Dario Minieri Wins Event #31 at the 2008 World Series of Poker
Dario Minieri is 23 years old. The Italian professional has already made a name for himself for his game-play – he finished third at the EPT San Remo event in April – and his fashion sense (have you ever noticed the AS Roma scarf he wears everywhere?). The former Magic: The Gathering champion is now a World Series of Poker bracelet holder.
He entered the final table of the $2,500 NLHE short-handed event in a dominant position and won 21 of the first 50 pots, eliminating Stuart Marshak, John O'Shea and Kevin Song along the way. Unfortunately, at this point, Minieri began to struggle. Each of his remaining opponents, Seth Fischer and Justin Filtz, took turns doubling up through him.
Fischer, with a pair of aces in the hole, eventually knocked out Filtz, who was holding an A,K in his pocket. The chip infusion gave Fischer, a WSOP newcomer from Palm Harbor, Florida, a commanding chip lead over the Italian. However, Minieri made a lucky double up with triple fours. This put him in good position to take the title with pocket queens on the final hand.
In so doing, Dario becomes the second Italian to win a WSOP bracelet. The first is Max Pescatori, who won his second bracelet this year in Event #24.
Here are the final results:
1) Dario Minieri - $528,418 2) Seth Fischer - $330,519 3) Justin Filtz - $214,139 4) Kevin Song - $141,983 5) John O'Shea - $98,923 6) Stuart Marshak - $73,784
Dario Minieri plays online at PokerStars. PokerStars is gearing up for its final event of the inaugural season of the Latin American Poker Tour in Punta del Este, Uruguay. Qualifiers are going on now!