Nicholas William Barnett was born January 10, 1958 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During his teen years, he was a Life Scout and Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Nicholas graduated 3rd at Union Grove High School in 1974 and briefly attended UW Parkside. He entered the U.S. Army in 1976 and was Honorably Discharged in 1980. Nicholas was awarded Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was a member of the U.S. Army Chess Team. After his discharge, he attended UW Madison and obtained a B.S. in Mathematics in 1984 with a 3.4 GPA and UW Law School earning Cum Laude in 1987. In the 1980’s, Nicholas became a U.S. Chess Federation Expert and American Contract Bridge League Life Master. From 2008 until his death, Nicholas became a professional poker player

.