Karl Stark

Karl Stark is an Austrian poker professional who has achieved notable results in both European and international tournaments. His most prominent finish came in 2015 at the Unibet Open Cannes, where he finished runner-up for €60,000. He also cashed in the 2018 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event, where he was the chip leader entering Day 4. Earlier in his career, he finished 50th in the 2005-2006 World Poker Tour World Championship, earning $43,935.

2015 Unibet Open Cannes

Stark reached the final table of the €1,000 Main Event at the Unibet Open Cannes in September 2015. After outlasting 411 entrants, Stark heads-up against Julien Sitbon. In the final hand, Sitbon min-raised, Stark called, and on a flop of [K♠9♣3♥], Stark check-raised and then called Sitbon's shove. Stark showed [K♥3♥] for top pair, while Sitbon showed [9♥8♥] for middle pair. The turn brought a [3♦], giving Stark two pair but also giving Sitbon a flush draw. The river was the [6♥], completing Sitbon's flush and eliminating Stark in 2nd place for €60,000.

During the same event, Stark eliminated Kimi Heiskanen on Day 2 when the action was down to 18 players. Heiskanen shoved from early position with [A♠8♠] and Stark called with [A♥J♦]. The board ran out [Q♦8♦6♣3♥J♥], giving Stark a pair of jacks on the river to send Heiskanen to the rail.

2018 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure

Stark enjoyed a deep run in the $10,300 Main Event of the 2018 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) in the Bahamas. On Day 3, he eliminated Vladimir Shabalin in a set-over-set hand: Stark held [J♣J♥] on a [J♦9♣4♣] flop, while Shabalin had [9♦9♥] for bottom set. The board ran out [5♥] and [4♦], and Stark doubled through. He finished Day 3 as the chip leader with 1.148 million, ahead of David Peters and Oleg Titov. He eventually cashed, though his final finishing position is not specified in available records.

World Poker Tour (WPT)

Stark cashed in the 2005-2006 WPT World Championship at the Bellagio, finishing 50th out of a large field and earning $43,935.

Based on available hand histories, Stark plays a solid, aggressive style. He is willing to call shoves with strong hands like [A♥J♦] and [J♣J♥] and is not afraid to commit his stack with top pair or an overpair. His deep runs suggest adaptability and patience.

While not a household name, Karl Stark has demonstrated consistent skill across multiple formats and eras, from the mid-2000s WPT to the modern PCA. His runner-up finish at the Unibet Open remains his career best live cash, and his chip lead at the 2018 PCA shows he can compete with the world's best.