“Miami” John Cernuto, poker’s all-time match cashes chief, has handed away after a battle with colon most cancers.
The longtime grinder with nearly 600 in-the-money finishes, 76 match wins, and greater than $6.3 million in earnings was 81 years outdated.
Cernuto first learned to play poker with his family across the kitchen desk.
“We performed seven card stud,” he informed 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 worked as an air traffic controller. When President Reagan fired air site 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 shortly grew to become referred to as ‘Miami’ John.
“I made a decision to make use of it the day I gained my first large 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 gained this occasion, going wire-to-wire and solely shedding two pots. It was like magic, so I stored the title. I didn’t wish to tempt destiny.”
Though he was 43 when he picked up his first recorded money, Cernuto caught the match bug early, and would typically reap the benefits of bonuses awarded to one of the best participant of the collection. Since he had no drawback enjoying each occasion, he was often in rivalry.
“I loved a streak of successful one occasion at virtually each venue I attended for practically twenty years.”
“One other factor I’m additionally pleased with is that there was a time frame the place tournaments have been trending downward, however myself and a bunch of about 50 continued to help them whereas most others have been understandably supporting money video games. In a way, we grew to become the brand new pioneers of the match trade and held it collectively till it received very trendy to play match poker once more. Now, it’s large enterprise.”
He won the first of his three WSOP bracelets in 1996, taking down the $1,500 stud eight-or-better match.
“Profitable my first bracelet was surreal,” he recalled. “I used to be a prop participant for the LV Hilton poker site and I stop 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 shedding at it. I had a brand new appreciation for it after [winning the bracelet].”
Cernuto added another 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 enjoying solely my fourth tour of 2024 and the supplier factors out that I’ve 3 bracelets to my older opponent, who says he has just a few too. The supplier replied, “life alerts don’t rely”
— John Cernuto (@MiamiJohnC) April 18, 2024
The participant dubbed ‘The Ironman of Poker’ was decided to maintain enjoying till the top regardless of his well being points. Even with Octogenarian standing eventually summer time’s WSOP, Cernuto racked up six cashes, together with a third-place end within the $1,500 eight-game combine.
Cernuto’s passing could be the spark wanted for the Poker Corridor of Fame to increase their induction rate from a single entry annually. He was a finalist nominated for the honour for the final two years, however finally 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 possibly can 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 prime match gamers of all time. pic.twitter.com/YJTgQr1Ldh
— WSOP – World Sequence 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 one of the best mixed-game outcomes.
— Norman Chad (@NormanChad) February 11, 2025
HOF wants an overhaul alongside widespread sense strains the place a slate of old style guys like Thor Hansen and Miami John get in and to accommodate the upcoming inflow of younger worthy inductees.
(Effectively completed on inducing an opinion from me on this) https://t.co/bI6VIYFyHb
— Shane Schleger (@ShaneSchleger) February 11, 2025
Relaxation in peace to our expensive good friend. It’s been a private pleasure of mine to compete with Miami John so many occasions over the previous few years. He will likely 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 rely 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
Trending Merchandise
