Nationality
United States citizen
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Born (date and place of birth)
November 11, 1992 in Addison, Illinois, United States
Residence (current location)
Addison, Illinois, United States
Year started playing poker
Circa 2012-2013 (started serious tournament play around age 20-21)
Age when started playing
Around 20-21 years old
Year turned professional
Around 2014 after first big WSOP cash
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
2019 HPT Denver $1,650 No-Limit Hold'em event for $194,478
Who introduced to poker / first mentor
Gary Tsui and David Droeger provided early poker mentorship and coaching
First important tournament
2014 WSOP $1,500 Monster Stack, finished 12th for $99,981
Main motivation for turning pro
Desire to become a professional poker player after quitting retail jobs and investing more time into poker; motivated by early success and belief from family and mentors
Initial bankroll
Loan of $2,400 from grandparents used to enter 2014 WSOP Monster Stack event
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Self-study through volume play, discussions with mentors, and improvements in mental and pregame preparations
Total live tournament winnings
$6,149,218 in live tournament earnings
Number of tournament wins
At least 10+ including multiple WSOP Circuit rings and major mid-stakes titles
Number of final tables
Over 40 final tables
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
$217,535 for 2nd place at 2017 Borgata WPT $600 No-Limit Hold'em $2 Million GTD ||| $194,478 for 1st place 2019 HPT Denver $1,650 No-Limit Hold'em ||| $181,978 1st place 2023 WSOP $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw
WSOP bracelets (number)
1 (2023 WSOP $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw)
WSOP cashes (number)
56 cashes
WSOP final tables
7 WSOP final tables
Best WSOP Main Event result
42nd place in 2025 WSOP Main Event for $240,000 prize
Main cash game limits
Plays mixed games and mid to high stakes tournaments; involved with H.O.R.S.E. and mixed games
Highest stakes played
$2,500 buy-in and higher tournaments including WSOP mixed game events
Notable high stakes sessions
Participated and success in mixed game high-profile events such as WSOP & SHRP
Country ranking
Among top poker professionals from the United States especially in mixed games and mid-major circuits
All Time Money List position
Over $6 million lifetime earnings places him in upper echelon nationally in live tournament money list
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Breakout year in 2019 with two titles and 15 final tables; steady performance with WSOP cashes and circuit rings through 2023-2025
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
Mixed games specialist with focus on No-Limit Hold'em and mixed draws (Triple Draw, H.O.R.S.E.)
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Primarily live multi-table tournaments with emphasis on mixed games and mid-stakes formats
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Full ring and 6-max tournament tables
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
No-Limit Hold'em, Mixed Triple Draw, H.O.R.S.E., Limit Hold'em
Specialization limits
Mid to high stakes tournaments, commonly $400 to $2,500 buy-ins, including WSOP Circuit and major live series
Favorite casinos/locations
Horseshoe (Las Vegas), Borgata, Seminole Hard Rock, WSOP venues
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Balanced aggressive with strong mixed game skills and solid preparation
Known for bluffs/traps
Known for solid play rather than heavy bluffing; strategic and patient in mixed formats
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Analytical with emphasis on volume, preparation, and mental game
Style adaptability
Highly adaptable due to experience in mixed formats and various tournament structures
Playing strengths
Mixed games expertise, mental toughness, volume play, strategic tournament skill
GTO strategy usage
Uses GTO principles particularly in Hold'em and mixed game strategy
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
Card Player Magazine (2019 interview – "King of the Mid-Major Poker Tournament Circuit")
Poker publication articles (publication names, article titles, publication dates, links)
Card Player Magazine “Nicholas Pupillo Is 2019’s King Of The Mid-Major Poker Tournament Circuit”
Poker industry awards (award names, years, organizations)
Named GPI Mid-Major Player of the Year
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Recognized by peers for endurance and skill in mid-major circuits
Poker publication awards (publication names, award types, years)
GPI Mid-Major Player of the Year
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
First WSOP bracelet in 2023, multiple WSOP Circuit rings, over $6M lifetime earnings
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Known for elevating prominence of mid-major poker tournaments and mixed game skill sets
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Seen as one of the top mid-major and mixed games specialists emerging from the Illinois poker community
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Helped spotlight mixed game formats and mid-major tournament circuit importance for career pros
WSOP (World Series of Poker) - all events all years
2025|USA|WSOP Main Event|Las Vegas|No-Limit Hold'em Main Event|||42|$240,000||||2023|USA|WSOP|Horseshoe & Paris Las Vegas|Mixed Triple Draw|$2,500|1|$181,978|353|||
WSOP Circuit events
2018|USA|WSOP Circuit Chicago|Chicago|No-Limit Hold'em $1,700|2|$186,823|||
WPT Prime events
2023|USA|WPT Prime Championship|Wynn Las Vegas||||199|$2,735|||
Thunder Valley events
2023|USA|WSOP Circuit Thunder Valley|Thunder Valley|H.O.R.S.E.|$600|||29|||