Talal Shakerchi

Early years and education

Talal was educated at Cambridge University, where he studied economics. His studies gave him an in-depth knowledge of finance and management, which was a key foundation for building a successful career. Even then, he showed analytical skills that later came in handy in both finance and poker.

Careers in finance

In 1998, Shakerchi founded Meditor Capital Management Ltd, a hedge fund specializing in large investment management. Through his strategic approach and intuition, he quickly earned a reputation as one of the UK’s leading investors. In 2013, his fortune was estimated at £100 million, confirming his success in the financial arena.

Poker as a passion and a career

Despite his success in business, Shakerchi decided to try his hand at poker. His passion began with an online game under the pseudonym “raidalot”, where he quickly became recognized for his analytical decisions and ability to predict his opponents’ moves. Poker became not only a hobby for him, but also a way for him to get outside of his day job. Over time, Talal switched to offline tournaments, participating in some of the most prestigious high buy-in events.

Balance between poker and business

Talal continues to manage his hedge fund, but is also an active poker player at world-class tournaments. He claims that poker helps him relax and socialize with people beyond formal business. This dual career emphasizes his versatility and ability to succeed in different fields.

Personal qualities

Shakerchi is known for his humble and friendly nature, which sets him apart from other poker players. His goal is not only to win tournaments, but also to enjoy the process and develop his skills. In addition to this Talal is actively involved in charity work, in 2015 the player was ranked 25th in the list of the most generous people in the UK.

Online career

In May 2016, Talal emerged victorious in the Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) Main Event, winning nearly $1.5 million. In total, his prize money on the PokerStars platform exceeded $5 million. Through stealth and strategy, he kept his identity hidden for a long time to maintain an edge over his opponents.

Switching to live tournaments

His first success in offline poker came in 2007 in Las Vegas, where he earned his first cash prize. Subsequently, his career has been on a rapid upward trajectory:

• 2008: 3rd place in the Rendez Vous A Paris tournament with a prize of €160,000;
• 2012: Winning the Turbo High Roller in Monte Carlo for €223,000;
• 2013: Winning the EPT High Roller in London for $650,000.

Participation in high-level tournaments

Since 2014, Shakerchi has focused on high-stakes tournaments, consistently finishing runner-up:

• 2018: 4th place at the Super High Roller Bowl, winning $1.1 million;
• 2019 PokerStars Players Championship final table, 8th place, $509,000;
• 2022: Two tournament wins at the Triton Poker Series in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus, totaling $700,000 in winnings;
• 2023: Winning the Triton Series Hoian Main Event for $3.25 million.

Social aspects and motivation

Shakerchi says that for him, poker is not only about competition, but also an opportunity to interact with people outside of the financial world. The social aspects of live tournaments help him stay motivated and add to the excitement of his busy career.

Live Poker Achievements

Although Shakerchi started out online, most of his big winnings come from live poker:

• March 2013: Winning the High Roller at the European Poker Tour (EPT) London for over $650,000;
• December 2018: Fourth place at Super High Roller Bowl V with a $1,188,000 win;
• January 2019: Eighth place at the PokerStars Players Championship in the Bahamas for $509,000;
• March 2023: Winning the Triton Poker Series Vietnam Main Event for $3,250,000;
• June 2023: Second place in the Poker Players Championship at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) for $818,756;
• August 2023: Second place at the Luxon Invitational in London with $4,650,000 in winnings.

Online Poker Achievements (in List)

Online, the player also has major earnings:

• 2016: Winning the SCOOP Main Event, $1,468,000 prize;
• 2021: WCOOP Player of the Year, Overall and High leaderboards wins.