Massimiliano (Max) "The Italian Pirate" Pescatori (born 1971 in Milan) is an Italian professional poker player.Pescatori is a regular on the poker tournament scene, often placing high in Card Player's Player of the Year Race.
He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994 and began playing seven card stud at the Luxor Hotel, eventually shifting his focus to hold'em when he found it to be more profitable.In 1998 he was mentored by Valter Farina, the only Italian to ever win a bracelet at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Pescatori went on to turn professional during 1999
His first major tournament win was in the $300 limit hold'em event in the 2003 World Poker Challenge in Reno, Nevada, where he defeated a final table including John Bonetti. Three days later he also won the Omaha Hi/Lo event.In 2004 he had two finishes in the money at the WSOP, and went on to win the $200 limit hold'em event of the Legends of Poker and make eight final table finishes in the Ultimate Poker Challenge's first season.
In 2005 he made six money finishes in the WSOP, three money finishes at Festa Al Lago and five money finishes at the National Championships of Poker.Pescatori has also finished in the money in three World Poker Tour (WPT) events.Despite having a home in Las Vegas, Pescatori considers himself Italian and is proud of his heritage, often wearing an Italian tricolor bandana on his head during tournaments.
He is also a good friends with poker professionals Evelyn Ng, Marco Traniello and Jennifer Harman.As of 2006, his total live tournament winnings exceed $800,000.
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