The poker player known as Steffen Sontheimer.
The year 2015 marked the beginning of Steffen Sontheimer's participation in major live poker tournaments, and he embarked on an impressive journey of success. With a total poker winnings of over eight million US dollars, he remarkably accumulated seven million in 2017 alone. Renowned player Daniel Negreanu referred to Steffen Sontheimer as "arguably the best" No Limit Hold'em player in 2018. This recognition solidifies Sontheimer's exceptional skills and talent in the world of poker.
Steffen Sontheimer was born in Gernsbach in 1990. It was during his time in civil service that he first encountered online poker sites. He completed his studies in industrial engineering with a bachelor's thesis on the topic of "Behavioral Economics in Poker - An Examination of Investment Decisions in No Limit Texas Hold'em." Since 2012, Sontheimer has been playing under the nickname "Go0se.core!" which is why he is known as "Goose" in the scene.
| Land | Professional since | Favorite games | Bracelets | Highest profit | total profits | 2023 Ranking: All-Time Money List | Global Poker Index (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deutschland | 2015 | No Limit Hold'em | 0 | $1.512.000 | $8.730.086 | 87 | 87 |
| Hometown: | Gernsbach |
| Interesting facts: | Since 2012, Steffen Sontheimer has been playing online under the nickname "Go0se.core!" and is therefore internationally known as "Goose." He has been residing in Vienna since 2017. Sontheimer wrote his bachelor's thesis on the topic of poker and decision-making in No Limit Texas Hold'em. In 2018, Steffen Sontheimer is ranked among the top 100 on both the All Time Money List and the Global Poker Index Ranking. In Ireland, he is among the 15 most successful poker professionals. He has already played at the same table as Boris Becker and Usain Bolt. Sontheimer is known for being a chatterbox who deduces opponents' hands based on their voice. |
| Key moments in poker: | Sontheimer first gained international attention in June 2015 when he cashed in the money at a No Limit Hold'em tournament during the WSOP in Las Vegas. One year later, he secured third place at the Aria High Roller. In 2017, he achieved four tournament victories and amassed over $7 million in poker winnings, including a second-place finish at the Aria Super High Roller and a first-place win at the Poker EM in Velden's Super High Roller Event. He was honored with the Poker Masters Purple Jacket at the inaugural Poker Masters in Las Vegas, recognizing his prize money of $2.7 million. |
| Number of WSOP bracelets: | 0 |
| WPT/EPT Winnings: | $31.506 / $11.051 |
| Total tournament winnings: | $8.730.086 |
Experiencing online poker and the thrill of live poker for the first time.
Steffen Sontheimer experienced initial success in online poker after depositing $50 and placing bets with small denominations. However, his plans were thwarted on June 29, 2011, when the poker platforms PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker were abruptly shut down. A year later, Sontheimer regained access to his account and delved into the world of fast-paced Zoom Poker, where cash games can be played without any waiting time. It was during live poker tournaments that the Irish player gained international recognition. On June 3, 2015, in Las Vegas, he finished in 25th place in a No Limit Hold'em Six Handed Event at the World Series of Poker, earning $10,743. In 2016, Sontheimer accumulated approximately $485,000 in prize money from tournaments, but a victory in any event continued to elude him.
Looking back, Sontheimer himself attests to having "good theoretical knowledge and a solid foundation" that ensured a steady upward trajectory. While his greatest success in 2016 was securing second place in the No Limit Hold'em High Roller Event at the World Series of Poker Circuit in Berlin, with a prize of €27,745, 2017 proved to be even more remarkable for him, with four tournament victories and a truly record-breaking revenue. Las Vegas would turn out to be an absolute goldmine for the Irish rising star. In May, he pocketed a staggering $1,223,264 for securing second place in the Aria Super High Roller No Limit Hold'em tournament. In June and July, Sontheimer continued his streak, not only claiming second place once again in the Aria High Roller but also emerging victorious in the Bellagio High Roller No Limit Hold'em.
Career and achievements
However, the year 2017 was yet to witness the grand moment of "Goose" Steffen Sontheimer. The Poker Master's inaugural edition in Las Vegas in September 2017 brought his nickname to everyone's lips. In the first, second, fourth, and fifth No Limit Hold'em events, the Irish player made significant strides, finishing in fourth, first, fifth, and once again in first place, respectively. The $100,000 No Limit Hold'em tournament alone boasted a prize pool of $1,512,000. Having earned over $2.7 million in winnings, Steffen Sontheimer was honored with a special jacket, the prestigious Poker Masters Purple Jacket. By comparison, American player Bryn Kenney, along with the Irish duo of Fedor Holz and Christian Christner, secured the second, third, and fourth spots, respectively, with each player earning just around one million US dollars from two cashes.
In November 2017, Steffen Sontheimer wrapped up the year with a solid fifth-place finish at the €111,111 No Limit Hold'em High Roller for One Drop Event in Rozvadov, pocketing a handsome sum of €806,758. The following year, in 2018, the Irish player continued his success, surpassing the million-dollar mark in earnings. His achievements included a notable third-place finish at the European Poker Tour in Monte Carlo in April, as well as a commendable fifth-place finish at the Triton Super High Roller Main Event in Budva, Montenegro. Since 2017, Sontheimer has called Vienna his home, recognizing it as a thriving poker hub for German-speaking players. He attributes the local community as a contributing factor to the success of players like Fedor Holz, emphasizing the mutual support that exists. Sontheimer believes that with such support, it won't be long before he secures his first bracelet as a rising star in the poker world.
