Sotirios Koutoupas

Sotirios Koutoupas began his poker career online before transitioning to live tournaments. His first recorded live cash on Hendon Mob dates to November 2011. Early in his career, he built a reputation as a consistent player in the Greek poker community. By 2012, he had already made a significant impact on the European Poker Tour (EPT), finishing as the runner-up in the EPT Prague Main Event for $666,614. This result put him on the map as one of Greece’s top players.

Koutoupas achieved his biggest career victory in February 2014 at the EPT Deauville Main Event. He outlasted a strong field and defeated Ukrainian pro Eugene Katchalov heads-up, earning €614,000 (approximately $830,000) and preventing Katchalov from joining poker’s Triple Crown Club. At the time, Koutoupas was ranked #893 on the Global Poker Index. This win made him the first Greek player ever to win an EPT Main Event, a milestone that elevated his status in the poker world.

He also delivered strong performances in other high-profile tournaments. In 2014, he came close to winning a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet, finishing second in Event #38 ($1,500 No-Limit Hold’em) for $338,414. This deep run showcased his ability to compete against the best in Las Vegas. According to the Greek poker website PokerLobby, his total live tournament earnings reached $2,048,946, placing him at the top of the Greek all-time money list.

Although Koutoupas has not yet won a WSOP bracelet, he has come extremely close. His runner-up finish in 2014’s Event #38 was a heartbreaker, but it demonstrated his consistency on the biggest stage. He has also cashed in other WSOP events, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile tournament player.

Koutoupas is known for an aggressive playing style, often leveraging position to apply pressure. He is described as a part-time player, managing his family business alongside poker. This dual focus has earned him the label "Greek Grinder" in online circles, though he maintains a low profile and rarely gives interviews. His calm demeanor at the tables is often credited for his success in high-pressure situations.

As the first Greek EPT champion, Koutoupas inspired a new generation of Greek poker players. He remains a prominent figure in the Greek poker scene, with over $2 million in live earnings and numerous deep runs in major tournaments. His career exemplifies the balance between business life and achieving elite success in poker.

Koutoupas is the first Greek player to win an EPT Main Event, securing his place in poker history. According to the Greek poker site PokerLobby, he tops the Greek all-time money list with $2,048,946 in live tournament earnings. His success has inspired many Greek players and put Greece on the poker map.

At EPT Deauville 2014, Koutoupas defeated Ukraine's Eugene Katchalov heads-up, denying Katchalov the opportunity to join poker's Triple Crown Club (winning a WSOP bracelet, WPT title, and EPT title). At the time, Koutoupas was ranked #893 on the Global Poker Index, while Katchalov was #121. The victory was particularly notable as Koutoupas balanced poker with running his family business.