Koen de Bakker
The young economics student from Leiden, Koen de Bakker is as dedicated to his studies as he is to his poker game.
“It's not difficult,” Koen says. “In fact, it has made me a better student. Poker sharpens my mind. It helps me study better by keeping me focused. And there are many things about poker and economics which are similar.”
Splitting his time between tournaments and the cash game tables at Everest Poker, the Netherlands’ Koen de Bakker has always been dedicated to improving his all-around poker skills. Like many of Everest's top players, Koen honed his game at the Shasta freerolls, steadily built his initial bankroll with tourney play for about six months until graduating to $25 NLHE and eventually $1000 NLHE 6-max cash games.
In 2009, Koen qualified for his first WSOP Main Event alongside fellow Dutch phenom, Team Everest’s Steven van Zadelhoff, by climbing the Everest Poker Steps.
“For me, Everest Poker is like home,” says Koen. “I enjoy the variety of the tournaments, the cash games, and especially the live event opportunities offered to players.”
In addition to playing his first WSOP, Koen took his seat in nine other international tournaments spanning the globe from nearby Amsterdam to far-away Asia during 2009. As a member of the Live the Dream Team, he hopes to take his game ever further.
