Haralabos "Bob" Voulgaris (born 4 July 1975) is a Greek-Canadian professional gambler and principal owner of Spanish soccer club CD Castellón.[1] Formerly the director of quantitative research and development for the Dallas Mavericks,[2] Voulgaris was considered one of the most prolific NBA sports bettors in the world.[3][4]
| Haralabos Voulgaris | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Bob |
| Born | 4 July 1975 |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | None |
| Money finish(es) | 1 |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Title(s) | None |
| Final table(s) | 2 |
| Money finish(es) | 11 |
| European Poker Tour | |
| Title(s) | None |
| Final table(s) | None |
| Money finish(es) | 1 |
Early life edit
Haralabos Voulgaris was born in Canada to Greek immigrant parents. His father had a successful Greek restaurant and commercial real estate business in Winnipeg.[5] At 18, he took a gap year, traveling to his parents' birth towns of Argos and Tripoli. He then joined his father in Las Vegas for two months, staying at Caesars Palace.[6]
He studied philosophy at the University of Manitoba.
Gambling career edit
In addition to NBA betting, Voulgaris is also a poker enthusiast who has cashed for $3.090 million in live tournaments (as of September 2020[update]).[7] He won that sum over the course of 14 years and 19 different events.
One of his biggest wins dates back from September 2007, when he finished 3rd in the $10K NLHE Championship event at the WPT Borgata Open for $434,560.[8]
He came in fourth place in the 2017 WSOP One Drop event for his largest tournament win, pocketing $1,158,883.[9]
Voulgaris also participates in Live Cash Games, and as such, appeared on PokerGO's revived version of Poker After Dark.[10] He played a super high stakes, $300/$600 NLHE cash game session against Phil Galfond, Bill Perkins, and others.
Tom Dwan's alleged million-dollar debt edit
During an interview given to Joe Ingram back in 2015, Voulgaris mentioned a "former NVG superhero" poker pro owing him millions of dollars after he agreed to place bets for him with an unknown bookmaker. Influencers such as Doug Polk speculated that it could be Tom Dwan.[11] On Joe Ingram's 7 October 2022 podcast, Voulgaris referenced the multi-million dollar debt and acknowledged that Tom has repaid him.[12]
Dallas Mavericks edit
On 4 October 2018, the Dallas Mavericks hired Voulgaris as Director of Quantitative Research and Development.[13] On 16 June 2021, just two days after an article was released about conflicts involving Voulgaris that had arisen in the front office, conflicting reports surfaced that Voulgaris and the Mavericks parted ways.[14][15]
CD Castellón edit
Voulgaris acquired Spanish soccer club CD Castellón in July 2022. The move came one year after Voulgaris departed his role as Director of Quantitative Research and Development for the Dallas Mavericks.[16] CD Castellón plays in Spain's third division, Primera División RFEF – Group 2. When Voulgaris purchased the club, the team had not reached the top-level Spanish soccer league La Liga in more than three decades.[17]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Livingstone scores a success with the sale of CD Castellón". Livingstone Partners. July 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ Townsend, Brad (23 September 2021). "Dallas Mavericks have parted ways with Haralabos Voulgaris". DallasNews.com. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ Eden, Scott (21 February 2013). "Meet the world's top NBA gambler". ESPN. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- ^ Hill, David (28 April 2011). "Betting It All On Basketball: A Gambler's Grind In The NBA". Business Insider. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- ^ Volz, Adam (23 February 2023). "Haralabos Voulgaris: The Story Of A World-Class Bettor - Net Worth". Casino.org Blog. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ Eden, Scott (21 February 2013). "Meet the world's top NBA gambler". ESPN.com. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ "Haralabos Voulgaris' profile on The Hendon Mob". The Hendon Mob Poker Database. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ "World Poker Tour - WPT Borgata Poker Open, No Limit Hold'em - Championship Event". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "Full list of WSOP One Drop Entrants". PocketFives. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- ^ O'Connor, Will (23 October 2017). "Relive "Perks of the Trade" on PokerGO". PokerGO Tour. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "Haralabos Voulgaris's Life: Biggest Profits, Losses and Net Worth". Somuchpoker. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ "WTF!! New Information!!!! Robbi Vs Garrett | Day 45" – via YouTube.
- ^ Adrian Wojnarowski [@wojespn] (5 October 2018). "ESPN reporting with @Zachlowe_NBA [...]" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 October 2018 – via Twitter.
- ^ Cato, Tim; Amick, Sam (14 June 2021). "Inside the Mavericks front office, Mark Cuban's shadow GM is causing a rift with Luka Doncic". The Athletic. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ O'Connor, Kevin; Lambre, Wosny (16 June 2021). "Reports Conflict On Whether Haralabos Voulgaris Will Remain With Mavericks". RealGM.com. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ Sofen, Jon (24 July 2022). "Haralabos Voulgaris Purchasing a Spanish Soccer Club". PokerNews.com. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ Goldsberry, Kirk (25 August 2022). "An ex-NBA exec and gambling maestro wants to take on Real Madrid and Barcelona. Will his latest bet lift an underdog Spanish soccer team?". ESPN.com. Retrieved 4 December 2023.