Seat 5: Jan Bendik , Slovakia (2,625,000)
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Currently ranked #1 in the Slovakia all time money list, Jan Bendik absolutely dominated the Player of the Race in Season 9. Most of his points that season came thanks to great performances in side events. He won three €1k side events and enjoyed deep runs in a further six. His biggest cash, netting him more than €60,000 was winning the €1k No Limit in Deauville.
However, what really cemented his lead was taking down the €1k NL Turbo tourney in Monaco.
He has been an EPT regular for the last eight years and owns an electricity company in his homeland. Poker has been very fruitful for him as he has amassed over €2 million in tournament winnings including fifth at EPT8 Sanremo for €170,000, runner-up in the EPT10 Prague Eureka High Roller and sixth at EPT7 Prague.
He has been playing various card games since his childhood. He first got in touch with poker in 2001 when he discovered five-card draw. He switched to Texas Hold'em about ten years ago and his first success came soon after, when he was runner-up in the 2006 Master Classics of Poker in Amsterdam, banking €97,000. He is also the first Slovak player to make three EPT Main Event final tables.