A Poker first!

Get the full profile of the WSOP Circuit’s latest winner here. You’ll see why Poker is a game for people of all ages, and why you should never quit playing!

It may be the case that in recent years, the majority of major event and prize winners in the Poker industry has been young and fresh face players. And whilst there has indeed been a significant influx of young players (even in their teens), the latest winner of the WSOP Circuit is proving not only that Poker is an age-old pastime, but that it is a game of no age limits. Joe Giannone of Citrus Heights, California, won the first place prize of the tourney at the impressive age of 70, taking down an entire table of players less than half his age!

It was the final event in the WSOP Circuit before the tourney’s Main Event, and a whopping 302 players came down to take on the tables. There was also a prize pool of no less than $87,882 up for grabs to share between the final 36 placers. It was held at the Nevada Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Poker room, and spanned over two exciting, poker-filled days.

Giannone is not new to the poker industry. Even though this was his first major win at a formal Poker event, he is actually a part casino owner in Panama City, and a veteran player originally from Brooklyn. In fact, he has spent the majority of his life off his Poker winnings. He is the second player in only a week to win a major event, following Jack Larson’s victory three days prior, who is an incredible 77 years of age.

When Giannone entered the game, he was only ranked seventh with regard to chips. More than half the chips were in position of Mark Moskowitz and Tony Solis, with Solis appearing to be the strongest player throughout. When he went head to head against Giannone in the final battle between them, though, it was clear that he had lost his advantage, with Giannone holding 2:1 in chips against him and nearly closing in on his big win several times before actually winning. He beat Solis with a J-10 to a 10-7, with 4-8-10 on the table. Giannone described his win as relieving, after what were several lucky escapes for Solis.

Solis finished in second place, followed by Kevin O’Sullivan in third, Elizabeth Elwell in fourth, Paul Carey in fifth, and Mark Moskowitz in Sixth.