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Jonathan Duhamel is a Canadian professional poker player and the first Canadian in history to capture the World Series of Poker Main Event title. A former member of Team PokerStars Pro and a multi-time bracelet winner, Duhamel is a legend in the North American poker community, recognized for his technical resilience and high-stakes versatility across both Hold’em and Mixed Game formats.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings surpassing $18,009,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Duhamel remains one of the top 5 earners in Canada’s history. His career-defining score of $8,944,310 came from his victory in the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Duhamel is a 3-time WSOP bracelet winner; after his Main Event win, he secured two more bracelets in 2015, including a massive victory in the $111,111 High Roller for One Drop for $3,989,985 and the WSOPE High Roller in Berlin. His success spans major circuits including the EPT and PCA, contributing to an estimated poker net worth of over $15 million.
Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1987 in Boucherville, Quebec, Duhamel originally studied finance and business administration at the Université du Québec à Montréal before dropping out to pursue professional poker. Starting as an online cash game grinder, he rose to international stardom overnight in 2010. His victory was celebrated across Canada, and he famously donated $100,000 of his winnings to the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation. Despite facing a horrific home invasion in 2011 where his original championship bracelet was stolen, Duhamel showed incredible resilience, returning to the high-stakes circuit to win two more bracelets and cement his legacy. He remains a prominent figure in the Quebec poker scene and served as a long-term ambassador for various poker brands.
Play Style & Strategy
Duhamel is characterized by a “tight-aggressive and mathematically precise” play style that stems from his deep background in high-stakes cash games. While he rose to fame during an era of “old school” aggression, he was one of the early adopters of using a balanced range of hands to remain unpredictable at the final table. He is renowned for his ability to “switch gears,” transitioning from ABC poker to high-pressure polarizations depending on his read of the table’s fatigue. His strategy in WSOP high rollers often involves utilizing his world-champion image to induce light calls, while his technical understanding of Pot-Limit Omaha and Seven Card Stud makes him a dangerous threat in mixed-game fields. Whether navigating a WSOP championship or a deep run in Montreal, his strategy revolves around technical soundness and mental toughness.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow Jonathan Duhamel as he continues to compete in major international events? You can do so here:
