WSOP Event #31, $2,500 No Limit Hold’em Six-Max: Scarf-Ace Wins!
Having become best known for his run in the World Series Main Event, Dario Minieri now wins his first WSOP bracelet in Las Vegas
Thursday 19th June 2008
He might look like he’s not old enough to play in Vegas, but Team PokerStars pro Dario Minieri is one of the most recognised players to have come from the online tables to the live poker scene. With his rollercoaster ride in the Main Event a couple of years ago, Minieri’s trademark scarf and shades set him out from the crowd. Now a bracelet will be added to his table wear.
Minieri came close to his debut major win in April this year, when he finished in third place at the EPT San Remo, so the win won’t be too surprising to those who have followed his progress from online to live. Coming into the final table of this event, Dario head a dominating chip lead, which he used to bulldoze his way to the three-handed play. As we know though, this lad has a seeming disregard for poker chips, and when both of his opponents doubled-up through him, many worried he would end up in third once again.
The comeback from Minieri was almost as exhilarating as his rampage to the final table itself. Cheered on by his Italian supporters, he managed double up twice, putting him back in control of the tournament and eventually setting him up for the $528,418 first-place prize.
They do say that you need a little luck when winning one of these events, and ‘Super Dario’ certainly rode his when his all in was called by the pocket Kings of Seth Fischer. He had two live ones, but four-high (4s-3s) was certainly giving the pocket pair a bit of a head start. The flop gave Minieri a flush draw, which the poker gods denied him – but it did deliver running fours to give Minieri a set. When needed, his pocket pair of queens held up against the K-T of Fischer, meaning Dario finally got hold of his first WSOP win.
