Michael Kanaan

Michael Kanaan emerged during the early 2010s Australian poker boom. He made his mark in April 2011 by winning the ANZPT Sydney Main Event at The Star Casino, earning A$187,152 (approximately $197,926). This victory established him as a rising talent in the regional tournament circuit.

Kanaan’s crowning achievement came in August 2017 when he won the WSOP International Circuit Sydney High Roller, capturing a career-best cash of $297,240. This event, a $2,200 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament, showcased his ability to excel in high-stakes fields and solidified his reputation as one of Australia’s top players.

Beyond his main event victory, Kanaan has consistently performed in high roller events. His deep runs in WSOP Circuit events have earned him multiple six-figure scores, and he remains a regular contender in Australian major series such as the Aussie Millions and WPT Australia.

Kanaan continues to cash in live tournaments. Notable recent results include:

• 2025 WSOP Circuit International at The Star Gold Coast: 7th place in Event #4 ($1,350 Mystery Bounty) for A$7,086.
• 2025 WSOP Circuit International at The Star Gold Coast: 31st in Event #9 ($2,500 Main Event) for A$6,274.
• 2026 WSOP: $1,000 Mystery Millions – 291st place for $5,450.

His total WSOP earnings exceed $424,000, with nine cashes and one victory.

Kanaan employs a balanced, small-ball approach that minimizes errors while applying constant pressure on opponents. He excels at post-flop exploitation and pot control in deep-stacked formats. His vast live experience allows him to profile adversaries quickly and adjust frequencies near pay-jump bubbles.

With over $1.5 million in documented live earnings, Kanaan ranks among the top Australian players on the all-time money list (56th). He remains a fixture at The Star Sydney and a respected figure in the poker community, known for his longevity and consistent results across more than a decade.