Bill Perkins

Bill Perkins is an American hedge fund manager, entrepreneur, author, film producer, and high-stakes poker player from Houston, Texas.

Bill Perkins is an American hedge fund manager, entrepreneur, author, film producer, and high-stakes poker player from Houston, Texas. He is known in poker for playing elite cash games and high roller tournaments, and outside poker for founding and managing energy-trading and investment businesses. He wrote *Die With Zero*, a personal-finance and life-planning book.

Early life and education

Bill Perkins was born in Houston, Texas, on February 2, 1969. He earned a degree in electronics and electrical engineering from the University of Iowa. Sources describe him as having worked in energy-related trading before moving into entrepreneurship and investing.

Business career

Perkins built his fortune outside poker through trading, venture investing, and hedge-fund management. He worked in oil and energy trading before starting his own ventures, including Small Ventures and Skylar Capital Management. He founded Skylar Capital Management in 2013 and serves as its founder, managing partner, and head trader. He is also involved in film production.

Poker career

Perkins entered the poker spotlight as a wealthy amateur and high-stakes regular. He is known for playing high roller tournaments and cash games, with live tournament winnings reported at over US$5 million. He became publicly associated with poker through appearances on televised high-stakes formats such as PokerStars Big Game.

Writing and public profile

Perkins published *Die With Zero* in 2020, which advocates prioritizing meaningful experiences over leaving unused wealth behind. He is also known for a prominent social-media presence and for high-profile prop bets in the poker world.