Greg Merson's Remarkable Journey from Addiction to Poker Success

Greg Merson, a 24-year-old poker player, has had an extraordinary journey from struggling with drug addiction to becoming one of the top players in the poker world. Merson has played over 7,000,000 hands in his career, a feat that places him among the most experienced players in the game.

Merson's career started with home games in Maryland with online poker legends like Scott Palmer, Daniel Cates, Dan Smith, Anthony Gregg, and Christian Harader. He quickly rose through the ranks but faced a significant downswing in 2011, losing over half his bankroll.

Merson's struggles with drug addiction, including heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana, and alcohol, reached a critical point during this downswing. However, with the help of Christian Harader and Anthony Gregg, he managed to overcome his addiction and return to the poker tables. His victory in a $1,000,000 tournament marked a turning point in his career, and he plans to continue playing and promoting the game in the US.