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Giuliano Bendinelli is a legendary Italian professional poker player and one of the most resilient figures in the modern game. Known globally as the “Comeback Kid,” Bendinelli etched his name into poker history by winning the record-breaking 2022 EPT Barcelona Main Event after being reduced to a single big blind. A World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and an EPT champion, he is a primary representative of the Italian high-stakes community and sits comfortably within Italy’s top 15 all-time money leaders.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings surpassing $2,866,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Bendinelli is a heavyweight of the European circuit. His career-best live score of $1,521,766 came from his historic victory in the 2022 EPT Barcelona Main Event, where he famously turned one big blind into the trophy and the title.
Bendinelli added to his legacy in late 2025 by capturing his first WSOP bracelet at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Europe. He won Event #4: €2,000 No-Limit Hold’em Monsterstack for €169,850, surviving another rollercoaster final table to secure poker’s most coveted prize. His consistency has remained elite into 2026, including a deep run in the EPT Paris Main Event. His sustained success across major tours contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $3.5 million.
Biography & Poker Background
Born in Genoa, Italy, Bendinelli was an extremely competitive youth who originally dreamed of a professional football career, even playing in the youth ranks of Genoa CFC. When that path closed, he redirected his competitive drive into poker, moving to London to pursue the game at the highest level. He quickly became a standout in the Italian contingent, known for his emotional intensity and unbreakable spirit.
His 2022 triumph in Barcelona remains one of the most-watched moments in poker history, serving as the ultimate “chip and a chair” story. Beyond his individual success, Bendinelli was a key member of the Italian team that won the Global Poker Masters World Cup in 2015, where he was named the tournament’s best player. Now a resident of London, he remains a frequent traveler on the World Poker Tour (WPT) and European Poker Tour circuits, representing the “Azzurri” with pride.
Play Style & Strategy
Bendinelli is renowned for an “aggressive, intuitive, and indomitable” play style. While he is well-versed in modern GTO principles, he is widely respected for his exceptional ability to navigate the mental and emotional swings of tournament poker. He thrives in short-handed (6-max) formats, where his ability to apply maximum pressure and find creative bluffs allows him to dominate final table dynamics.
His strategy revolves around:
- Psychological Resilience: An unparalleled ability to maintain focus and aggression when short-stacked, as evidenced by his multiple miracle comebacks.
- ICM Mastery: A disciplined approach to laddering and final table pressure, which he credits for his deep runs in WSOP and EPT events.
- Adaptive Aggression: Transitioning seamlessly between tight, fundamental play and explosive aggression depending on his stack size and table image.
Social Media & Online Presence
Follow the “Comeback Kid” as he continues to chase the Triple Crown and more high-stakes titles across the globe:
