Michael Schulze does not consider himself to be a professional poker player, asserting that his love for the game is purely for fun. Schulze has won only a single live poker tournament, albeit a 1st place victory worth nearly $800,000. The 40-year old skilled poker player has stayed true to his long-time career at a stock trader residing in Germany.

Michael gained fame by taking down the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Polish Open on March 15, 2008. While the victory itself was an enormous accomplishment for Schulze, it was the story surrounding his triumph that has outlined his name in the history books.

Michael Schulze had no vision of himself actually winning such a poker tournament. In fact, Michael did not even fathom himself making past the first day. He actually booked his flight with a return trip for the very next day, including a one night hotel stay. When Michael realized he wouldn’t be leaving on the second day, he had to make new arrangements.

Schulze was playing an extremely conservative poker game, never raising and always folding out of the big pots. It was his belief that by keeping the pots small, he could keep a better track of what was on the table and manage to bring in small pots here and there. Michael would only play the best starting hands - A-K, high Pocket Pairs, suited face cards at worst - anything with at least 50-50 odds of winning. Even with this strict strategy, Michael was finding the cards laid out before him perfectly at nearly every turn.

As the 4-day poker tournament progressed into the third day, Michael was once again shocked to remain not only in the game, but with a significant chip stack at his disposal. Schulze was sending player after player to the rails, drawing the attention of many who had to be wondering, “Who is this guy?”

Day three evolved into day four, until a final group of 9 players converged on the final table. An original field of 359 had increased the overall prize pool to a Polish Open record-breaking PLN-7,180,000 (apprx. €2 million). Schulze entered the table with a chip lead, continuing to play in the same conservative manner that got him through the previous three days of relentless action.

When it came down to heads-up play between Schulze and Ricardo Sousa, Michael immediately knew he was up against a better opponent than himself. He decided he must change his thus-far successful conservative strategy, converting to a ‘raise, raise and raise again’ mentality.

It would seem destiny was leading Michael Schulze throughout the PokerStars EPT Polish Open, as whatever he did, he couldn’t seem to lose. The aggressive game play worked like a charm. On the final hand, Schulze chose to bet on a hand he would have previously folded - one without 50-50 odds.

Ricardo Sousa, holding Pocket 7’s, led out with 150k on the Small Blind, re-raised to 500k by Schulze; a brave move with A-6-spades in the hole. Sousa responded with an all-in, immediately called by Michael. He never expected to win the pot, even reaching over to shake Sousa’s hand before flipping his A-6.

The flop revealed 4d-2c-5h. Michael knew instantly that without an Ace or 3, he was sunk. Sousa’s pocket 7’s were too strong for Schulze, but at that moment, it seemed Ricardo’s luck have given out. The Turn revealed an Ace. The River came up a 2, sending Ricardo Sousa home with a 2nd place prize of PLN-1,220,600 (€345,543). Michael Schulze, to his grand amazement, emerged the victor, claiming a check for PLN-2,154,000 (€609,782).

Michael Schulze has not given up his day job, nor has he given up his favorite hobby - playing poker. He attests that the money will not change him, and that it was all in fun.

Immediately after his prolific win in Warsaw, Michael was asked what this victory means to him. In his typically humble way, Schulze replied, “I think it’s one of the most amazing days in my life. It’s not like anything I’ll ever do again, in my opinion. It’s very powerful knowing it will happen one time in my life and that’s it.”