Poker player

Steve Billirakis

United States

Steve Billirakis is an American professional poker player known for his early success at the WSOP. He demonstrated exceptional poker talent at a young age and has cashed in numerous major tournaments.

Career earnings: $ 3,028,97821 views

Early Life and Background

Steve Billirakis was born in Hampshire, Illinois, USA, and currently resides in Chicago. Just 11 days after his 21st birthday, he won his first WSOP gold bracelet, setting the record for the youngest winner at the time.

Major Achievements

WSOP Gold Bracelets

2007 WSOP: Won the $5,000 World Championship Mixed Hold'em (Limit/No-Limit) event, defeating Canadian player Greg Mueller to claim $536,287. Billirakis had never played Limit Hold'em before the tournament and received a crash course from a friend right before.[1][3]
2011 WSOP Europe: Won his second bracelet in the €2,700 Pot-Limit Omaha event, earning €318,122.[7]

Other Notable Results

2008 WSOP Circuit: Won the $5,150 Championship Event at Horseshoe Hammond for $208,885.[5][6]
WSOP Main Event: 199th in 2008; 277th in 2016; 451st in 2017; 621st in 2018.[WSOP Official Site]
WPT (World Poker Tour): Five cashes, with his best result being 21st in the 2008-2009 WPT World Championship ($49,025).[WPT Official Site]

Total Earnings

As of 2025, Billirakis's live tournament earnings total approximately $3,040,427, with $1,916,863 coming from the WSOP, where he has cashed 36 times.[Hendon Mob, WSOP Official Site]

Key Hands and Anecdotes

During the final table of his 2007 WSOP win, Billirakis was heads-up against Greg Mueller. Mueller attempted a "false move" by pretending to bet in order to read Billirakis's reaction, which ESPN commentator Norman Chad considered a breach of poker etiquette. Billirakis eventually won with K♠2♦ on a board of J♦Q♥2♠8♥Q♠, making two pair.[3][4]

Playing Style

Billirakis is known for aggressive play, capitalizing on position and stack pressure with varied bet sizing both preflop and postflop. Though initially labeled a "prodigy" for his early success, he accumulated significant technical skill through extensive online practice, demonstrating versatility in mixed games (e.g., 2-7 Lowball, Omaha Hi-Lo).[Existing Bio and Data]

Record Continuation

Billirakis's record as the youngest WSOP champion was broken in September 2007 by Annette Obrestad (WSOP Europe Main Event, minimum age 18).[1] He remains active in WSOP mixed-game events; in the 2025 WSOP, he placed 47th in the $3,000 T.O.R.S.E. and 8th in the $2,500 Mixed Big Bet event.[WSOP Official Site]

Sources: Hendon Mob, WSOP.com, WPT Official Site, CardPlayer reports, etc.

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