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Paul Volpe, famously nicknamed “The Main Event,” is an elite American professional poker player and one of the most respected all-around talents in the game today. A three-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and a constant threat on the World Poker Tour (WPT), Volpe is revered for his technical mastery across multiple poker disciplines. Currently ranking as one of the top earners in Pennsylvania’s poker history, he has successfully transitioned from a dominant online “end boss” to a global high-stakes legend with over $10 million in live earnings.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings surpassing $10,177,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Volpe is a titan of the American circuit. His career-best live score of $651,170 was achieved with a runner-up finish in the 2013 World Poker Tour (WPT) L.A. Poker Classic. Volpe is a three-time WSOP bracelet winner, capturing gold in 2014 ($10,000 2-7 Lowball), 2016 ($1,500 8-Game Mix), and 2018 ($10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo). His consistency remains elite through early 2026, recently securing a 30th-place finish in the 2026 Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship for $17,360 and a 4th-place finish in the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship for $96,502. His sustained success across live and online “nosebleed” stakes contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $10 million.
Biography & Poker Background
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Volpe built his reputation as an online phenom under the moniker “paulgees81.” Long before he was a regular on the live high-roller circuit, he was one of the most successful online tournament players in history, amassing over $5 million in digital winnings. His live breakout occurred in 2013, a year where he made back-to-back WPT final tables and asserted himself as a premier live force. Despite his massive success, Volpe is known for his professional, “blue-collar” approach to the game, often shunning the spotlight to focus on technical execution. Today, he resides in West Chester, PA, and is a mainstay of the PokerGO Tour (PGT) and WSOP stops, where he is considered one of the most difficult opponents to face in any format.
Play Style & Strategy
Volpe is renowned for a “highly technical, adaptive, and fearless” play style. While many modern pros specialize exclusively in No-Limit Hold’em, Volpe’s edge lies in his mastery of Mixed Games, as evidenced by his diverse collection of WSOP bracelets. His strategy is characterized by extreme mental stamina and a “low-variance” approach that allows him to navigate through massive, multi-day fields with clinical efficiency. He is a master of hand-reading and identifying technical imbalances in his opponents, frequently using precise sizing to induce errors in non-Hold’em formats. Whether navigating a Triton Poker Series high-roller or a WSOP Championship, Volpe’s strategy revolves around technical balance and a relentless ability to remain focused during the longest grinds in poker.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow “The Main Event” as he continues to add to his historic bracelet count and climb the all-time money list? You can track his stats and updates here:
