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Haralabos Voulgaris is a Greek Canadian gambler who is widely known as one of the most successful NBA sports bettors ever. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he followed in the footsteps of his father, who was also a frequent gambler. While he spent years beating the sportsbooks with complex math models, he eventually brought that same analytical mind to the poker world, becoming a regular in some of the most expensive tournaments and cash games on the planet.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings of over $5.4 million (according to The Hendon Mob), Voulgaris has proven he can compete with the best in the business. His largest single payday came very recently in 2024 at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Monte Carlo, where he finished 4th in the $125,000 Main Event for a massive $1,665,000.
Other highlights of his poker career include a 4th place finish in the 2017 WSOP $111,111 High Roller for One Drop for $1,158,883 and a runner up finish at the 2005 L.A. Poker Classic for $904,122. He also recently grabbed 8th place in a $100,000 Pot Limit Omaha event in Monte Carlo, adding another $311,000 to his totals.
Biography & Poker Background
Voulgaris grew up in Canada and got his start in gambling by watching his father play. After high school, they spent two months in Las Vegas together. While his dad played blackjack, Haralabos sat in the sportsbooks taking notes on basketball games. He famously turned his life savings of $70,000 into a fortune by betting it all on the Lakers to win the 2000 NBA title. His deep knowledge of basketball eventually led to a job as the Director of Quantitative Research for the Dallas Mavericks. Today, he is also the owner of the Spanish football club CD Castellón.
Play Style & Strategy
Voulgaris treats poker like a puzzle to be solved with data and logic. He is known for an unemotional and calculated approach, rarely letting his feelings get in the way of a good decision. Because of his background in sports modeling, he looks for tiny edges that others might miss, especially in high stakes cash games where he has played against the world’s top pros. He often says that the key to winning is simply working harder and paying more attention to detail than anyone else at the table.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow Haralabos Voulgaris as he plays in the biggest High Roller events around the world? You can keep up with his stats and updates here:
