Brian Hastings (poker player)

Brian Hastings, born on 24 June 1988, of Hanover Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, is an American professional poker player known for his six World Series of Poker bracelets and for his profitable online cash game sessions against the Swedish poker player Viktor Blom, better known by his online name Isildur1. He began playing online in 2006, inspired by his secondary school mathematics teacher, entered Cornell University through the College of Engineering, majored in economics and held a minority interest in Cardrunners.com. His style has been described on ESPN.com as placing the game of poker in a balanced place in a balanced life. He won his first bracelet at the 2012 World Series of Poker by defeating Jason Mo in the final match of the 10,000 dollar Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em event, and his second in 2015 in the 10,000 dollar Seven Card Stud Championship.