Gheorghe Niste

Mihai Niste is a Romanian poker professional who has been active on the tournament circuit since at least 2016. He has accumulated over $2.7 million in live earnings according to PokerStarsNews, with 116 official in-the-money finishes as of mid-2025. Niste plays a tight-aggressive style and is known for his disciplined decision-making, even in high-pressure situations.

Niste’s career-best result came in April 2025 at the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship in Hollywood, Florida. He finished 2nd out of 1,755 entrants, earning $515,000 — the largest single payout of his career. Earlier, in August 2023, he placed 9th in the EPT Barcelona Main Event for €137,700. He also has a strong WSOP record: in July 2023, he finished 6th in Event #88: $1,500 The Closer, winning $126,660, and in June 2024, he placed 15th in the $3,000 Mid-Stakes No-Limit Hold'em Championship for $52,150.

Niste has 32 WSOP cashes totaling over $403,000, with two final tables and a best finish of 6th. His WSOP results include multiple deep runs in events such as the $10,000 Main Event (693rd in 2016), $1,500 Freezeout (6th in 2023), and $3,000 6-Handed PLO (35th in 2023). On the European Poker Tour, aside from his Barcelona Main Event cash, he also recorded finishes in the EPT Cyprus series and the FPS Main Event in Monte Carlo.

In May 2025, during the $2,200 Luxon Pay Grand Final at the Mediterranean Poker Party in Cyprus, Niste executed what many consider the most incredible hero fold in poker history. Holding A♥10♠ on a K♥Q♥2♥10♥8♦ board, he made the nut flush on the turn but his opponent had a straight flush (J♥9♥). After firing a pot-sized bet on the river and facing an all-in raise, Niste used multiple time banks and eventually folded the nut flush, saving his tournament life. Despite the fold, he was eliminated in 28th place for $16,700. The hand was widely covered by PokerStarsNews and sparked debate across the poker community.

Niste is regarded as a fundamentally sound player who blends cautious play with timely aggression. His ability to make disciplined laydowns — as demonstrated in the hero fold — underscores his sharp reading of opponents and ICM considerations. He is a respected figure in the growing Romanian poker scene, known for his calm demeanor at the tables.