Sean Winter

Sean Winter (born December 14, 1990, in Jacksonville, Florida) is a highly successful American poker player with career live tournament earnings exceeding $41 million. He began his poker journey online under the screen name "nolez7" and made his first live cash in August 2011 before turning 21. Winter is recognized for his aggressive, pressure-oriented style and has become a fixture in the highest-stakes tournaments worldwide.

Winter's early success came predominantly online, where he finished runner-up in the 2016 Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) Main Event, earning $1,048,000. That same year, he won a World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) event for $228,000. His live debut came in 2011, and he quickly built a reputation as a formidable competitor. Winter was also a consistent winner in online cash games and tournaments, amassing significant results before transitioning to live high rollers.

In 2015, Winter captured his first major live title, winning the $10,000 Bellagio Cup for $562,000. The following year, he finished runner-up in the $25,000 High Roller at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, taking home $914,000 after a heads-up deal with champion Nick Maimone. In 2019, he won the $5,250 Main Event at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open, defeating a field of 809 players for $698,175. This victory came just before the birth of his child, adding a special personal milestone to his professional achievement.

Winter's largest career cash came in November 2018 when he finished runner-up in the $250,000 Super High Roller at the Caribbean Poker Party in the Bahamas, earning $2,430,000. That same year, he finished second to Ben Yu in the 2018 WSOP $50,000 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller, narrowly missing a bracelet but securing a seven-figure score of $1,020,253. In 2021, he placed third in the $300,000 Super High Roller Bowl for $1,008,000. He has also cashed in numerous other high-roller events, including a fourth-place finish in the 2023 Triton $200,000 Invitational for $1,640,000.

Winter has been a dominant force in the U.S. Poker Open, amassing four event wins including consecutive Main Event victories in 2021 and 2022. After finishing runner-up in the series championship in 2019 and 2021 to David Peters, he captured the 2022 U.S. Poker Open championship by winning the last two events, earning the Golden Eagle Trophy. His consistent performance in the series has solidified his reputation as one of the best tournament players in the world.

At the WSOP, Winter has three Main Event cashes between 2013 and 2015, with his best finish being 372nd in 2014. He has also made multiple high-roller final tables, including the runner-up in the $50,000 High Roller in 2018. As of 2026, he has over 20 WSOP cashes, 11 final tables, and has earned more than $7.3 million at the series. Recent WSOP results include a 4th place in the 2026 $250,000 Super High Roller ($1,312,037), a 3rd place in the $25,000 Mixed PLO/NLH ($540,754), and a 6th in the $100,000 PLO High Roller ($393,139). He has yet to win a bracelet but remains a constant threat in high-stakes events.

Winter remains highly active in the highest buy-in tournaments. In 2024, he finished 4th in the Triton Monte Carlo $100,000 PLO Main Event ($836,000), runner-up in the NAPT $25,000 Super High Roller ($288,100), and 3rd in the EPT Barcelona €100,000 Super High Roller (€616,600). In 2025, he cashed in multiple WSOP events including an 8th place in the $10,000 6-Handed Championship ($83,707) and an 11th in the $50,000 High Roller ($130,082). He also won the PokerGO Cup Event #9 in 2026 for $210,000 and placed 3rd in Event #5 for $93,150. His 2026 Triton results include a 6th in the $100,000 NLHE Main Event in Jeju ($870,000). Winter's ability to cash consistently across various series and buy-in levels underscores his elite skill.

Winter is known for his aggressive, pressure-based style, skillfully leveraging position and bet sizing. His ability to adjust between tight and loose strategies and his strong post-flop play have made him a consistent threat in both tournaments and cash games. He is often described as a "low-key winner," preferring to let his results speak rather than seeking the spotlight. Among peers, he is respected for his calm demeanor and relentless approach at the tables.

As of 2022, Winter is the all-time leading money earner from Florida and ranks among the top 20 American players. With career winnings of over $41 million and numerous high-profile victories, he has cemented his status as one of the elite players in the modern poker era. He has been awarded the Poker Masters Purple Jacket and continues to climb the all-time money list, currently sitting 23rd in the world according to the Hendon Mob. His legacy is defined by consistent excellence across the highest buy-in tournaments.

At the 2026 World Series of Poker, Winter added several high-profile cashes beyond those already noted. He finished 3rd in the $25,000 Six-Handed NLH for $597,635, 12th in the $100,000 NLH High Roller ($201,754), and 12th in the $50,000 PLO High Roller ($102,800). He also cashed in the $10,000 Main Event (99th for $65,000) and other events, bringing his 2026 WSOP series total to over $3 million in earnings.

Winter has been a consistent force on the PokerGO Tour. In 2026, he won Event #9 of the PokerGO Cup ($10,000 NLH) for $210,000 and placed third in Event #5 for $93,150. Earlier, in October 2025, he won a PGT PLO Series II progressive knockout event, adding another title to his resume. His overall PokerGO Tour earnings and performance have contributed to his strong Player of the Year ranking.

Winter's online screen name "nolez7" is a nod to his alma mater, Florida State University (FSU), whose sports teams are known as the Seminoles. He was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and continues to reside there. Winter became a father in 2019, just before his Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open victory, adding emotional significance to that win. He maintains a relatively low public profile, focusing on his game rather than off-the-felt activities.