Nick Pupillo

Nick Pupillo was born in Addison, Illinois, and later resided in Gilbert, Arizona. He grew up as the oldest of seven children, a background that taught him responsibility and competitiveness. Pupillo began playing poker in his early twenties, quickly transitioning from recreational play to a professional career. He became a team pro for the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) and developed a reputation for studying the game rigorously.

Pupillo has been a dominant force on the MSPT, recording 33 cashes for total earnings of nearly $469,000 from 2014 to 2026. His best MSPT result came in May 2023 during a $1,100 Main Event at The Venetian, where he finished runner-up for $88,426. He also placed third in a November 2023 MSPT Main Event for $37,695 and fourth in November 2022 for $75,017. Early career finishes include multiple fifth-place and sixth-place results at FireKeepers Casino, Meskwaki Casino, and Riverside Casino. His consistency on the circuit made him a fan favorite and earned him a spot as an MSPT team pro.

In May 2015, Pupillo won the Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) $1,650 Main Event at Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago, taking home $120,537 – then the largest score of his career. The tournament drew 366 entrants and a prize pool of $524,040. Pupillo survived a crucial hand with 12 players remaining when his pocket jacks cracked Phil Gilreath's aces to make a straight. At the televised final table, he overcame a two-to-one chip deficit heads-up against veteran Ronald Rindone, eventually winning with kings versus ace-seven. This victory solidified his status as a rising star in the Midwest poker scene.

Pupillo has cashed over 200 times in WSOP events across live and online venues. According to WSOP.com, he has earned one WSOP bracelet, three WSOP Circuit rings, and 57 final tables. His total WSOP-related earnings exceed $2.8 million, while his live tournament earnings have surpassed $5.9 million (ranking 336th on the all-time money list). Notable deep runs include a 30th-place finish in a WSOP Online Bracelet Event in 2024 and a 9th-place finish in a May 2026 event. He has also cashed in prestigious series like the World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championship and the North American Poker Tour (NAPT), demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest levels.

Pupillo is known for an aggressive pre-flop strategy that applies constant pressure on opponents. He excels at reading opponents and adjusting his tactics based on table dynamics and stack sizes. During final tables, he combines patience with aggressive aggression to dominate shorter stacks. His ability to recover from near-elimination and capitalize on opportunities was on full display during his HPT win. Pupillo often shares strategy insights and works as a poker coach, emphasizing the importance of continuous study and mental resilience.

Pupillo continues to compete in major events, with recent cashes in 2025 and 2026 across WSOP Online, MSPT, and PGT events. In September 2025, he finished 12th in a Nevada Poker State Championship ($6,913). He also made the money in the 2025 WPT Prime Championship at Wynn Las Vegas. Pupillo's longevity and adaptability have earned him a Global Poker Awards milestone achievement for surpassing $5 million in earnings. He remains a respected figure in the poker community, known for his dedication to the game and his ability to consistently outlast large fields.