Alessio Isaia

One of the most successful tournament players to ever come out of Italy, the Cuneo-born poker pro is best known for the major WPT title he earned back in 2011. Winning the trophy on home soil in Venice – in the largest tournament to ever take place at this location – Alessio triumphed over 522 other entrants to scoop the $518,382 top prize. Amongst the field were many fellow Italian pros including quadruple bracelet-winner Max Pescatori and online superstar Dario Minieri – neither of which could stop Isaia from emerging victorious.

Alessio is also a regular on the Italian Poker Tour and has won numerous events on the circuit. He took down the 2009 €2,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event in San Remo for $207,928. Add another runner-up IPT finish to this list, a second-place in a Bellagio Cup event and a final table finish at The Everest Poker ONE Main Event in Monte Carlo, and Isaia has made five six-figure cashes in his live tournament career.

Remarkably, the Italian has been unable to wrap a WSOP bracelet around his wrist – though he has come extremely close. In 2008, Alessio made two final tables – both in Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo 8-or-Better events. Three years later, Isaia came within touching distance of the gold when he got down to heads-up play versus Ukrainian veteran Eugene Katchalov in the 2011 $1,500 Seven Card Stud event. Despite not being able to close the show, Alessio proved that his poker ability extended well beyond the confines of Hold’em as he hung with one of the most talented mixed-game specialists around.

Formerly sponsored by Full Tilt, Alessio continues to grind on the live tournament circuit today and add to his $2,250,000+ in MTT winnings.