Stefan Jakovleski

Stefan Jakovleski, also known by his nickname "TheThug," is a poker player from North Macedonia. He has made a mark on the international live tournament scene, with his most notable result to date being a 13th-place finish in the 2025 Dutch Classics Main Event at King's Resort in Rozvadov.

In August 2025, Jakovleski participated in the Dutch Classics Main Event, a €250 buy-in tournament with a guaranteed prize pool of €400,000. The event attracted 1,807 entries, creating a total prize pool of €400,000. Jakovleski navigated through the field to reach the final day, ultimately finishing in 13th place for a payout of €2,880. The tournament was won by Czech player Simon Fiala, who took home €64,250, while the runner-up was Sweden's Zoran Zoric (€39,350). Jakovleski was the only representative from North Macedonia to cash in this event.

According to the North Macedonia All Time Money List on The Hendon Mob, the country's top earners include Ilija Savevski ($1,173,470) and Aleksandar Trajkovski ($691,561). While Jakovleski's live earnings are more modest, his appearance on the radar in a major European tournament highlights the growing presence of North Macedonian players in international poker.

Jakovleski uses the moniker "TheThug" at the tables, suggesting an aggressive, no-nonsense approach. While detailed strategy analysis is unavailable, his deep run in a large-field event indicates solid fundamentals and the ability to handle pressure.

As Jakovleski continues to compete, he has the potential to build on his early success and climb the North Macedonian all-time money list. His 13th-place finish in the Dutch Classics Main Event serves as a stepping stone for future achievements.