WSOP: Bracelet Winner Q and A -- Max Pescatori

The popularity of poker is booming in Italy. Nevermind the recent success of Italian superstars Dario Minieri, Luca Pagano, Cristiano Blanco, Dario Alioto and Marco Traniello, the one who started it all, Max "The Italian Pirate" Pescatori recently took home his second bracelet in event no. 24. (Pot-Limit Hold'em / Omaha)

Pescatori spoke with Card Player shortly after the win to talk about his second bracelet and about how he rebounded from a not so stellar 2007.
 

Question: The first time you won a bracelet, the stars aligned and Italy won the World Cup. How does this victory compare?

Max Pescatori: It’s different. That joy I felt will never be the same because of the brotherhood there was with Italy during the World Cup. Of course, the first bracelet is always the best one. This one is more of a confirmation of my skills and the work that I really put into poker. I really love the game and this helps me reaffirm to myself that I’m actually pretty good. (Laughing)

Q: On the final hand against Kyle Kloeckner, he thought for awhile before deciding to push on you. What was going through your mind as he went into the tank?

MP: Once he thought about it for more than five seconds, I realized that he had two pair, like kings and threes, and I was just praying for a call with my top two pair. I also had a flush draw, which had him drawing to only one out. Even if he happened to push on me with a wrap draw, I would’ve been fine with it.

I had been pounding him during heads up, so I knew he was starting to get frustrated. To be honest, it was probably right for him to gamble against someone like me that was dominating.

Q: Who were the toughest opponents for you at the final table?

MP: It’s always hard to say that, but I think that Kyle Kloeckner and Jonathan Depa played very well. Kyle was very deserving to get heads up and Jonathan took a bad beat.

Q: How good does it feel to win a bracelet after a somewhat quiet 2007?

MP: Well, 2007 was problematic for several reasons. My mind was not completely there for one. I really wanted to focus this year. One of my friends called it a sophomore slump and I think that's fairly accurate. I wasn't playing my best in 2007 because of certain personal problems but I knew I wanted to do well this year.

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