Bernhard Binder has officially arrived on poker’s biggest stage. The 27-year-old Austrian phenom delivered a career-defining performance by winning the 2025 WSOP Paradise Super Main Event, earning a staggering $10,000,000 and his first World Series of Poker bracelet.
Just weeks earlier, high-stakes regular Mario Mosböck predicted that Binder would emerge as one of poker’s breakout stars in 2026. Binder accelerated that timeline dramatically by conquering Event #11: $25,000 WSOP Paradise Super Main Event, the richest tournament ever held.
From Online Crusher to WSOP Paradise Super Champion
Primarily known as an elite online player, Binder had already made headlines earlier in the year after winning the GGMillion$ Main Event for $1.8 million. However, his victory in the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event dwarfed that achievement, multiplying his biggest prior score nearly tenfold.
Binder sealed the title after an intense, nearly four-hour heads-up battle against France’s Jean-Noel Thorel, one of the most respected and experienced players on the high-stakes circuit.
“He’s a special opponent,” Binder said afterward. “Playing heads-up against him is challenging because unexpected things happen more often than against most players.”
Record-Breaking WSOP Paradise Super Main Event Field
The WSOP Paradise Super Main Event featured a historic $60 million guaranteed prize pool, the largest guarantee ever offered in poker tournament history. A massive 2,891 total entries, including multiple re-entries by several players, pushed the final prize pool to $72,275,000.
The final table showcased a remarkable mix of youth, experience, and diverse poker backgrounds, making it one of the most compelling WSOP finales ever.
WSOP Paradise Super Main Event Final Table Results
- Bernhard Binder (Austria) – $10,000,000
- Jean-Noel Thorel (France) – $6,000,000
- Belarmino De Souza (Brazil) – $4,000,000
- Terrance Reid (United States) – $3,000,000
- Eric Wasserson (United States) – $2,350,000
- Natasha Mercier (United States) – $1,800,000
- Peter Chien (Canada) – $1,400,000
- Franco Spitale (Argentina) – $1,100,000
Battle of Generations at the WSOP Paradise Super Final Table
One of the defining storylines of the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event was the striking 51-year age gap between the finalists. Binder was the youngest player at the table, while Thorel was the oldest, symbolizing the evolving landscape of modern poker.
Natasha Mercier was also chasing history, hoping to surpass Liv Boeree’s record-setting $2.8 million cash from the previous year. Meanwhile, poker journalist Terrance Reid made an improbable deep run after trading his press credentials for a tournament seat.
Eric Wasserson added further intrigue, playing the role of tournament antagonist after a controversial slow roll earlier in the event. Despite the drama, his deep run ended in fifth place after falling to Binder’s relentless pressure.
Defining Hands and Key Eliminations
Binder’s path to the title was marked by flawless execution and timely aggression. He eliminated multiple opponents at the final table, including Peter Chien, Eric Wasserson, and Terrance Reid, often holding strong made hands against dominated or drawing opponents.
Belarmino De Souza’s elimination in third place set the stage for the highly anticipated heads-up duel between Binder and Thorel—an online solver expert versus a seasoned live tournament veteran.
Heads-Up Drama in the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event
Despite the enormous stakes, the heads-up match was surprisingly cautious, with very few all-ins until the decisive hand. With stacks dwindling, Thorel moved all in holding king-queen, but Binder’s ace-eight held firm to end the tournament.
The victory marked one of the most significant triumphs by an online-first player in WSOP history.
“It’s Amazing to Have Such Good Friends”
Binder’s emotional celebration was amplified by a raucous rail filled with Austrian poker professionals wearing matching “Team Binder” shirts. Chants echoed through the tournament area as Binder embraced friends who had supported him throughout his career.
“If I was here alone and won this, it wouldn’t mean nearly as much,” Binder said. “Celebrating with friends—especially those who also had a piece—is everything.”
Among them was Samuel Mullur, a close friend and fellow WSOP bracelet winner, underscoring the tight-knit nature of Austria’s elite poker community.
A Defining Moment in WSOP Paradise Super History
With his victory in the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event, Bernhard Binder has not only secured financial freedom but also etched his name into poker history. The combination of a record-breaking prize pool, generational clashes, and elite-level play makes this event a landmark moment for the World Series of Poker.
If this performance is any indication, Binder’s reign at the top of high-stakes poker may only be beginning.
