Thomas Santerne

Thomas Santerne was born and raised in Normandy, France. Little is known about his early life before poker, but he developed a passion for the game at a young age, initially playing online. He honed his skills in the digital arena, building a bankroll that would eventually allow him to compete in high-stakes live tournaments. Unlike many players who gradually advance through smaller events, Santerne made the leap directly into some of the most expensive tournaments on the circuit, a testament to his confidence and online success.

Santerne's first recorded live tournament cashes came in early 2023. He cashed in two events in Morocco and the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) before the first month of the year ended. In February 2023, he cashed in the €2,100 EPT Mystery Bounty and the €10,300 EPT Paris High Roller. His hot streak continued in March 2023, when he secured his first live victory by winning the €1,500 Winamax Poker Tour La Grande Finale for a career-best €56,000 at the time. After a quiet period of about six months, he resurfaced in October 2023 with a trio of cashes in Cyprus. He then headed to the inaugural WSOP Paradise in The Bahamas in December 2023, where he finished sixth in the $1,650 Mystery Millions for $101,000 and was runner-up in the $10,400 High Roller 6-Handed for $254,417. These results put him on the map as a rising talent.

The year 2024 marked Santerne's true breakout. In February, at EPT Paris, he entered the €50,000 No-Limit Hold'em Super High Roller and defeated American pro Chris Brewer heads-up to claim the title and €889,480 in prize money, denying Brewer a potential back-to-back victory. This win announced Santerne as a major force in high rollers. In May 2024, he traveled to Montenegro for the Triton Super High Roller Series and finished as the runner-up in the $100,000 8-Handed event, earning a massive $1,735,000 — his largest career cash to date. Later in August 2024, he came second in the Super High Roller Bowl Cyprus $100,000 event for $870,000. He capped off the year at EPT Prague, winning the €20,000 High Roller for €175,000 and then the €50,000 Super High Roller for €385,725, giving him two EPT Super High Roller titles in 2024. He also cashed in various other events, including a third-place finish in the €20,000 EPT Barcelona High Roller for €139,900.

Santerne continued his strong form into 2025. In February 2025, he finished 47th in the WPT Prime Championship for $34,000. Later that year, at EPT Monte-Carlo, he was runner-up in the €25,000 High Roller, earning €716,400. In Triton Montenegro, he placed 9th in the $200,000 Triton Invitational for $617,000. He also cashed in the 2025 WSOP Paradise $25,000 Super Main Event (391st for $50,000) and the PokerStars EPT Malta €1,650 PokerStars Open (97th for €4,300). By 2026, he added further cashes at WSOP Europe, including a 236th place in the €5,300 Main Event for €12,000. His total live earnings have surpassed $7.4 million, placing him in the top 10 of France's all-time money list.

Santerne is widely described as a fearless and aggressive player. He excels in high-pressure spots and is not afraid to put chips in the middle, especially in deep-stack situations. His online background gave him a solid theoretical foundation, which he applies effectively in live high rollers. He is known for his patience and ability to find timely bluffs, as well as his discipline in folding when necessary. His style is often labeled as tight-aggressive but with a modern twist, utilizing a balanced range. He studies opponents diligently and adapts quickly, traits that have served him well against the world's best.

In just a few years, Thomas Santerne has gone from an unknown online grinder to one of France's most successful tournament players. He has been called the "new French poker nugget" and is a regular fixture in the most exclusive high-roller events worldwide. His rapid ascent serves as an inspiration for aspiring players, showing that it is possible to jump directly into the deep end of live poker. With multiple EPT Super High Roller titles and a near-win in a Triton event, Santerne has already cemented his place among the elite of the game. As he continues to compete, his legacy will only grow.