Making a rare appearance at an EPT event, Max Pescatori is an icon to those who follow Italian poker.
After playing in relative obscurity for many years, he busted onto the poker scene in 2006 by winning his first WSOP bracelet, and hasn't looked back since. The "Italian Pirate," as he is often known, travels the world and spreads the word about poker in Italy.
Pescatori's claim that Italy is a country where poker is thriving was proven true by the 700+ players who made the journey to play in beautiful San Remo.
Although Pescatori didn't have the best first day, he was willing to sit down with PokerListings.com during one of the breaks and talk about poker, Italy and life.
So, Max, tell us a little bit about your day if you don't mind.
Yeah I was doing well up to two levels ago and unfortunately I went on a really horrible streak and didn't really win a pot for over two hours. When the ante doubled things got really difficult. I mean when you're paying a lot in antes and you're not winning pots you'll find yourself out of the tournament pretty quick.
What do you think of the tournament? The structure does seem fairly fast...
Yeah that's the problem with EPTs. They are well organized, there is always lots of space and the coverage is beautiful but they're all quick, except for maybe the Grand Final in Monte Carlo. You definitely need some luck to win them. I mean, you need luck in all poker tournaments but especially at EPT tournaments and especially early on.
Max, at PokerListings.com we have a lot of North American readers who might not know about the poker scene in Italy. How would you describe it?
The government just needs to show the poker industry that investing in Italy is one of the best things they can do right now. I mean if you have 700 people - and I know there were more that wanted to play - in the very first big buy-in event in Italy then that has a huge impact. A lot of people can't even believe how popular the game is here.
It's obvious that people have a passion for poker in Italy - how long has it been like that?
I really tried to help that. I started a CardPlayer Italia and we've gone 72 issues now so it's quite an accomplishment. There is now another magazine and there are a few Web sites - three or four really big ones actually. It's been in the [last] two or three years that poker in Italy has really taken off. Before that there was a movement but it was really small. It really helped when a local newspaper packaged some EPT DVDs and they sold like 500,000 copies. The response was incredible.
We were wondering if you could talk briefly about what it was like being one of the first Italians to make it huge in poker on the global scale.
Well I played the game since I was very little and eventually I started travelling to play the game. I also played in Italy, probably like three or four times a week, although it was always draw poker. When I moved to Las Vegas I started playing Seven-Card Stud and No-Limit Hold'em. I learned a lot simply by being there.
When I became a pro I started to spend time with many of the other pros, like my friend Todd Brunson here [points to Todd Brunson who is standing nearby]. Discussing hands with people like him improves your overall game.
Are you an inspiration to young Italian poker players?
Yeah; it's amazing. People are so grateful. I even get pros coming up to me and telling me they are really happy for my success. I had this one guy come up to me and tell me that when his son can't sleep he tells him my story and how I came to be successful.
I was like, "Come on man..." but he responded by saying "No, I'm serious."
It's unbelievable. I definitely have one of the best jobs in the world and I wouldn't trade it for anything. (Laughs) By making me talk about it you've made me forget I have a short stack.
Well we'd better let you get back to that short stack, Max. Thanks so much for your time and best of luck in the tournament.
Thank you.
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Pescatori is an amazing ambassador for Italian poker and although he has his work cut out for him, when he comes to play tomorrow there would be no better person to take down the first major Italian tournament. We here at PL.com wish Pescatori the best of luck as he attempts to turn his short stack into a monster tomorrow.
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