Mike Schwartz is a Russian born professional poker player and business executive. He is currently living in Hollywood and attends many Californian poker events. In 2003, he made his presence felt in the international poker world by finishing 17th and earning $1,525 at the California State Poker Championship in Event #11 Pot-Limit Hold'em. In September 2006, Mike Schwartz participated in Event #13 - Shootout No-Limit Hold'em at the California State Poker Championship. He finished in 12th place and made an additional $1,395. In the following month, Mike Schwartz ranked 6th in Event #5 – No-Limit Hold'em at the National Championships of Poker and pocketed $2,650 in prize money.
Mike Schwartz had a great beginning in 2007 by finishing 1st in Event #2 - Limit Hold'em at the Poker Derby tournament and cashed $16,000 in prize money. He also participated in Event #9 No-Limit Hold'em of the same tournament and finished 3rd with $6,695. Mike Schwartz continued his winning streak in 2008 by securing a first-place finish in the No-Limit Hold'em event at the Poker Derby tournament. His success at the event made him $10,940 richer. He took part in Event #27 No-Limit Hold'em of the LA Poker Classic/World Poker Tour Event Season 6 tournament. In this event, he finished in 3rd place and took home a whopping $47,720. Mike Schwartz was also very successful at the Sport of Kings tournament. He finished in 2nd place in Event #9 No-Limit Hold'em of this tournament and won $20,600. Mike Schwartz had a major breakthrough in his poker career in June 2008. He entered the 39th World Series of Poker and outlasted all but one participant in Event #17 - WSOP Shootout – No-Limit Hold'em to win the runner-up title and went home with $209,527. As of 2008, his total career earnings in poker amount to $328,077.
