How Poker Changed Rick Salomon’s Life: A Story from Bobby’s Room

Find out how the legendary cash game in Bobby's Room not only made Andrew Robl famous, but also became a turning point for Rick Salomon, leading him to rehabilitation.

Several years ago, one of the most talked-about high-stakes cash games in history took place in the legendary Bobby's Room at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas. This session not only marked a turning point in Andrew Robl’s career, but also completely changed Rick Salomon’s life, leading him to quit drugs and check himself into rehab. The story, as recounted by Robl during a recent High Stakes Poker livestream and published by PokerGO, became a huge sensation among poker fans. How the Epic Session Played Out According to Andrew Robl, it all began with $50/$100 stakes and a $10,000 buy-in. The table was packed with well-known pros and Bellagio regulars, including Dan Bilzerian. One of the key players was Steve "Mr Smokey" Billirakis, who became Salomon’s main rival as the session unfolded. Rick Salomon, famous not only for his poker results but also for the infamous 2004 video with Paris Hilton, was dominating on the first day. But everything changed when he decided to skip sleep and keep playing through the night. Robl noted that at the time, Salomon was abusing drugs, which allowed him to stay at the table without rest. By the third day, the players’ bankrolls had grown to $500,000 each, despite the maximum buy-in being set at $10,000. Salomon started playing extremely aggressively, putting on a $5,000 straddle every hand, and then bumping it up to $10,000. At one point, he lost his entire stack, but came back to the table with “a pillowcase full of cash” and continued playing for even higher stakes. After several days without sleep, Salomon was so exhausted that he even brought a group of girls to cheer him on from behind. But it didn’t help—one by one, the pros started taking pots off him hand after hand. The Key Hand: The Road to Rehab The climax of the three-day marathon was a hand that Salomon himself later called the reason he went to rehab. In this hand, Steve Billirakis raised to $36,000 over Salomon’s straddle, and Salomon called with 6-4 offsuit. The flop came 6-4-K, giving Salomon two pair. But Billirakis had pocket kings and flopped a set, leaving Salomon with almost no chance to win. Later, Salomon told the table: “It all started when I lost all the money from my box at the Bellagio. He (Billirakis) really changed my life. If it weren’t for him, I might still be on drugs.” That loss became the turning point in Salomon’s journey to overcoming addiction. The Aftermath: Highs and Lows for the Players The Bobby’s Room session proved to be life-changing not just for Salomon. According to Robl, two pros who played in the game lost their entire bankrolls—about $1,500,000 each—and quit poker afterward. For Robl himself, that night was the start of something big: “I doubled my net worth, and that launched my career,” he admitted. Remarkably, years later Rick Salomon returned to the High Stakes Poker table—this time live on air. Over three nights, he lost more than $2,200,000, once again drawing attention to his story and personality. Who Were the Players in This Legendary Game Rick Salomon — a professional poker player also known for his high-profile exploits outside the poker world. At the time of these events, he was a regular in the biggest games. Andrew Robl — a pro for whom this session was a career breakthrough. After this marathon, he was able to significantly grow his bankroll and establish himself among poker’s elite. Steve "Mr Smokey" Billirakis — one of the most memorable players in the game, whose hand against Salomon became the pivotal moment of the story. Dan Bilzerian — a well-known poker player and media personality, who also took part in the session. Game Format and Poker Terms Cash game — a poker format where players play for real money, not tournament chips. You can buy more chips or leave the table at any time. Buy-in — the amount a player pays to enter the game. In this case, $10,000. Straddle — an extra mandatory bet that increases the size of the pot and ramps up the action. In this session, Salomon was putting on $5,000 and even $10,000 straddles every hand. Bankroll — a player’s total poker funds. Set — three of a kind made with a pocket pair and a matching card on the board; in this case, Billirakis flopped three kings. Key Results and Losses Rick Salomon: lost all the money from his box at the Bellagio during the session; years later, lost over $2,200,000 in three nights on High Stakes Poker. Andrew Robl: doubled his net worth, which launched his professional career. Two pros (names not specified): lost their entire bankrolls, about $1,500,000 each, and left poker. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players The story of Rick Salomon and the other Bobby’s Room players is a vivid reminder of how important it is to control your emotions, bankroll, and behavior at the poker table. Even seasoned pros can face serious consequences from exhaustion, substance abuse, or losing self-control. For PPPoker club players, it’s a lesson: long sessions and aggressive high-stakes play demand not just skill, but also mental resilience. The practical takeaway for every player is to manage your bankroll carefully and never let the game get out of control. Use PPPoker’s tools to track your stats, set deposit and table time limits, and avoid critical losses. Finally, Salomon’s experience shows that poker can be not just a source of income, but also a catalyst for personal change. If you feel the game is having a negative impact on your life, don’t hesitate to seek help and take breaks. Success in poker starts with taking care of yourself.