Seat 5: Umberto Ruggeri, 30, Italy – 3,410,000
Umberto Ruggeri has played poker for nearly 15 years and is now a poker pro. He is mostly an online MTT grinder, but says he also played two or three live events this year. He finished 91st in the EPT Barcelona Main Event, earning €20,550, but his second cash will be much bigger. He is already guaranteed a six-figure prize here in Prague.
Ruggeri pointed to his double up against Grigorii Rodin on Day 4 a key moment in the tournament. After the turned flush which kept him alive, he says he gained confidence and started playing his best.
Ruggeri says he now feels like he is equipped to play in these tournaments regularly and already looks forward to traveling to all the EPTs next season. But while it may seem poker occupies nearly all of his time, the 30-year-old is also active on multiple fronts: he owns two Bed & Breakfast spots in Rome, where he regularly works.