Posted 2/10/11 : Alessio Isaia takes home a main prize of Euro 380 000
Alessio Isaia became the first Italian to win a major World Poker Tour title this week when he took down the Main Event at WPT Venice after a record 8 hour heads up battle with runner-up Szabolcs Mayer of Hungary at the historic Casino di Venezia in Italy.
Snappily dressed in a tuxedo, Isaia secured a $25,500 seat for the WPT World Championship at Bellagio, a Tiffany bracelet and Euro 380 000 in first placing prize money.
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Isaia, who hails from Cuneo in Piedmont said: "I'm very happy. I've been trying to win a big tournament for three or four years. I came close in the EPT but I never achieved it. I'm even more happy to win it in Italy, my home country, it is really special. I'm very very tired. We played for eight hours heads-up, which was exhausting. Mayer was a very good opponent. The money will enable me to play other tournaments, but I'm more happy with the title and the bracelet."
Mayer put up a rousing fight but was in the end defeated and had to be content with a still-generous second placing prize of Euro 228 990. During the spirited heads up the chip lead switched dramatically a number of times, but in the end Mayer was unable to prevail.
The five day Euro3 300 buy-in Main Event was played through 3rd February to 8th February 2011 in the Casino Venezia's elegant and historic rooms, with high ceilings, amazing water views of the beautiful city and priceless artwork from the 16th and 17th century.
The event, the largest to ever take place in Venice, attracted an 523 competitors and will be televised and globally distributed by the WPT, with the telecast featuring Mike Sexton and Jesse May in the commentary box, with Kara Scott on hand to present the action.