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Espen Jørstad
Espen Uhlen Jørstad is a Norwegian professional poker player and the first-ever Norwegian to be crowned the World Series of Poker Main Event Champion. Renowned for his disciplined approach, transition from elite online streaming to live dominance, and his background in brewing science, Jørstad has become a premier face on the high-stakes circuit and Norway’s all-time money leader.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings surpassing $19,416,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Jørstad sits firmly at #1 on the Norway All-Time Money List. His career-best live score of $10,000,000 came from his historic victory in the 2022 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Jørstad is a 2-time WSOP bracelet winner, having also captured the 2022 $1,000 Tag Team event alongside Patrick Leonard. He is a consistent force on the Triton Poker Series , highlighted by a 3rd-place finish in the 2024 Monte Carlo Special Triton Invitational for $2,255,000. His rapid ascent in the “nosebleed” stakes contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $15 million.
Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1988 in Levanger, Norway, Jørstad’s journey to the poker elite is one of the most unique in the game. He originally focused on academics, earning a Master’s degree in Brewing Science and working as a process technician in a brewery before turning to poker full-time. Known early on as a high-volume online grinder and Twitch streamer under the handle “UhlenPoker,” he built a reputation for transparency and extreme technical study. After moving to London to focus on his career, his 2022 breakthrough summer catapulted him from a respected pro to a global superstar. Today, he is widely regarded as an ambassador for health and mindfulness in poker, often sharing his fitness and mental preparation routines with the community.
Play Style & Strategy
Jørstad is the quintessential “modern solver pro,” utilizing a strategy that is deeply rooted in GTO (Game Theory Optimal) principles. His play style is characterized by a “stoic and impenetrable” table presence, designed to give away zero information to his opponents. He is a master of range construction and frequency balancing, often spending his off-table time running complex simulations to refine his decision-making. Despite his mathematical foundation, he demonstrated elite-level discipline during his WSOP Main Event run, navigating a field of over 8,600 players with remarkable composure. Whether competing in Triton Poker Series high rollers or mixed-game championships, his strategy revolves around technical perfection and maintaining a high performance-to-variance ratio.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow Espen Uhlen Jørstad’s journey as he continues to climb the all-time money list? You can do so here:
Video Highlights:
Check out the hand that defined Espen’s path to the world championship:
Callum Jury is SoMuchPoker's Live Content and Social Media Specialist, reporting live from WSOP and Asia Pacific poker festivals including the APT and PokerStars LIVE series. Originally from the Lake District in the UK, he has covered the Southeast Asian poker circuit since 2025, combining day-by-day tournament reporting with the social and digital content that brings the action to fans.
