Mike McDonald

Mike McDonald was born on September 11, 1989, in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. He started playing poker as a teenager and quickly gained recognition under the online alias "Timex." His early success in low-stakes games allowed him to build a bankroll and transition to live tournaments. In January 2008, before his 19th birthday, he won a A$1,000 PokerPro No Limit Hold'em preliminary event at the Aussie Millions and finished runner-up in another preliminary event.

In February 2008, at just 18 years old, McDonald won the European Poker Tour (EPT) German Open in Dortmund, Germany, earning €933,600 ($1,370,161). This victory made him the youngest player ever to win an EPT event, a record that stood for several years. He also became the youngest player to win an Epic Poker League (EPL) event later in his career. In 2010, he narrowly missed a second EPT title, finishing third in the EPT Deauville Main Event for €295,000. He made another EPT final table in Madrid in 2012, finishing ninth.

McDonald has consistently performed in high-stakes tournaments. In September 2011, he won the Epic Poker League $20,000 buy-in 8-max event for $782,410. His most lucrative year came in 2014, when he finished runner-up to Dominik Panka in the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) Main Event for $1,064,865, coming one spot shy of becoming the first two-time EPT champion. The following month, he finished second in the Aussie Millions $100,000 Challenge for $1,343,250, and two days later placed third in the $250,000 Challenge for a career-high $1,697,460 ($1,701,808 in some reports). In 2015, he again finished second in the $250,000 Challenge for $1,237,373, both won by Phil Ivey. In 2015, he won the EPT Malta €25,000 High Roller for $561,622. In 2017, he topped a 53-entry field to win the $10,300 partypoker MILLION North America High Roller for CA$200,000, his last tournament victory to date.

McDonald has had limited success at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), with just over $281,000 in total WSOP earnings across 22 cashes and two final tables. His first WSOP cash came in 2011 when he could legally play in the United States, including a final table where he finished sixth in a $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha Six-Handed event for over $70,000. He also cashed in the WSOP Main Event on a few occasions. Outside the WSOP, he has top finishes on the World Poker Tour, including a fourth-place finish in Venice in 2009 and a third-place in the 2013 WPT Alpha8 St. Kitts for $434,560.

McDonald was a member of the Montreal Nationals in the Global Poker League (GPL). In 2016, the team won the inaugural GPL championship, adding a team victory to his resume.

McDonald is known for a balanced and aggressive style. He capitalizes on position and makes precise post-flop decisions, blending mathematical calculations with psychological reads. His demeanor at the table is usually calm, but he occasionally uses verbal pressure. He is widely respected as one of the top Canadian players and is often considered "one of the best without a WSOP bracelet." As of April 2014, he ranked as high as #5 on the Global Poker Index (GPI).

Beyond poker, McDonald co-founded the poker staking platform PokerShares, which allows backers to buy shares of tournament players. He has also been active in poker coaching and community engagement. In 2020, he won a $250,000 prop bet involving free throws, showcasing his versatility.

McDonald currently resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He continues to play both online and live tournaments, though his focus has shifted more toward high roller events and business interests. He is active on Twitter under @MikeMcDonald89.

With over $13.4 million in lifetime live tournament winnings, Mike McDonald has cemented his place among Canada's poker elite. His early EPT win and consistent high-stakes performances have inspired a generation of young players to pursue professional poker. He remains a prominent figure in the poker community, known for his skill, business acumen, and memorable achievements.