Player}}
{{Short description|American entrepreneur and poker player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Rafe Furst
| name = Rafe Furst
Line 8: Line 8:
| death_place =
| death_place =
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| occupation = Poker Player, Entrepreneur
| occupation = Poker player, entrepreneur
| spouse =
| spouse =
| website = http://www.rafefurst.com/
| website = http://www.rafefurst.com/
}}
}}


'''Rafe Furst''' is an American entrepreneur, writer, and world champion poker player.
'''Rafe Furst''' is an American entrepreneur, writer, and world champion [[poker]] player.


Furst is known for winning the 2006 [[World Series of Poker|World Series of Poker Championship Bracelet]] in Pot Limit Hold-em, earning over $350,000 in prize money.<ref>http://www.pokerteam.com/rafe-furst.html</ref>
Furst is known for winning the 2006 [[World Series of Poker|World Series of Poker Championship Bracelet]] in Pot Limit Hold-em, earning over $350,000 in prize money.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rafe Furst Biography - Profiles of Famous Professional Poker Players |url=http://www.pokerteam.com/rafe-furst.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=www.pokerteam.com}}</ref>


He has written and spoken about the transformation of early-stage finance and [[cryptocurrency]] in articles and interviews, and has presented at [[consortiums]] and conferences that include [[TED conference|TED]].<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUvuniivS8g</ref> <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUvuniivS8g</ref>
He has written and spoken about the transformation of early-stage finance and [[cryptocurrency]] in articles and interviews, and has presented at [[consortiums]] and conferences that include [[TED conference|TED]].<ref>{{Citation |title=The Dawn of Cryptocurrency {{!}} Rafe Furst {{!}} TEDxCharlottesville |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUvuniivS8g |access-date=November 16, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>


Furst's ideas pertaining to technology, cancer research, and investing have been featured in [[WIRED]],<ref>https://www.wired.com/2010/03/investing-in-our-geeklets-a-methodology/</ref> [[New York Times Magazine]],<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/magazine/09WWLN-freakonomics-t.html</ref> and [[Stephen J. Dubner]] and [[Steven D. Levitt]]'s [[Freakonomics blog]].<ref>[http://freakonomics.com/?s=rafe+furst&x=-1093&y=-295 Furst cited on ''Freakonomics'' blog]</ref>
Furst's ideas pertaining to technology, cancer research, and investing have been featured in [[WIRED]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Donahoo |first=Daniel |date=March 4, 2010 |title=Investing In Our Geeklets: A Methodology |url=https://www.wired.com/2010/03/investing-in-our-geeklets-a-methodology/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |work=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> [[New York Times Magazine]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dubner |first=Stephen J. |last2=Levitt |first2=Steven D. |date=March 9, 2008 |title=Bottom-Line Philanthropy |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/magazine/09WWLN-freakonomics-t.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and [[Stephen J. Dubner]] and [[Steven D. Levitt]]'s [[Freakonomics blog]].<ref>[http://freakonomics.com/?s=rafe+furst&x=-1093&y=-295 Furst cited on ''Freakonomics'' blog]</ref>


==Education and Early Career==
==Education and early career==
⚫
He began his career in the 1990s as an artificial intelligence researcher at the [[Kestrel Institute]].<ref>Publications by Furst while doing research at Kestrel, [http://www.kestrel.edu/home/publications/ Kestrel Institute]</ref>
Furst holds an M.S. in Computer Science and a B.S. in Symbolic Systems, both from [[Stanford University]].<ref>https://www.crunchbase.com/person/rafe-furst</ref>


⚫
==Entrepreneurship and investing==
⚫
He began his career in the 1990s as an artificial intelligence researcher at the [[Kestrel Institute]].<ref>Publications by Furst while doing research at Kestrel, [http://www.kestrel.edu/home/publications/ Kestrel Institute]</ref>

⚫
==Entrepreneurship and Investing==
Furst left academia to co-found his first company, Pick'em Sports, in 1996, which was sold to a public company in 1999.<ref name="INTERNET-SPORTS-NETWORK-INC-Oct-1999-10-12G/A">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1420/91205799002063/filing-main.htm |title=INTERNET SPORTS NETWORK INC, Form 10-12G/A, Filing Date Oct 25, 1999 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date =May 15, 2018}}</ref>
Furst left academia to co-found his first company, Pick'em Sports, in 1996, which was sold to a public company in 1999.<ref name="INTERNET-SPORTS-NETWORK-INC-Oct-1999-10-12G/A">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1420/91205799002063/filing-main.htm |title=INTERNET SPORTS NETWORK INC, Form 10-12G/A, Filing Date Oct 25, 1999 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date =May 15, 2018}}</ref>


⚫
==Philanthropy and cancer work==
Furst has invested in, co-founded, and advised several [[startups]] and [[social enterprises]] including Skillshare,<ref>https://www.crunchbase.com/search/jobs/field/people/num_past_jobs/rafe-furst</ref>The Crypto Company,<ref>https://www.crunchbase.com/search/jobs/field/people/num_past_jobs/rafe-furst</ref>Crowdfunder,<ref>https://www.crunchbase.com/search/jobs/field/people/num_past_jobs/rafe-furst</ref> and [[Full Tilt Poker]].
⚫
Furst has served on the board of directors at the [[Prevent Cancer Foundation]] and the Conrad Foundation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.conradawards.org/|title=HOME|website=Conrad Challenge}}</ref> as well as on the Board of Advisors at the Decision Education Foundation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://decisioneducation.org/|title=Decision Education Foundation|website=Decision Education Foundation}}</ref> and Unreasonable Institute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://unreasonableinstitute.org/profile/rfurst/|title=Uncharted - Resources, Tools & Training for Social Entrepreneurs|website=Uncharted}}</ref>

⚫
==Philanthropy and Cancer Work==
⚫
Furst has served on the board of directors at the [[Prevent Cancer Foundation]] and the Conrad Foundation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.conradawards.org/|title=HOME|website=Conrad Challenge}}</ref> as well as on the Board of Advisors at the Decision Education Foundation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://decisioneducation.org/|title=Decision Education Foundation|website=Decision Education Foundation}}</ref> and Unreasonable Institute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://unreasonableinstitute.org/profile/rfurst/|title=Uncharted - Resources, Tools & Training for Social Entrepreneurs|website=Uncharted}}</ref>


He has additionally served as a Mentor at Sandbox,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sandbox.is/|title=Sandbox - Home|date=January 2017}}</ref> StartingBloc,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://startingbloc.org/|title=The StartingBloc Fellowship|website=StartingBloc}}</ref> and the [[Thiel Fellowship]], created by [[PayPal]] co-founder and [[billionaire]] [[Peter Thiel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thielfellowship.org/|title=Home - The Thiel Fellowship|website=The Thiel Fellowship}}</ref>
He has additionally served as a Mentor at Sandbox,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sandbox.is/|title=Sandbox - Home|date=January 2017}}</ref> StartingBloc,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://startingbloc.org/|title=The StartingBloc Fellowship|website=StartingBloc}}</ref> and the [[Thiel Fellowship]], created by [[PayPal]] co-founder and [[billionaire]] [[Peter Thiel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thielfellowship.org/|title=Home - The Thiel Fellowship|website=The Thiel Fellowship}}</ref>


In 2003, Furst and his friend [[Phil Gordon (poker player)|Phil Gordon]] launched the Bad Beat on Cancer initiative<ref>From [http://blog.preventcancer.org/2011/bad-beat-on-cancer-raises-the-stakes-with-world-series-of-poker/ Prevent Cancer Foundation blog]</ref> which encourages poker players to pledge 1% of their winnings to prevent cancer. Since inception, Bad Beat on Cancer has raised over $3.4 million.<ref>https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/11438-phil-gordon-talks-about-bad-beat-on-cancer-at-2011-world-series-of-poker</ref>
In 2003, Furst and his friend [[Phil Gordon (poker player)|Phil Gordon]] launched the Bad Beat on Cancer initiative<ref>From [http://blog.preventcancer.org/2011/bad-beat-on-cancer-raises-the-stakes-with-world-series-of-poker/ Prevent Cancer Foundation blog]</ref> which encourages poker players to pledge 1% of their winnings to prevent cancer. Since inception, Bad Beat on Cancer has raised over $3.4 million.<ref>https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/11438-phil-gordon-talks-about-bad-beat-on-cancer-at-2011-world-series-of-poker</ref>


In 2007, Furst received the award for ''Excellence in Cancer Awareness'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://preventcancer.org/files/financials/annual-report-2008.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521191552/http://preventcancer.org/files/financials/annual-report-2008.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 21, 2011|title=From Prevent Cancer Foundation Annual Report 2008}}</ref> and in March 2010, he received the ''2nd Annual Cancer Champion Award''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://preventcancer.org/files/financials/annual-report-2010.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516095528/http://preventcancer.org/files/financials/annual-report-2010.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 16, 2011|title=From Prevent Cancer Foundation Annual Report 2010}}</ref>
In 2007, Furst received the award for ''Excellence in Cancer Awareness'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://preventcancer.org/files/financials/annual-report-2008.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521191552/http://preventcancer.org/files/financials/annual-report-2008.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 21, 2011|title=From Prevent Cancer Foundation Annual Report 2008}}</ref> and in March 2010, he received the ''2nd Annual Cancer Champion Award''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://preventcancer.org/files/financials/annual-report-2010.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516095528/http://preventcancer.org/files/financials/annual-report-2010.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 16, 2011|title=From Prevent Cancer Foundation Annual Report 2010}}</ref>


In 2021, Furst published a peer-reviewed article in Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology titled "The Importance of Henry H. Heng's Genome Architecture Theory" and appeared the next year in Research Features alongside [[Henry Heng]] in a profile titled "Genome Architecture Theory Shakes Up Cancer Research," which is featured by the [[National Institutes of Health]]."<ref>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34481833/</ref>
In 2021, Furst published a peer-reviewed article in Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology titled "The Importance of Henry H. Heng's Genome Architecture Theory" and appeared the next year in Research Features alongside [[Henry Heng]] in a profile titled "Genome Architecture Theory Shakes Up Cancer Research," which is featured by the [[National Institutes of Health]]."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Furst |first=Rafe |date=2021 |title=The Importance of Henry H. Heng's Genome Architecture Theory |journal=Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology |volume=165 |pages=153–156 |doi=10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2021.08.009 |pmid=34481833}}</ref>


== Writing and Media ==
== Writing and media ==
In October 2009, Furst wrote about an experiment<ref>"Investing in Superstars," [http://emergentfool.com/2009/10/30/investing-in-superstars/ Emergentfool.com]</ref> that he and Phil Gordon undertook to invest in the lifetime future income of Furst's brother-in-law, filmmaker Jon Gunn.<ref>Jon Gunn's IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0348197/ IMDb.com]</ref> The article went viral and was picked up by [[WIRED]]''<ref>"Investing In Our Geeklets: A Methodology," [https://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/03/investing-in-our-geeklets-a-methodology/ Wired.com]</ref> ''and [[Reuters]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2012/03/20/buying-equity-in-people/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322120207/http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2012/03/20/buying-equity-in-people/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 22, 2012|title=Buying equity in people|first=Felix|last=Salmon|date=March 20, 2012}}</ref> ''Shortly thereafter, additional individuals began selling portions of their future income streams''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thrustfund.com/|title=ThrustFund.com may be for sale!|website=www.thrustfund.com}}</ref>
In October 2009, Furst wrote about an experiment<ref>"Investing in Superstars," [http://emergentfool.com/2009/10/30/investing-in-superstars/ Emergentfool.com]</ref> that he and Phil Gordon undertook to invest in the lifetime future income of Furst's brother-in-law, filmmaker Jon Gunn.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jon Gunn - Producer, Writer, Director |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0348197/ |access-date=April 14, 2024 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref> The article went viral and was picked up by [[WIRED]]''<ref>"Investing In Our Geeklets: A Methodology," [https://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/03/investing-in-our-geeklets-a-methodology/ Wired.com]</ref> ''and [[Reuters]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2012/03/20/buying-equity-in-people/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322120207/http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2012/03/20/buying-equity-in-people/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 22, 2012|title=Buying equity in people|first=Felix|last=Salmon|date=March 20, 2012}}</ref> ''Shortly thereafter, additional individuals began selling portions of their future income streams''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thrustfund.com/|title=ThrustFund.com may be for sale!|website=www.thrustfund.com}}</ref>


In 2010, Furst spoke at the TEDActive Conference about the experiment.<ref>YouTube "Investing in Superstars," [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhKeGxKEY5I YouTube]</ref>
In 2010, Furst spoke at the TEDActive Conference about the experiment.<ref>YouTube "Investing in Superstars," [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhKeGxKEY5I YouTube]</ref>


==Poker Career==
==Poker career==
Furst began playing poker in middle school and started a home poker game while at Stanford that continues to this day. The group, calling themselves The Tiltboys,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tiltboys.com/|title=Tiltboys Home Page|date=October 12, 1999|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991012182741/http://tiltboys.com/|archive-date=October 12, 1999}}</ref> became known for their gambling antics and published a book in 2005 titled ''Tales From the Tiltboys.''<ref>{{Cite book|title=Tales from the Tiltboys|first1=The|last1=Tiltboys|first2=Kim|last2=Scheinberg|first3=Phil|last3=Gordon|date=July 1, 2005|publisher=Sports Publishing|isbn = 1596701404}}</ref>
Furst began playing poker in middle school and started a home poker game while at Stanford that continues to this day. The group, calling themselves The Tiltboys,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tiltboys.com/|title=Tiltboys Home Page|date=October 12, 1999|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991012182741/http://tiltboys.com/|archive-date=October 12, 1999}}</ref> became known for their gambling antics and published a book in 2005 titled ''Tales From the Tiltboys.''<ref>{{Cite book|title=Tales from the Tiltboys|first1=The|last1=Tiltboys|first2=Kim|last2=Scheinberg|first3=Phil|last3=Gordon|date=July 1, 2005|publisher=Sports Publishing|isbn = 1596701404}}</ref>


In 2005, Furst won the [[Ultimate Poker Challenge]].<ref>https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=b&n=39222</ref> One year later, he won a [[World Series of Poker]] event in Pot-Limit Hold'em. All told, Furst has won or cashed in thirteen professional tournaments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=39222%5D|title=Rafe Furst's profile on The Hendon Mob|website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database}}</ref>
In 2005, Furst won the [[Ultimate Poker Challenge]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultimate Poker Challenge, No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=13749 |access-date=April 14, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref> One year later, he won a [[World Series of Poker]] event in Pot-Limit Hold'em.<ref>{{Cite web |title=37th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2006, Pot Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=15812 |access-date=December 9, 2023 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref> All told, Furst has won or cashed in thirteen professional tournaments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=39222%5D|title=Rafe Furst's profile on The Hendon Mob|website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database}}</ref>


Furst was an investor and founder of [[Full Tilt Poker]], which eventually became the world's second largest online poker site.<ref>https://upswingpoker.com/what-happened-to-full-tilt-poker/</ref> Furst was a sponsored player on the site and could be seen sporting the Full Tilt Poker logo often in televised events and interviews between 2005 and 2010.
Furst was an investor and founder of [[Full Tilt Poker]], which eventually became the world's second largest online poker site.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fisk |first=Geoffrey |date=October 14, 2019 |title=What Happened to Full Tilt Poker? |url=https://upswingpoker.com/what-happened-to-full-tilt-poker/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=Upswing Poker |language=en-US}}</ref> Furst was a sponsored player on the site and could be seen sporting the Full Tilt Poker logo often in televised events and interviews between 2005 and 2010.


On September 20, 2011, Furst was named as a defendant in a complaint by the U.S. Department of Justice against Tiltware, LLC, the parent company of Full Tilt Poker. On November 28, 2012, Furst settled the case, and while the exact settlement amount is unknown, the agreement stipulates no liability for Furst, and the case was dismissed with prejudice.<ref>"Rafe Furst Settles with SDNY in Full Tilt Poker Black Friday Case," [http://diamondflushpoker.com/2012/11/rafe-furst-settles-with-sdny-in-full-tilt-poker-black-friday-case-after-lederer-files-motion-to-dismiss-ferguson-rides-along Diamondflushpoker.com]</ref>
On September 20, 2011, Furst was named as a defendant in a complaint by the U.S. Department of Justice against Tiltware, LLC, the parent company of Full Tilt Poker. On November 28, 2012, Furst settled the case, and while the exact settlement amount is unknown, the agreement stipulates no liability for Furst, and the case was dismissed with prejudice.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2012 |title=Rafe Furst Settles with SDNY in Full Tilt Poker Black Friday Case after Lederer Files Motion to Dismiss, Ferguson Rides Along |url=http://diamondflushpoker.com/2012/11/rafe-furst-settles-with-sdny-in-full-tilt-poker-black-friday-case-after-lederer-files-motion-to-dismiss-ferguson-rides-along/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202012204/http://diamondflushpoker.com/2012/11/rafe-furst-settles-with-sdny-in-full-tilt-poker-black-friday-case-after-lederer-files-motion-to-dismiss-ferguson-rides-along/ |archive-date=December 2, 2012 |website=Diamond Flush Poker}}</ref>


Beginning with the Bad Beat on Cancer initiative in 2003, Furst has hosted or appeared in many charity poker events benefiting causes that include [[Talk About Curing Autism]], Ante Up for Africa,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anteupforafrica.org/|title=Official website for Ante Up for Africa}}</ref> and XPRIZE Foundation.
Beginning with the Bad Beat on Cancer initiative in 2003, Furst has hosted or appeared in many charity poker events benefiting causes that include [[Talk About Curing Autism]], Ante Up for Africa,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anteupforafrica.org/|title=Official website for Ante Up for Africa}}</ref> and XPRIZE Foundation.
Line 60: Line 56:
Furst is also a poker teacher and author, having coached celebrities for ''[[Celebrity Poker Showdown]]'', written chapters in the ''Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Full-Tilt-Poker-Strategy-Guide/dp/B003STCQ4S|title=The Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide: Tournament Edition|first1=Andy|last1=Bloch|first2=Richard|last2=Brodie|first3=Chris|last3=Ferguson|first4=Ted|last4=Forrest|first5=Rafe|last5=Furst|first6=Phil|last6=Gordon|first7=David|last7=Grey|first8=Howard|last8=Lederer|first9=Mike|last9=Matusow|editor-first=Michael|editor-last=Craig|date=June 1, 2007|publisher=Grand Central Publishing|via=Amazon}}</ref> and produced ''Expert Insight: Final Table Poker''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493124/|title=Expert Insight: Final Table Poker|date=October 1, 2005|via=www.imdb.com}}</ref>
Furst is also a poker teacher and author, having coached celebrities for ''[[Celebrity Poker Showdown]]'', written chapters in the ''Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Full-Tilt-Poker-Strategy-Guide/dp/B003STCQ4S|title=The Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide: Tournament Edition|first1=Andy|last1=Bloch|first2=Richard|last2=Brodie|first3=Chris|last3=Ferguson|first4=Ted|last4=Forrest|first5=Rafe|last5=Furst|first6=Phil|last6=Gordon|first7=David|last7=Grey|first8=Howard|last8=Lederer|first9=Mike|last9=Matusow|editor-first=Michael|editor-last=Craig|date=June 1, 2007|publisher=Grand Central Publishing|via=Amazon}}</ref> and produced ''Expert Insight: Final Table Poker''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493124/|title=Expert Insight: Final Table Poker|date=October 1, 2005|via=www.imdb.com}}</ref>


==Adventure Travel==
==Adventure travel==
Furst is an extreme sports amateur enthusiast. An adventure travel guide features a chapter about backpacking in the High Sierras with Furst.<ref>"Riding the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean: A Guide to Fifty Extraordinary Adventures for the Seasoned Traveler," [https://www.amazon.com/Riding-Hulahula-Arctic-Ocean-Extraordinary/dp/1426202784]</ref>
Furst is an extreme sports amateur enthusiast. An adventure travel guide features a chapter about backpacking in the High Sierras with Furst.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mankin |first=Don |last2=Stowell |first2=Shannon |last3=Branson |first3=Richard |date=May 20, 2008 |title=Riding the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean: A Guide to Fifty Extraordinary Adventures for the Seasoned Traveler |url=https://www.amazon.com/Riding-Hulahula-Arctic-Ocean-Extraordinary/dp/1426202784 |access-date=April 6, 2024 |website=Amazon.com |publisher=National Geographic |language=English}}</ref>



==References==
==References==
Line 68: Line 63:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.rafefurst.com/ Rafe Furst's Official Site]
*[https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-players/7542-rafe-furst Card Player profile]
*[http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=39222%5D Hendon Mob profile]
*[https://www.worldpokertour.com/player/rafe-furst/ WPT profile]
*[https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=1227 WSOP profile]

{{2000s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{2000s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}


Latest revision as of 03:12, 17 May 2024

Rafe Furst
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Poker player, entrepreneur
Websitehttp://www.rafefurst.com/

Rafe Furst is an American entrepreneur, writer, and world champion poker player.

Furst is known for winning the 2006 World Series of Poker Championship Bracelet in Pot Limit Hold-em, earning over $350,000 in prize money.[1]

He has written and spoken about the transformation of early-stage finance and cryptocurrency in articles and interviews, and has presented at consortiums and conferences that include TED.[2]

Furst's ideas pertaining to technology, cancer research, and investing have been featured in WIRED,[3] New York Times Magazine,[4] and Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levitt's Freakonomics blog.[5]

Education and early career[edit]

He began his career in the 1990s as an artificial intelligence researcher at the Kestrel Institute.[6]

Entrepreneurship and investing[edit]

Furst left academia to co-found his first company, Pick'em Sports, in 1996, which was sold to a public company in 1999.[7]

Philanthropy and cancer work[edit]

Furst has served on the board of directors at the Prevent Cancer Foundation and the Conrad Foundation,[8] as well as on the Board of Advisors at the Decision Education Foundation[9] and Unreasonable Institute.[10]

He has additionally served as a Mentor at Sandbox,[11] StartingBloc,[12] and the Thiel Fellowship, created by PayPal co-founder and billionaire Peter Thiel.[13]

In 2003, Furst and his friend Phil Gordon launched the Bad Beat on Cancer initiative[14] which encourages poker players to pledge 1% of their winnings to prevent cancer. Since inception, Bad Beat on Cancer has raised over $3.4 million.[15]

In 2007, Furst received the award for Excellence in Cancer Awareness,[16] and in March 2010, he received the 2nd Annual Cancer Champion Award.[17]

In 2021, Furst published a peer-reviewed article in Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology titled "The Importance of Henry H. Heng's Genome Architecture Theory" and appeared the next year in Research Features alongside Henry Heng in a profile titled "Genome Architecture Theory Shakes Up Cancer Research," which is featured by the National Institutes of Health."[18]

Writing and media[edit]

In October 2009, Furst wrote about an experiment[19] that he and Phil Gordon undertook to invest in the lifetime future income of Furst's brother-in-law, filmmaker Jon Gunn.[20] The article went viral and was picked up by WIRED[21] and Reuters,[22] Shortly thereafter, additional individuals began selling portions of their future income streams.[23]

In 2010, Furst spoke at the TEDActive Conference about the experiment.[24]

Poker career[edit]

Furst began playing poker in middle school and started a home poker game while at Stanford that continues to this day. The group, calling themselves The Tiltboys,[25] became known for their gambling antics and published a book in 2005 titled Tales From the Tiltboys.[26]

In 2005, Furst won the Ultimate Poker Challenge.[27] One year later, he won a World Series of Poker event in Pot-Limit Hold'em.[28] All told, Furst has won or cashed in thirteen professional tournaments.[29]

Furst was an investor and founder of Full Tilt Poker, which eventually became the world's second largest online poker site.[30] Furst was a sponsored player on the site and could be seen sporting the Full Tilt Poker logo often in televised events and interviews between 2005 and 2010.

On September 20, 2011, Furst was named as a defendant in a complaint by the U.S. Department of Justice against Tiltware, LLC, the parent company of Full Tilt Poker. On November 28, 2012, Furst settled the case, and while the exact settlement amount is unknown, the agreement stipulates no liability for Furst, and the case was dismissed with prejudice.[31]

Beginning with the Bad Beat on Cancer initiative in 2003, Furst has hosted or appeared in many charity poker events benefiting causes that include Talk About Curing Autism, Ante Up for Africa,[32] and XPRIZE Foundation.

Furst is also a poker teacher and author, having coached celebrities for Celebrity Poker Showdown, written chapters in the Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide,[33] and produced Expert Insight: Final Table Poker.[34]

Adventure travel[edit]

Furst is an extreme sports amateur enthusiast. An adventure travel guide features a chapter about backpacking in the High Sierras with Furst.[35]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Rafe Furst Biography - Profiles of Famous Professional Poker Players". www.pokerteam.com. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  2. ^ The Dawn of Cryptocurrency | Rafe Furst | TEDxCharlottesville, retrieved November 16, 2023
  3. ^ Donahoo, Daniel (March 4, 2010). "Investing In Our Geeklets: A Methodology". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  4. ^ Dubner, Stephen J.; Levitt, Steven D. (March 9, 2008). "Bottom-Line Philanthropy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  5. ^ Furst cited on Freakonomics blog
  6. ^ Publications by Furst while doing research at Kestrel, Kestrel Institute
  7. ^ "INTERNET SPORTS NETWORK INC, Form 10-12G/A, Filing Date Oct 25, 1999". secdatabase.com. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  8. ^ "HOME". Conrad Challenge.
  9. ^ "Decision Education Foundation". Decision Education Foundation.
  10. ^ "Uncharted - Resources, Tools & Training for Social Entrepreneurs". Uncharted.
  11. ^ "Sandbox - Home". January 2017.
  12. ^ "The StartingBloc Fellowship". StartingBloc.
  13. ^ "Home - The Thiel Fellowship". The Thiel Fellowship.
  14. ^ From Prevent Cancer Foundation blog
  15. ^ https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/11438-phil-gordon-talks-about-bad-beat-on-cancer-at-2011-world-series-of-poker
  16. ^ "From Prevent Cancer Foundation Annual Report 2008" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2011.
  17. ^ "From Prevent Cancer Foundation Annual Report 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 16, 2011.
  18. ^ Furst, Rafe (2021). "The Importance of Henry H. Heng's Genome Architecture Theory". Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology. 165: 153–156. doi:10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2021.08.009. PMID 34481833.
  19. ^ "Investing in Superstars," Emergentfool.com
  20. ^ "Jon Gunn - Producer, Writer, Director". IMDb. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  21. ^ "Investing In Our Geeklets: A Methodology," Wired.com
  22. ^ Salmon, Felix (March 20, 2012). "Buying equity in people". Archived from the original on March 22, 2012.
  23. ^ "ThrustFund.com may be for sale!". www.thrustfund.com.
  24. ^ YouTube "Investing in Superstars," YouTube
  25. ^ "Tiltboys Home Page". October 12, 1999. Archived from the original on October 12, 1999.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  26. ^ Tiltboys, The; Scheinberg, Kim; Gordon, Phil (July 1, 2005). Tales from the Tiltboys. Sports Publishing. ISBN 1596701404.
  27. ^ "Ultimate Poker Challenge, No Limit Hold'em". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  28. ^ "37th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2006, Pot Limit Hold'em". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  29. ^ "Rafe Furst's profile on The Hendon Mob". The Hendon Mob Poker Database.
  30. ^ Fisk, Geoffrey (October 14, 2019). "What Happened to Full Tilt Poker?". Upswing Poker. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  31. ^ "Rafe Furst Settles with SDNY in Full Tilt Poker Black Friday Case after Lederer Files Motion to Dismiss, Ferguson Rides Along". Diamond Flush Poker. November 28, 2012. Archived from the original on December 2, 2012.
  32. ^ "Official website for Ante Up for Africa".
  33. ^ Bloch, Andy; Brodie, Richard; Ferguson, Chris; Forrest, Ted; Furst, Rafe; Gordon, Phil; Grey, David; Lederer, Howard; Matusow, Mike (June 1, 2007). Craig, Michael (ed.). "The Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide: Tournament Edition". Grand Central Publishing – via Amazon.
  34. ^ "Expert Insight: Final Table Poker". October 1, 2005 – via www.imdb.com.
  35. ^ Mankin, Don; Stowell, Shannon; Branson, Richard (May 20, 2008). "Riding the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean: A Guide to Fifty Extraordinary Adventures for the Seasoned Traveler". Amazon.com. National Geographic. Retrieved April 6, 2024.

External links[edit]

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