Juan Pardo Domínguez

Juan Pardo Domínguez was born in 1993 in Málaga, Spain. Growing up on the Mediterranean coast, he developed a keen interest in mathematics and logic, which later became the foundation of his poker success. He studied economics at university but increasingly devoted his time to card games. At age 19, he began playing low-stakes tournaments online under the screen name "Malaka$tyle" (or "Malaka$am") on PokerStars, quickly climbing the ranks due to his analytical mind and relentless study of the game.

Pardo first gained widespread recognition in the online world, where he dominated high-stakes cash games and tournaments across multiple platforms. He played under various aliases including "bigpescado69" on partypoker, "juanpardo99" on bwin, and "Malakiascf" on 888poker. His online résumé includes a SCOOP title on PokerStars, a testament to his skill in massive multi-table events. He also finished runner-up in a $10,000 NLH WCOOP event in 2021 for $187,000. Despite his live success, Pardo remains an active force in digital poker, competing at the highest levels.

Pardo made his live tournament debut in March 2016 and quickly established himself as a major figure on the high-roller circuit. He has cashed over 130 times in live events, with total earnings exceeding $15 million according to The Hendon Mob. His best live cash came in August 2024 when he finished second in the $306,000 Super High Roller Bowl Cyprus for $1,900,000. He is ranked 90th on the All-Time Money List and sits third among Spanish players.

Pardo’s career is studied with victories and deep runs in the world’s most prestigious tournaments:

• 2019 – Won the €50,000 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller at EPT Barcelona for €1,013,860 (approx. $1,125,385), his first seven-figure score. On the same day, he won another Single-Day High Roller for a combined €1.4 million in 12 hours.
• 2021 – Finished third in the €100,000 Super High Roller at EPT Monte Carlo for €890,000.
• 2022 – Runner-up in the £50,000 EPT London Super High Roller for £425,680, and won the £10,200 Mystery Bounty for £80,280.
• 2023 – Won the $50,000 EPT Super High Roller at EPT Cyprus for $769,860. Also placed sixth in the $125,000 Triton London Main Event for $970,000.
• 2024 – Third in the €100,000 EPT Monte Carlo Super High Roller for €906,700. Runner-up in the Super High Roller Bowl Cyprus for $1,900,000.
• 2025 – Third in the $50,000 Triton Jeju event for $1,055,000. Won the €10,200 Mystery Bounty at EPT Malta for €58,400, and finished eighth in the €5,300 EPT Malta Main Event for €91,250.
• 2026 – Multiple cashes at EPT Monte Carlo, including third in the €50,000 Super High Roller Second Chance for €308,300.

Pardo has also excelled at the Triton Poker Series, with numerous final-table appearances in events ranging from $30,000 to $125,000. His consistent performance at the highest buy-ins has earned him respect from peers and fans alike.

Pardo is known for an aggressive, creative, and mathematically precise style. He applies constant pressure post-flop, leverages position, and excels in deep-stack strategy. His ability to adapt to opponents and make subtle adjustments makes him formidable in both cash games and tournaments. The poker community often cites his hand-reading skills and fearless approach, particularly in high-stakes no-limit hold'em. He maintains a relatively low public profile but is active on Twitter under @JuanMalakastyle, where he shares insights and engages with fans.

Pardo has become a regular fixture at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series, securing a title in Vietnam in 2024 (event details unspecified) and multiple final-table appearances. In March 2025, he placed third in the $50,000 NLH Seven Max event at Triton Jeju for $1,055,000. Later in 2026, he added a sixth-place finish in the $60,000 NLH Eight Max at Triton Jeju for $446,000 and a 14th in the $30,000 event for $78,000. His deep run in the 2023 Triton London $125,000 Main Event (6th, $970,000) remains a career highlight.

Though primarily a high-roller specialist, Pardo has also ventured into the World Series of Poker. He cashed in the 2021 $1,500 Fifty Stack NLH (187th, $2,625) and the 2022 $1,111 One Drop (554th, $2,222). At WSOP Paradise, he finished 116th in the $25,000 Super Main Event in 2024 ($86,100) and 108th in the 2025 edition ($80,000), plus 35th in the $100,000 Triton Main Event at 2025 WSOP Paradise ($164,000). Away from the WSOP, Pardo won the 2020 WPT Barcelona €10,000 High Roller for €320,000 and the 2019 EPT Prague €25,000 High Roller for €312,620. He also placed runner-up in the 2021 EPT Prague €25,000 Single-Day High Roller (€232,272) and fourth in the 2023 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure $100,000 Super High Roller ($522,900).

Pardo resides in Cortilligos, Spain, maintaining a relatively low profile despite his poker success. He continues to play online under multiple aliases and shares occasional insights on his Twitter account @JuanMalakastyle.