Billy Argyros, or “The Croc”, is an Australian poker player and Australian Poker Hall of Fame member whose tournament career stretches back to the late 1980s. One of the most recognisable figures in Australian poker , Argyros has recorded more than USD 2 million in live tournament earnings. His biggest results include fourth place in the 2008 WSOP Pot Limit Omaha Championship and victory in the 2013 APPT Melbourne Main Event.

Career Earnings and Biggest Results

Argyros has accumulated more than USD 2 million in recorded live tournament earnings, according to The Hendon Mob.

His largest recorded cash came at the 2008 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Argyros finished fourth in the USD 10,000 World Championship Pot Limit Omaha event for USD 268,605.

Another major result arrived in 2013 when he won the APPT Melbourne Main Event at Crown Melbourne . Argyros collected approximately USD 121,264 after defeating the Main Event field on home soil.

He followed that result with third place in the 2014 APPT Macau Main Event, worth approximately USD 121,290. Earlier in his career, he finished runner-up in an event at the 2005 Crown Victorian Poker Championships for approximately USD 96,812.

Argyros also produced a deep run in the 1995 WSOP Main Event. He finished 15th from a field of 273 players for USD 24,220. Dan Harrington went on to win the tournament.

Biography and Poker Background

Argyros began travelling to Las Vegas during the late 1980s and has remained a familiar presence at major Australian and international tournaments ever since.

The story behind his nickname began during one of those early trips. After winning approximately USD 14,000 in a tournament at the Las Vegas Hilton, Argyros used USD 1,000 to enter a satellite for the WSOP Main Event.

He reached heads-up play against three-time Main Event champion Johnny Moss . Moss offered Argyros USD 4,000 to concede the satellite, but the Australian rejected the deal and won the seat shortly afterwards.

Members of the crowd compared the unknown Australian to Crocodile Dundee. When somebody approached and asked his name, Argyros replied, “Crocodile Bill.” The nickname later became Billy “The Croc” Argyros.

His distinctive crocodile hat has since become closely associated with his appearances at poker tournaments.

Argyros’ 15th-place finish in the 1995 WSOP Main Event established him as a successful international competitor before the online poker boom. More than a decade later, his fourth-place finish in the 2008 WSOP Pot Limit Omaha Championship became the largest recorded cash of his career.

His 2013 APPT Melbourne Main Event victory added a major title to his résumé after more than two decades of tournament poker.

Argyros was later inducted into the Australian Poker Hall of Fame alongside several of the country’s most accomplished players. He has described himself modestly as more of a poker character than an elite player, but said he was proud to receive the recognition.

Play Style and Approach to Poker

Argyros has competed across multiple poker variants, with his largest result coming in Pot Limit Omaha. His career has also included deep runs and victories in no-limit hold’em tournaments.

He considers conversation an important part of his live game. Argyros talks to opponents both to keep the table friendly and to gather information about their experience, background and approach to the tournament.

Argyros has also spoken about the need to adapt as poker strategy has developed. While he once regarded himself as one of Australia’s leading players, he believes the younger generation has raised the overall standard of the game.

Bankroll management is central to his advice for developing players. Argyros qualified for several of his early WSOP Main Event appearances through satellites rather than paying the USD 10,000 entry directly. He encourages new players to educate themselves, start slowly and build their bankroll before moving into larger tournaments.

Argyros is also critical of professionals who belittle recreational players for making unconventional decisions. His advice is to accept the result, say “nice hand” and move on rather than making another player feel unwelcome.

Online Presence

• Billy Argyros on The Hendon Mob