Mehmet Akbas

Mehmet Akbas is an American poker player based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Professionally, he serves as VP of Engineering at Nano Solutions LLC, with a background in materials science and engineering. He holds a PhD in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Sheffield and has held senior R&D roles at companies like ASML and M Cubed Technologies. Akbas speaks English and Turkish natively.

Akbas has recorded two WSOP Circuit cashes and one final table. His first cash came in January 2013 at the WSOP Circuit Choctaw Durant Event #3 ($365 No-Limit Hold'em Turbo), where he finished 2nd out of 343 entries, earning $14,631. A year later, in February 2014, he cashed in the WSOP Circuit Palm Beach Kennel Club Event #1 ($365 No-Limit Hold'em Re-Entry Million Dollar Guarantee), placing 62nd out of 2,531 for $2,708.

In 2023, Akbas made a deep run in the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood $360 Pot-Limit Omaha (Re-Entry) event. He took the chip lead with six players remaining after a clever river bluff against David Prociak. He eventually reached heads-up play against Seth Weinberg but was eliminated in 2nd place, earning $5,456. During the final hand, Akbas moved all-in blind on a flop of Q♠7♥5♣ holding 9♦4♦, but Weinberg called with Q♦7♠ (two pair) and won after the board ran out 10♣ and J♣, giving Akbas no help.

While specific detailed analysis is unavailable, Akbas has demonstrated aggression in Pot-Limit Omaha, as seen in his river overbet bluff to take the chip lead. In No-Limit Hold'em, he has shown patience and deep-stack play, navigating large fields to reach a final table and a runner-up finish.

With total live tournament earnings of $17,339 as of mid-2024, Akbas represents the balance between a high-level corporate career and competitive poker. His results, particularly in WSOP Circuit events and PLO, highlight his ability to perform under pressure against large fields.