Stoyan Madanzhiev

Stoyan Madanzhiev was born in Shumen, Bulgaria, and grew up in Haskovo. He started his poker career playing freerolls, never making a first deposit. Instead, he built his bankroll through continuous learning and accumulation. From an early age, he showed a passion for poker and consistently honed his skills on online platforms.

Madanzhiev's career-defining moment came in September 2020. In the 2020 WSOP Online Main Event (buy-in $5,000, $25 million guaranteed) hosted by online poker, he emerged victorious from thousands of players, winning the title and a staggering $3,904,686 prize. This victory not only made him the first Bulgarian WSOP Main Event champion but also the first online WSOP world champion in history. As the WSOP was held entirely online for the first time, Madanzhiev etched his name into poker history.

After his 2020 triumph, Madanzhiev continued to achieve impressive results in various high-stakes events:

• 2024 EPT Cyprus: 4th place in a $10,300 buy-in event, earning $297,000.
• 2025 EPT Monte Carlo: Winner of the €3,000 Mystery Bounty event, earning $302,008.
• 2025 Wynn Summer Classic: 4th place in a $1,600 buy-in event, earning $216,575.
• 2021 WSOP Online International: 5th place in a $1,000 Double Stack event, earning $200,986.

As of 2026, his live tournament earnings exceed $1,650,325, and his online earnings total over $7,108,876, placing him among top Bulgarian players.

After his victory, Madanzhiev launched the charitable initiative Eight of Hearts, aiming to give back to society. The project partners with poker rooms, allowing players to contribute a portion of their winnings to charity, with the choice left to the players. He has collaborated with the "Dimitar Bervatov Foundation" to help gifted children in Bulgaria access education and sports opportunities. The name "Eight of Hearts" symbolizes infinity and love, and he hopes to spread that love.

Madanzhiev is known for his aggressive yet balanced online style, excelling at using positional advantages and making precise decisions in deep-stack situations. He emphasizes strategic adjustments, quickly adapting his play based on opponents' tendencies. He also prioritizes mental management, practicing meditation and yoga. He believes understanding one's own emotions and thought processes is key to poker success. He often says, "Focus on what you should do, not the outcome, and learn from your mistakes."

Madanzhiev enjoys chess, soccer, and tennis, and reads widely across various genres while watching life philosophy videos. He maintains a low profile but is active in the poker community, often referred to as the "online grinder" and "Bulgarian poker hero." His success has inspired a new generation of players in his home country.

As of 2026, Madanzhiev remains active in both online and live poker events while managing his charitable project. He only participates in tournaments that interest him, maintaining his passion and focus on poker.