Watch out for pirates.

News / nono / 18 September 2008 / Leave a comment

It is no mean feat to win a single gold bracelet, a great many people (including myself - although I would happily settle for a tournament win) would happily take it, so a double gold bracelet winner is surely a man to fear on the tables, writes Rob Eddy.

And that is something that Max Pescatori achieved this summer in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas when he took down the $2,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em/Pot-Limit Omaha event to add a cool $246,000 to his ever-growing tournament earnings.

Pescatori is also a man who revels in his nickname - the Italian Pirate - but that was no robbery in Sin City as he has now won $2.4 million and is within touching distance of becoming the all-time leading Italian on the Money List, lying a mere $100,000 behind John Spadavecchia.

It was not the first time he had struck gold in Las Vegas either as he won his first bracelet in 2006 after coming out on top in a field of 1,290 to take down the $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em event.

That turned out to be the best day of his life as he not only picked up his first piece of WSOP jewellery but his beloved Italian football team also lifted the World Cup.

As well as his two bracelets, the 37-year-old from Milan - who was tutored by the first Italian to win a WSOP bracelet, Valter Farina - has also finished in the money 18 times in the WSOP, as well as a further five times on the World Poker Tour.

So he is no stranger to going deep in big fields on the biggest stage, and is surely one to look out for when the WSOP Europe gets underway at the Casino at the Empire in London on September 19.

Don't forget you can still qualify for the big show next month with the Last Chance Freerolls on Betfair or even pre-register for any of the events that will be taking place by emailing WSOPEregistrations@betfair.com.