Patrick Leonard
United Kingdom
Patrick Leonard is a British professional poker player, WSOP bracelet winner and former PartyPoker Ambassador with over $5.4 million in live earnings. He is a former online world number one known for playing under the PokerStars username 'pads1161' and has won numerous online titles in WCOOP, SCOOP, GGMasters, WSOP Online, and Powerfest.
Early Career and Online Rise
Patrick Leonard, a British poker professional, began his career primarily online, quickly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with. He is known for playing under the PokerStars username "pads1161" and has also used aliases such as "plenopads", "pleno1", "tiote22", and "d1sclosure". Leonard rose to the top of the online rankings, becoming the world number one online player. His online success includes multiple titles in prestigious festivals: World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP), Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP), GGMasters, WSOP Online, and Powerfest. In 2021 alone, he won two SCOOP titles for combined cashes exceeding $300,000.
Major Live Tournament Success
Leonard’s live tournament career has been equally impressive. He has over 170 live cashes, with total earnings surpassing $5.4 million as of mid-2026. His first major live breakthrough came in 2017 when he won three High Roller Cups at the Bellagio and Aria in Las Vegas within four days, earning nearly $1.3 million combined. This feat showcased his ability to dominate high-stakes events under pressure.
Leonard is a WSOP bracelet winner, and he has made multiple deep runs at the World Series of Poker. In 2022, he cashed in five WSOP events, including joining forces with Espen Jorstad in the $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Tag Team event. His live earnings were reported to be over $3.4 million as of January 2024, a figure that has since grown significantly.
High Stakes and Notable Victories
Beyond his WSOP success, Leonard has performed consistently on the global live circuit. He was formerly a PartyPoker Ambassador and remains a prominent figure in high-stakes tournaments. His largest recorded live cash is $265,000, achieved in July 2026. Leonard's ability to adapt between online and live formats has been a key factor in his longevity.
Playing Approach and Philosophy
Patrick Leonard is renowned for his aggressive, pressure-heavy style. He excels at exploiting position and range advantages post-flop, often forcing opponents into difficult decisions. His game is underpinned by strong mathematical fundamentals and hand-reading abilities, reflecting a deep understanding of modern poker theory. Leonard is also active in poker education, frequently sharing strategy insights on forums and social media. He has been vocal about his views on tournament structures, famously suggesting that nine-handed tournaments should be "retired" to improve the game's pace and fairness.
Recent Form and Continued Success
Leonard continues to be a consistent presence on the global poker scene. As of 2026, he remains ranked among the top players on the Global Poker Index (GPI), with a ranking of 137. He has accumulated 168 cashes and still adds to his resume with regular deep runs. His latest recorded cash as of June 2026 was $20,576, demonstrating his ongoing competitiveness. Leonard’s legacy as one of the most successful British players and a pioneer of aggressive online play is well established.
Career Highlights and Recognition
Patrick Leonard has been recognized as a former online world number one, a title that underscores his dominance in the digital realm. He has served as a PartyPoker Ambassador, further cementing his status in the poker community. According to the Global Poker Index, as of mid-2026, Leonard holds a GPI ranking of 137, reflecting his consistent high-level performance across both online and live tournaments. His total live earnings stand at $5,459,015, with 171 documented cashes, making him one of the most successful British players in history.
Online Achievements Continued
Beyond his early online success, Leonard has continued to amass titles in major online series. He has won multiple COOP (Championship of Online Poker) titles on PokerStars, including two SCOOP titles in 2021 for combined cashes exceeding $300,000. Additionally, he has claimed victories in GGMasters, WSOP Online, and Powerfest, demonstrating his versatility across different platforms and tournament formats. Leonard's online presence remains strong, and he is frequently cited as a top contender in high-stakes online events.
Recent Cashes and Rankings
As of July 2026, Leonard's most recent notable cash was $265,000, earned on July 2, 2026, which represents his largest recorded live cash. Prior to that, he cashed for $57,238 in April 2026 and $21,496 in June 2026, among others. These results have contributed to a steady climb in his lifetime earnings, now exceeding $5.4 million. Leonard's GPI ranking of 137 as of mid-2026 places him among the elite players globally, and his 171 cashes highlight his enduring presence on the live circuit.
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