Narcis Nedelcu: “I realize it’s a great achievement”
Narcis Nedelcu is at the best performance of his poker career: winning Event 73: Eight Game Mix with a buy-in of $1,500 at the World Series Of Poker (WSOP) 2025, getting the champion bracelet and the prize of $184,682. We bring you an exclusive interview with him, where you’ll find out how he experienced all those adrenaline-pumping moments during the tournament days and at the final table, and then the euphoria of winning.
Narcis Nedelcu
What was it like to win your first career WSOP bracelet?
I was so focused at the final table that at the time I didn’t even realize what had happened and how important it was to win this tournament, but in the days that followed I really savored the moment and I can say that it’s something absolutely special.
What type of poker is the Eight Game Mix? What skills do you need?
Eight game mix is a complete type of poker that contains both the very well known games such as Nlh and Plo, but also different variations of limit games such as limit holdem, omaha8, stud, razz, stud8 and 2-7 triple draw where you have to be very careful with every card you and all the other opponents at the table are dealt.
You overcame a large field of players to get the WSOP bracelet. How tough was that?
The tournament had about 800 entrants and lasted over 3 days, with blinds at 60. In the beginning the tables were pretty easy, but already by the middle of Day 2 the field had been sorted and the players were pretty competent.
WSOP
Do you feel fulfilled now, after this triumph, as a poker player?
Totally fulfilled, no, but I realize it’s a great accomplishment. I will probably be after a good result in the main event!
How was the final table? You came in chip leader and dominated the final table. Were you confident or were you “afraid of victory”?
At the final table I was so focused that I didn’t think for a moment about the prizes up for grabs and the bracelet, so there was nothing to be afraid of, it was one of my best final tables.
After a final table last year finishing 8th at the WSOP, could this year’s WSOP bracelet on June 29 come with a WSOP Main Event victory? Do you think you have what it takes to make history with such a triumph?
Yeah, well, that’s pretty much the goal of all the players who come to Vegas – to make a splash in the Main Event. This is my second career Main Event and why wouldn’t this be the tournament of a lifetime? I’m very ready. 🙂
Compared to other career successes, how do you feel now? More experienced, more confident, more sure of your abilities?
Confident I am every time I enter a tournament, and after I come out I become more experienced because with every hand you play you learn something new and gain experience.
Could this success at this year’s WSOP be a catalyst for a similar scale of success online? Or is the environment there too different from live?
In terms of the online environment, given the volume I have there and the wins I’ve made, I can say that online has been the catalyst for me to move and succeed in the live environment.
