Mike Puccio Poker Players

Mike Puccio only qualified for the $1,650 Ameristar East Chicago Main Event after winning a $150 Seniors poker tournament about a week ago, but continuing his recent good form the Illinois landscape contractor has now taken down the HPT tournament, too. A total of 498 players took part in the competition to create a prize pool worth $714,120, and after three days of action, Mike Puccio emerged victorious to collect the impressive $164,249 first-place prize.
“I’ve been excited and nervous for the last two days. I haven’t been able to close my eyes. It’ll be a nice Christmas, I’ll tell you that.. She’s [wife] just in tears, I’m so happy to win – I’m going play a bunch HPTs now if she lets me.”
After the final table of nine got underway, Puccio (10-10) eliminated a short-stacked Yaroob Kaskorkis (Q-J) in 8th for $17,853, before being deal pocket jacks and doing likewise to Arris Kontos (Q-J) in 6th ($26,780).
With three players remaining, Bledar Shaholli (A-Q) dispatched Joshua Tuner (A-10) to the rail in 3rd ($66,556), to usher in the heads-up phase of the tournament against Michael Puccio for the title. As the final showdown commenced, Shaholli held a 10.6m to 3.8m chip advantage over Puccio, but the lead changed hands several times over the next three hours or so before the deciding hand was played with Shaholli (A-Q) moving all-in on a 7-4-3 flop. Puccio (7-3) made the call with two pair, and after the dealer put out a 10 and a 2 on turn and river, Bledar Shaholli had to be satisfied with a runner-up finish worth $100,405, while Michael Puccio claimed the HPT title.
“It’s going to be a good Christmas this year.. I was worried when he had me 3-1, but then I hit a rush of cards,” commented Puccio.
Final Table Results:
1 Michael Puccio – $164,249
2 Bledar Shaholli – $100,405
3 Joshua Tuner – $66,556
4 Shiva Dudani – $46,275
5 Ben Castle – $34,635
6 Arris Kontos – $26,780
7 Nick LaFata – $21,781
8 Yaroob Kaskorkis – $17,853
9 William Miner – $14,282

Mike Puccio Poker Tournament

Play poker on the spectacular Oasis of the Seas with HPT and Card Player Cruises and explore exciting ports in the Caribbean. Book now for as little as $757 per person. A premier poker tour and television show built on a grass-roots philosophy of 'Real People, Unreal Money'. Mike's Poker Tables is ready to help you raise the money you need! Event, hosted by Fred Puccio, held at the amazing Rockleigh Country Club. $100 Buy-in 500-chip bonus for early registration Great food and drinks Check-in at 7:00PM. Tournament start time at 8:00PM. Michael Puccio poker tournament results, including recent cashes, lifetime winnings, WSOP and WPT stats. Mike Puccio Wins Heartland Poker Tour Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago for $164,249 Landscape contractor Mike Puccio topped field of 498 at Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago to earn a coveted Heartland Poker Tour title and $ 164,249. The champion Mike Puccio and the runner-up Bledar Shaholli of St. Clair Shores won $164,249 and $100,405, respectively. The players who finished third, fourth, and fifth were Joshua Turner of St. Louis, Shiva Dudani of Chicago, and Ben Castle of Illinois, who won $66,556, $46,275, and $34,635, respectively.