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Stoyan Madanzhiev is a Bulgarian professional poker player who etched his name into gambling history by winning the 2020 WSOP Online Main Event. This victory earned him a record-breaking $3.9 million, the largest single prize in the history of online poker at the time. Currently ranking 13th on Bulgaria’s all-time money list, Madanzhiev has successfully transitioned from an online specialist to a high-stakes live regular, with significant success on the 2026 international circuit.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings surpassing $2,618,193 (according to The Hendon Mob), Madanzhiev is one of Bulgaria’s most successful exports. However, his total poker wealth is significantly higher due to his online dominance, headlined by his $3,904,686 score in the 2020 WSOP Online Main Event.
Madanzhiev has maintained elite form through early 2026. His recent highlights include:
- February 18, 2026: 395th place in the EPT Paris €1,650 PokerStars Open Main Event for $3,454.
- February 4, 2026: 3rd place in the Smart Poker Tour High Roller Mystery Bounty for $7,671.
- January 27, 2026: 19th place in the PGT Kickoff $5,100 NLH for $9,450.
- January 18, 2026: 8th place in the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open $10,000 Deep Stack for $27,360.
- August 30, 2025: 3rd place in the EPT Barcelona €10,200 NLH for $120,524.
His historic online win and consistent high-roller cashes contribute to an estimated poker net worth of over $7 million.
Biography & Poker Background
Born in Haskovo, Bulgaria, Madanzhiev was a relatively unknown “grinder” before his life-changing 2020 victory. He had been playing professionally for nearly seven years, primarily focusing on mid-to-high stakes online cash games and regional European tournaments. His entry into the $5,000 WSOP Online Main Event was a career gamble that paid off in spectacular fashion, as he outlasted 5,802 entries to win the largest prize pool in online history ($27.5 million).
Following his breakthrough, Madanzhiev became a global ambassador for Bulgarian poker. Unlike many “one-hit wonders,” he leveraged his bankroll to enter the world’s most elite live circuits, including the PokerGO Tour (PGT) and the European Poker Tour (EPT). Now a resident of Haskovo, he is a central figure in the Bulgarian “Smart Poker Tour” and is frequently ranked in the GPI Top 100 worldwide, currently holding the #69 spot in early 2026.
Play Style & Strategy
Madanzhiev is renowned for a “highly clinical, aggressive, and theoretically sound” play style. His background in online cash games provides him with a technical edge in deep-stack scenarios, where his construction of polarized ranges makes him a nightmare for less balanced opponents. He famously utilized the “SnapCam” feature during his 2020 win to show a relaxed, confident demeanor that masked a ruthless technical execution.
His strategy revolves around:
- Post-Flop Precision: Utilizing advanced solvers to maintain a near-perfect technical baseline, especially in high-buy-in “High Roller” and “Super High Roller” environments.
- Mental Stamina: A proven “closer” who maintains peak performance during multi-day grinds, a trait that helped him navigate the massive field of the 2020 Online Main Event.
- Exploitative Adjustments: While GTO-based, he is adept at identifying the psychological timing tells of live opponents, a skill he has refined through his heavy 2025–2026 live schedule.
Social Media & Online Presence
Follow the 2020 World Champion as he continues to add to his legacy on the global circuit:
