The Footballer’s Poker Dream: Stefan Nemetz’s Final Table Run

Each day of the WSOP Main Event is draining. Each hand, each deal, each run out. Every minute that passes during the 12-hour days takes a little bit more from each of the players. Once you are in the money, there is some momentary relief granted, but it is only momentary as you realize how much longer you need to last. Draining may not even be a strong enough word to convey what the players go through.

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Then you have the select few who not only survive the early onslaught and the mass post-bubble exodus, but last long enough to be at one of the final three tables. Making it that far takes skill, resolve, mental fortitude, and a bit of luck. One of these players who has managed this feat is Stefan Nemetz.

From Football Fields to Poker Rooms

Hailing from Vienna, Stefan first discovered poker while playing Football (soccer for the North Americans here). He would play with friends and teammates in between practices and games. It was from there that, unbeknownst to him, a new career would begin.

In these early days, poker was fun. It was a way to pass the time and hang out with friends while finishing school. Once he was finished school, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do, so he took a shot at poker.

Stefan started playing on Natural 8’s before Covid. He eventually found his way into GrindHouse 1 with Pokercode. From there, he learnt the importance of building a routine, and starting in 2020, he began to take poker more seriously.

The Breakthrough Moment

It took him time to achieve his ultimate goal, but in June of 2023, he finally won a big one. Stefan took down the Wynn summer classic for his first big score. “It was a great experience and a great feeling. Finally having all of the hours spent studying and playing pay off. It was a relief.” With that victory, Stefan knew this was what he was meant to do.

This is his 5th year coming to Las Vegas for the WSOP, and it has turned out to be his best run ever. His deepest Main Event run prior to this year was in 2024 where he finished 1,019 and earned just one bump better than a min-cash. The closest Stefan has come to winning a Bracelet was in the 2020 WSOP Online series held on GGPoker. That year, he finished 4th in the event – a good run, but not good enough.

Learning from The Grinder

So far through his run, the only old school pro he has played with is Michael ‘The Grinder’ Mizrachi, whom he spent most of day 6 with. Stefan learnt a very important but unintentionally taught lesson from Mizrachi – don’t try to bluff him. Mizrachi successfully sniffed out a few attempted bluffs by Stefan before the lesson was learnt. “On the last bluff, I fired bullets on the first two streets, but didn’t pull the trigger on the last one. He bet and I just gave up.”

Almost Didn’t Come to Vegas

Stefan still plays Football at the level just below semi-pro and enjoys it. It helps to prevent him from spending all of his time playing poker. This year was going to be a bit different as he wasn’t planning on going to Las Vegas. “When the Football season starts, I split my time between poker and Football, then in the summer, I would head to Las Vegas for the WSOP. This year I was going to skip it. I wanted to spend more time at home and enjoy the summer in Vienna.” That all changed when he found himself in possession of a Road to Vegas qualification. He changed the plan and came out to play in the Main Event. In retrospect, this was most assuredly the best choice.

When playing, Stefan prefers Hold’em tournaments but dislikes the Mystery Bounty format. “I prefer tournaments over cash games. They are more fun and more exciting. Watching the potential money increase with every bump, knowing the value of each hand and what each bluff could cost you, it’s exhilarating. My favorite is the $525 Bounty Hunters. I really enjoy the structure and the competition. But Mystery Bountys, I hate. As a pro, having half of the prize pool removed and randomly given out to players that get lucky after making a bad decision, I just don’t like it.” Certainly, his opinion is fair and understandable, but based on the number of players that play these events, it is unlikely that they will go away.

23.2 Million and Final Table Dreams

When asked what was the most important thing to remember when starting to play, he responded, “Bankroll management,” a theme that seems to run true of the majority of poker players. “Bankroll management is key. Keep it tight and continue to grind it out at a safe level for your bankroll. But don’t be afraid to take a chance at something higher if the opportunity arises. Study. Study. Study. Then take what you have learnt and play. Take your knowledge to the table and practice.”

Stefan is now headed into Day 8 of the Main Event. He is (or was) sitting with 23.2M in chips, good for 10th of the remaining 24 players. We wish him luck and hope to see him still playing on Day 9.

Unfortunate Update

Sadly, we just got the news that Stefan was eliminated. His astounding run through nearly 10,000 players came to an abrupt halt as he finished in 22nd position, earning $360,000 for the effort. Well done Stefan and we hope to see you back next year for an even deeper run.

Article written by: Shawn Altbaum
Photographs by Tim Ash and are owned and are the exclusive property of GGPoker.