Yuliyan Nikolaev Kolev is a professional poker player from Sofia, Bulgaria, who has risen to become one of the most successful and recognized figures in the international poker scene. A former professional arm wrestler, Kolev brought that same competitive spirit to the felt, where he is famous for his calm focus and a very unique lucky charm. With two World Series of Poker bracelets to his name, he has proven himself to be a world-class talent who can turn a single chip into a million-dollar payday.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Yuliyan Kolev has won over $4.1 million in live tournament earnings. His most famous victory happened in 2022 when he won the WSOP $1,500 Millionaire Maker event. He famously navigated a massive field of 7,961 entries to take home a career best $1,125,189, wearing an upside-down KFC bucket on his head to celebrate.

Kolev is a two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet winner and was the first player from Bulgaria to achieve this feat. His first bracelet came in 2021 during a WSOP Online $777 Lucky 7’s event, where he won $146,163. He is also a consistent threat on the European Poker Tour (EPT) and the World Poker Tour (WPT) . In 2025, he had an incredible summer in Las Vegas, finishing 4th in a $3,000 No Limit Hold’em event for $300,649 and 7th in the $10,000 6-Handed Championship for $111,338. Most recently, in February 2026, he continued his strong run with a deep finish in the EPT Paris PokerStars Open High Roller for $19,675.

Biography & Poker Background

Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Yuliyan Nikolaev Kolev did not start out as a card player. Before his poker career, he was a professional arm wrestler, a sport that taught him the mental toughness and physical discipline he uses today. He first appeared on the live poker scene in 2010 with a cash in Venice and soon began traveling to Las Vegas for the WSOP. His “Millionaire Maker” win is one of the greatest comeback stories in poker history; at one point during the tournament, he was down to just a single 25,000 chip while the big blind was 500,000. He managed to spin that lone chip into a million dollar victory, a feat that solidified his legendary status in the Bulgarian poker community.

Play Style & Strategy

Kolev is known for a composed and patient approach to the game. He often credits his “lucky” KFC bucket and his loud, supportive rail for helping him stay calm under the intense pressure of a televised final table. Coming from a background in professional sports, he relies heavily on his ability to read his opponents’ body language and maintain his focus for days at a time. He is a very disciplined player who values a clear mind, often stating that the presence of his friends makes him feel completely at ease. His heads up win against Oren Rosen showed his ability to switch gears and apply pressure when it matters most, eventually winning with pocket aces to secure his second title.

Social Media & Online Presence

Want to follow Yuliyan Nikolaev Kolev as he continues his 2026 run in the EPT and WSOP events? You can track his latest stats and tournament cashes here:

• The Hendon Mob Profile
• WSOP Player Profile
• PokerNews Profile

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