Sam was born in Beirut, Lebanon, where he showed an early talent for games of skill and chance. As a teenager, he excelled at pinball and pool; skills that rewarded him with cover- stories in national magazines.

Sam moved to the United States in 1977 to attend the University of Kansas, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration. He moved to Houston, Texas after graduating, where he worked several jobs before he found his true calling at a poker table.

He soon made his first trip to Las Vegas to hone his skills. The learning process was gradual, but Sam steadily improved his game. After four years of playing, Sam felt he was good enough to quit his day job and invest his money and his future in poker. He was right.

His aggressive and unpredictable style of play, based upon his ability to read and intimidate his opponents, has changed the way the game is played. He is recognized internationally as a renowned gambler, and at poker tables everywhere as a winner. Moreover Sam hearkens back to the old-school Vegas era with his grace and style, prompting one ESPN announcer to pronounce "Sam has such a cool look… When I die, I'd like to come back as Sam Farha"

Celebrity fits Sam easily. He is a TV natural. The 2003 and 2004 WSOP Championship Events have been repeated innumerable times, on ESPN and worldwide, and Sam has emerged as one of the true stars of the game. In under two years, he has made the crossover from poker player to household name.