/ updated 6:17 p.m. ET June 19, 2011
- Nicknamed “Downtown,” he was raised in the Bronx, where he began playing poker in Italian cafes
- Runner-up to Paul Wasicka in the 2007 National Heads-Up Poker Championship, and cashed an impressive 8 times in the 2007 WSOP, tied for 1st
- Career live tournament winnings in excess of $3.44 million
- Recipient of Bluff magazine’s 2006 Player of the Year, and is married to professional poker player Vanessa Rousso
- Served as the commentator for the syndicated Ultimate Poker Challenge, and is the author of the book Act to Win
NHPC record: 6-4
NHPC total winnings: $250,000
2006: Defeated Phil Ivey before losing to eventual winner Ted Forrest in Round 2
2007: Defeated Yosh Nakano, Gabe Kaplan, Brad Booth, Kristy Gazes and Gavin Smith before losing to Paul Wasicka in the finals ($250,000 )
2008: Eliminated in Round 1 by Allen Cunningham
2009: Eliminated in Round 1 by Glen Chorny
PAD record: 0-2
Match 6: 6th
Match 30: 3rd
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