Frank Lillis

Frank Lillis (full name Frank James Lillis) is an Irish professional poker player, born in Loughrea, County Galway. He started with online poker before transitioning to live tournaments and is currently based in Vietnam, frequently participating in major Asian poker series including the World Poker Tour (WPT), Asian Poker Tour (APT), and Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT). as of the end of 2025, his live tournament earnings total approximately $248,000.

In July 2022, Lillis won a total of $45,773 (approximately €44,767) in the Bounty Builder High Roller event on PokerStars. The tournament attracted 457 entrants with a total prize pool of $228,500, half of which was allocated as bounties. Competing under the screen name "Denman98," Lillis defeated Andreas Berggren of Sweden (runner-up) and "hello_totti" of Mexico (third place), ultimately claiming the title with $27,923 in bounties and $17,850 in prize money. This victory briefly propelled him to world No. 40 in the rankings (he had reached No. 19 in early 2022).

Lillis has achieved notable finishes in numerous major tournaments. Key results are listed below:

Additionally, he has cashed multiple times in events such as the WPT Cambodia Championship and WPT Prime Cambodia, demonstrating sustained competitiveness on the Asian circuit.

Based on tournament records and media reports, Lillis is known for a solid and adaptable style. He is capable of making patient decisions in deep-stack phases, skilled at extracting value through post-flop position play, and possesses keen insight into opponents' weaknesses. In large-field events, he often adjusts his strategy around the bubble to maximize survival chances. His strong performances across various formats (e.g., bounty events, high rollers, main events) and from full-ring to short-handed tables highlight his high level of table adaptability.

• From Europe to Asia: Lillis began his career playing European events like the Irish Poker Open but later shifted focus to Asia, frequently traveling between Manila, Phnom Penh, Taipei, and other cities.
• The "Wizard" Moniker: During the 2022 Irish Poker Open, local media dubbed him "the wizard," referring to his uncanny hand-reading abilities.
• Online Alias "Denman98": His PokerStars handle, "Denman98," is well-known among players and served as his platform for early bankroll building and experience.
• Low-Key and Pragmatic: Despite his achievements, Lillis maintains a relatively low public profile, avoiding excessive media exposure and letting his consistent tournament results speak for themselves.

As of late 2025, Lillis remains active on the Asian poker tour, having posted strong results at the APPT Manila, APT Taipei, and WPT Cambodia stops. His total earnings continue to climb steadily, with potential for further breakthroughs in major events. For recreational players, his career exemplifies a typical path to long-term profitability through sustained participation, savvy bankroll management, and strategic adjustments.