Sorel State is a poker player who in the last few years has shown through his very good results in live tournaments that he is on his way to becoming an emblematic player for Romanian poker. He might even become the first Romanian to win a WSOP Main Event bracelet. He has what it takes. We’ll find out more about his achievements and future plans in the following interview.
Congratulations on your impressive results over the past year: winning Event #29 at EPT Monte Carlo last April, taking down the PokerStars tournament in Campione this March, and most recently your victory at Merit Poker Carmen in Cyprus. These wins clearly establish you as a top-tier player. Would you say you’re now a complete player, capable of competing with anyone on the global poker circuit?
Yes, I’d say that :)))). I’m someone who truly loves this game — and when it’s your passion, you play no matter the challenges, whether it’s tough opponents or other “obstacles.” I’ve never viewed other players as the real challenge, as it all comes down to how you perceive yourself in relation to others. If you respect your passion and play responsibly within your bankroll, the outcome or who you’re up against becomes secondary. You play simply because you love the game.
Do you feel you now have enough experience to seriously contend for a WSOP bracelet soon enough?
For the past few years, I’ve been playing the WSOP in Vegas each summer, and I genuinely feel prepared in every way and when the opportunity to win a bracelet comes, I’ll be ready and embrace it with open arms.
Where do you feel you’ve improved the most in your game lately: confidence, experience, technical skills, or something else…?
Great question that really made me reflect. I don’t think there’s one specific area where I’ve made massive leaps, but I like to believe I’ve worked on all aspects of my game equally. Over time, that work has matured into a well-rounded approach to everything I do.
Have you made any recent changes to how you approach tournaments, your preparation, or your playing style? Are you following a new program or structure?
I haven’t changed anything. I have a routine, habits that I follow almost every day. Simply said, my typical day revolves entirely around what I’m passionate about. That includes quiet mornings with a good book and espresso, eating healthy, staying active, studying poker, and spending quality time with my girls in the afternoon. The rhythm is simple, well-balanced, and never feels overwhelming.
You’ve reached 7th place on Romania’s All-Time Money List on HendonMob, with close to $2 million in earnings. What is your long-term goal?
I actually stopped setting specific goals a while ago. I just know that what I’m doing is taking me in a direction I truly enjoy and if I ever want to add, change, or remove something from my routine, I do it with ease. Right now, I’m focused on traveling with family and friends and combining poker with vacation. This lifestyle makes the whole year feel like one continuous holiday; so instead of setting hard goals, I just follow the flow and trust where it leads me.
Where do you play online and with what results?
I don’t play online. These days, I’d rather sleep at night than grind online like I used to.
Is the American poker scene part of your future plans? To see you playing more WPT or WSOP tournaments or cash tournaments in the United States? Have you set such a goal?
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been playing the WSOP every summer since 2019.
You’ve been a poker pro for 10 years now. How do you think the game has changed in Romania and around the world during this time?
It’s evolved tremendously, especially live poker. Across the globe, live poker has exploded, which is fantastic to see. I really hope Romania follows that trend, though the direction here in recent years hasn’t been ideal.
In your last interview with Casino Inside, you mentioned hoping to become a recreational player in the future. Is that still something you’re aiming for?
Absolutely. And to be honest, for the past two years, I’ve been in this sort of hybrid space i.e. I’m not a full-time pro, but definitely not retired either as I still play live poker quite often, and I remain deeply curious and committed to constantly improving my game and staying current with the latest strategies and trends.