Mario Luiz Mentrop

Mario Luiz Mentrop began his tournament poker journey in Brazil, with his first recorded cashes coming in 2010 at BSOP (Brazilian Series of Poker) events. In March 2010, he finished 17th out of 788 entries in a R$1,000+150 Main Event at the Sheraton Sao Paulo WTC Hotel, earning R$5,300. Later that year, he placed 20th in another BSOP Main Event for R$3,500.

After a long gap in recorded results, Mentrop reappeared on the international stage in 2024. At the 2024 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, he cashed in Event #5: $1,000 Mystery Millions (placing 2,193rd out of 18,409 for $1,319) and Event #28: $1,500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em (145th out of 2,317 for $3,661). He also cashed in two BSOP events in 2024: a 301st-place finish in a R$4,000 Main Event (R$6,620) and a 101st-place finish in a 2026 BSOP event (R$6,300).

His most notable victory came in June 2026 at the KSOP online poker Rio de Janeiro, where he won the Kings Turbo tournament. The event drew 70 entries at a R$1,000 buy-in, and Mentrop took home R$16,750 along with his first KSOP trophy. He defeated a tough final table that included Djalma Santos, Dario Martins, and Enrique Pazo. After the win, he remarked, "It was incredible, I didn't have a KSOP trophy yet."

According to available database records (WSOP.com and MSPT), his total live tournament earnings exceed $31,600, though this likely understates his actual results due to unreported cashes.

Beyond playing, Mentrop is active as a poker coach under the handle "Mentopoker." His coaching profile describes him as a "professional poker player with 10 years of experience" specializing in "exploits vs the meta" for tournaments with buy-ins ranging from €10 to €250 (average €40). His teaching aims to help students build a solid foundation and adapt to different opponents.

Outside of poker, Mentrop is a businessman. Public records show he is a partner in several medical diagnostics companies in Rio de Janeiro, including Fernandes Mentrop Diagnosticos Medicos Ltda and Lamic Laboratorio Miguel Couto Ltda, where he serves as a managing partner. These ventures have been active since as early as 1979 (the lab) and 2024 (the diagnostics firm).

Mentrop describes himself as having a strong understanding of the game and the ability to adapt to different player profiles by making exploits. Based on his coaching focus and tournament results, he is likely a balanced, adaptable player who excels in late-stage tournament dynamics. His win at the Kings Turbo, a fast-structured event, highlighted his patience and ability to navigate short stacks.

Mario Luiz Mentrop represents the wave of Brazilian players who have made their mark on the international poker scene. While not a household name, his consistent cashes, coaching contributions, and entrepreneurial spirit make him a respected figure in the community. He continues to compete in both Brazilian and global events, aiming for more trophies.