![Uruguay [URY]](/assets/images/flags/1x1/uy.svg "Uruguay [URY]"){kind=small}
Francisco Benitez is a world class poker pro from Uruguay who has earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous players in the game today. Living in Montevideo, he is currently the number one player on the Uruguay All Time Money List. While he spent many years dominating the online poker world under his famous nickname “Tomatee,” he has recently become a major star on the live tournament circuit. Known for his calm focus and incredible ability to win back-to-back titles, Benitez has become the face of Uruguayan poker and a hero to players across South America.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
According to The Hendon Mob, Francisco Benitez has total live earnings of over $3.6 million. He holds the top spot for his home country by a wide margin. His live career reached a massive high point in 2022 at the European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona, where he went on an incredible run, winning two high roller titles in just a few days. He won the €10,200 Mystery Bounty for $116,263 and immediately followed it up by winning the €25,000 No Limit Hold’em event for $350,647.
Benitez also performs at an elite level in the WSOP . In 2024, he came inches away from a gold bracelet, finishing 2nd in the $3,000 Pot Limit Omaha 6-Handed event for $260,403. His success has continued into 2025, where he secured a 20th place finish in the WSOP $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship for $48,190. Additionally, he has found great success closer to home, taking 2nd place in the 2024 Enjoy Poker Tour Main Event in Punta del Este for $126,020.
Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1991, Francisco Benitez started playing poker when he was only 15 years old. By the time he was 18, he had already decided to make it his full-time job. He spent more than a decade as an “online legend,” racking up over $15 million in online winnings. He says that playing millions of hands on the internet gave him the experience needed to stay cool when he finally started traveling for live games. Although he spends about half the year traveling to places like Barcelona and Las Vegas, he remains very connected to the local poker scene in Uruguay. He is known for being a friendly and humble professional who is always happy to chat with other players from his home region.
Play Style & Strategy
Benitez is feared for his unpredictable and highly skilled style of play. Because he has a deep background in online poker, he is very fast at calculating odds and can play a high volume of hands without making mistakes. He is especially good in “short-handed” games, where there are fewer players at the table, because he knows how to put maximum pressure on his opponents. Even though he is aggressive, he is famous for his “poker face” and rarely shows any emotion, whether he wins a massive pot or loses one. This disciplined approach makes him one of the hardest players to read in any high-stakes tournament.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to keep up with Francisco Benitez as he aims for more trophies across Europe and the US in 2026? You can follow his career and see his latest results through these links:
Video Highlights:
Francisco Benitez has provided some of the most exciting moments in recent poker history, especially during his dominant run at EPT Barcelona. The videos below showcase his incredible skill in high-stakes environments, including a massive straight flush and his historic performance against some of the world’s best players in the Super High Roller circuit.
