Zoe has covered major poker series across Asia, including APT and the Players Series. With solid experience as a live reporter, she now joins SoMuchPoker to deliver in-depth coverage and share her insights from the tables.

Updated: 2025.12.26

Dawid Smolka is a Polish professional poker player who has rapidly ascended to the upper echelons of the international circuit, widely recognized for his high level of consistency in elite fields and his notable dominance in major festivals in Cyprus.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With over $1,928,000 in total live earnings, Dawid Smolka currently ranks 7th on the Poland All Time Money List. According to The Hendon Mob, he surpassed the $1,000,000 career milestone in 2024 and nearly doubled that figure through a prolific 2025 campaign. His career-best live cash of $260,000 was achieved in March 2025 at the Merit Poker Carmen Series, where he captured the High Roller title after defeating legendary pro Johnny Lodden in a heads-up battle.

The year 2025 served as a definitive breakout for Smolka, yieldling multiple high-stakes titles and deep runs. His recent triumphs and podium finishes include:

Winner, Merit Poker Carmen Series High Roller (March 2025) for $260,000.
Winner, Merit Poker Gatsby Gala Series Warm-Up (November 2024) for $179,650.
Winner, Merit Poker Western Series Deepstack (January 2025) for $54,200.
16th Place, WSOP Super Circuit Cyprus High Roller (October 2025) for $23,500.
419th Place, WSOP Online Main Event (September 2025) out of 11,571 entries.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from Mikołów, Poland, where he currently resides, Dawid Smolka has transitioned from a regional standout to a feared professional on the global stage. While he is a staple of prominent festivals at the Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino in Cyprus, he has increasingly focused on the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and major European stops. His exceptional performance in 2024 earned him the title of GPI National Player of the Year for Poland, and he reached a career-high Global Poker Index (GPI) ranking of 62nd in the world during 2025.

Play Style & Strategy

Dawid Smolka is known for a calculated and high-pressure tournament strategy, often excelling in “High Roller” and “Warm-Up” formats where technical precision is paramount. During his victory at the 2025 Merit Poker High Roller, live reporting highlighted his tactical discipline, as he entered the final day as chip leader and successfully navigated a “tough final table” against world-class opposition. His approach combines a disciplined understanding of stack management with the aggression required to dominate large-field championships, a skill evidenced by his nearly wire-to-wire victory in the Gatsby Gala Series Warm-Up.

Recent Attendances