Poker Tournament Ironman ‘Miami’ John Cernuto Passes Away At 81

“Miami” John Cernuto, poker’s all-time match cashes chief, has handed away after a battle with colon most cancers.

The longtime grinder with almost 600 in-the-money finishes, 76 match wins, and greater than $6.3 million in earnings was 81 years previous.

Cernuto first discovered to play poker along with his household across the kitchen desk.

“We performed seven card stud,” he instructed Card Participant in 2020. “Deuces have been wild if mother was dealing, and tens have been wild if grandma was dealing. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and oldsters have been all gamers, and it was enjoyable.”

He continued to play whereas in school and through his time within the military. The Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey native then moved to South Florida, the place he labored as an air visitors controller. When President Reagan fired air visitors controllers throughout their 1981 strike, he turned to poker to pay the payments.

He discovered loads of motion in Las Vegas, the place he rapidly turned referred to as ‘Miami’ John.

“I made a decision to make use of it the day I received my first massive occasion. It was a seven card stud occasion on the Amarillo Slim’s Tremendous Bowl of Poker at Caesars Palace. I entered as ‘Miami John’ and received this occasion, going wire-to-wire and solely dropping two pots. It was like magic, so I stored the title. I didn’t need to tempt destiny.”

Though he was 43 when he picked up his first recorded money, Cernuto caught the match bug early, and would usually benefit from bonuses awarded to the most effective participant of the sequence. Since he had no drawback taking part in each occasion, he was normally in competition.

“I loved a streak of successful one occasion at nearly each venue I attended for almost 20 years.”

“One other factor I’m additionally happy with is that there was a time period the place tournaments have been trending downward, however myself and a gaggle of about 50 continued to assist them whereas most others have been understandably supporting money video games. In a way, we turned the brand new pioneers of the match trade and held it collectively till it obtained very modern to play match poker once more. Now, it’s massive enterprise.”

He received the primary of his three WSOP bracelets in 1996, taking down the $1,500 stud eight-or-better match.

“Successful my first bracelet was surreal,” he recalled. “I used to be a prop participant for the LV Hilton poker site and I give up the job as a result of they wished me to prop a $15-$30 stud eight-or-better recreation. I didn’t like the sport on the time and I stored dropping at it. I had a brand new appreciation for it after [winning the bracelet].”

Cernuto added one other bracelet the following 12 months within the $2,000 no-limit maintain’em occasion and his third in 2002 within the $1,500 restrict Omaha occasion.

So I’m taking part in solely my fourth tour of 2024 and the vendor factors out that I’ve 3 bracelets to my older opponent, who says he has a couple of too. The vendor replied, “life alerts don’t depend”

— John Cernuto (@MiamiJohnC) April 18, 2024

The participant dubbed ‘The Ironman of Poker’ was decided to maintain taking part in till the top regardless of his well being points. Even with Octogenarian standing ultimately summer season’s WSOP, Cernuto racked up six cashes, together with a third-place end within the $1,500 eight-game combine.

Cernuto’s passing would be the spark wanted for the Poker Corridor of Fame to extend their induction charge from a single entry every year. He was a finalist nominated for the distinction for the final two years, however in the end misplaced out to high-stakes professionals Brian Rast and Patrik Antonius.

Cernuto joined Card Participant’s Poker Tales Podcast again in 2022 to speak about his legendary profession. You’ll be able to hearken to the total episode beneath.

The Poker World Reacts

Relaxation in peace “Miami” John Cernuto. 2024 Corridor of Fame finalist and 3x bracelet winner — one of many high match gamers of all time. pic.twitter.com/YJTgQr1Ldh

— WSOP – World Collection of Poker (@WSOP) February 11, 2025

Put Miami John Cernuto within the poker corridor of fame (posthumously now), please. This 12 months. Please. pic.twitter.com/YPaJmJmtlw

— Mark Seif (@markseif) February 11, 2025

Suggestion to the @WSOP:

Along with Participant of the Yr, award the Miami John Cernuto Trophy to the participant with the most effective mixed-game outcomes.

— Norman Chad (@NormanChad) February 11, 2025

HOF wants an overhaul alongside widespread sense traces the place a slate of old-fashioned guys like Thor Hansen and Miami John get in and to accommodate the upcoming inflow of younger worthy inductees.

(Properly carried out on inducing an opinion from me on this) https://t.co/bI6VIYFyHb

— Shane Schleger (@ShaneSchleger) February 11, 2025

Relaxation in peace to our expensive pal. It’s been a private pleasure of mine to compete with Miami John so many occasions over the previous few years. He will probably be missed

— Ari Engel (@AriEngelPoker) February 11, 2025

“Miami” John Cernuto has essentially the most poker match cashes all-time. He’s now on hospice in Las Vegas. I depend myself fortunate to have performed and even cashed with him a number of occasions over the past 20+ years. This image, taken by @BJNemeth, was from a WPT match in 2005. pic.twitter.com/eK1XO0bBbd

— Andy Bloch (@Andy_Bloch) February 10, 2025

*Pictures by Erik Quick, Joe Giron