Poker player

Sebastian Malec

Poland

Sebastian Malec is a Polish professional poker player and former chess prodigy best known for his iconic victory in the 2016 European Poker Tour Barcelona Main Event, where he turned a $27 online satellite into a €1.1 million payday. With over $2.8 million in live tournament earnings, he is ranked among Poland's all-time top earners and continues to achieve notable results on the EPT, WSOP, and Triton circuits.

Career earnings: $ 2,962,22018 views

Early Life and Background

Born on August 5, 1995, in Warsaw, Poland, Sebastian Malec was a chess prodigy in his youth, achieving a peak Elo rating of 2214 in January 2011. He studied Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom before later moving to Maastricht, Netherlands, where he pursued studies in art and culture. His chess background provided a strong analytical foundation that he later applied to poker.

Poker Career

Malec was introduced to poker by his former chess coach after traveling to Las Vegas for the 2010 World Series of Poker. He began participating in live tournaments in 2014.

Breakthrough: 2016 EPT Barcelona Main Event

In August 2016, Malec won the EPT Barcelona Main Event, defeating a field of 1,785 players. He had qualified via a $27 online satellite on PokerStars, and his victory earned him €1,122,800 (approximately $1,271,041). The final hand featured a dramatic flush over a straight, and Malec's charismatic table presence—including wearing a hoodie signed by poker legends and taking a selfie while his opponent tanked—made the win one of the most memorable in EPT history.

Subsequent Notable Results

October 2024: 2nd place in the EPT Cyprus $10,300 High Roller for $697,115.
June 2023: 2nd place in the Wynn Summer Classic $2,200 Mystery Bounty for $493,012.
April 2024: 2nd place in the WSOP International Circuit Cannes High Roller for $28,097.
September 2025: Multiple cashes at the Triton One Series Jeju, including a 13th-place finish in the Bounty Quattro.

Live Tournament Earnings

As of early 2026, Malec's total live earnings exceed $2.88 million (per The Hendon Mob), placing him 4th on Poland's all-time money list. His estimated poker net worth is over $4.5 million.

Play Style and Strategy

Malec is known for a "highly creative, psychological, and fearless" play style, heavily influenced by his chess background. He relies on clinical calculation but is especially famous for his "speech play" and table presence, using conversation to extract information from opponents. His strategy often involves psychological warfare, and he is considered a bridge between young analytical solvers and the personality-driven era of poker.

Personal Life

Malec splits his residence between Warsaw, Poland, and Maastricht, Netherlands. He remains an ambassador for Polish poker and continues to compete at the highest levels of the game.