Mikalai Vaskaboinikau

Mikalai Vaskaboinikau is a Belarusian businessman and high-stakes poker player who has become one of the most formidable forces on the global tournament circuit. Known for his fearless aggression and deep runs in super high roller events, he has amassed over $16 million in live tournament earnings since his first cash in 2015. He is best known for winning the $125,000 Triton Montenegro Main Event in May 2024 for $4,737,000, the largest score of his career. As of 2026, he sits second on the Belarus All-Time Money List, trailing only Mikita Badziakouski.

Vaskaboinikau started playing poker as a student after watching a friend win €2,000 in an online tournament on the iPoker Network. He sought coaching from Danila Kisilev and Jenya Gavrilovich but never read any poker books. In his early online days, he played tournaments with an average buy-in of $60. His first significant live score came in October 2015, finishing third in the EPT Malta €10,300 High Roller for €204,500. This result marked his emergence on the live scene while he was still primarily an online player.

Vaskaboinikau has consistently reached final tables in the world's toughest high roller and super high roller events. Below are his most notable results:

• October 2015: 3rd place in EPT Malta €10,300 High Roller for €204,500.
• December 2017: 3rd place in EPT Prague €25,500 High Roller for €239,097.
• January 2018: 2nd place in PCA $25,000 High Roller for $304,850.
• May 2022: 4th place in EPT Monte Carlo €100,000 Super High Roller for €468,610 (≈$492,041).
• August 2022: 4th place in EPT Barcelona €50,000 High Roller for €330,840.
• May 2024: 1st place in Triton Montenegro $125,000 Main Event for $4,737,000.
• October 2024: 1st place in EPT Cyprus $50,000 High Roller for $601,397.
• November 2024: 5th place in Triton Monte Carlo $200,000 Invitational for $1,506,000.
• May 2025: 2nd place in Triton Montenegro $100,000 Main Event for $2,927,702.
• May 2026: 8th place in Triton Montenegro $150,000 No-Limit Hold'em for $422,000.
• May 2026: 1st place in EPT Monte Carlo €15,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Six Max for $153,808.

His victory at the 2024 Triton Montenegro Main Event was a defining moment. In that tournament, he outlasted a field of top professionals, including legends like Phil Ivey and Adrian Mateos, to hoist the trophy after years of near-misses.

Vaskaboinikau is a successful businessman, though the specific nature of his ventures is not public. His financial standing is evident from his real estate investments: in May 2023, he purchased the One Herastrau Office building in northern Bucharest for €21 million. After winning $4.7 million in Montenegro, he remarked that the prize money was “not life-changing,” underscoring the scale of his wealth. Poker is a part-time pursuit for him, with his businesses taking priority. His combined net worth is estimated to be well into the tens of millions of dollars.

Vaskaboinikau employs an aggressive, pressure-oriented strategy that suits the fast-paced dynamics of high roller tournaments. He frequently opens wide ranges from late position and applies relentless post-flop aggression to accumulate chips. Despite not being a full-time professional, he uses a sophisticated approach that allows him to compete at the highest levels. He has spoken about using a “manifestation” mindset, claiming he “dreamed” of his Triton victory months before it happened. His financial freedom from his businesses gives him psychological freedom at the tables, enabling him to take calculated risks without the fear of financial loss. He is increasingly proficient in Pot-Limit Omaha, as shown by his 2026 EPT Monte Carlo PLO win.

Vaskaboinikau continues to play selectively in the biggest events. In 2026 alone, he cashed four times at Triton Montenegro and EPT Monte Carlo, including a win in the €15,000 PLO event. He also finished 3rd in an Onyx High Roller Series $25,000 Main Event for $490,000. His total live earnings as of mid-2026 stand at $16,497,279, according to the most recent database figures. He holds the distinction of being the second-highest-earning Belarusian player in history and is widely respected for his ability to match wits with the world’s best while maintaining a successful business career. No major controversies are associated with his name.

Is Mikalai Vaskaboinikau a professional poker player? He played professionally early in his career but now focuses on his businesses, treating poker as a part-time passion. He selectively enters high-stakes tournaments.

What is his largest tournament score? $4,737,000 for winning the 2024 Triton Montenegro Main Event.

What is his net worth? Not publicly disclosed, but his €21 million office purchase and dismissive attitude toward a $4.7 million score suggest wealth in the tens of millions.

Is he good at poker? Yes—he consistently reaches final tables in super high roller events and holds his own against elite professionals.