When he sits at the poker table, it's not just about the chips. It's about bets that turn stories into legends, and the philosophy of “Die With Zero,” which advocates living fully, spending on what you love, and not saving life for later. This succinctly captures the life philosophy of millionaire, poker enthusiast, and long-time philanthropist Bill Perkins, who aptly titled his book the same way.
Success Beyond Poker
Bill Perkins was born in Jersey City and studied electrical engineering at the University of Iowa. However, his first “game” was not poker, but the energy markets. He started as an administrative worker at the New York Mercantile Exchange, where he learned quick decision-making and risk management. Later, he traded for companies like El Paso Energy, Statoil, and AIG, eventually joining John Arnold at Centaurus Energy in 2002 – one of the most successful energy hedge funds in history.
After years of successful trading, he launched his own fund, Skylar Capital, managing hundreds of millions of dollars. Perkins knows markets are like a game – sometimes you risk to win, other times you risk just to play. As he says: “The biggest risk in life is playing too safely and missing all the opportunities.”
Besides finance, he delved into film production – working on the psychological thriller “Unthinkable” and the action comedy “Cat Run.” In 2020, he released his bestseller “Die With Zero,” which became his life manifesto: money is merely fuel for experiences that should be tapped into when they can be fully enjoyed.
Path to Poker
Perkins found his way into poker through business friends who introduced him to the world of private high-stakes games. He gradually became a familiar face on TV shows like High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark. Although he likes to call himself an amateur, his tournament successes tell a different story – he finished 3rd in the $111,111 One Drop High Roller event at WSOP 2013 for almost $1.97 million, and in 2019 snagged 6th place at Triton Million in London for $2.68 million.
Outside tournaments, he's become an icon of prop bets – wagers so crazy they've become legendary. One of the most famous was a challenge to Antonio Esfandiari to move only by lunges during the PCA for 48 hours. On another occasion, he offered half a million dollars to a friend to lose a significant amount of weight. “Prop bets are a way to buy a story you'll tell for a lifetime,” he said on the Mad Fientist podcast.
Bill Perkins brought energy, charisma, and a willingness to take risks to poker, making the game an experience even for viewers. His “Die With Zero” philosophy inspires players to consider not just the financial outcome but also the value of the experiences and lessons poker brings.
The legendary all-in by Bill, during which he left for the airport
His businesslike approach translates into his poker strategy – often discussing “risk-adjusted return” and the idea that not every pot needs to be won, but something should be learned from each one. And with his ability to connect poker to charity, his influence extends beyond the game.
Conclusion
Bill Perkins is proof that life can be played on a grand scale – whether on the stock exchange, in film, or at the poker table. His story isn't just about money and cards; it's about deciding to take risks in pursuit of experiences that matter. The question is, would you have the courage to embrace this philosophy, and what would it mean for your life and the game you play?
More from Beyond Poker:
