Joris Ruijs

Joris Ruijs first gained international attention with a deep run in the 2011 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Entering the final table as one of the chip leaders, he ultimately finished in fourth place, earning approximately $2.4 million. This result remains the largest single payout of his career and established him as a prominent figure in Dutch poker. Prior to this, Ruijs had accumulated several cashes in European Poker Tour (EPT) events, including a side event victory at the EPT Grand Final.

Over the years, Ruijs has added numerous live titles to his resume. In 2022, he won a $3,300 buy-in event at the Merit Poker Retro Series in North Cyprus, taking home $294,510. The following year, he captured the Grand Event at the Malta Poker Festival, earning €141,000 (approximately $157,000 at the time). Ruijs also claimed the first-ever Patrik Antonius Poker Challenge Main Event in Tallinn, Estonia. He entered the final table with a massive chip lead and sealed the victory by rivering a higher two pair against Finnish opponent Jantunen. Ruijs later remarked that Patrik Antonius was a personal hero of his, making the win especially meaningful.

In addition to live tournaments, Ruijs has enjoyed substantial success online under the screen name "Ruysvogel" (also known as "Tyren0"). He is approaching $6 million in winnings on PokerStars, highlighted by a victory in a $530 NLHE Sunday Million Special Edition during the 2019 Spring Championship Of Online Poker (SCOOP), which paid $217,140. Later that year, he won a World Championship Of Online Poker (WCOOP) title worth $70,158. These online achievements further solidified his reputation as a versatile and skilled tournament player.

The inaugural Patrik Antonius Poker Challenge (PAPC) in Tallinn was a landmark event for Ruijs. Held at a casino in the Estonian capital, the tournament attracted a strong field of European pros. Ruijs dominated from Day 2 onward, building a monster lead that he never relinquished. The heads-up match saw him briefly surrender the lead but quickly regain control. On the final hand, Ruijs rivered a higher two pair and moved all-in over a bet from his opponent, who called with the inferior hand. This victory earned him the title of PAPC's first champion and a six-figure prize. The event generated significant buzz in the poker world, especially due to the concurrent high-stakes PLO action.

Ruijs employs a tight-aggressive style, emphasizing patience and exploitation of opponents' weaknesses in deep-stack situations. He demonstrates solid post-flop decision-making and adjusts his aggression level based on table dynamics. His discipline on the final table, as shown during the 2011 WSOP Main Event and the PAPC, highlights his ability to maintain composure under pressure. Ruijs is known for avoiding unnecessary aggression while capitalizing on favorable opportunities, a balanced approach that has served him well across both live and online formats.

As of early 2026, Ruijs has recorded over 140 live cashes with total earnings exceeding $4.8 million. His Global Poker Index (GPI) ranking stands at 169, reflecting consistent performance in major tournaments. Recent cashes include $76,487 in April 2026 and $47,893 in April 2026 from events in Malta and elsewhere. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic causing a lull in results during 2020-2021, Ruijs returned to the felt with renewed vigor in 2022, contributing nearly $500,000 in winnings that year. His career serves as an example of how a single deep tournament run can define a player, but his continued success across multiple venues and online platforms demonstrates sustained skill and adaptability. Ruijs remains one of the most respected Dutch poker professionals, alongside names like Lex Veldhuis, though he focuses more on live tournaments.