The defining moments in online poker history are usually tied to the most well-known platforms. However, Bitcoin’s price surge over the past decade has cast new light on a few lesser-known events—including the early days of Bitcoin-based online poker.
A Stack That Symbolizes the Rise of Cryptocurrency
In August 2012, a screenshot was taken at SealsWithClubs (SwC), showing a player named "Isildur1" waiting alone at a table with a stack of 800,000 chips. According to the platform’s internal conversion rate (1,000 chips = 1 BTC), the stack represented exactly 800 BTC. At the time, with Bitcoin priced at $11.58 per BTC, the total value was $9,264.
Fast forward to 2025, and the stack’s value looks very different:
-
April 2025 (1 BTC = $92,397):
→ 800 BTC = $73,917,600 -
January 2025 peak (1 BTC = $109,588):
→ 800 BTC = $87,670,400
While this stack wasn't considered particularly extraordinary at the time, Bitcoin's rise in market value means it would represent a staggering amount today.
The Significance of the Screenshot
The screenshot wasn’t taken because someone predicted Bitcoin’s future. It gained attention because of the screen name “Isildur1.” Many believed Viktor Blom—following his high-profile loss to Brian Hastings—was attempting a bankroll rebuild on smaller sites. Over time, though, the focus shifted from the player’s identity to the stack’s value as Bitcoin soared.
Fitzroy: From 1 BTC to 2,500
SwC Poker is also home to another legendary story. A player known as "Fitzroy" reportedly started with just 1 BTC and built it up to 2,500 BTC in just six weeks. At today’s rates, that translates to:
→ $230,992,500.
No one knows for sure what became of those BTC, but chances are most were cashed out back when Bitcoin was still worth just a fraction of today’s value. Still, online poker clearly introduced many to cryptocurrency long before it was seen as an investment—when it was simply a fast and anonymous payment method. Those who adopted early often went on to accumulate significant wealth.
Conclusion
SealsWithClubs shut down in 2015, but later relaunched under a new name and infrastructure as SwC Poker.
Today, the 800 BTC stack is more than just a snapshot of poker history—it's a vivid reminder of the intersection between Bitcoin and online poker, a story that captures the pioneering spirit of both the digital currency and the online gaming era.
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