Jamil Wakil

Jamil Wakil was born on April 19, 1984, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, and later resided in Toronto. Before entering the poker world, he worked in finance, specializing in mutual funds for a major Canadian bank. He also owns business ventures including restaurants and a gym. Under the online handle "Jamil11" (and formerly "FreeLancerZZ"), Wakil established himself as a world-class online player, amassing millions in online earnings and winning titles in major series such as WCOOP, SCOOP, and PokerStars Winter Series. His online success laid the foundation for his live tournament career.

Wakil transitioned to live high-stakes tournaments in the early 2020s. His first major live score came at the 2023 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event, where he finished sixth for $307,500. At the time, he was described as a recreational player, but this deep run signaled his arrival. In 2023, he also cashed in the WCOOP Main Event online for $218,372, demonstrating his versatility. Throughout 2024, he accumulated cashes across the EPT and Triton circuits, including a third-place finish in a €25,000 high roller at EPT Paris for €156,800 and a sixth-place finish in the $50,000 EPT Super High Roller in Cyprus for $159,600.

Wakil's career reached new heights in 2025 on the Onyx Super High Roller Series in Cyprus. His largest cash came from a fifth-place finish in the $102,000 Onyx SHRS NLH Invitational, worth $670,000. He also finished runner-up in the $10,400 GG Million$ event for $650,000 and placed third in the $51,000 Onyx SHRS Championship for $585,000. Later in 2025, he finished third in the Triton Jeju $25,000 Jupiter Event for $632,000 and sixth in the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event for €199,750. At the 2025 Triton Jeju series, he added $40,250 in a mystery bounty event. In 2026, he continued with a third-place in the Triton Jeju $25,000 Jupiter Event (again) and cashes in multiple Triton and EPT events. He also cashed in the 2025 WSOP Paradise Super Main Event ($125,000) and the $100,000 Triton Main Event ($208,000). His consistent deep runs have placed him among the top Canadian players.

Wakil is known for a clinical, balanced, and high-frequency playing style. His strategy is rooted in technical range awareness, honed through millions of online hands. He excels in 8-max and 6-max formats, applying pressure in blind-versus-blind situations. Wakil is a proponent of continuous technical evolution and displays extreme composure at the tables, even in the most expensive buy-in events. His finance background contributes to disciplined bankroll management and risk assessment. He is considered a hybrid pro who seamlessly moves between online MTTs and live super high rollers.

In 2025, Wakil gained attention for a controversial hand during the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event final table. He accused eventual champion Aleksandr Shevliakov of angle shooting when Shevliakov asked for a count just before calling a river bet. The incident became a major talking point. Despite this, Wakil continued to perform, finishing third in the 2026 Triton Jeju Jupiter Event for $632,000 and cashing in the EPT Monte Carlo €25,000 high roller (10th for €109,900) and Triton Montenegro $40k mystery bounty. As of 2026, his total live earnings exceed $6.8 million, and he is ranked among the top 60 globally by GPI.

As of 2026, Jamil Wakil's estimated poker net worth exceeds $8 million, reflecting his consistent high-stakes success both live and online. He holds the 39th position on Canada's all-time money list and is ranked 58th globally according to the Global Poker Index (GPI). His 2025 campaign alone accounted for over $2 million in live cashes, solidifying his status among the elite Canadian players.

Wakil has proven particularly strong in Asia-Pacific events, especially on the Triton Poker Series. His biggest win in the region is $632,000 from a third-place finish in the 2026 Triton Jeju $25,000 Jupiter Event. Across eight Asia-Pacific tournament appearances, he has cashed seven times, demonstrating an 87.5% in-the-money rate. His total Asia-Pacific net earnings stand at $804,900, highlighting his effectiveness in these high-stakes fields.