Bernhard Binder is an Austrian professional poker player who made history on December 18, 2025, by winning the largest prize pool in the history of the Bahamas. Known as a rising star in the “Austrian School” of high-stakes poker, Binder is now a household name after capturing one of the most prestigious titles in the sport.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With over $10,328,636 in total live tournament earnings, according to The Hendon Mob, Bernhard Binder has catapulted into the elite ranks of the poker world. Before his massive 2025 breakout, he was a respected mid-stakes grinder with roughly $328,000 in cashes.
His career was redefined by a single, monumental victory:
$10,000,000 – 1st place in the $25,000 WSOP Paradise Super Main Event (December 2025).
In a record-breaking field of 2,891 entries, Binder navigated a prize pool of $72,275,000, the largest ever for a tournament outside of the Las Vegas Main Event. Entering the final table second in chips, he eventually defeated French veteran Jean Noel Thorel heads-up to secure the gold bracelet and the eight-figure top prize.
Other significant career results include:
- $1,832,484 – 1st place in the $10,300 GGMillion$ Main Event (Online, February 2025).
- $64,500 – 24th place in the $25,000 World Poker Tour (WPT) Global Slam at Triton Jeju II (September 2025).
- ~$34,920 – 18th place in the €10,300 European Poker Tour (EPT) Malta High Roller (October 2025).

Biography & Poker Background
Originally from and residing in Vienna, Austria, Bernhard Binder is part of a dominant wave of young Austrian talent mentored and recognized by pros like Mario Mosbock. Remarkably, Binder has only been playing poker for approximately three years, a meteoric rise that Mosbock described as “insane” and “incredible.”
Prior to his 2025 dominance, Binder was primarily known in high-stakes circles as a “sharp guy” and a “fast learner” who was “printing” (winning consistently) in elite online games before successfully transitioning to the live arena.
Play Style & Strategy
Binder is characterized by a modern, GTO-influenced (Game Theory Optimal) strategy combined with immense mental composure.
- The Big Game Hunter: He specializes in high-buy-in, large-field events where navigating massive variance is required. His win in the $25,000 Super Main Event showcased his ability to maintain focus over a grueling multi-day schedule against 2,800+ opponents.
- Heads-Up Clinicality: In his two major titles of 2025 (WSOP Paradise and GGMillion$), he demonstrated a dominant heads-up game, defeating world-class veterans like Martin Finger and Jean Noel Thorel.
- Statistical Edge: During his Super Main Event run, he was noted for his technical precision, eventually winning the final hand with ace-eight. His victory was predicted months in advance by fellow pros, who cited his rapid growth and technical depth as “the best in the game at the moment”.
















