Costa is truly a local coming from the beautiful Provencal village of St Paul de Vence near Nice. He is a recreational poker player and runs a bureau de change as his day job. Herve Costa finished 2nd at the Joaroyale Poker Tour Final which took place in Antibes in June 2009 where he pocketed �20,000. Two months later he won �13,500 for 44th place at the Grand Final of the Partouche Poker Tour II in Antibes.