Fedor Holz

Fedor Holz was born on 25 July 1993 in Saarbrücken, Germany. He currently resides in Vienna, Austria. He plays online under the alias "CrownUpGuy" and was ranked by PocketFives as the best online MTT player in both 2014 and 2015. Holz had his first live cash in 2012 at the €500 No Limit Hold'em GPT II Deepstack Series Main Event, finishing second for €15,320. In September 2014, he won the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) Main Event for $1.3 million, cementing his reputation as a top online player. He gained international fame from that victory.

Holz's first WSOP in 2015 was highly notable: he finished third in the $10,000 Six-Handed Championship and 25th in the Main Event for $262,574. In 2016, he won his first WSOP bracelet in the $111,111 High Roller for One Drop, defeating Dan Smith heads-up to earn $4,981,775. In the 2020 WSOP Online, he won his second bracelet in the $25,000 Heads-Up No Limit Hold'em event on GGPoker for $1,077,250. Overall, he has two WSOP bracelets, five final tables, and 16 money finishes in WSOP events.

Holz exploded onto the high roller scene in early 2016. In December 2015, he won the World Poker Tour Alpha8 Las Vegas for $1.5 million. Barely a month later, in January 2016, he captured the Triton Super High Roller Series Philippines event for $3,072,748 (often reported as $3,463,500). In May 2016, he finished runner-up in the $300,000 Super High Roller Bowl for $3.5 million. Later that year, he won another Super High Roller at the European Poker Tour Barcelona for $1.4 million. His largest live cash came in 2018 when he finished second in the $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop at the WSOP for $6,000,000. In 2022, he finished fourth in the $200,000 Coin Rivet Invitational. As of various databases, his live tournament earnings exceed $49–$50 million, making him the all-time German money leader and placing him 10th on the all-time money list.

Top Five Biggest Cashes

Data courtesy of The Hendon Mob.

Holz is recognized for a highly analytical and fearless play style, rooted in deep game theory and mental performance. His strategy emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of GTO (Game Theory Optimal) foundations while maintaining a sharp exploitative edge against diverse opponents. Known for his intense focus and "zen-like" composure at the table, Holz prioritizes the psychological and mental health aspects of the game. He leverages range advantage and frequency analysis, making precise post-flop decisions. His approach is aggressive but balanced, with high 3-bet and 4-bet frequencies. He excels in tournament late stages, adjusting to ICM pressure and stack depths.

In 2020, Holz joined GGPoker as a brand ambassador. He has also ventured into entrepreneurship, founding the mind coaching app Primed Mind, the poker-teaching platform Pokercode, and the community space Under the Tree in Vienna. He is featured in GGPoker's reality series Game of Gold, which aired in November 2023. Despite announcing a "retirement" from full-time professional poker in 2016 to focus on business interests, he has remained highly active in high roller events. His estimated net worth is over $30 million.

Holz continued to add results in the Triton Poker Series and other high roller events. In the 2026 Triton Poker Series Montenegro, he won a $40K NLH 7-Handed Mystery Bounty event for $528,800. He also cashed in the 2025 Triton Main Event. His sustained success over more than a decade cements his status as one of the most talented and consistent players in the modern high roller circuit.

Fedor Holz is widely regarded as one of the greatest German poker players of all time. His historic 2016 run, where he won over $16 million in a single calendar year, remains one of the most prolific stretches in poker history. His transition from a teenage online prodigy to a global poker icon and successful entrepreneur has made him a role model for a generation of analytical players. He continues to influence the game through coaching, content, and his ambassador role.

According to the Hendon Mob Poker Database, Fedor Holz's total live tournament earnings stand at $49,244,698 as of 2026, with a best live cash of $6,000,000. He is ranked 10th on the all-time money list and holds the top position among German players. His winnings include over $16 million in a single calendar year (2016), a feat that remains one of the most prolific in poker history.

In 2016, Fedor Holz experienced an unprecedented run of success, winning over $16 million in live tournaments. The streak began in December 2015 with the World Poker Tour Alpha8 Las Vegas ($1.5M), followed by the Triton Super High Roller Philippines in January 2016 ($3.07M). He then finished runner-up in the $300,000 Super High Roller Bowl ($3.5M) and captured his first WSOP bracelet in the $111,111 High Roller for One Drop ($4.98M). A win at the EPT Barcelona Super High Roller ($1.4M) capped the year. In September 2016, Holz announced his "retirement" from full-time poker to focus on business ventures, though he continued to play select high roller events.