Justin Saliba is an American professional player who has been making a significant impact in major live tournaments since at least 2019. According to The Hendon Mob database, he has amassed over $10 million in live tournament winnings, with his largest cash being $1,188,000 after finishing second in the $50k NLHE event at Triton Montenegro last year.
One moment that truly defines Saliba is his willingness to fold pocket kings pre-flop. A decision unimaginable for most players, but for him, it's not born out of fear or excessive caution. It stems from context—stacks, table dynamics, opponent history, and understanding that GTO isn't about the “right cards,” but the right frequencies.
“The biggest mistake is thinking a strong hand means automatic action,” Saliba explains a principle he's long applied. In the high-stakes setting, it's no longer about what's in your hand but what you represent and what your opponent represents. And it’s in these extreme spots that the difference between a player who knows the theory and a player who can execute it comes to light.
Saliba openly works with the idea that a solver isn't the answer. It's a map. If you follow it blindly, you'll end up in a dead end. If you understand it, you can consciously deviate from it. In super high rollers, where ranges are extremely narrow and mistakes brutally costly, this ability is crucial.
Folding kings isn't a weakness. It's an acknowledgment that at that point in the game, there are more combinations that beat you than those you beat. The “standard line” is often just a socially acceptable excuse for why you lost a big pot without being questioned.
Saliba's mindset is built on accountability. Every decision must be justifiable to himself, not to the audience, chat, or Twitter. That's why he's willing to make decisions that seem crazy but make sense in his world model. And therein lies his advantage. He doesn't play against the cards or against the solver. He plays against people, their tendencies, and the pressure they can't handle in critical moments. While most players try to “not lose with kings,” Saliba aims to win the tournament.
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Sources – Podcast Chasing Poker Greatness, X, PokerNews, PGT, PokerAcademy
