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Not even a year ago, leading Austrian pro Mario Mosbock tipped his countryman Bernhard Binder as one of the hottest prospects in the game, just waiting for a breakout performance.
In recent months, Mosbock has been proven spectacularly correct.
In December, Binder won $10 million and his first World Series bracelet, and he added another massive seven-figure score in South Korea in March. Binder is now at a maiden EPT final table, which he'll start as a hot favorite.
And he's relishing the prospect of winning one of the most prestigious titles in his home continent. “It does mean something special, because it's the only big title I don't have,” the 27-year-old says. “I have won a Triton event, a big WSOP, and basically everything online.”
Originally from Oberpullendorf, close to Austria's border with Hungary, Binder learned the game playing home games with friends, and is now best friends and room-mates in the capital with fellow pro Samuel Mullur. He also cites Mullur and the Vienna-based crew as his main inspirations.
Though poker consumes most of his life, Binder says he's also a fan of most sports and games.
With Binder having already beaten his best EPT performance to date, Austria has never had a better chance of claiming a first EPT title.
Player bios courtesy of Jan Kores/Florenze Mazet/Howard Swains/PokerStars
Career statistics
The Hendon Mob Earnings: $13,151,514
EPT Main Event cashes: 2
Best result: 107th, 2024 EPT Cyprus ($12,020)
Tournament progression
Day 1: 125,000 (54/177, 1B)
Day 2: 411,000 (15/151)
Day 3: 740,000 (15/48)
Day 4: 4,540,000 (1/20)
Day 5: 7,520,000 (1/8)
Key hands
Binder faced a tough spot in the final Level of Day 4 as he was put all-in on the river by Mehdi Chaoui in a four-bet pot. Binder called with top pair, catching Chaoui bluffing to obtain the tournament chip lead for the first time.
