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Stoyan Madanzhiev
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:
Video Highlights:
Callum Jury is SoMuchPoker's Live Content and Social Media Specialist, reporting live from WSOP and Asia Pacific poker festivals including the APT and PokerStars LIVE series. Originally from the Lake District in the UK, he has covered the Southeast Asian poker circuit since 2025, combining day-by-day tournament reporting with the social and digital content that brings the action to fans.
