From Finance Cubicle to Final Tables: David Coleman’s Rise in the Poker World

David Coleman didn’t plan on becoming a professional poker player. He also didn’t plan on hating his first job out of college. But sometimes, the cards play themselves.

Just seven weeks into a finance job he called “boring,” Coleman was already questioning his career path. What followed was a high-stakes pivot — and a breakout year on the poker circuit that’s got people talking.

Early Exit from the 9-to-5 Life

Coleman’s resume looked solid on paper. Rutgers University grad. Finance major. Economics minor. He ticked all the boxes.

But his first job — a pension plan administrator — felt like a dead end.

“It was very boring and I didn’t feel very challenged,” Coleman admits. “I felt like my role didn’t utilize my math skills.”

Two months in, and the disillusionment had set in. The work felt repetitive. The creativity was nil. And despite his analytical chops, he found himself doing grunt work most days.

So, he started grinding — online. After work, Coleman would log into poker sites and let his numbers brain loose.

And then, something clicked.

Poker Wasn’t the Backup Plan — It Became the Main Gig

What began as a way to blow off steam soon became something more serious. Coleman realised he was winning. Not just occasionally, but consistently. The data didn’t lie.

He took the plunge.

Out went the steady salary. In came the variance and volatility of online poker. Coleman wasn’t trying to become the next Phil Ivey overnight, but he believed in his edge.

That gamble paid off.

• In early 2023, Coleman cashed over $700,000 across various events. • He made four final tables in just three months. • At the U.S. Poker Open, he stunned the field with a 1st-place finish in Event #5, collecting $250,000.

There were setbacks — always are in poker — but the momentum kept building.

Numbers Guy in a Player’s Game

Coleman doesn’t fit the mould of the flashy, trash-talking poker pro. He’s quiet. Analytical. Calm under pressure. That’s part of what makes him so dangerous at the table.

He treats poker like a science experiment — controlled variables, sharp calculations, and constant adjustments. He’s not relying on gut feel.

“I’m trying to make the most mathematically correct decision every time,” he says.

One-sentence pause here.

But poker isn’t a spreadsheet. And Coleman knows that too. He mixes discipline with a feel for rhythm, psychology, and pressure.

The Tournament Circuit Is Brutal — But Coleman Thrived

For someone used to the predictability of office life, the tournament scene is a wild contrast.

Flights. Hotels. Late nights. Swings that would make a stock trader dizzy. And no guarantee of a single dollar, no matter how well you play.

Coleman’s 2023 schedule was no joke:

What makes this run so impressive isn’t just the money — it’s the consistency.

Many talented players go months without a significant cash. Coleman, on the other hand, kept piling up deep runs.

Risk, Reward, and the Mind of a Poker Pro

People see the highlight reels — the final hands, the trophies, the massive payouts. What they don’t see is the grind behind it all.

Coleman spends hours reviewing hands. Analysing his ranges. Studying opponents.

“I’m always looking to improve,” he says. “You have to. The game’s always moving.”

There’s also the mental side. The pressure. The variance. The lonely hours between events.

One-sentence breather.

Coleman’s been building not just a bankroll, but a mindset — resilient, curious, focused.

What’s Next for Coleman?

He’s not putting down roots just yet. Life on the road suits him for now. There’s talk of heading to Europe for the EPT. Vegas is always on the list. Maybe the WSOP Main Event in July.

But ask him what he’s most excited about, and it’s not a specific tournament.

“I just want to keep getting better,” he says. “That’s the part I love.”

He’s only 26. The ceiling’s high. And if 2023 was his breakout, 2024 might be the year he becomes a household name in the game.